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Long-term duration of breastfeeding in Swedish low birth weight infants
Renée Flacking1, Kerstin Hedberg Nyqvist, Uwe Ewald
1Falu Hospital Neonatal Unit, Sweden.
Insights
Low birth weight (LBW) infants show high initial breastfeeding rates but shorter overall duration. Multiparous mothers were linked to reduced breastfeeding duration in LBW infants, highlighting the need for enhanced support.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neonatology
- Public Health
Background:
- Low birth weight (LBW) infants (< 2500 g) represent a vulnerable population requiring specific nutritional support.
- Breastfeeding provides numerous benefits for infant health and development, particularly for preterm and LBW infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term incidence and duration of breastfeeding in a cohort of LBW infants in Sweden.
- To compare breastfeeding patterns in LBW infants with the general infant population in the same region.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of breastfeeding data for 70 LBW infants from neonatal unit discharge up to 8 months postnatal age.
- Comparison with annual breastfeeding data of 2,751 infants from the same geographical area and birth year.
- Cox regression analysis to identify predictors of breastfeeding duration, including multiparity.
Main Results:
- 93% of LBW infants received breast milk at discharge, compared to 97% of the general population.
- Breastfeeding rates at 6 months were 36% for LBW infants versus 75% for the general population.
- Multiparity was a significant predictor of shorter breastfeeding duration in LBW infants (OR = 2.51).
Conclusions:
- LBW infants exhibit a high initial incidence of breastfeeding but a significantly shorter duration compared to controls.
- The findings underscore the necessity for intensified, sustained breastfeeding support for mothers of LBW infants.
- Targeted interventions may be required for mothers with multiple children to prolong breastfeeding duration in LBW infants.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to describe the long-term incidence of breastfeeding in a geographically defined cohort of low birth weight (LBW) (< 2500 g) Swedish infants (N = 70) at discharge from a neonatal unit and at the postnatal ages of 2, 4, 6, and 8 months. The infants' breastfeeding data were examined retrospectively and compared to annual breastfeeding data for all infants born in the same year and county (N = 2,751). Ninety-three percent of the LBW infants were fed breast milk at discharge and 36% at 6 months, compared to 97% and 75%, respectively, of the county population. Cox regression analysis showed that multiparity was a significant predictor associated with shorter breastfeeding in LBW infants (odds ratio = 2.51. 95% confidence interval, 1.35-4.69). LBW infants had a high breastfeeding incidence but a significantly shorter duration than controls. This result indicates the need for intensified support throughout the breastfeeding period.