Exclusive breastfeeding and vitamin D supplements: a positive synergistic effect on the prevention of childhood infections?

Worldwide, according to WHO, about 2.7 billion children under the age of 5 are at risk of various infections associated with poor health and nutrition conditions. Statistics show that breastfeeding can prevent up to 820,000 infant deaths each year. The role of breast milk in the fight against respiratory infections and diarrhea, which occupy a leading position among the causes of infant mortality, is especially high. The use of breastfeeding in the first year of life reduces the risk of diseases such as pneumonia, bronchiolitis and gastroenteritis, and also contributes to the restoration of the intestinal microbiota in newborns, which significantly affects their immune status. Exclusively breastfeeding is a risk factor for vitamin D deficiency, infants should be given vitamin D at least for the first year. Encouraging breastfeeding and vitamin D supplementation is an important public health goal.