The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) recently published 
(April 2007) a large report based on research conducted by the Tufts-New 
England Medical Center Evidence-based Practice Center.  The research results 
will be used to update the US HHS Blueprint for Action on Breastfeeding and 
the research section of the US HHS web site section on breastfeeding.  I was 
part of the technical panel for this report.  

The technical panel helped the researchers decide what topics to include in 
the report.  Because of time contraints it was necessary to help the 
researchers narrow the choice of topics to review.  SIDS was one of the 
topics included.  

Other topics reviewed were - for infants: Otitis Media, Atopic Dermatitis, 
Gatrointestinal Infections, Lower Respiratory Tract Diseases, Asthma, 
Cognitive Development, Obesity, Cardiovascular Diseases, Diabetes, Leukemia, 
Infant Mortality, and NEC.  Maternal topics chosen to be included in the report 
were: Weight, Diabetes, Osteoporosis, PPD, Breast and Ovarian Cancers.

A history of breastfeeding is associated with a reduced risk of many diseases 
in infants and mothers in this report that focused on developed countries.  
The researchers noted that in future studies a clear definition of exclusive 
breastfeeding was needed, however.  

For the SIDS research the report stated:
"We conducted a meta-analysis by including only studies that reported clear 
definitions of exposure, outcomes, and results adjusted for well-known 
confounders or risk factors for SIDS.  Our meta-analysis of seven case-control 
studies found that a history of breastfeeding was associated with a 36% (95% 
CI 19% to 49%) reduction in the risk of SIDS compared to those without a 
history of breastfeeding.

The full referenced report is available from AHRQ for those who would like their 
own print copies.  It is also available online at the link below.      

BREASTFEEDING AND MATERNAL AND INFANT HEALTH OUTCOMES IN 
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES (April 2007, 186 pages)
http://www.ahrq.gov/downloads/pub/evidence/pdf/brfout/brfout.pdf

Katy Lebbing, BS, IBCLC, RLC
LLLI Center for Breastfeeding Information, Former Manager
Lactation Education Services, Private Practice
Villa Park, IL

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