Paper Title
ASSOCIATION OF BREASTFEEDING WITH RESPIRATORY AND GASTROINTESTINAL INFECTION IN INFANTS OF MUSLIM MOTHERS OF KOLKATA

Abstract
WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) of infants up to 6 months of age. In developing countries infectious diseases such as respiratory tract infections (RTI) and diarrhoea continues to be the major causes of infant mortality and morbidity. This study was evaluated a relationship of occurrence of diarrhoea and RTI among breastfed infants of Muslim mothers of Kolkata. An observational cross-sectional community-based study was carried out in Muslim dominated urban slums of Kolkata. A total of 540 mother-infant pairs were selected for study by “6 cluster sampling method” in 6 municipal wards of Kolkata. In our study about 82.22% of breastfed infants had no diarrhoea. Thus, it is quite evident that breastfeeding promotes intestinal immunity, which further prevents diarrhoea in babies. Absence of RTI was observed in 69.81% of breast-fed babies. So, we find that breast-fed babies suffer less from RTI also. From our study it was also evident that both episodes of diarrhoea and RTI in infants becomes less and less as duration of breastfeeding increased. Babies breast fed for longer duration will give rise to lesser number of diarrhoeal and RTI episodes. The study revealed that occurrence of diarrhoea was found to be low in colostrum fed babies. Out of 391 colostrum fed babies, 334 babies (85.42%) had no diarrhoea and absence of RTI was noticed in 72.12% of colostrum fed babies. In conclusion, breast milk, particularly Colostrum, contains a high concentration of protein and substantial number of anti-infective factors whish gives protection to the babies against diarrhoeal diseases and respiratory infections. It is the most appropriate food for the infants. Keywords - Exclusive breastfeeding, Colostrum feeding, Muslim mothers, Muslim community, Prevention of diarrhoea and RTI, Infants health