Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Turkish archives of pediatrics (Online), cilt.60, sa.3, ss.280-288, 2025 (ESCI)
Objective: The aim was to investigate the rates, duration, and possible influencing factors of breast milk feeding (BMF) in preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at dis- charge and in the first year of life. Materials and Methods: In a retrospective cohort study, 173 preterm infants <37 weeks who were hospitalized in the NICU were evaluated. Information was obtained from hospital records and mothers via telephone. Results: The BMF rate was 90.7% with 62.4% exclusively breastfeeding (EBF) and 28.3% par - tially breastfeeding at discharge. The exclusive, partial, and formula feeding rates were 53.7%, 27.7%, 18.5% and 43.9%, 37%, 19.1% at 4 and 6 months, respectively. The median EBF and total BMF durations were 4 (1-6) and 12 (4.5-24) months, respectively. Very preterms were weaned at a higher rate in the first 6 months compared to moderate and late preterms (50%, 26.3%, 33.3%, P = .046, respectively). EBF at discharge was significantly associated with EBF at 4 and 6 months by chronological and corrected age. The BMF rate for >12 months was higher for multiparous mothers (56.40%, 36.10%, P = .02). Total BMF duration was shorter in preterms with sepsis compared to those without sepsis (median 5 (1-12) and 12.5 (5-24) months, P = .02). It was positively correlated with gestational age (P = .046, r = 0.13), birthweight (P = .012, r = 0.17), APGAR (Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, Respiration) scores 1-minute (P = .002, r = 0.22) and 5-minutes (P = .016, r = 0.16), and maternal age (P < .001, r = 0.25) and negatively corre- lated with the length of stay in the NICU (P = .031, r = −0.14) and the intubation time (P = .006, r = −0.41). Conclusion: To improve breastfeeding, EBF should be aimed at discharge in all preterms. After discharge, breastfeeding support and close follow-up should be continued for all preterms, especially very preterms.