Amamentação e prevenção às doenças na primeira infância: revisão integrativa

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life is recognized as one of the most effective interventions for promoting child health and preventing diseases in early childhood. Recommended by the World Health Organization and the Brazilian Ministry of Health, this practice provides all the nutrients necessary for healthy child growth, as well as immunological factors that contribute to protection against infections and other health problems. Scientific evidence demonstrates that breastfeeding reduces infant morbidity and mortality and promotes physical, cognitive, and emotional development. OBJECTIVE: To analyze how exclusive breastfeeding contributes to disease prevention in early childhood based on scientific evidence. METHOD: This study is an Integrative Literature Review guided by the PEO strategy (Population, Exposure, and Outcome). The population consisted of children in early childhood (0 to 2 years of age), the exposure corresponded to exclusive breastfeeding up to six months of age, and the outcome was related to disease prevention. The literature search was conducted in the PubMed, Virtual Health Library (VHL), SciELO, and Google Scholar databases. Studies published between 2015 and 2025, available in full text, written in Portuguese and English, and related to the research topic were included. RESULTS: A total of 270 potentially eligible publications were identified, of which 69 were excluded due to duplication. After applying the eligibility criteria, the final sample consisted of 13 primary studies. The findings showed that strengthening the immune system was the most frequently identified benefit, followed by the promotion of healthy intestinal microbiota development, reduction of diarrhea, protection against respiratory infections, and decreased incidence of allergies. Benefits related to the prevention of gastrointestinal diseases, otitis media, childhood obesity, diabetes, childhood leukemia, and other conditions affecting children's health were also observed. CONCLUSION: Exclusive breastfeeding plays a fundamental role in preventing diseases during early childhood, contributing to immune strengthening, reduction of infections, and promotion of healthy development. The observed benefits encompass immunological, nutritional, metabolic, and cognitive aspects, reinforcing the importance of promoting, protecting, and supporting breastfeeding as a priority public health strategy to reduce infant morbidity and mortality and improve the quality of life of children and mothers.