Abstract
Two hundred low birth weight babies weighing less than 1.8 kg. were studied to evaluate the impact of breast feeding versus top feeding. There was significantly less mortality in the breast fed group as compared with the top fed group (23% vs 47%, P<007). This was true whether the data was analysed for gestational age. or birth weight, although statistical significance was not achieved in some groups, due to small numbers. The rate of infection was lower in the breast fed as compared with the top fed group (35% vs 54%, P<0.001). The cure rate from infection was also higher in the breast fed group (P<001). In the breast fed group the weight gain occurred earlier, although by the 3rd week it was marginally greater in the top fed group.
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Patel, R.B., Khanna, S.A., Lahiri, K. et al. Breast milk in low birth weight babies. Indian J Pediatr 48, 195–199 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02817004
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02817004