# Effect of Breastfeeding on the Course of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection in Infants: A Single-Center Retrospective Study

## TL;DR

Breastfeeding may reduce the severity and hospital stay duration for infants infected with respiratory syncytial virus compared to formula feeding.

## Contribution

This study provides evidence that breastfeeding is associated with shorter hospitalization for RSV-infected infants.

## Key findings

- Breastfed infants had shorter hospital stays (8 days) compared to formula-fed infants (11 days).
- Formula-fed infants spent an average of 1.7 days longer in hospital, according to a regression model.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the main pathogens causing infections of the respiratory system. In our study, we investigated whether breastfeeding, compared to feeding with formula milk, has an effect on RSV infection in newborns and infants. Methods: We analyzed 51 patients hospitalized at Department of Pediatrics, Newborn Pathology and Bone Metabolic Diseases, University of Lodz, with RSV infection. The infants were divided into two groups by the type of the feeding mode: breast milk or formula milk. Results: Breastfed infants were hospitalized for less time compared to those fed with milk formula (8 days vs. 11 days, p < 0.05). A multivariate linear regression model showed that babies fed with formula milk spent an average of 1.7 days longer in hospital than those fed with breast milk (95% Cl 0.247–3.209). Conclusions: Breastfeeding could reduce the risk, and in some cases, also the severity of RSV infection.