Factors associated with breastfeeding in the first hour of life

[Factors associated with breastfeeding at birth in maternity hospitals linked to the Rede Cegonha, Brazil, 2016-2017]

Breastfeeding (BF) is a human right, and it must start from birth. The adequacy of Rede Cegonha (RC) strategies can contribute to the promotion of BF. The objective was to identify factors associated with BF in the first and 24 hours of live births at full-term maternity hospitals linked to CR. Cross-sectional study with data from the second evaluation cycle 2016-2017 of the RC that covered all of Brazil. Odds ratios were obtained through binary logistic regression according to a hierarchical model, with 95% confidence intervals and p-value < 0.01. The prevalence of BF in the first hour was 31% and in the 24 hours 96.6%. The chances of BF in the first hour increased: presence of a companion during hospitalization, skin-to-skin contact, vaginal delivery, delivery assistance by a nurse and accreditation of the unit in the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative. Similar results at 24 hours, and association with maternal age below 20 years. BF in the first hour was less satisfactory than in the 24 hours, probably due to the high prevalence of cesarean sections, a factor associated with a lower chance of early BF. Continuous training of professionals about BF and the presence of an obstetric nurse during childbirth are recommended to expand BF in the first hour.

Breastfeeding in the first hour of life in Brazilian private hospitals participating in a quality-of-care improvement project

BACKGROUND

The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative's Step 4 recommends: "support mothers to start breastfeeding as soon as possible after birth", thus contributing to the reduction of neonatal mortality. The objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence of breastfeeding in the first hour of life in private maternity hospitals participating in the "Adequate Childbirth Project", a quality-of-care improvement project, and to analyze determinants of this outcome.

METHODS

Secondary analysis of data collected by the cross-sectional evaluative "Healthy Birth Study", conducted in 2017 in 12 maternity hospitals participating in the Adequate Childbirth Project, where 4800 mothers were interviewed, and hospital records were observed. Conditions that prevented breastfeeding at birth, such as maternal HIV-infection and newborns' severe malformations, were excluded. Multiple logistic regression was performed according to a hierarchical theoretical model.

RESULTS

The prevalence of breastfeeding in the first hour of life was 58% (CI 95% 56.6-59.5%). Lower maternal education (aOR 0.643; CI 95% 0.528-0.782), lower economic status (aOR 0.687; CI 95% 0.504-0.935), cesarean section delivery (ORa 0.649; CI 95% 0.529-0.797), preterm birth (aOR 0.660; CI 95% 0.460-0.948) and non-rooming-in at birth (aOR 0.669; CI 95% 0.559-0.800) were negatively associated with the outcome. Receiving information during prenatal care about the importance of breastfeeding at birth (aOR 2.585; CI 95% 2.102-3.179), being target of the quality-of-care improvement project (aOR 1.273; CI 95% 1.065-1.522), skin-to-skin contact at birth (aOR 2.127; CI 95% 1.791-2.525) and female newborn (aOR 1.194; CI 95% 1.008-1.415) were factors positively associated with the outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

The private maternities participating in the Healthy Birth Study showed a good prevalence of breastfeeding in the first hour of life, according to WHO parameters. Prenatal guidance on breastfeeding at birth, being target of the quality-of-care improvement project and skin-to-skin contact at birth contributed to breastfeeding in the first hour of life.

Breastfeeding in infants seen in private pediatric practices and its relation with type of delivery and history of prematurity

OBJECTIVE

To describe the type of milk used to feed infants seen in private pediatric practices in Brazil. To evaluate the relationship between breastfeeding, type of delivery, and history of prematurity.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional and observational study that included 4929 infants in the first year of life seen in private pediatric practices in the five geographic regions of Brazil. Mothers provided information about the type of milk used by their infant, the type of delivery (vaginal or cesarean), and whether the birth was premature.

RESULTS

Breastfeeding was the only source of milk for 56.1% (1546/2755) of infants in the first six months of life and 32.9% (716/2174) in the second. Of the infants who received other types of milk besides breastfeeding, there was a predominance of infant formula in 98.6% and 93.8% of the infants, respectively, in the first and in the second six months of life. Whole cow's milk was used by 0.7% (20/2755) of infants in the first six months and by 4.1% (90/2174) of infants in the second (p < 0.001). In the first six months of life, breastfeeding as the only type of milk was associated with vaginal delivery (OR = 1.79; p < 0.001) and not having a history of prematurity (OR = 2.48; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Breastfeeding was the only milk source for more than half of infants before 180 days of life. Birth by cesarean section and history of prematurity were negatively associated with breastfeeding as the only source of milk used in infant feeding.

Breastfeeding after a cesarean section: A literature review

BACKGROUND

Breast milk is recognized as the best source of nutrition for babies. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months after birth and continued breastfeeding for up to two years. According to the reported literature, breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding rates worldwide are relatively low, especially after a cesarean section (C-section). Therefore, this review aims to summarize existing data on C-section and breastfeeding performance worldwide to interpret their relationship further.

METHODS

Research articles related to C-section and breastfeeding were retrieved from electronic databases, including CINAHL Complete, Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition, Academic Search Complete, MEDLINE, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Only full-text English articles reported from 2015 to 2020 are summarized in this review.

RESULTS

Among a total of 389 articles identified, 18 papers met our inclusion criteria, which reported that the C-section was associated with the initiation of breastfeeding and the duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Furthermore, these studies also discussed factors and experiences related to breastfeeding difficulties in mothers who have a C-section. Besides, several studies investigated effective initiatives that support breastfeeding in mothers who have a C-section.

CONCLUSION

C-section is thought to be related to the initiation and duration of breastfeeding. In comparison with natural childbirth, C-section can delay the start of breastfeeding and shorten the duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Moreover, the planned C-section is considered the most critical factor affecting breastfeeding. Also, breastfeeding initiatives are highly recommended to support mothers who have a C-section. According to the literature, different regions and populations may have distinct experiences of breastfeeding. Therefore, future research is required to identify breastfeeding support for diverse populations with higher quality.

