Incidence and Factors Associated with Breastfeeding at Six Months in Very-Low-Birthweight Infants: A Single-Center Prospective Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33192/smj.v76i8.268307Keywords:
Breastfeeding, cesarean section, maternal education, hospital discharge, very-low birthweight infantsAbstract
Objective: Primary objective was to determine success rate of breastfeeding (BF) at 6-month-postnatal age (PNA). Secondary objective was to explore factors associated with unsuccessful BF at 6-month-PNA in very-low-birthweight (VLBW) infants.
Materials and Methods: Single-center, prospective, observational study was conducted. Inclusion criteria were discharged VLBW infants and maternal desire for BF. We conducted telephone interviews to assess feeding type and volume every 2 months until 12-month-PNA and reasons for BF cessation.
Results: Eighty-nine VLBW infants were included. Mean (±standard deviation) maternal age was 31.4 ± 6.5 years. Median [P25, P75] gestational age was 29.0 [28.0, 31.5] weeks. At 6-month-PNA, 22 infants (24.7%) were exclusively breastfed, which decreased to 2 infants (2.2%) by 12 months. Rate of successful BF at 6 months was 55.1%. After controlling for potential confounders, factors associated with unsuccessful BF at 6 months were male [aOR (95% CI) 3.2 (1.1, 9.4), p = 0.04], longer hospitalization stays [aOR 1.0 (1.0, 1.1), p = 0.02], born via cesarean section [aOR 4.1 (1.1, 15.4), p = 0.04], maternal education below bachelor's degree [aOR 4.0 (1.1, 14.0), p = 0.03], and introduction of additional feeding types at hospital discharge [aOR 3.8 (1.2, 12.2), p = 0.03]. Main reason for unsuccessful breastfeeding at 6 months was inadequate milk supply (77.5%).
Conclusion: Fifty-five percent of VLBW infants retained successful BF at 6 months. Main reason for unsuccessful BF was inadequate milk supply.
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