title: [Use of supplementation for breast-fed neonates in the maternity ward].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate our practices regarding the use of supplementation for breast-fed neonates.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive and prospective study conducted between 22/05/2010 and 23/03/2010 comprising breast-fed, healthy, singleton infants at the Maternity University Hospital of Tours. Indications for supplementation were collected prospectively by paramedics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study included 281 breast-fed neonates, of whom 99 (35 %) received supplementation. Supplemented neonates were more often children of primiparae (61.6 % versus 44%; P=0.005), or born to mothers without experience of breast-feeding (69.7% versus 48.9%; P=0.001), born by cesarean section (21.2% versus 10.4%; P=0.01), or were small for gestational age (10.1 % versus 6.6%; P=0.003). The main indications were: to prevent additional weight loss, hunger of the newborn, hypoglycemia, and difficulty to breast-feed. Twenty-nine percent of the neonates were given supplements without medical indication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  One third of breast-fed infants receive supplementation, not always medically justified. A better understanding of medical indications would avoid supplementation being given to breast-fed infants.
authors.affiliation: Unité de pédiatrie en maternité, université François-Rabelais de Tours, CHU de Tours, 2, boulevard Tonnelé, 37000 Tours, France. s.bigot@chu-tours.fr
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bigot
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lionnet
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Perrotin
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Saliba
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002585:Cesarean Section; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006815:Hunger; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000517:prevention & control; D041943:Infant Formula / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D008297:Male; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015431:Weight Loss