Effects of elective cesarean sections on perinatal outcomes and care practices

Abstract Objectives: to verify the effects of elective cesarean sections on perinatal outcomes and care practices, as compared to vaginal deliveries. Methods: cohort study with 591 mothers and their babies, developed in a medium-sized city in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Data were collected from hospital records and by interviews at the neonatal screening unit in the city from July 2015 to February 2016. Data regarding childbirth, newborns, sociodemography, and current gestational history were obtained from each mother. The associations of interest were evaluated with Cox regression analyses adjusted for the covariates identified through the results of bivariate analyses presenting a statistical significance level ofp<0.20. In adjusted analyzes, relationships were considered significant ifp<0.05, with relative risk being considered as the measure of effect. Results: if compared to women who had vaginal deliveries, those who were submitted to elective cesarean sections were at a higher risk of not having skin-to-skin contact with their babies in the delivery room, of not breastfeeding in the first hour of life, and of having their babies hospitalized in a neonatal unit. Conclusions: reducing the number of elective cesarean sections is essential to foster good neonatal care practices and reduce negative neonatal outcomes.

Care for healthy newborns in Brazil: are we making progress in achieving best practices?

This paper aims to compare best practices for healthy newborns in public and mixed hospitals affiliated with SUS, according to type of birth, between "Nascer no Brasil/2011" (NB - Birth in Brazil) and in the last assessment cycle of Rede Cegonha, here called "Avaliação da Rede Cegonha/2017" (ARC - Stork Network Assessment). NB included a sample with national representativeness of 266 hospitals, and ARC was conducted in 606 maternity hospitals included in the Rede Cegonha strategy, totaling 15,994 and 8,047 pairs of healthy mothers and newborns, respectively.Between the two studies, NB-2011 and ARC-2017, although the proportion of cesarean sections remained around 44%, the prevalence of skin-to-skin contact with newborns, breastfeeding in the delivery room and breastfeeding in the first 24h of life increased by 140%, 82% and 6%, respectively. The proportion of upper airway aspiration of newborns dropped 65%. The results indicate that the use of evidence-based guidelines for the care of healthy newborns has increased in clinical practice, considering the six-year period between the compared studies. Despite the progress, important challenges remain to ensure best practices for all women and newborns, especially in relation to cesarean births.

Social support modifies the association between pre-pregnancy body mass index and breastfeeding initiation in Brazil

BACKGROUND

Many biological, social and cultural barriers for suboptimal breastfeeding practices have been identified in literature. Among these, excessive pre-pregnancy weight has been identified as a risk factor for not initiating breastfeeding early. Social support, coming from social networks (e.g. a partner, family or friends) or health care providers, has been positively associated with breastfeeding. This study aimed to examine the association between pre-pregnancy excessive weight and breastfeeding within the first hour after birth and if social support modifies this association.

DESIGN

National population-based study conducted with 21,086 postpartum women from February 1, 2011 to October 31, 2012 in 266 hospitals from all five regions of Brazil. Social support was defined as having a companion at the hospital. Main effects and interactions were tested with multivariable regression analyses.

RESULTS

Multivariate regression analyses indicated that class I and class II obese women had lower odds of breastfeeding within the first hour when a companion was not present (AOR = 0.59, 95% CI 0.42-0.82 and AOR = 0.59, 95% CI 0.36-0.97, respectively), but there was no association when the companion was present. Among overweight and obese women, the predicted probability of breastfeeding within the first hour was lower for those without a companion. This association was not found among those with normal pre-pregnancy BMI.

CONCLUSIONS

Social support modifies the relationship between pre-gestational BMI and breastfeeding initiation among women who are overweight or obese, specifically it reduces the risk of delayed breastfeeding initiation.

Avaliação do aleitamento materno em crianças até dois anos assistidas na atenção básica do Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil

Resumo O presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar o aleitamento materno exclusivo (AME) e total em crianças até 2 anos de idade atendidas em Unidades Básicas de Saúde (UBS) do Recife-PE. Estudo descritivo transversal, realizado nas Unidades Básicas de Saúde da Mustardinha, Jardim Uchôa, Fernandes Figueira e Upinha Novo Prado. A população foi composta por crianças de 0 a 24 meses de idade. Foram avaliadas 141 crianças, das quais 54,6% eram do sexo feminino, 22% tinham idade ≤ 6 meses, 21,3% entre 7 a 12 meses e 56,7% entre 13 e 24 meses. Ao analisar a prevalência de aleitamento materno exclusivo e total, verificou-se a mediana de 60,84 e 182,52 dias, respectivamente. Crianças do sexo masculino, uso de chupeta e mamadeira foram associados ao menor tempo de aleitamento materno exclusivo.

Impact of intention to become pregnant on breastfeeding in the first postpartum hour

This study aimed to analyze the impact of the intention to become pregnant on breastfeeding within the first hour after delivery. This is a cross-sectional study nested in the research "Birth in Brazil: national survey into labor and birth" carried out by the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze the data of 5,563 puerperae and their newborns who participated in the study. The following women evidenced a lower propensity to begin breastfeeding in the first hour of life: puerperae who did not wish to become pregnant (OR = 0.85; CI: 0.73-0.98) and who were dissatisfied upon learning that they had become pregnant (OR = 0.72; CI: 0.61-0.83). The intentionality of pregnancy affected maternal breastfeeding behavior so that women with unintended pregnancies were less likely to initiate breastfeeding in the first hour postpartum, thus evidencing that inadequate family planning may indirectly harm breastfeeding. Therefore, the quality of family planning services should be improved to reduce unintended pregnancies and prevent unfavorable outcomes for mother-and-child health, such as the late onset of breastfeeding.

Health facility structure and maternal characteristics related to essential newborn care in Brazil: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

To assess the use of the WHO's Essential Newborn Care (ENC) programme items and to investigate how the non-use of such technologies associates with the mothers' characteristics and hospital structure.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional observational health facility assessment.

SETTING

This is a secondary analysis of the 'Birth in Brazil' study, a national population-based survey on postnatal women/newborn babies and of 266 publicly and privately funded health facilities (secondary and tertiary level of care).

PARTICIPANTS

Data on 23 894 postnatal women and their newborn babies were analysed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The facility structure was assessed by evaluating the availability of medicines and equipment for perinatal care, a paediatrician on call 24/7, a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and kangaroo mother care. The use of each ENC item was assessed according to the health facility structure and the mothers' sociodemographic characteristics.

