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Early cessation of breast milk feeding in very low birthweight infants
B Killersreiter1, I Grimmer, C Bührer
1Department of Neonatology, Charité Virchow Hospital, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany.
Insights
Breast milk feeding duration was significantly shorter for very low birthweight (VLBW) infants compared to term infants. Maternal smoking and lower parental education were key factors associated with early cessation in both groups.
Area of Science:
- Neonatology
- Public Health
- Lactation Studies
Background:
- Breast milk feeding offers numerous benefits for infant health and development.
- Understanding factors influencing feeding duration is crucial for improving infant outcomes.
- Very low birthweight (VLBW) infants may face unique challenges in achieving prolonged breast milk feeding.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the duration of breast milk feeding between VLBW infants and term infants.
- To identify risk factors associated with early cessation of breast milk feeding in both infant groups.
- To inform targeted interventions for promoting sustained breast milk feeding.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study comparing 89 VLBW infants (<1500g) with 177 term infants (>2500g).
- Data collected via medical records and maternal questionnaires at 6 and 12 months corrected age.
- Statistical analysis including median duration calculation and multivariate regression.
Main Results:
- Median breast milk feeding duration was 36 days for VLBW infants versus 112 days for term infants (P<0.0001).
- Maternal smoking, low parental education, and VLBW status were independent negative predictors of feeding duration.
- Factors like multiple pregnancy and younger gestational age (<29 weeks) were associated with prolonged feeding in VLBW infants.
Conclusions:
- VLBW infants experience significantly shorter breast milk feeding durations.
- Maternal smoking and lower parental education negatively impact feeding duration across infant groups, highlighting a public health concern.
- Targeted support for VLBW infant mothers is essential, alongside broader public health initiatives to increase breast milk feeding rates.
Abstract:
This investigation was carried out to comparatively assess the duration of breast milk feeding and to analyze risk factors for early cessation of breast milk feeding in term and very preterm infants. A cohort study was performed in 89 consecutive very low birthweight (VLBW) infants (<1500 g) who survived for at least for one week, and 177 term infants with birthweights >2500 g born in the same hospital matched for gender and multiplicity. Median duration of breast milk feeding, as determined from charts and questionnaires mailed to the mothers at 6 and 12 months corrected age, was 36 days in VLBW infants, compared to 112 days in control infants (P<0.0001). In both VLBW and control infants, smoking during pregnancy, low maternal and low paternal school education were each significantly associated with short duration of breast milk feeding. In VLBW infants, multiple pregnancy and gestational age <29 weeks were each associated with prolonged breast milk feeding, as were maternal age >35 years and spontaneous pregnancy (as opposed to pregnancy following infertility treatment) in term infants. Multivariate analysis revealed that VLBW, smoking and low parental school education were independent negative predictors of breast milk feeding. While these results emphasize the need for special support of VLBW infant mothers promoting lactation, the relationships between smoking, school education and breast milk feeding in both strata show that efforts to increase breast milk feeding require a public health perspective.
