| Breastfeeding during the first hour of life and neonatal mortality |
| Authors: |
Boccolini CS, Carvalho ML, Oliveira MI, Pérez-Escamilla R. |
| Source: |
Jornal de Pediatria, 89(2):131-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jped.2013.03.005. |
| Topic(s): |
Breastfeeding
Neonatal mortality
|
| Country: |
More than one region
Multiple Regions
|
| Published: |
SEP 2012 |
| Abstract: |
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 Poisson
regression model, adjusted for potential confounders.
Results: Breastfeeding within the first hour of life was negatively correlated with neonatal
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 neonatal
mortality in this ecological study is consistent with findings from previous observational
studies, indicating the importance of adopting breastfeeding within the first hour
as a routine neonatal care practice. |
| Web: |
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S0021-75572013000200005&script=sci_arttext&tlng=en |
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