RESULTS

The utilisation of ENC items is low in Brazil. The factors associated with failure in pregnant woman reference were: pregnant adolescents (ORadj 1.17; 95% CI 1.06 to 1.29), ≤7 years of schooling (ORadj 1.47; 95% CI 1.22 to 1.78), inadequate antenatal care (ORadj 1.67; 95% CI 1.47 to 1.89). The non-use of corticosteroids was more frequently associated with the absence of an NICU (ORadj 3.93; 95% CI 2.34 to 6,66), inadequate equipment and medicines (ORadj 2.16; 95% CI 1.17 to 4.01). In caesarean deliveries, there was a less frequent use of a partograph (ORadj 4,93; 95% CI 3.77 to 6.46), early skin-to-skin contact (ORadj 3.07; 95% CI 3.37 to 4.90) and breast feeding in the first hour after birth (ORadj 2.55; 95% CI 2.21 to 2.96).

CONCLUSIONS

The coverage of ENC technologies use is low throughout Brazil and shows regional differences. We found a positive effect of adequate structure at health facilities on antenatal corticosteroids use and on partograph use during labour. We found a negative effect of caesarean section on early skin-to-skin contact and early breast feeding.

Determinants of the mean growth rate of children under the age of six months: a cohort study

This study aimed to investigate some factors that contributed to higher or lower growth rate of children up to the sixth month of life. This is a cohort study with 240 children evaluated in four stages. Variables of birth, eating habits of the child, mothers' breast-feeding difficulty and pacifier use were investigated. Children's weight gain rate (grams/day) and size gain (cm/month) were measured in all assessments and compared according to the variables of interest. In the first month, weight gain rate of children born by cesarean section was smaller. By the second month, the growth rate (weight and size gain) was higher among children who were exclusively or predominantly breastfed and lower among those who consumed infant formula. Children of mothers who reported difficulty to breastfeed showed a lower growth rate until the second month. Children age four months who consumed porridge had lower weight and size gain rate. Pacifier use was associated with lower weight gain rates up the first, second and fourth month.

Factors related to health services determine breastfeeding within one hour of birth in the Federal District of Brazil, 2011

Objective:

To identify factors associated with breastfeeding in the first hour of life.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study conducted among mothers and children under one year of age, who attended the second stage of the polio vaccination campaign in the Federal District, Brazil, in 2011. The sample was composed of 1,027 pairs of mothers and children. Breastfeeding in the first hour of life was considered as the dependent variable; and the independent variables were: socio-demographic characteristics of the mother, prenatal, delivery and postpartum care, reference to physical or verbal violence/neglect during delivery, and children health. Unadjusted and adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) were used as measures of association, calculated by Poisson regression.

Results:

The prevalence of breastfeeding in the first hour of life was 77.3%. Inadequate prenatal care (PR = 0.72), cesarean section (PR = 0.88) and no access to rooming-in after birth (PR = 0.28) were factors that interfered negatively in breastfeeding in the first hour of life. No factor was associated with breastfeeding in the first hour of life for mother and children.

Conclusions:

Factors related to health services such as prenatal care, type of delivery and postpartum rooming-in interfered with breastfeeding in the first hour of life, indicating that health services, as well health professional practices were major determinants the breastfeeding in the first hour of life.

Práticas educativas segundo os “Dez passos para o sucesso do aleitamento materno” em um Banco de Leite Humano

Resumo Este artigo objetivou avaliar práticas educativas segundo os “Dez Passos para o Sucesso do Aleitamento Materno” em Banco de Leite Humano. Estudo retrospectivo com informações sociodemográficas e gestacionais maternas e referentes ao bebê, obtidas de protocolo de atendimento de nutrizes (2009-2012). Tais dados foram associados aos passos relacionados a práticas educativas dentre os “Dez Passos”. Realizou-se análise descritiva, teste qui-quadrado e regressão de Poisson. Foram avaliadas 12.283 mães, com mediana de 29 (12-54) anos de idade. As orientações recebidas sobre amamentação no pré-natal (passo 3) prevaleceram entre mães de 30-39 anos e o contato pele/pele (passo 4) entre as orientadas. O treinamento sobre amamentação (passo 5) predominou entre aquelas que amamentaram exclusivamente. Notou-se maior prevalência de amamentação exclusiva (passo 6) e sob livre demanda (passo 8) e uso de bicos artificiais (passo 9) entre os lactentes de mães orientadas. Os achados apontam importante papel do profissional da saúde no treinamento mãe/filho sobre aleitamento materno e incentivo ao contato pele/pele, amamentação exclusiva e sob livre demanda. As orientações ofertadas necessitam aprimoramento a fim de reduzir o uso de bicos artificiais e potencializar a amamentação exclusiva.

Factors associated to nipple trauma in lactation period: a systematic review

Abstract Objectives: To identify the characteristics associated to nipple trauma in nursing mothers and propose a theoretical model explaining in hierarchical levels its determining factors. Methods: a systematic review of the literature based on the search of epidemiological studies of factors associated to nipple trauma in the databases of Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online/Pubmed, Literatura Latino-Americana and Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (Latin American Literature and Caribbean Health Sciences) and ScienceDirect. The conduct on searching articles occurred until June 2016. Results: 17 articles were selected which investigated 27 variables and found a significant association between 16 of these variables and nipple trauma. The factors associated to nipple trauma reported in two or more studies were: mother of race/color white or yellow, primiparity, inadequate position between mother and child during breastfeeding and handling the infant incorrectly to the mother's breast. Guidance received on handling and positioning the infant during prenatal care was a protective factor against nipple trauma. Conclusions: in the theoretical model explaining the factors associated to nipple trauma in hierarchical levels, the variables classified at the proximal level were the most investigated and were identified as risk factors in selected studies, indicating that in the postpartum care period is an important protective factor against nipple trauma.

