Maternal Exposure to Second-hand Smoke and Infant Feeding

The number of cigarette smokers is increasing in developing countries such as Iran, leading to a higher possibility of secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure. Chemicals such as cotinine, found in cigarette smoke, have negative effects on breast milk. These chemicals can change the flavor of breast milk, reducing the infant's tendency towards sucking which in turn decreases the production of breast milk. Therefore, it seems that, SHS can have negative effects on infant feeding. Regarding to the role of breast milk in infant's growth and health, we conducted a study to evaluate the impacts of maternal exposure to secondhand smoke on the infant feeding. Three hundred and forty mothers were participated in this prospective cohort study that, were divided into two exposed and non-exposed groups. Infant feeding and maternal smoke exposure have been followed up in three steps: in ۳-۵ days, and three and six months after the birth. Data were recorded in SPSS software version ۱۶.۰. Then, input data were analyzed by a Chi-square test and Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) model. The exposed mothers had lower rate of exclusive breastfeeding than the non-exposed mothers at three months (۵۷.۹% vs. ۷۱.۲%, P=۰.۰۱) and six months after birth (۲۲.۸% vs. ۵۰.۷%, P<۰.۰۰۱). Maternal exposure to secondhand smoke is associated with the infant feeding. Exclusive breastfeeding in the first ۶ months of infant's life was negatively influenced by the maternal smoke exposure. It seems that the rate of exclusive breastfeeding can be improved by cigarette smoke's avoidance.

کلیدواژه ها:

Tobacco Smoke Pollution ، Environmental Exposure ، Feeding Methods ، Infant