Impact of breast milk on respiratory outcomes in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia

BackgroundThe objective of our study was to examine whether outpatient respiratory morbidities in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) are influenced by the human milk consumption. MethodsCaregivers of subjects recruited from a BPD clinic completed questionnaires regarding breast milk intake and respiratory outcomes. ResultsOne-hundred eighty-eight caregivers completed the questionnaire. Of these, 173 (92.0%) reported that the child received some breast milk. Infants who received breast milk for fewer months were more likely to be non-white, and have a lower household income, public insurance, and secondhand smoke exposure. A longer receipt of breast milk was associated with reduced likelihoods of emergency department visits, systemic steroid courses, and cough or chest congestion, and a trend towards a lower risk of re-hospitalizations. ConclusionsLonger duration of breast milk intake was associated with markers of higher socio-economic status, and reduced likelihood of acute and chronic respiratory morbidities among preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia.