Long-term duration of breastfeeding in Swedish low birth weight infants.
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.
Falu Hospital Neonatal Unit, Sweden.
Renée
R
Flacking
Kerstin Hedberg
KH
Nyqvist
Uwe
U
Ewald
Lars
L
Wallin
D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010298:Parity; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013548:Sweden; D013997:Time Factors