Associação entre a autoeficácia no ciclo gravídico puerperal e o tipo de aleitamento materno

Objetivos: analizar la asociación de los promedios de los puntajes de Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy-scale (Short-form) de mujeres en el prenatal y el postparto con la clase de lactancia materna. Materiales y método: estudio longitudinal y cuantitativo, realizado en unidades básicas de salud de Pacatuba (Ceará, Brasil), con 50 mujeres con más de 30 semanas gestacionales, en el periodo de julio a noviembre del 2011. Fueron cuatro recolecciones: la primera realizada en la unidad de salud durante el embarazo y las otras tres en visita domiciliaria en el puerperio. Se utilizaron la escala en las dos primeras recolecciones y el formulario de salud infantil en las tres últimas. Resultados: se observó significancia estadística entre los promedios de los puntajes de la escala (p=0,009), en el dominio técnico (ρ=0,001), entre uso de leche artificial al nacer y la clase de lactancia posterior a la salida de la maternidad (ρ=0,001). En la maternidad, las madres de niños que amamantaban exclusivamente presentaron promedios de los dos puntajes de autoeficacia más elevados tanto en el prenatal como en el postparto (p<0,005). Conclusiones: urge la actuación de los profesionales de salud en estrategias de promoción de la lactancia materna pautadas en la autoeficacia, debiendo implementárselas en el ciclo gestacional-puerperal, pues es evidente que altos puntajes de autoeficacia están directamente relacionados con el mayor tiempo de lactancia materna.

The effect of skin-to-skin contact at birth, early versus immediate, on the duration of exclusive human lactancy in full-term newborns treated at the Clínica Universidad de La Sabana: study protocol for a randomized clinical trial

Background

Human lactancy is a simple and cost-effective strategy that influences infant and maternal mortality rates. Skin-to-skin contact (SSC) is an immediate postpartum period strategy that has proven to benefit the initiation and continuation of human lactation and to decrease hospitalization during the first week of life. This study aims to determine the effect of SSC initiation at birth (immediate versus early) in healthy, full-term newborns treated at the Universidad de La Sabana Clinic on the duration of exclusive human lactation.

Methods/design

A randomized, blind clinical trial will be performed with full-term healthy newborns born at the Universidad de La Sabana Clinic. The blind trial participants will be those persons measuring the results and analyzing the data. The sample size will be calculated for a type I error of 5 %, a two-tailed type II error of 20 %, and an estimated percentage loss of 30 %; 150 infants will be included in each group. Randomization will be performed using permuted, size-6 blocks. Descriptive analysis will be conducted using central tendency and dispersion measurements. A bivariate analysis will be performed to determine which variables are associated with exclusive lactancy at 6 months. For continuous variables, Student’s t test will be used for independent samples, and the Wilcoxon rank sum test will be used if the assumptions of normality for the t tests are not fulfilled. The assumption of normality will be evaluated using the Shapiro-Wilk and Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests. Categorical variables in contingency tables will be constructed to assess the independence between variables using the chi-square test, or Fisher’s exact test when the assumption of the number of cases is not met by the values in the contingency tables multiplied by two. This will be calculated as a measurement of the effect of relative risk (RR) with confidence intervals; the adjusted measurements will be calculated using a multivariate regression Poisson model. Variables with significant results will be used in the bivariate analysis, and those with biological plausibility will be used for the adjustment. The analysis will be carried out for a two-tailed type I error level of 5 %. The Stata 11 program will be used for data analysis. An interim analysis will be performed upon the submission of half the expected events (106), setting limits for the early termination of the trial according to the method proposed by Pampallona and Tsiatis (1994). Intervention: There will be two SSC randomization groups: early versus immediate. After completing the neonatal adaptation process and based on the group assignment, the mother will be left with her newborn child in hospital accommodation. Prior to discharge, the Infant Breast-Feeding Assessment Tool (IBFAT) will be applied. Monitoring will initially be performed with a face-to-face assessment between 3 and 10 days of life, followed by monthly telephone calls for 6 months to verify lactation status.

Discussion

SSC at birth has shown benefits in the short and long term for both the mother and the full-term newborn. Although the meta-analysis that have been done have shown the benefits of this technique, multiple differences in the SSC interventions have been identified because criteria such as the initiation or duration of SSC (dose) have not been unified. Colombia has a malnutrition risk of 11,4 % in the total population for the period 2012-2014, so it is necessary to promote strategies that generate a positive impact on the duration of human lactation, providing support from the clinical setting of humanized delivery which is included in the IAMI strategy (Instituciones Amigas de la Mujer y la Infancia – Friends of Women and Children Institution). Therefore, we propose that the initiation time of SSC in full-term new-borns is related to the duration of exclusive human lactation.

Trial registration

Registered ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT 02687685. Registered on 2 February 2016. This study is not yet open for participant recruitment.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13063-016-1587-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The baby-friendly hospital initiative and breastfeeding at birth in Brazil: a cross sectional study

BACKGROUND

Breastfeeding in the first hour after birth is important for the success of breastfeeding and in reducing neonatal mortality. Government policies are being developed in this direction, highlighting the accreditation of hospitals in the Baby-Friendly Hospital (BFH) initiative. The aim of this study was to analyze the association between delivery in a BFH (main exposure), compared to non BFH, and timely initiation of breastfeeding (outcome).

METHODS

Data came from the "Birth in Brazil" survey, a nationwide hospital-based study of postpartum women and their newborns, coordinated by the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation. A sample of 22,035 mothers/babies was analyzed through a hierarchical theoretical model on three levels, and all analyzes considered the complex sample design. Odds ratios were obtained by logistic regression, with a 99 % CI.

RESULTS

Among all births, 40 % occurred in hospitals accredited or in accreditation process for the BFHI and 52 % of women underwent caesarean section. In the final model, at the distal level, mothers less than 35 years old, and those who lived in the North Region, had a higher chance of timely initiation of breastfeeding. At the intermediate level, prenatal care in the public sector and advice on breastfeeding during pregnancy were directly associated with the outcome. At the proximal level, being born in a Baby-Friendly Hospital and vaginal delivery increased the chance of timely initiation of breastfeeding, while prematurity and low birth weight reduced the chance of the outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

The chance of being breastfed in the first hour after birth in Baby-Friendly hospitals was twice as high as at non-accredited hospitals, which shows the importance of this initiative for timely initiation of breastfeeding.

