Evaluation of children aged 2-5 years who have been hospitalized with lower respiratory tract infections in terms of breast milk intake

AIM: In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the children aged 2-5 years who were hospitalized with lower respiratory tract infection in terms of breastfeeding and to investigate the effect of breast milk on lower respiratory tract infections. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between 01.01.2016 and 31.12.2021, Muğla Training and Research Hospital Pediatrics polyclinics; The aim of this study was to retrospectively scan the files of 908 patients aged 2-5 years, who were admitted to the hospital with the diagnosis of pneumonia, and bronchiolitis, and who were not admitted to the outpatient clinic for general control or follow-up, and compare their breastfeeding status. IBM SPSS Statistic 26 program was used in the analysis of the data obtained from the cases. In this process, Chi-Square, T-Test, One-Way ANOVA and Correlation tests were used. RESULTS: 41.9% of the cases were female and 58.1% were male. Of the children aged 2-5 years included in the study, 22.4% were 2 years old, 37.5% were 3 years old, 27.3% were 4 years old, 12.8% were 5 years old. The mean age of the investigated cases was 3.30 ± 0.95. There was a statistically significant, weak negative correlation between breast milk intake up to 18 months and hospitalization status of the cases (p<0.01). There was a statistically significant, very weak negative correlation between breast milk intake up to 18 months and the hospitalization period of the cases (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It has been observed that breast milk, in addition to its many be-nefits and necessities, is protective against lower respiratory tract infections that requ-ire hospitalization. However, according to the information obtained in our study, the total duration of breastfeeding and the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months are below the targeted levels. Necessary information and incentive policies should be implemented in this regard. KEY WORDS: Breastfeeding, pneumonia, bronchiolitis, lower respiratory tract infection, Muğla