Breastfeeding and viral infections in preterm infants: a multicenter cohort study. | ScholarDeck

Paper

Breastfeeding and viral infections in preterm infants: a multicenter cohort study.

New research · Pediatrics

Pediatric research · 2w

Cohort studyPediatric research· Aug 2026

Breastfeeding and viral infections in preterm infants: a multicenter cohort study.

Yusaku Kamiya, Akihito Takeuchi, Kazue Nakamura … Noriko Sugino

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NeonatologyCohort studyQ1IF 3.1

Breastfeeding linked to lower influenza risk in preterm infants

Breastfeeding and viral infections in preterm infants: a multicenter cohort study.

Yusaku Kamiya … Noriko Sugino

Pediatric research · Aug 2026 · Q1 in Pediatrics

Purpose

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of breastfeeding status up to 6 months of age on the incidence of viral infections during the first year of life in preterm infants.

Methods

Data were obtained from the Japanese National Hospital Organization Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Registry for the periods 2010-2014 and 2016-2018.

Results

breastfed infants had lower risk of influenza infection

RR 0.66 (95% CI 0.48 to 0.89)

CI excludes the null - significant

“

Conclusion · 1 of 3

Breastfeeding for up to 6 months may lower the risk of viral infections in preterm infants, suggesting that providing breastfeeding support could contribute to improved health outcomes.

Conclusion · 2 of 3

IMPACT: This study examined the association between breastfeeding up to 6 months and viral infections in preterm infants using data from a multicenter cohort.

Conclusion · 3 of 3

Breastfeeding was associated with a lower incidence of influenza and showed a possible protective association with other viral infections.

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