Fatores associados ao contato pele a pele entre mãe/filho e amamentação na sala de parto

RESUMO Objetivo Investigar fatores associados ao contato pele a pele entre mãe e filho e à amamentação na sala de parto entre nutrizes atendidas em um banco de leite humano. Métodos Foram avaliadas 12.283 mães em estudo retrospectivo (2009-2012) com dados secundários obtidos de protocolo estruturado. Adotou-se modelo de Poisson com abordagem hierarquizada em níveis distal, intermediário e proximal para dados sociodemográficos maternos; pré-natais e gestacionais; do bebê; e atenção hospitalar. Resultados Estiveram associados, respectivamente, à maior prevalência do contato pele a pele e da amamentação na sala de parto: parto normal (RP=1,34; IC95% 1,27-1,41 e RP=1,63; IC95% 1,45-1,83) e sem complicação (RP=1,24; IC95% 1,12-1,38 e RP=1,27; IC95% 1,03-1,56), peso ao nascer adequado (RP=1,23; IC95% 1,11-1,36 e RP=1,92; IC95% 1,48-2,48) e a termo (RP=1,18; IC95% 1,10-1,28 e RP=1,40; IC95% 1,17-1,67). Conclusão A forte influência da atenção hospitalar e as condições ao nascer do recém-nascido explicaram os desfechos em estudo. Ressalta-se a necessidade da adoção de medidas que priorizem o contato pele a pele e a amamentação na sala de parto nos grandes hospitais da capital, como a redução ou adiamento de intervenções na assistência pós-parto. Estudos longitudinais poderão esclarecer outras questões sobre o tema.

Fatores associados ao início tardio da amamentação em hospitais do Sistema Único de Saúde no Município do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, 2009

Resumo O objetivo do trabalho foi analisar os fatores associados com o início tardio da amamentação (não amamentar na primeira hora de vida). Estudo transversal conduzido em 2009 com 673 puérperas internadas em hospitais do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) do Município do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Um modelo de regressão logística multinível com dois níveis (individual e hospitalar) foi utilizado nas análises estatísticas. A prevalência de início tardio da amamentação foi de 49,2%. O parto em Hospital Amigo da Criança (HAC) teve um efeito protetor contra o atraso no início da amamentação (OR = 0,17; IC95%: 0,05-0,55), enquanto a cesariana (OR = 5,95; IC95%: 3,88-9,12) e o desconhecimento do resultado do exame anti-HIV até o parto (OR = 2,16; IC95%: 1,04-4,50) aumentaram a chance de atraso. Redução das taxas de cesariana, adesão aos protocolos de atenção pré-natal e ampliação do credenciamento dos hospitais como HAC são estratégias importantes para promover o aleitamento materno na primeira hora de vida.

Determinants of early initiation of breastfeeding in rural Tanzania

BACKGROUND

Breastfeeding is widely known for its imperative contribution in improving maternal and newborn health outcomes. However, evidence regarding timing of initiation of breastfeeding is limited in Tanzania. This study examines the extent of and factors associated with early initiation of breastfeeding in three rural districts of Tanzania.

METHODS

Data were collected in 2011 in a cross-sectional survey of random households in Rufiji, Kilombero and Ulanga districts of Tanzania. From the survey, 889 women who had given birth within 2 years preceding the survey were analyzed. Both descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were conducted. Associations between the outcome variable and each of the independent variables were tested using chi-square. Logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Early initiation of breastfeeding (i.e. breastfeeding initiation within 1 h of birth) stood at 51 %. The odds of early initiation of breastfeeding was significantly 78 % lower following childbirth by caesarean section than vaginal birth (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.22; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.14, 0.36). However, this was almost twice as high for women who gave birth in health facilities as for those who gave birth at home (OR = 1.75; 95 % CI 1.25, 2.45). Furthermore, maternal knowledge of newborn danger signs was negatively associated with early initiation of breastfeeding (moderate vs. high: OR = 1.73; 95 % CI 1.23, 2.42; low vs. high: OR = 2.06; 95 % CI 1.43, 2.96). The study found also that early initiation of breastfeeding was less likely in Rufiji compared to Kilombero (OR = 0.52; 95 % CI 0.31, 0.89), as well as among ever married than currently married women (OR = 0.46; 95 % CI 0.25, 0.87).

CONCLUSIONS

To enhance early initiation of breastfeeding, using health facilities for childbirth must be emphasized and facilitated among women in rural Tanzania. Further, interventions to promote and enforce early initiation of breastfeeding should be devised especially for caesarean births. Women residing in rural locations and women who are not currently married should be specifically targeted with interventions aimed at enhancing early initiation of breastfeeding to ensure healthy outcomes for newborns.

Factors associated with avoidable hospitalisation of children younger than 2 years old: the 2006 Brazilian National Demographic Health Survey

Introduction

Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions (ACSC) are conditions for which hospitalisation is thought to be avoidable with the use of effective preventive care and early disease management. The objective of this study was to estimate the rate of avoidable hospitalisations in children younger than 24 months of age participating in a Brazilian national representative survey and to identify the risk factors for such hospitalisations.

Methods

We analysed data from a cross-sectional study of 1901 children from the 2006 Brazilian National Demographic Health Survey of Women and Children (NDHS). The children’s socioeconomic, biological and maternal characteristics, nutritional status, and access to healthcare were tested; variables with p < 0.20 were selected to fit a Poisson regression.

Results

The prevalence of avoidable hospitalisation was 11.8 % (95 % Confidence Interval [CI], 9.0, 15.2); the prevalence was higher in the Southeast (40.1 %) and Northwest (21.7 %) macro-regions. The multivariate model identified five risk factors for avoidable hospitalisation: male gender (Prevalence Ratio [PR] = 1.48, p = 0.004), low socioeconomic level (PR = 1.51, p = 0.005), children from mothers younger than 20 years of age (PR = 1.41, p = 0.031), not breastfed within the first hour of life (PR = 1.29, p = 0.034), and neonatal hospitalisation (PR = 1.66, p = 0.043).

Conclusions

To decrease the costs associated with avoidable hospitalisations, health managers and professionals should focus their efforts on providing effective primary healthcare to families of low socioeconomic levels, particularly prenatal and paediatric care, as well as encouraging breastfeeding and supporting young mothers. Strategies to improve children’s health by controlling such hospitalisations in Brazil should consider all residence areas and geopolitical macro-regions.

