title: Risk of early breastfeeding cessation among symmetrical, small for gestational age infants.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many studies have shown that children born small for gestational age are at a metabolic disadvantage. Breastfeeding is associated with reduced risk of developing metabolic syndrome.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether ponderal index, weight, length or head circumference at birth affect early exclusive breastfeeding discontinuation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Information from medical records of full-term infants attending the same paediatric clinic was used to examine the relationship between birth size and failure to breastfeed within 28 days after birth. Details of demographics and diagnoses were prospectively recorded. Feeding method was assessed at each child visit by their healthcare provider. Feeding practices were compared between infants of high, normal and low ponderal index at birth.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Multivariate models (p's ≤ 0.02) confirmed that the chance of exclusive breastfeeding continuation within 4 weeks of life was less in infants whose birth weight was below 2780 g or whose neonatal head circumference was < 33 cm. Birth length did not account for this effect. Ponderal index was not associated with a higher risk of early discontinuation of exclusive breastfeeding.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study reports that birth weight ≥ 2780 g and head circumference at birth ≥ 33 cm are independent predictors of breastfeeding onset success.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Hospital de la Santa Cruz y San Pablo, 90 Mas Casanovas St, 08041 Barcelona, Spain. drsverd@terra.es
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Verd
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Barriuso
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gich
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gutiérrez
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nadal-Amat
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Carreras
mesh_terms: D001724:Birth Weight; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002508:Cephalometry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013030:Spain; D013997:Time Factors; D014886:Weaning