Relationship of breast-feeding and hand-washing with dehydration in infants with diarrhoea due to Escherichia coli

This prospective cohort study was carried out in the neonatal unit of the Y angon Children Hospital, Myammar, to gather more information on the types o f feedings and hand-washing practices of mothers as the determinant of seve re dehydration in infants with acute diarrhoea due to Escherichia coli, The study subjects included 100 infants with diarrhoea, aged less than 4 month s, admitted to the hospital from June 1997 to May 1998. Data on isolation o f E. coli from rectal swab samples, types of feedings, hand-washing practic es, and dehydration status were collected. Of the 100 cases, E. coli was is olated from rectal swab samples of 48 infants. Of these 48 cases, 28 had so me dehydration and 20 had severe dehydration. Exclusive breast-feeding was observed only in the age group <1 and >1-2 month(s). The association of the severity crf dehydration with other types of feedings compared to exclusiv e breast-feeding was not statistically significant. In this study, most mot hers washed their hands with water only after cleansing their children's de faecation, and before and after feeding their children. The severity of deh ydration was statistically significant in hand-washing practices when compa red to washing with water only and washing with soap and water. This study has shown the association between types of feedings and hand-washing practi ces with dehydration in infants with acute diarrhoea due to E. coli. The re sults of the study suggest that there is a need for appropriate interventio n programmes to promote exclusive breastfeeding and hand-washing practices with soap and water after cleansing children's defaecation, and before and after feeding children.