A sala de parto: o contato pele a pele e as ações para o estímulo ao vínculo entre mãe-bebê

<p><strong>Objetivo:</strong> Este estudo teve como objetivo conhecer as experiências das puérperas adolescentes sobre o primeiro contato com seu bebê na sala de parto.</p><p><strong>Metodologia:</strong> De abordagem qualitativa e caráter descritivo, tratase de recorte da pesquisa multicêntrica Atenção Humanizada ao Parto de Adolescentes. Fizeram parte deste<br />estudo dez puérperas adolescentes que tiveram seus partos no hospital participante da pesquisa no período de novembro de 2008 a novembro de 2009. Para análise dos dados, foi<br />utilizada a análise temática (10).</p><p><strong>Resultados:</strong> Após análise dos dados obteve-se dois temas: O contato entre mãe-bebê na sala de parto e As ações realizadas na sala de partopara o estímulo ao vínculo mãe-bebê. Constatou-se que para algumas mães<br />adolescentes o primeiro contato com o bebê ocorreu na sala de parto e a ação de mais destaque na sala de parto<br />para estimular o vínculo da mãe com seu bebê foi a amamentação.</p>

Inequities in milk-based prelacteal feedings in Latin America and the Caribbean: the role of cesarean section delivery

BACKGROUND

Prelacteal feeds (ie, foods other than breast milk offered before the milk comes in) have been identified as a risk factor for shorter breastfeeding duration and neonatal mortality.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to test for socioeconomic inequities on the risk of milk-based prelacteal feeding associated with cesarean section delivery.

METHODS

We conducted secondary cross-sectional data analyses of 7 Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in Latin American and Caribbean countries between 2005 and 2010 (N = 49 253 women with children younger than 3 years of age). Multivariate logistic regression was used to test the association between cesarean section delivery and the risk of milk-based prelacteal feeding in the total samples as well as within the lowest and highest wealth quintile subsamples by country and in the pooled sample.

RESULTS

Almost one-third of newborns received milk-based (22.9%) prelacteal feeds. Prelacteal feeding prevalence varied from 17.6% in Guiana to 55% in Dominican Republic. Cesarean section delivery was associated with significantly higher odds of introduction of milk-based prelacteals in all countries (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] range, 2.34 in Bolivia to 4.50 in Peru). The association between cesarean section delivery and risk of milk-based prelacteal feeds was stronger among the poorest than wealthiest women (AOR [95% confidence interval], 2.94 [2.58-3.67] vs 2.17 [1.85-2.54]).

CONCLUSION

Women of lower socioeconomic status may need additional breastfeeding support after cesarean section delivery to prevent the introduction of milk-based prelacteals. Reducing the rates of cesarean section deliveries is likely to reduce the prevalence of prelacteal feeding.

Fatores associados ao aleitamento materno nas diferentes Regiões do Brasil

Objetivos: identificar os fatores que determinam o aleitamento materno nas diferentes regiões do país. Métodos: os dados fazem parte da Pesquisa de Orçamento Familiar de 2002-2003 realizada no Brasil. A amostra foi de 2958 crianças de zero a um ano, representativas da população nacional. Um modelo de regressão linear (GLM) com família binomial e ligação logarítmica foi criado para cada região, com um intervalo de confiança de 90%. Resultados: o aumento do número de moradores no domicilio é o principal fator negativo para a amamentação em todas as regiões do Brasil. Foram considerados como fatores desfavoráveis, no conjunto da amostra: mães com idade avançada, ter quatro ou mais moradores no domicílio, maior renda, maior escolaridade materna e uso de creche. Os fatores favoráveis foram: ter dois ou mais filhos menores de cinco anos em casa e mães de cor preta ou parda. Conclusões: as regiões que apresentaram um número maior de fatores desfavoráveis ao aleitamento materno foram Sudeste e Sul, sendo que o maior número de moradores no domicílio foi a pior situação para a efetivação da amamentação nas regiões do Brasil.

Factors associated to breastfeeding in the first hour of life: systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To identify independent risk factors for non-breastfeeding within the first hour of life.

METHODS

A systematic review of Medline, LILACS, Scopus, and Web of Science electronic databases, till August 30, 2013, was performed without restrictions on language or date of publishing. Studies that used regression models and provided adjusted measures of association were included. Studies in which the regression model was not specified or those based on specific populations regarding age or the presence of morbidities were excluded.

RESULTS

The search resulted in 155 articles, from which 18 met the inclusion criteria. These were conducted in Asia (9), Africa (5), and South America (4), between 1999 and 2013. The prevalence of breastfeeding within the first hour of life ranged from 11.4%, in a province of Saudi Arabia, to 83.3% in Sri Lanka. Cesarean delivery was the most consistent risk factor for non-breastfeeding within the first hour of life. "Low family income", "maternal age less than 25 years", "low maternal education", "no prenatal visit", "home delivery", "no prenatal guidance on breastfeeding" and "preterm birth" were reported as risk factors in at least two studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Besides the hospital routines, indicators for low socioeconomic status and poor access to health services were also identified as independent risk factors for non-breastfeeding within the first hour of life. Policies to promote breastfeeding, appropriate to each context, should aim to reduce inequalities in health.

Breastfeeding and sucking habits in children enrolled in a mother-child health program

BACKGROUND

Early weaning can cause changes in posture and strength of the phonoarticulatory organs, favoring the installation of undesirable oral habits. The objective of the research was to evaluate the relationship between the practice of exclusive breastfeeding and its influence on the development of deleterious oral habits in children. This was a cross sectional observational study with 252 children of both sexes, between 30 and 48 months of age, attending a program of dental care for mothers and newborns. As an instrument of data collection was a questionnaire semistructured mothers of children with questions about the form and duration of breastfeeding and non-nutritive oral habits in children.

RESULTS

In this sample, 48.4% of the children were exclusively breastfed for six months; 20.2% exhibited sucking habits involving the use of a pacifier, which was more frequent among the girls. As factors associated with the decreasing of the occurrence of non-nutritive sucking habits, are a longer exclusive breastfeeding, predominant breastfeeding and breastfeeding. Children who were breastfed for six months until twelve months in an exclusive way decreased by 69.0% chances of coming to have non-nutritive sucking habits when compared with those who were breastfed up to one month.

CONCLUSION

The longer the duration of breastfeeding, that is, exclusive, predominant or breastfeeding, the lower are the chances of children develop non-nutritive sucking habits.

