The Association Between Breastfeeding and Growth Among Infants with Moderately Low Birth Weight: A Prospective Cohort Study
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between breastfeeding competency, as determined by Latch, Audible swallowing, Type of nipple, Comfort, and Hold (LATCH) and Preterm Infant Breastfeeding Behavior Scale (PIBBS) scores, and exclusive breastfeeding and growth among infants with low birth weight (LBW) in India, Malawi, and Tanzania. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted LATCH and PIBBS assessments among mother-infant dyads enrolled in the Low Birthweight Infant Feeding Exploration (LIFE) observational study of infants with moderately LBW (1500g-2499 g) in India, Malawi, and Tanzania. We analyzed feeding and growth patterns among this cohort. RESULTS: We observed 988 infants. We found no association between LATCH or PIBBS scores and rates of exclusive breastfeeding at 4 or 6 months. Higher week 1 LATCH and PIBBS scores were associated with increased likelihood of regaining birth weight by 2 weeks of age [LATCH: aRR 1.42 (95% CI 1.15, 1.76); PIBBS: aRR 1.15 (95% CI 1.07, 1.23); adjusted for maternal age, parity, education, residence, delivery mode, LBW type, number of offspring, and site]. Higher PIBBS scores at 1 week were associated with improved weight gain velocity (weight-for-age z-score change) at 1, 4, and 6 months [adjusted beta coefficient: 1 month 0.04 (95% CI 0.01, 0.06); 4 month 0.04 (95% CI 0.01, 0.06); and 6 month 0.04 (95% CI 0.00, 0.08)]. CONCLUSION: Although week 1 LATCH and PIBBS scores were not associated with rates of exclusive breastfeeding, higher scores were positively associated with growth metrics among infants with LBW, suggesting that these tools may be useful to identify dyads who would benefit from early lactation support.
Source: The Journal of Pediatrics
Authors: Krysten North, Katherine E.A. Semrau, Roopa M. Bellad, Sangappa M. Dhaded, Leena Das, Jnanindranath N. Behera, Irving Hoffman, Tisungane Mvalo, Rodrick Kisenge, Christopher R. Sudfeld, Sarah Somji, Rana R. Mokhtar, Linda Vesel, Shivaprasad Goudar, Sunil S. Vernekar, E.S. Siddhartha, Bipsa Singh, M.B. Koujalagi, Sanghamitra Panda, Eddah Kafansiyanji, Naomie Nyirenda, Melda Phiri, Friday Saidi, Nahya S. Masoud, Robert Moshiro, Danielle E. Tuller, Kiersten Israel-Ballard, Christopher P. Duggan, Anne C.C. Lee, Kimberly L. Mansen, Melissa F. Young, Karim Manji
Institutions: Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard University, Ariadne Labs, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research, Sriram Chandra Bhanja Medical College Hospital, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Program for Appropriate Technology in Health, Boston Children's Hospital, Emory University
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,320
OpenAlex ID: W4392381331