Association between breast-feeding duration and posterior crossbites.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between breast-feeding duration and the subsequent occurrence of posterior crossbite in Brazilian children. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 714 six- to nine-year-old children. A questionnaire was completed by mothers or guardians of the children concerning the length of time they were exclusively breast-fed and the breast-feeding duration. A clinical examination of each child was conducted to detect posterior crossbite. Data were analyzed using Pearson's chi-square test at a five percent significance level. RESULTS: There was a posterior crossbite prevalence of approximately 15 percent. There was no statistically significant association between posterior crossbite and age or gender ( P >.05). The prevalence of posterior crossbite was higher among children who were not breast-fed (28 percent) than among breast-fed children (13 percent). There was a significant association between posterior crossbite and the length of time that children were exclusively breast-fed and the breast-feeding duration ( P <.05 percent). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of posterior crossbite gradually decreased as exclusive breast-feeding duration increased, and there was a relationship between breast-feeding duration and the occurrence of posterior crossbite.

Association between breastfeeding and the development of breathing patterns in children.

UNLABELLED: The aims of the present study were to evaluate the association between breastfeeding and breathing development and to investigate associations between breastfeeding duration and the breathing patterns in children. A cross-sectional study was carried out at the Institute of Integrative Medicine Professor Fernando Figueira, Recife, Brazil, with a random sample of 732 children aged between 6 and 9 years. Breastfeeding and breathing patterns were identified using a questionnaire that was filled out by mothers or guardians, and a clinical examination of the children. Data were analyzed statistically by Pearson's chi-square test at 5 % significance level. The prevalence of mouth breathing was 48 %, whereas 52 % of the children were nasal breathers. Six hundred-forty children were breastfed; 46.2 % of them were mouth breathers and 53.8 % were nasal breathers. Ninety-two children were not breastfed; 59.8 % of them were mouth breathers and 40.2 % were nasal breathers. Breastfeeding for 24 months or more, as well as exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months, was associated with the development of nasal breathing. CONCLUSIONS: Extended breastfeeding was associated with correct development of the breathing pattern.