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A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect
Published on: September 22, 2023
Risk of early breastfeeding cessation among symmetrical, small for gestational age infants
1Department of Paediatrics, Hospital de la Santa Cruz y San Pablo, 90 Mas Casanovas St, 08041 Barcelona, Spain. drsverd@terra.es
Insights
Higher birth weight and head circumference in newborns predict successful early exclusive breastfeeding. Infants born smaller are at higher risk for early breastfeeding discontinuation, impacting long-term metabolic health.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal health and development
- Pediatric nutrition
- Public health interventions
Background:
- Children born small for gestational age face metabolic challenges.
- Breastfeeding is linked to a lower risk of metabolic syndrome.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if birth size (ponderal index, weight, length, head circumference) influences early cessation of exclusive breastfeeding.
- To identify key neonatal anthropometric factors affecting breastfeeding continuation.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of medical records for full-term infants.
- Prospective recording of infant demographics and diagnoses.
- Assessment of feeding methods by healthcare providers at child visits.
Main Results:
- Infants with birth weight below 2780 g or head circumference less than 33 cm were less likely to continue exclusive breastfeeding for 4 weeks.
- Birth length and ponderal index did not significantly predict early breastfeeding discontinuation.
- Statistical models confirmed these associations (p ≤ 0.02).
Conclusions:
- Birth weight of at least 2780 g and head circumference of at least 33 cm are independent predictors of successful breastfeeding initiation.
- These findings highlight the importance of neonatal size in early infant feeding practices.
Background:
Many studies have shown that children born small for gestational age are at a metabolic disadvantage. Breastfeeding is associated with reduced risk of developing metabolic syndrome.
Objective:
To determine whether ponderal index, weight, length or head circumference at birth affect early exclusive breastfeeding discontinuation.
Design:
Information from medical records of full-term infants attending the same paediatric clinic was used to examine the relationship between birth size and failure to breastfeed within 28 days after birth. Details of demographics and diagnoses were prospectively recorded. Feeding method was assessed at each child visit by their healthcare provider. Feeding practices were compared between infants of high, normal and low ponderal index at birth.
Results:
Multivariate models (p's ≤ 0.02) confirmed that the chance of exclusive breastfeeding continuation within 4 weeks of life was less in infants whose birth weight was below 2780 g or whose neonatal head circumference was < 33 cm. Birth length did not account for this effect. Ponderal index was not associated with a higher risk of early discontinuation of exclusive breastfeeding.
Conclusions:
This study reports that birth weight ≥ 2780 g and head circumference at birth ≥ 33 cm are independent predictors of breastfeeding onset success.
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