Aleitamento materno na primeira hora de vida em um Hospital Amigo da Criança: prevalência, fatores associados e razões para sua não ocorrência

Objetivos: identificar a prevalência do aleitamento materno na primeira hora de vida, os fatores associados e as razões para sua não ocorrência em um Hospital Amigo da Criança. Métodos: estudo transversal com 562 mães e recém-nascidos. Os dados foram obtidos entre outubro a novembro de 2011 mediante formulários de entrevista e consulta a prontuários. Modelo de Poisson foi ajustado para analisar a prevalência do aleitamento materno na primeira hora de vida em função das variáveis de exposição. Resultados: a prevalência do aleitamento materno na primeira hora de vida foi de 31%. Apenas o parto normal permaneceu no modelo final, apresentando razão de prevalência de 27% a mais em relação ao parto cesáreo (p=0,020). As razões para que 388 crianças não tenham sido amamentadas na primeira hora de vida foram classificadas em: problemas de saúde da criança (328, 84,5%), da mãe (241, 62,1%) e atraso no resultado do teste rápido anti-HIV (199, 51,2%), 11 (2,8%) não apresentaram nenhuma justificativa. Conclusões: os resultados relatados ainda estão bem abaixo das recomendações da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS), o que em grande parte pode ser atribuído às condições próprias de um hospital de nível terciário, cuja demanda é constituída predominantemente por casos de pacientes de médio e elevado risco obstétrico.

Early contact and breastfeeding: meanings and experiences

The aim of this study was to analyze the meanings and experiences of early contact and breastfeeding of the postpartum women admitted at a Baby-Friendly Hospital. It is a descriptive, exploratory study, with qualitative approach, that was developed in a teaching hospital in the Northwest of Paraná state between November 2011 and January 2012, involving the participation of 16 postpartum women. Data were collected by means of non-participant systematic observation of the childbirths and semi-structured interview. The data collected were analyzed using the thematic content analysis. The results revealed that, soon after childbirth, the child-mother binomial provided the woman with a unique experience, triggering various sensations into the bio-psycho-social-cultural context of each one of the mothers, with feelings and meanings that favored the mother-child bond and the outset of breastfeeding.

Maternal accounts of their breast-feeding intent and early challenges after caesarean childbirth

BACKGROUND

breast-feeding outcomes are often worse after caesarean section compared to vaginal childbirth.

OBJECTIVES

this study characterises mothers' breast-feeding intentions and their infant feeding experiences after caesarean childbirth.

METHODS

data are from 115 mothers on a postnatal unit in Northeast England during February 2006-March 2009. Interviews were conducted an average of 1.5 days (range 1-6 days) after the women underwent unscheduled or scheduled caesarean.

RESULTS

thematic analysis of the data suggested was mostly considered the 'right thing to do,' preferable, natural, and 'supposedly healthier,' but tiring and painful. Advantages of supplementation involved more satiated infants, feeding ease, and longer sleep bouts. The need for 'thinking about yourself' was part of caesarean recovery. Infrequent feeding was concerning but also enabled maternal rest. Other breast-feeding obstacles were maternal mobility limitations, positioning difficulties, and frustration at the need for assistance. Participants were confused about nocturnal infant wakings, leading many to determine that they had insufficient milk. Mothers were surprised that sub-clinically poor infant condition was common following caesarean section. Some breast-feeding difficulty stemmed from 'mucus' expulsion that had to occur before the infants could be 'interested' in feeding. Women who cited motivations for breast feeding that included benefit to themselves were more likely to exclusively breast feed on the postnatal unit after their caesareans than those who reported infant-only motivations.

CONCLUSIONS

for the majority of mothers, breast feeding after a caesarean is affected by interrelated and compounding difficulties. Provision of more relational breast-feeding information may enable families to better anticipate early feeding experiences after caesarean section childbirth.

Cesarean Section Is Associated with Increased Peripheral and Central Adiposity in Young Adulthood: Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Cesarean section (CS) has been associated with obesity, measured by body mass index (BMI), in some studies. It has been hypothesized that this association, if causal, might be explained by changes in gut microbiota. However, little is known about whether CS is also associated with increased adiposity as measured by indicators other than BMI.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association between CS and indicators of peripheral and central adiposity in young adults.

METHODS

The study was conducted on 2,063 young adults aged 23 to 25 years from the 1978/79Ribeirão Preto birth cohort, São Paulo, Brazil. CS was the independent variable. The anthropometric indicators of adiposity were: waist circumference (WC), waist-height ratio (WHtR), waist-hip ratio (WHR), tricipital skinfold (TSF), and subscapular skinfold (SSF). The association between CS and indicators of adiposity was investigated using a Poisson model, with robust adjustment of variance and calculation of incidence rate ratio (IRR) with 95% confidence interval (95%CI), and adjustment for birth variables.

RESULTS

Follow-up rate was 31.8%. The CS rate was 32%. Prevalences of increased WC, WHtR, WHR were 32.1%, 33.0% and 15.2%, respectively. After adjustment for birth variables, CS was associated with increased risk of adiposity when compared to vaginal delivery: 1.22 (95%CI 1.07; 1.39) for WC, 1.25 (95%CI 1.10;1.42) for WHtR, 1.45 (95%CI 1.18;1.79) for WHR, 1.36 (95%CI 1.04;1.78) for TSF, and 1.43 (95%CI 1.08;1.91) for SSF.

CONCLUSION

Subjects born by CS had a higher risk for increased peripheral and central adiposity during young adult age compared to those born by vaginal delivery. The association of CS with adiposity was consistently observed for all indicators and was robust after adjustment for a variety of early life confounders.

