New breastfeeding research center opens in Shanghai

A mother breastfeeds at a lactation room of a mall in Beijing, capital of China, July 24, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

A research center dedicated to epidemiology with a focus on the physiology of breastfeeding and the long-term health of mothers and children was established in Shanghai on Wednesday.

The Larsson-Rosenquist Foundation Shanghai Breastfeeding Research Center, the first of its kind in China, was co-founded by the Fudan and Tongji universities in Shanghai and the Family Larsson Rosenquist Foundation in Switzerland.

"This center will serve as a communications platform for scientists committed to breastfeeding as well as maternal and children health research, promoting multidisciplinary, comprehensive and international cooperation and exchanges," said Zheng Jialin, dean of the school of medicine at Tongji University.

Associated with the Children's Hospital of Fudan University and the Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, the research center will host four endowed professorships with a focus on research related to epidemiology and lactation. Researchers will conduct studies that have the potential to generate significant global impact and work with other members of the FLRF breast milk research network from around the world.

The foundation will endow a total of CHF 11 million ($11 million) to the new center and its professorships.

"We have found a fertile environment focused on excellence in basic research where, together with these leaders in science, we can advance the global epidemiological understanding of human lactation," said Goran Larsson, chairman of the board of Family Larsson-Rosenquist Foundation.

Mother and childcare services have been greatly improved in China since the reform and opening up 41 years ago, said Wu Jinglei, director of Shanghai Municipal Health Commission.

In Shanghai, for example, the maternal mortality rate for Shanghai residents dropped from 3.01 per 100,000 people in 2017 to 1.15 per 100,000 people last year. Meanwhile, the infant mortality rate decreased to 3.52 per thousand people.

"Breastfeeding is a key factor to improving the health of children and mothers," Wu added.

Huang Guoying, president of Children's Hospital of Fudan University, agreed.

"Breast milk is the best foods for infants. For premature infants and newborns with low birth weight, infection and intestinal diseases, breast milk is also a medicine," he said.

According to Huang, many studies have shown that breast milk contains a large amount of antibodies, bioactive ingredients and living cells to help babies fight infection. Breast milk can also help improve the functionality of brains, organs and vision, and improve digestion and immunity. It can also effectively reduce the incidence of some diseases, such as necrotizing enterocolitis and infection.

In line with the goals of China's Child Development Program (2011-2020), the country has been developing maternal and child health services, raising the awareness of breastfeeding throughout the nation, and constructing breast milk banks, said Wang Kerang, director of the children's health division at the National Health Commission.

However, Wang pointed out there are still challenges concerning aspects such as breastfeeding facilities in the workplace and public areas, maternity leave policies and breastfeeding knowledge.

"We will work with relevant departments to develop breastfeeding-related policies, and promote the construction of breast milk banks and breastfeeding consulting platforms in the future," he added.