Does the LATCH score assessed in the first 24 hours after delivery predict non-exclusive breastfeeding at hospital discharge?
OBJECTIVE
The aims of this study were to analyze the relationship between the LATCH score assessed in the first 24 hours after delivery and non-exclusive breastfeeding at discharge and to identify a cutoff for the LATCH score in order to identify women with higher risk of non-exclusive breastfeeding who may need additional breastfeeding support.


METHODS
We conducted a prospective observational study in the Maternity Ward of the Institute for Maternal and Child Health "Burlo Garofolo" (Trieste, Italy) and collected data from 299 mother-infant dyads.


RESULTS
The rate of nonexclusive breastfeeding was inversely related to the LATCH score (p<0.001) with non-exclusive breastfeeding infants scoring less (6.9) than infants exclusively breastfed at discharge (7.6) (p=0.001). In multivariate analysis, non-exclusive breastfeeding was also associated with cesarean section, primiparity, and infant phototherapy. In order to support maternity staff in providing targeted interventions, we identified four LATCH score cutoffs associated with as many risk groups for non-exclusive breastfeeding at discharge.


CONCLUSIONS
The LATCH score is a useful tool to identify mother-infant pairs who might benefit from additional skilled support in specific subgroups at risk of non-exclusive breastfeeding at discharge. Future research is needed to explore if the LATCH score assessed in the first days of life can also predict the duration of breastfeeding.
Department of Pediatrics, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
Gianluca
G
Tornese
Luca
L
Ronfani
Carla
C
Pavan
Sergio
S
Demarini
Lorenzo
L
Monasta
Riccardo
R
Davanzo
D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007558:Italy; D016015:Logistic Models; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010351:Patient Discharge; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012372:ROC Curve; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012944:Social Support