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LATCH Score for Identification and Correction of Breastfeeding Problems — A Prospective Observational Study

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Abstract

Objective

To determine early breastfeeding problems using LATCH tool, and analyze the impact of breastfeeding supportive measures in improving LATCH score.

Methods

This prospective study included all inborn term neonates born at our center between September, 2019 and March, 2020. Breastfeeding problems were identified by LATCH score at 6–12h after birth, and were addressed by the study team providing breastfeeding support, education and training to mothers. LATCH scores were reassessed at 24–48h.

Results

Among 400 mother-infant dyads, 399 (99.7%) required support to position the neonate, 190 (47.5%) had poor latch and 52 (13%) had nipple problems during initial assessment. Breastfeeding supportive measures improved the LATCH score [median (IQR) 7 (5,8) vs 8 (8,8) at 6–12 and 24–48 hours, respectively; P <0.001], and reduced the number of mothers with LATCH score <8 [288 (72%) vs 63 (15.8%); P <0.001].

Conclusion

LATCH is a comprehensive yet simple tool to identify breastfeeding problems. Given the high incidence of breastfeeding problems during early postpartum period, systematic assessment of breastfeeding related problems using LATCH tool can help timely intervention and improvement in the breastfeeding technique.

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Funding

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Kovai Medical Center and Hospital (KMCH), Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641 014, India

    Sneha Mariya Rapheal, Balakrishnan Rajaiah & Srinivas Ramakrishnan

  2. Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, KMCH Institute of Health Sciences and Research, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India

    Rajendran Karupanan & Thangaraj Abiramalatha

Authors
  1. Sneha Mariya Rapheal
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  2. Balakrishnan Rajaiah
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  3. Rajendran Karupanan
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  4. Thangaraj Abiramalatha
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  5. Srinivas Ramakrishnan
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Contributions

SMR, BR: Concept, design, data collection, data analysis, manuscript writing; RJ, TA, SR: Concept, design, data analysis and manuscript review. All authors approved the final manuscript and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the research.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Balakrishnan Rajaiah.

Ethics declarations

Name of IEC: KMCH Ethics Committee; No. EC/AP/762/08/2019, dated August 24, 2019.

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Competing interests

None stated.

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Rapheal, S.M., Rajaiah, B., Karupanan, R. et al. LATCH Score for Identification and Correction of Breastfeeding Problems — A Prospective Observational Study. Indian Pediatr 60, 37–40 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-023-2692-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-023-2692-9

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