title: Assisted reproductive technology and breastfeeding outcomes: a case-control study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine if breastfeeding outcomes differ between mothers who conceived spontaneously compared with those who conceived with assisted reproductive technology (ART).
  
  
  METHODS
  Matched case-control study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Teaching hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-four women having a singleton baby conceived with ART, matched by maternal age, parity, mode of delivery, and gestational age to controls who conceived spontaneously.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cases and controls were interviewed using a standardized, structured questionnaire, to obtain information on lactation. Exposure to maternity care practices contributing to breastfeeding success was investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Initiation, exclusivity, and continuation of breastfeeding.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cases were as likely as controls to initiate breastfeeding (89.4% vs. 90.4%), but by 6 weeks postpartum, a greater proportion of mothers who conceived through ART has ceased breastfeeding (20.2% vs. 5.3%). The percentage of mothers who exclusively breastfed their child for 6 months was similar among the 2 groups. On univariate conditional logistic regression, a history of using ART was the only predictor of early breastfeeding cessation (odds ratio = 65.3 [95% confidence interval: 1.5-2889.3]).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Women who have conceived with ART should be regarded as being at higher risk for early breastfeeding cessation. This study serves as a first step in the investigation of potential modifiable factors that contribute to breastfeeding failure among women who give birth after using ART, and may help in efforts to customize breastfeeding support strategies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy. Electronic address: antonella.comi@uninsubria.it.
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cromi
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Serati
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Ilario
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Candeloro
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Uccella
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scandroglio
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Del Ponte Hospital, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Agosti
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ghezzi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014886:Weaning
keywords: Assisted reproductive technology; assisted conception; breastfeeding; lactation; parenting