Initiation and duration of breast-feeding in women receiving antiepileptics.
OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to characterize breast-feeding initiation and the duration of breast-feeding in women receiving antiepileptics.


METHODS
A cohort study was performed on 34 pregnant epileptic women receiving antiepileptics and 34 pregnant age-matched controls.


RESULTS
Fifty percent of the group receiving antiepileptics chose breast-feeding as the initial feeding method, which was significantly less than the controls (85%, p = 0.004). The decision to choose initial feeding methods was closely associated with advice from physicians and other sources. The 17 women in the antiepileptics group who chose breast-feeding initially terminated breast-feeding significantly earlier than did the control group (4.7 +/- 2.6 vs 9.3 +/- 5.7 months post partum, p < 0.005).


CONCLUSIONS
Mothers receiving antiepileptics tend to choose formula feeding. Even when they choose breast-feeding initially, its duration is shorter than usual. Consensus and guidelines on this matter among experts remain to be reflected on and effectively implemented in current medical practice.
Ito
S
S
Department of Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Moretti
M
M
Liau
M
M
Koren
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D010819:Physician's Role; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy
D000927:Anticonvulsants