Benefits of breastfeeding in cystic fibrosis: A single‐centre follow‐up survey

Abstract

Prolonged BF is beneficial in children with CF and may protect them against decline of pulmonary function. Particular attention should be paid to promote BF in infants with CF.

Growth failure in children with cystic fibrosis

“…American and European nutritional guidelines recommend breastfeeding for the fi rst year of life in patients with CF (2, 118) because it may protect them against decline of pulmonary function (122) . A consensus report on nutritional assessment and management in CF (117) has recognized that some infants with CF can sustain normal growth receiving human milk, but the report recommends that attention be paid to two potential metabolic complications, hypoproteinemia and hyponatremic alkalosis, and thus supplementing breast-fed infants with sodium chloride, especially in hot summer months.…”

Growth and pulmonary outcomes during the first 2 y of life of breastfed and formula-fed infants diagnosed with cystic fibrosis through the Wisconsin Routine Newborn Screening Program

“…However, its antimicrobial constituents may offer protection against respiratory infections (36)(37)(38)(39)(40)(41). The new 2009 CF Foundation (CFF) infant care guidelines (42) continued the 2002 recommendation (43) to suggest breast milk as the initial type of feeding for CF infants on the basis of surprisingly little evidence from only one US (35) and 2 European studies (44,45). Of utmost importance, the CFF guidelines (42) do not specify the exclusiveness or the duration of breastfeeding.…”

Nutritional considerations in patients with cystic fibrosis

“…Infants with CF can be safely breastfed. In a retrospective monocenter study, prolonged breastfeeding for at least 4 months was associated with better pulmonary function and may protect against respiratory infections [41]. Additional extra calories (limiting carbohydrate content up to 10-12 g/100 ml owing to the risk of decreasing the protein: energy levels and fat density 5 g/100 ml) can be added to expressed breast milk, and/or infant formula can be concentrated (1.2-1.5 cal/ml) if weight gain is poor, rather than increasing milk volumes, which might enhance the risk of gastroesophageal reflux.…”