The Effect of Exclusive Breastfeeding on Hospital Stay and Morbidity due to Various Diseases in Infants under 6 Months of Age: A Prospective Observational Study
Table 3
Statistical analysis: hospital stay versus feeding pattern.
Morbidity
Odds ratio with 95% CI#
Chi square test ()
value
Mean hospital stay (breastfed versus top fed)
Gastroenteritis
0.0132 (0.0026–0.0664)
42.6
<0.05 and <0.001
2.59 days (1.10–6.28 days) versus 7.48 days (1.76–13.19 days).
Bronchopneumonia
0.0863 (0.0164–0.4533)
10.39
0.0012
3.47 days (−0.34–7.41 days) versus 6.85 days (2.29–11.42 days).
Bronchiolitis
0
7.83
0.005
1.62 days (0.59–2.66 days) versus 5.47 days (−0.45–11.39 days).
Otitis media
0
9
0.003
2.62 days (1.14–4.11 days) versus 9 days.
Skin diseases
0
3.9
0.047
1.86 days (0.48–3.23 days) versus 6.0 days (−0.34–11.66 days).
Chi square test depicts absolute value with value. Significant positive association between lesser hospital stay and breastfeeding. OR (Odd’s ratio) depicting chances of prolonged hospital stay in association with breast feeding against top feeding.
