Variations in breastfeeding rates for very preterm infants between regions and neonatal units in Europe: results from the MOSAIC cohort.
OBJECTIVE
To compare breastfeeding rates at discharge for very preterm infants between European regions and neonatal units, and to identify characteristics associated with breast feeding using multilevel models.


METHODS
Population-based cohort of 3006 very preterm births (22-31 weeks of gestation) discharged home from neonatal units in eight European regions in 2003.


RESULTS
Breastfeeding rates varied from 19% in Burgundy to 70% in Lazio, and were correlated with national rates in the entire newborn population. Women were more likely to breast feed if they were older, primiparous and European; more premature, smaller and multiple babies or those with bronchopulmonary dysplasia were breast fed less. Variations across regions and neonatal units remained statistically significant after adjusting for maternal, infant and unit characteristics.


CONCLUSIONS
It is possible to achieve high breastfeeding rates for very preterm infants, but rates varied widely across regions and neonatal units throughout Europe.
Bonet
Mercedes
M
INSERM U953, Epidemiological Research Unit on Perinatal Health and Women's and Infants' Health, 16 Avenue Paul-Vaillant Couturier, 94807 Villejuif, France. mercedes.bonet-semenas@inserm.fr
Blondel
Béatrice
B
Agostino
Rocco
R
Combier
Evelyne
E
Maier
Rolf F
RF
Cuttini
Marina
M
Khoshnood
Babak
B
Zeitlin
Jennifer
J
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001997:Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / Q000628:therapy; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010298:Parity; D055815:Young Adult