Avaliação de fatores que interferem na amamentação na primeira hora de vida

Objetivo: Investigar como o passo 4 da Iniciativa Hospital Amigo da Criança foi aplicado, avaliar a prevalência da amamentação na primeira hora após o nascimento e analisar os fatores associados à não amamentação neste período de vida. Métodos: Estudo transversal conduzido em alojamento conjunto de maternidade de alto risco na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, com entrevista com amostra de 403 puérperas. A Razão de Prevalência, com seu respectivo intervalo de confiança de 95%, foi estimada a partir de modelo com função de ligação complementar log log, através do programa SPSS15® . Resultados: A prevalência de amamentação na primeira hora após o nascimento foi de 43,9%. A análise multivariada evidenciou que foram protegidas contra a não amamentação na primeira hora de vida as mulheres de cor não preta (RP = 0,62; IC 95%: 0,42-0,90), multíparas (RP = 0,66; IC 95%: 0,47-0,93), que fizeram pré-natal (RP = 0,23; IC 95%: 0,08-0,67), com parto normal (RP = 0,41; IC 95%: 0,28-0,60), cujos bebês tiveram peso ao nascer igual ou superior a 2.500g (RP = 0,31; IC 95%: 0,11-0,86) e que receberam ajuda da equipe de saúde para amamentar na sala de parto (RP = 0,51; IC 95%: 0,36-0,72). Conclusão: A ajuda prestada pela equipe de saúde à amamentação ao nascimento, que se constitui no “Passo 4 da Iniciativa Hospital Amigo da Criança”, bem como a cor materna não preta, a multiparidade, a realização de pré-natal, o parto normal e o peso adequado ao nascer contribuíram para o inicio do aleitamento materno na primeira hora de vida.

Exclusive breastfeeding duration and determinants among Brazilian children under two years of age

OBJECTIVE: The present study described the duration and identified the determinants of exclusive breastfeeding. METHODS: The study used data from the Pesquisa Nacional de Demografia e Saúde da Criança e da Mulher 2006 (National Demographic and Health Survey on Women and Children 2006). Data were collected using questionnaires administered by trained professionals and refer to a subsample of 1,704 children aged less than 24 months. The estimated durations of exclusive breastfeeding are presented according to socioeconomic, demographic and epidemiological variables. Kaplan Meier estimator curves were used to produce valid estimates of breastfeeding duration and the Cox's proportional hazards model was fitted to identify risks. RESULTS: The median estimated duration of exclusive breastfeeding was 60 days. The final Cox model consisted of mother's age <20 years (hazard ratio=1.53, 95% confidence interval=1.11-1.48), use of pacifier (hazard ratio=1.53, 95% confidence interval=1.37-1.71), not residing in the country's southeast region (hazard ratio=1.22, 95% confidence interval=1.07-1.40) and socioeconomic status (hazard ratio=1.28, 95% confidence interval=1.06-1.55). CONCLUSION: The Kaplan Meier estimator corrected the underestimated duration of breastfeeding in the country when calculated by the current status methodology. Despite the national efforts done in the last decades to promote breastfeeding, the results indicate that the duration of exclusive breastfeeding is still half of that recommended for this dietary practice to promote health. Ways to revert this situation would be ongoing educational activities involving the educational and health systems, associated with advertising campaigns on television and radio mainly targeting young mothers with low education level and low income, identified as those at high risk of weaning their children early.

Breastfeeding during the first hour of life and neonatal mortality

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the correlation between breastfeeding in the first hour of life with neonatal mortality rates.

METHODS

The present study used secondary data from 67 countries, obtained from the Demographic and Health Surveys. Initially, for data analysis, Spearman Correlation (95% CI) and Kernel graphical analysis were employed, followed by a Negative Binomial Pois- son regression model, adjusted for potential confounders.

RESULTS

Breastfeeding within the first hour of life was negatively correlated with neo- natal mortality (Spearman's Rho = -0.245, p = 0.046), and this correlation was stronger among countries with more than 29 neonatal deaths per 1000 newborns (Spearman's Rho = -0.327, p = 0.048). According to the statistical model, countries with the lowest breastfeeding tertiles had 24% higher neonatal mortality rates (Rate ratio = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.07-1.44, p < 0.05), even when adjusted for potential confounders.

CONCLUSION

The protective effect of breastfeeding during the first hour of life on neo- natal mortality in this ecological study is consistent with findings from previous observa- tional studies, indicating the importance of adopting breastfeeding within the first hour as a routine neonatal care practice.

Maternal request for in-hospital supplementation of healthy breastfed infants among low-income women

BACKGROUND

While hospital policies and medical issues are important factors in determining exclusive breastfeeding rates, medically unnecessary supplementation of infants is likely to be due, in part, to maternal request for formula.

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this project was to gain an understanding of the facilitating factors and decision-making processes surrounding maternal request for formula in the early postpartum period.

METHODS

A series of 12 focus groups were conducted among 97 English- and Spanish-speaking low-income participants in California's Supplementary Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Mothers were asked to share their in-hospital infant-feeding experiences.

RESULTS

The overarching theme that emerged was "lack of preparation" for what the early postpartum period would be like. Specifically, the decisions to formula feed fell into the following categories: inadequate preparation for newborn care (the need for rest and unrealistic expectations about infant behavior), lack of preparation for the process of breastfeeding, and formula as a solution to breastfeeding problems. Cultural factors were not mentioned as reasons for supplementation.

CONCLUSION

Interventions to promote in-hospital exclusive breastfeeding must address mothers' real and perceived barriers, specifically mothers' expectations related to breastfeeding and infant behavior.

Cesarean delivery is associated with an increased risk of obesity in adulthood in a Brazilian birth cohort study

BACKGROUND

Obesity is epidemic worldwide, and increases in cesarean delivery rates have occurred in parallel.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine whether cesarean delivery is a risk factor for obesity in adulthood in a birth cohort of Brazilian subjects.

DESIGN

We initiated a birth cohort study in Ribeirão Preto, southeastern Brazil, in 1978. A randomly selected sample of 2057 subjects from the original cohort was reassessed in 2002-2004. Type of delivery, birth weight, maternal smoking, and schooling were obtained after birth. The following data from subjects were collected at 23-25 y of age: body mass index (BMI; in kg/m(2)), physical activity, smoking, and income. Obesity was defined as a BMI ≥30. A Poisson multivariable model was performed to determine the association between cesarean delivery and BMI.

RESULTS

The obesity rate in adults born by cesarean delivery was 15.2% and in those born by vaginal delivery was 10.4% (P = 0.002). Adults born by cesarean delivery had an increased risk (prevalence ratio: 1.58; 95% CI: 1.23, 2.02) of obesity at adulthood after adjustments.

CONCLUSION

We hypothesize that increasing rates of cesarean delivery may play a role in the obesity epidemic worldwide.