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Factor Affecting Duration of Exclusive Breast Feeding in Preterm Infants With Gestational Age ≤ 34 Weeks

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Abstract

Objectives

To study the factors influencing the duration of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) in preterm (≤34 weeks) infants.

Methods

This study was done in 113 preterm infants with gestational age ≤34 weeks who were attending the well-baby clinic at the corrected age (CA) of 6 month. The birth details were noted from hospital records and feeding details were collected through a personal interview.

Results

The mean (SD) duration of EBF was 3.61 (2.3) months, and 35.3% babies had received EBF till CA of 6 month. Operative delivery [aOR (95% CI): 3.8 (1.0, 13.4) P=0.037], delay in initiating tube feeding, [aOR; 1.5 (1.0, 2.1); P=0.017], and delay in establishment of oral feeds [aOR1 (1.0, 1.08) P=0.016] were associated with a shorter duration of EBF.

Conclusion

The prevalence of EBF till 6 months CA in preterm ≤34 weeks was 35.3%. Earlier initiation and establishment of full oral feeds may help in improving the duration of EBF.

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Funding

Funding: Doctoral Fellowship from SRIHER (PVR).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to be University), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

    Apoorva Kutar &  Padmasani Venkat Ramanan

Authors
  1. Apoorva Kutar
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  2. Padmasani Venkat Ramanan
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Contributions

Contributors: AK: data collection, statistical analysis, manuscript writing; PVR: study concept and design, supervision of data collection, data interpretation, statistical analysis, editing manuscript. Both authors have approved the final version of manuscript and are accountable for all aspects related to the study.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Padmasani Venkat Ramanan.

Ethics declarations

Ethics clearance: Research and Ethics Committee, SRIHER (DU); No. NI/19/JUL/70/60, dated Dec 27, 2019.

Competing interests: None stated.

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Kutar, A., Ramanan, P.V. Factor Affecting Duration of Exclusive Breast Feeding in Preterm Infants With Gestational Age ≤ 34 Weeks. Indian Pediatr 59, 703–706 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-022-2598-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-022-2598-y

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