Category
Textual or Investigative
Description
Breastmilk provides ideal nutrition for infants during early life, supporting physical growth, development, and long-term health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), breastfeeding protects against infant illness and child malnutrition by ensuring a consistent source of energy and nutrients.1 The WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding, which means no other liquids or solids except medicines or supplements, for the first six months of life to reduce negative health outcomes for infants and children.1 Only about 44% of infants worldwide are exclusively breastfed through six months of age, well below the WHO global nutrition target of 70% by 2030. In Guatemala, chronic malnutrition is a significant public health concern; nearly 50% of children are stunted, one of the highest rates worldwide,2-5 and all four forms of undernutrition identified by the WHO are prevalent.6-9 Therefore, improving breastfeeding rates remains a critical public health priority. The purpose of this study is to systematically identify and evaluate studies examining breastfeeding practices and infant outcomes in Guatemala and to identify gaps for future research. A systematic review of studies published between January 2015, and December 2025 was conducted across seven databases using keyword searches on breastfeeding and infant outcomes in Guatemala. The initial search yielded 771 results, which were screened for eligibility, resulting in 11 articles that met the inclusion criteria. Across included studies, breastfeeding, particularly early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding through six months, was most consistently associated with lower risks of diarrhea, acute respiratory infections, and all-cause infant morbidity, as well as in some cases reduced odds of stunting and underweight in the first two years of life. Conversely, delayed initiation, mixed feeding, and early cessation of breastfeeding were linked to higher prevalence of infectious illness and poorer growth indicators among Guatemalan infants. This systematic review addresses the literary gap on research documenting infant health outcomes associated with breastfeeding in Guatemala and can inform research and policy to align resource allocation with evidence-based public health priorities. Keywords: Breastfeeding; infant health; infant health outcomes; systematic review; Guatemala
Breastfeeding and Infant Health in Guatemala: A Systematic Review (2015–2025)
Textual or Investigative
Breastmilk provides ideal nutrition for infants during early life, supporting physical growth, development, and long-term health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), breastfeeding protects against infant illness and child malnutrition by ensuring a consistent source of energy and nutrients.1 The WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding, which means no other liquids or solids except medicines or supplements, for the first six months of life to reduce negative health outcomes for infants and children.1 Only about 44% of infants worldwide are exclusively breastfed through six months of age, well below the WHO global nutrition target of 70% by 2030. In Guatemala, chronic malnutrition is a significant public health concern; nearly 50% of children are stunted, one of the highest rates worldwide,2-5 and all four forms of undernutrition identified by the WHO are prevalent.6-9 Therefore, improving breastfeeding rates remains a critical public health priority. The purpose of this study is to systematically identify and evaluate studies examining breastfeeding practices and infant outcomes in Guatemala and to identify gaps for future research. A systematic review of studies published between January 2015, and December 2025 was conducted across seven databases using keyword searches on breastfeeding and infant outcomes in Guatemala. The initial search yielded 771 results, which were screened for eligibility, resulting in 11 articles that met the inclusion criteria. Across included studies, breastfeeding, particularly early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding through six months, was most consistently associated with lower risks of diarrhea, acute respiratory infections, and all-cause infant morbidity, as well as in some cases reduced odds of stunting and underweight in the first two years of life. Conversely, delayed initiation, mixed feeding, and early cessation of breastfeeding were linked to higher prevalence of infectious illness and poorer growth indicators among Guatemalan infants. This systematic review addresses the literary gap on research documenting infant health outcomes associated with breastfeeding in Guatemala and can inform research and policy to align resource allocation with evidence-based public health priorities. Keywords: Breastfeeding; infant health; infant health outcomes; systematic review; Guatemala
