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Signa vitae : journal for intesive care and emergency medicine, Vol. 9 No. Suppl. 1, 2014.

Original scientific paper

Breastfeeding success in low birth weight infants

Vesna MILAS ; Department of Neonatology, Clinical Hospital Centre Osijek, Josipa Huttlera 4, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
MAJA MEĐIMUREC ; Public Medical Centre of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
ŽELJKA RIMAR ; Public Medical Centre of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
IVANA MESIĆ ; General Hospital Vinkovci, Vinkovci, Croatia

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Abstract

Breastfeeding is a fundamental public health issue since it promotes health, prevents disease and helps contribute to reducing
health inequalities. It provides the foundation for a healthy start in life and prevents disease in the short and long-term
for babies and their mothers. The aim of the study was to point out the incidence of breastfeeding among low birth weight
(LBW) infants and factors that can influence it. We want to show that breastfeeding can be set independently of serious
medical complication even in LBW infants.
All LBW preterm (birth weight of up to 1500 g) admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) from 2009 to 2011 were
investigated. All LBW preterm infants had their mothers with them.
The study included 69 preemies with a gestational age from 25 to 32. About 36% of infants were breastfeed, 29% were
fed with their mother’s milk, and 35% were fed a combination of mother’s milk and industrial preparations. Severe medical
complications were not connected with successful breastfeeding in our study. Success of breastfeeding is statistically
connected only with the gender of the preemie or a premature infant, and with the duration of bottle feeding.
In observing the impact of complication (cerebral haemorrhage, asphyxia, mechanical ventilation and infection) on the
success of breastfeeding there was no statistically significant difference. The manner in which breastfeeding begins is very
important in LBW infants. When a premature baby begins to breastfeed, it is best to not to add milk from the bottle (despite
weight loss).

Keywords

breast feeding; low birth weight infants (LBW); mechanical ventilation; cerebral haemorrhage; kangaroo care

Hrčak ID:

134162

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/134162

Publication date:

1.6.2014.

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