BREASTFEEDING LATE PRETERM INFANTS - CAN WE DO BETTER?

Lower rates of breastfeeding are significant contributors to neonatal morbidity both on short and long term in late preterm infants (LPI). The authors evaluated the factors associated with lower rates of breastfeeding at discharge in LPI. Materials and methods: We analyzed maternal and neonatal factors that may affect breastfeeding rates in the LPI born 2013- 2015. Maternal and neonatal data were comparatively analyzed between exclusively breastfed, partially breastfed, and formula fed LPI. Results: The study group comprised 60 exclusively breastfed, 335 partially breastfed, and 40 formula fed infants at discharge. Compared to the infants exclusively breastfed, the infants fed exclusively with formula had significantly lower gestational age, birth weight, Apgar scores at 1 minute, higher incidence of maternal fetal-infections, and increased hospitalization length (p<0.05). Also, their mothers were more often multiparous, resident in rural areas, without prenatal care, and less educated (p<0.05). Compared to infants partially breastfed, the infants exclusively breastfed had lower Apgar scores, increased rates of anemia at birth, and longer admissions in neonatal intensive care unit (p<0.05). Conclusions: Identification of factors that affect breastfeeding rates may help professionals to implement effective strategies for breastfeeding success in LPI infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]