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Evidence-Based Updates on the First Week of Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Infants ≥35 Weeks.
Feldman-Winter, L, Kellams, A, Peter-Wohl, S, Taylor, JS, Lee, KG, Terrell, MJ, Noble, L, Maynor, AR, Meek, JY, Stuebe, AM
Pediatrics. 2020;(4)
Abstract
The nutritional and immunologic properties of human milk, along with clear evidence of dose-dependent optimal health outcomes for both mothers and infants, provide a compelling rationale to support exclusive breastfeeding. US women increasingly intend to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months. Because establishing lactation can be challenging, exclusivity is often compromised in hopes of preventing feeding-related neonatal complications, potentially affecting the continuation and duration of breastfeeding. Risk factors for impaired lactogenesis are identifiable and common. Clinicians must be able to recognize normative patterns of exclusive breastfeeding in the first week while proactively identifying potential challenges. In this review, we provide new evidence from the past 10 years on the following topics relevant to exclusive breastfeeding: milk production and transfer, neonatal weight and output assessment, management of glucose and bilirubin, immune development and the microbiome, supplementation, and health system factors. We focus on the early days of exclusive breastfeeding in healthy newborns ≥35 weeks' gestation managed in the routine postpartum unit. With this evidence-based clinical review, we provide detailed guidance in identifying medical indications for early supplementation and can inform best practices for both birthing facilities and providers.
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Prolactin, autoimmunity, and motherhood: when should women avoid breastfeeding?
Vieira Borba, V, Shoenfeld, Y
Clinical rheumatology. 2019;(5):1263-1270
Abstract
The sexual dimorphic prevalence of autoimmunity represents one of the most alluring observations among the mosaic of autoimmunity. Sex hormones are believed to be a mainstay of this asymmetry. The greater prevalence of autoimmunity among fertile women, disease onset/relapses during pregnancy, and postpartum are some of the points that support this theory. Undeniably, motherhood represents one of the most remarkable challenges for the immune system that not only has to allow for the conceptus but also deal with extraordinary hormonal alterations. Prolactin has a recognized immune-stimulatory effect, mainly inhibiting the negative selection of autoreactive B lymphocytes. In accordance, hyperprolactinemia has been associated with several autoimmune diseases, interfering with its pathogenesis and activity. During the pregnancy and lactation period, assorted autoimmune patients experience relapses, suggesting an active interference from increased levels of prolactin. This association was found to be significant in systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and peripartum cardiomyopathy. Furthermore, treatment with bromocriptine has shown beneficial effects specially among systemic lupus erythematosus patients. In this review, we attempt to provide a critical overview of the link between prolactin, autoimmune diseases, and motherhood, emphasizing whether breastfeeding should be avoided among women, both with diagnosed disease or high risk for its development.
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The impact of environmental pollution on the quality of mother's milk.
Pajewska-Szmyt, M, Sinkiewicz-Darol, E, Gadzała-Kopciuch, R
Environmental science and pollution research international. 2019;(8):7405-7427
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Abstract
Breastfeeding is a gold standard of neonate nutrition because human milk contains a lot of essential compounds crucial for proper development of a child. However, milk is also a biofluid which can contain environmental pollution, which can have effects on immune system and consequently on the various body organs. Polychlorinated biphenyls are organic pollutants which have been detected in human milk. They have lipophilic properties, so they can penetrate to fatty milk and ultimately to neonate digestive track. Another problem of interest is the presence in milk of heavy metals-arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury-as these compounds can lead to disorders in production of cytokines, which are important immunomodulators. The toxicants cause stimulation or suppression of this compounds. This can lead to health problems in children as allergy, disorders in the endocrine system, end even neurodevelopment delay and disorder. Consequently, correlations between pollutants and bioactive components in milk should be investigated. This article provides an overview of environmental pollutants found in human milk as well as of the consequences of cytokine disorder correlated with presence of heavy metals. Graphical abstract.
