BREASTFEEDING LATE PRETERM INFANTS - CAN WE DO BETTER?
Abstract:
Lower rates of breastfeeding are significant contributors to neonatal morbidity both on short
and long term in late preterm infants (LPI). The authors evaluated the factors associated with lower
rates of breastfeeding at discharge in LPI. Materials and methods: We analyzed maternal and neonatal
factors that may affect breastfeeding rates in the LPI born 2013- 2015. Maternal and neonatal data were
comparatively analyzed between exclusively breastfed, partially breastfed, and formula fed LPI. Results:
The study group comprised 60 exclusively breastfed, 335 partially breastfed, and 40 formula fed infants
at discharge. Compared to the infants exclusively breastfed, the infants fed exclusively with formula had
significantly lower gestational age, birth weight, Apgar scores at 1 minute, higher incidence of maternal
fetal-infections, and increased hospitalization length (p<0.05). Also, their mothers were more often
multiparous, resident in rural areas, without prenatal care, and less educated (p<0.05). Compared to
infants partially breastfed, the infants exclusively breastfed had lower Apgar scores, increased rates of
anemia at birth, and longer admissions in neonatal intensive care unit (p<0.05). Conclusions:
Identification of factors that affect breastfeeding rates may help professionals to implement effective
strategies for breastfeeding success in LPI infants
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