title: Length of stay in a neonatal intensive care unit and its association with low rates of exclusive breastfeeding in very low birth weight infants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify the inpatient maternal and neonatal factors associated to the weaning of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred nineteen VLBW (<1500 g) infants were monitored from July 2005 through August 2006, from birth to the first ambulatory visit after maternity discharge. This maternity unit uses the Kangaroo Method and the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative. Out of 119 VLBW infants monitored until discharge, 88 (75%) returned to the facility, 22 (25%) were on exclusive breastfeeding (EB), and 66 (75%) were weaned (partial breastfeeding or formula feeding).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Univariate analysis found an association between weaning and lower birth weight, longer stays in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and longer hospitalization times, in addition to more prolonged enteral feeding and birth weight recovery period. Logistic regression showed length of NICU stay as being the main determinant of weaning.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The negative repercussion on EB of an extended stay in the NICU is a significant challenge for health professionals to provide more adequate nutrition to VLBW infants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Maia
authors.forename: Railson
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Brandão
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Roncalli
authors.forename: Hélcio
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Maranhão
mesh_terms: D001724:Birth Weight / Q000502:physiology; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006801:Humans; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000534:rehabilitation; D013997:Time Factors