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Oral Sucrose Versus Breastfeeding in Managing Infants' Immunization-Related Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Gad, RF, Dowling, DA, Abusaad, FE, Bassiouny, MR, Abd El Aziz, MA
MCN. The American journal of maternal child nursing. 2019;(2):108-114
Abstract
BACKGROUND Treating pain during immunization should be a part of pediatric primary healthcare around the world, as untreated pain in children has short- and long-term consequences. Few studies of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic methods of pain relief during immunization have been conducted in low- and middle-income countries. Finding pain-mitigating interventions that are low-cost, effective, and feasible across all settings, including with low-resourced settings could improve primary healthcare. PURPOSE To evaluate the effectiveness of oral sucrose versus breastfeeding as methods of pain management during immunization of infants through 6 months of age. METHODS A randomized controlled experimental design was used; 120 infants were randomly assigned to control, sucrose, or breastfeeding groups. Data were collected in an Egyptian primary health center. Outcome measures including pain (as per the FLACC pain scale), crying time, and heart rate were measured at three time points. RESULTS There were significant differences in pain scores and crying duration during and after immunization (p < .001) for the breastfeeding group compared with the sucrose and control groups. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Health staff and parents need education and support in use of breastfeeding for pain management during immunization. More studies are needed to evaluate effectiveness of breastfeeding versus other pain management methods for managing infants' immunization-related pain.
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Paid Family Leave Effects on Breastfeeding: A Quasi-Experimental Study of US Policies.
Hamad, R, Modrek, S, White, JS
American journal of public health. 2019;(1):164-166
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Abstract
Objectives. To test whether paid family leave policies in California and New Jersey improved breastfeeding practices, overall and among key subgroups.Methods. We conducted difference-in-differences analyses, comparing pre-post policy changes in California and New Jersey with changes in states where no paid family leave policies were implemented. We examined a large, diverse sample of children born during 2001 to 2013 (n = 306 266), drawn from the 2003 to 2015 National Immunization Survey waves. Outcomes included ever breastfed, breastfed exclusively at 3 and 6 months, and still breastfed at 6 and 12 months, as well as duration of any breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding. We examined heterogeneity in policy response by maternal characteristics.Results. Paid family leave policies resulted in a modestly greater likelihood of exclusively breastfeeding at 6 months. Subgroup analyses were mixed, although several breastfeeding outcomes were consistently improved among married, White, higher-income, and older mothers.Conclusions. Exclusive breastfeeding improved after implementation of paid family leave policies in the overall sample, and additional benefits were noted for more advantaged mothers. This contributes critical evidence to an ongoing policy discussion, suggesting that subsequent paid family leave policies should be designed to target more vulnerable mothers.
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The physiological and glycaemic changes in breastfeeding women with type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Achong, N, Duncan, EL, McIntyre, HD, Callaway, L
Diabetes research and clinical practice. 2018;:93-101
Abstract
The World Health Organisation recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life (Australian institute of health and welfare, 2011). Breastfeeding confers many short- and long-term benefits for infants and mothers, including reduced childhood obesity and lower maternal body weight (Infant feeding survey, 2010; CDC National immunization surveys, 2012 and 2013; Sorkio et al., 2010; Hummel et al., 2014; Finkelstein et al., 2013). Exclusive breastfeeding is also recommended in women with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), for at least four months (Nucci et al., 2017). However, the impact of breastfeeding on mothers with T1DM, and, conversely, the impact of maternal T1DM on breastfeeding, is not clear. This review summarizes current knowledge regarding the epidemiology and physiology of breastfeeding in women with T1DM. In particular, it highlights the relationship between breastfeeding and glycaemia. Potential areas for future research are also identified.
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Effectiveness of home-based nutritional counselling and support on exclusive breastfeeding in urban poor settings in Nairobi: a cluster randomized controlled trial.
