Breastfeeding, New Vaccines Lead To Decline In Infant Ear Infections

There are fewer American babies that are getting infected with ear problems compared with 20 years ago, says a new study. The reduction is not only due to new vaccinations, but also strangely because of high rates of breastfeeding, and lower smoking rates.

With half of the babies in America prone to painful ear infections before they turn one year, it is the main reason for prescribing antibiotics for them. While following babies from 2008 to 2014, the team found that 46 percent of the babies had got a middle ear infection before they turned one.

However, the remarkable recovery rate for babies shows that in the 1990s and 1980s, about 60 percent of babies had got an ear infection before they became a year old.

Dr. Tasnee Chonmaitree, a lead author of the study and an expert from the University of Texas Medical Branch, said the decline had been anticipated.

Researchers found that if parents breastfed the babies regularly, gave them vaccinations against flu and pneumococcal bacteria, then they were less prone to get the ear infection.

The study said the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, which has been given to babies only recently, has helped to bring down the infant ear infection rate. The pneumococcal vaccine can be given at two months, and can be followed by a series of booster shots, experts said.

Another contribution to the well-being of the baby could be secondhand smoke.

Breastfeeding helps as it gives antibodies to help protect babies from infections.

Dr. Richard Rosenfeld of SUNY Downstate Medical Center explains: "Breastfeeding helps boost a child's immune system by providing antibodies and immune globulins that fight germs."

The new report is published in the journal Pediatrics.