Exclusive Breastfeeding Duration and its Effect on the Health of the Children in Iran, a Meta Analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#breast-feeding #humans #infant #infant-nutritional-physiological-phenomena #infant-newborn

Exclusive Breastfeeding Duration and its Effect on the Health of the Children in Iran, a Meta Analysis

Dalili et al., 2019 | J Pediatr Nurs | Meta Analysis

Citation

Dalili Hosein, Shariat Mamak, ... Sahebi Leyla. Exclusive Breastfeeding Duration and its Effect on the Health of the Children in Iran, a Meta Analysis. J Pediatr Nurs. 2019;48:e8-e14. doi:10.1016/j.pedn.2019.04.030

Abstract

PROBLEM: Given the importance of exclusive breastfeeding (EB) duration on growth and to maintain health in children, we decided to systematically review the existing research on EB duration and its effect on the health of 2- to 5-year-old children in Iran. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: A systematic literature search was conducted in the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE), Google Scholar, PubMed, Psyc INFO, Thomson Reuters, Cochrane, and Medical Library (MedLib) to detect appropriate studies (1994 to 2016). Outcomes of mean, mean difference, and proportions were pooled. SAMPLE: In this meta-analysis, 38 studies met the eligibility criteria. RESULTS: The pooled mean of EB was calculated as 4.1 months (CI 95%: 3.2, 4.99). The meta prevalence of EB up to 4 months and 5 to 6 months was estimated 65.0% (CI 95%: 54.0, 77.0) and 54% (CI 95%: 46.0, 62.0) respectively. Based on studies conducted over the years from 1994 to 2016, an increasing trend of EB was found in infants up to 4 months (p ≤ 0.0001). Among children with anemia and respiratory diseases EB until 5 to 6 months was more common than in healthy children (CI 95%; 1.1, 2.11, and 1.01, 1.47 respectively). CONCLUSION: The duration of EB (4.1 months) was equal to the lower limit recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Overall, the duration of EB until 5 to 6 months is sufficient if the child's iron intake is well-monitored. IMPLICATION: Monitoring of the implementation of recent guidelines or even modification of the duration period of the iron administration is potentially necessary.

Key Findings

The pooled mean of EB was calculated as 4.1 months (CI 95%: 3.2, 4.99). The meta prevalence of EB up to 4 months and 5 to 6 months was estimated 65.0% (CI 95%: 54.0, 77.0) and 54% (CI 95%: 46.0, 62.0) respectively. Based on studies conducted over the years from 1994 to 2016, an increasing trend of EB was found in infants up to 4 months (p ≤ 0.0001). Among children with anemia and respiratory diseases EB until 5 to 6 months was more common than in healthy children (CI 95%; 1.1, 2.11, and 1.01, 1.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population healthy children
Sample Size 38
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Breast Feeding
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Iran
  • Nutritional Status
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Time Factors

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: iron

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09