Case-control study on COVID-19 exposure and duration of breast-feeding

Authors

  • Viviana Alejandra Beltrán Culqui
  • Zaihrys Herrera Lazo
  • Evelyn Betancourt Rubio

Keywords:

COVID-19, breast milk, exclusive breastfeeding, total breastfeeding, pregnancy

Abstract

Introduction: There is no known scientific evidence demonstrating the presence of COVID-19 in breast milk.

Objective: To evaluate whether exposure to COVID-19 is associated with the duration of exclusive and total breastfeeding in mothers in Ecuador, during the year 2022.

Methods: This was a relational, observational, retrospective, cross-sectional and analytical study with a case-control design. The analytical intention was to quantify the measure of association between COVID-19 (exposure) and duration of lactation (outcome), being the Odds Ratio the appropriate measure, although the Fisher-Freeman-Halton exact test was used, due to empty cells. The study sample consisted of 140 mothers.

Results: The mean age was 28.01 years (SD= 6.443 years and standard error of 0.545). 37.9 % were single (N=53); 23.6 % married (N=33); 20 % common-law (N=28); 17.1 % divorced (N=24) and 1.4 % widowed (N=2). P-values of 0.428 and 0.579 were observed for Pearson's chi-square tests for exclusive and total breastfeeding, respectively. Fisher-Freeman-Halton exact test provided p-values of 0.593 and 0.593 for exclusive and total breastfeeding, respectively.

Conclusions: Although indications of shorter duration were observed in mothers with COVID-19, statistical analyses did not significantly support this association. These findings suggest that, despite initial concerns, exposure to the virus does not appear to have a deterministic impact on breastfeeding duration in this specific population.

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Published

2024-04-08

How to Cite

1.
Beltrán Culqui VA, Herrera Lazo Z, Betancourt Rubio E. Case-control study on COVID-19 exposure and duration of breast-feeding. Rev Cubana Inv Bioméd [Internet]. 2024 Apr. 8 [cited 2025 Jul. 16];43. Available from: https://revibiomedica.sld.cu/index.php/ibi/article/view/3279