Kimani-Murage, EW, Griffiths, PL, Wekesah, FM, Wanjohi, M, Muhia, N, Muriuki, P, Egondi, T, Kyobutungi, C, Ezeh, AC, McGarvey, ST, et al
Globalization and health. 2017;(1):90
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) improves infant health and survival. We tested the effectiveness of a home-based intervention using Community Health Workers (CHWs) on EBF for six months in urban poor settings in Kenya. METHODS We conducted a cluster-randomized controlled trial in Korogocho and Viwandani slums in Nairobi. We recruited pregnant women and followed them until the infant's first birthday. Fourteen community clusters were randomized to intervention or control arm. The intervention arm received home-based nutritional counselling during scheduled visits by CHWs trained to provide specific maternal infant and young child nutrition (MIYCN) messages and standard care. The control arm was visited by CHWs who were not trained in MIYCN and they provided standard care (which included aspects of ante-natal and post-natal care, family planning, water, sanitation and hygiene, delivery with skilled attendance, immunization and community nutrition). CHWs in both groups distributed similar information materials on MIYCN. Differences in EBF by intervention status were tested using chi square and logistic regression, employing intention-to-treat analysis. RESULTS A total of 1110 mother-child pairs were involved, about half in each arm. At baseline, demographic and socioeconomic factors were similar between the two arms. The rates of EBF for 6 months increased from 2% pre-intervention to 55.2% (95% CI 50.4-59.9) in the intervention group and 54.6% (95% CI 50.0-59.1) in the control group. The adjusted odds of EBF (after adjusting for baseline characteristics) were slightly higher in the intervention arm compared to the control arm but not significantly different: for 0-2 months (OR 1.27, 95% CI 0.55 to 2.96; p = 0.550); 0-4 months (OR 1.15; 95% CI 0.54 to 2.42; p = 0.696), and 0-6 months (OR 1.11, 95% CI 0.61 to 2.02; p = 0.718). CONCLUSIONS EBF for six months significantly increased in both arms indicating potential effectiveness of using CHWs to provide home-based counselling to mothers. The lack of any difference in EBF rates in the two groups suggests potential contamination of the control arm by information reserved for the intervention arm. Nevertheless, this study indicates a great potential for use of CHWs when they are incentivized and monitored as an effective model of promotion of EBF, particularly in urban poor settings. Given the equivalence of the results in both arms, the study suggests that the basic nutritional training given to CHWs in the basic primary health care training, and/or provision of information materials may be adequate in improving EBF rates in communities. However, further investigations on this may be needed. One contribution of these findings to implementation science is the difficulty in finding an appropriate counterfactual for community-based educational interventions. TRIAL REGISTRATION ISRCTN ISRCTN83692672 . Registered 11 November 2012. Retrospectively registered.
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The Importance of Human Milk for Immunity in Preterm Infants.
Lewis, ED, Richard, C, Larsen, BM, Field, CJ
Clinics in perinatology. 2017;(1):23-47
Abstract
The immune system of preterm infants is immature, placing them at increased risk for serious immune-related complications. Human milk provides a variety of immune protective and immune maturation factors that are beneficial to the preterm infant's poorly developed immune system. The most studied immune components in human milk include antimicrobial proteins, maternal leukocytes, immunoglobulins, cytokines and chemokines, oligosaccharides, gangliosides, nucleotides, and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. There is growing evidence that these components contribute to the lower incidence of immune-related conditions in the preterm infant. Therefore, provision of these components in human milk, donor milk, or formula may provide immunologic benefits.
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Antithyroid drugs during breastfeeding.
Hudzik, B, Zubelewicz-Szkodzinska, B
Clinical endocrinology. 2016;(6):827-830
Abstract
Antithyroid drugs (ATDs) are widely used for the treatment of Graves' disease (GD) in the general population. Over the past decade, there has been an increasing awareness that several disturbances of thyroid function may occur in mothers after delivery which may be more prevalent than previously appreciated. Exacerbation of immune reactions occurs 3-12 month following delivery. Management of hyperthyroidism during lactation requires special considerations and should be implemented to prevent any adverse outcomes in mother and neonate. Continuation of breastfeeding is safe and should be encouraged in hyperthyroid mothers taking ATDs, whether these are ATDs being continued after gestation or indeed ATD treatment initiated in the postpartum period. Given PTU hepatotoxicity concerns, experts currently recommend using low-to-moderate MMI doses as a first-line therapy in lactating mothers. PTU should be reserved only as a second-line agent for cases of severe hyperthyroidism (thyroid storm) and allergic reactions to previous MMI treatment. ATD should be administered in divided doses immediately following each feeding. Evaluation of thyroid function tests is advisable at least 3-4 weeks after the initiation of breastfeeding.
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Compliance of mothers following recommendations to breastfeed or withhold breast milk during rotavirus vaccination in North India: a randomized clinical trial.
Rongsen-Chandola, T, Winje, BA, Goyal, N, Rathore, SS, Mahesh, M, Ranjan, R, Arya, A, Rafiqi, FA, Bhandari, N, Strand, TA
Trials. 2014;:256
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neutralizing antibodies in breast milk may adversely influence the immune response to live oral vaccines. Withholding breastfeeding around the time of vaccine administration has been suggested for improving vaccine performance. However, we do not know whether mothers find withholding breastfeeding around the time of vaccination acceptable and how they perceive this recommendation. METHODS In a clinical study designed to examine predictors of poor immune response to rotavirus vaccine in infants in India, Rotarix® was administered to infants at 6 and 10 weeks with other childhood vaccines. For the study, 400 mother-infant pairs were randomized into two groups in a 1:1 ratio. Mothers were either recommended to withhold breastfeeding or were encouraged to breastfeed half an hour before and after administration of Rotarix®. The mother-infant pairs were observed and the breastfeeding intervals were recorded during this period. Mothers were administered a questionnaire about their perception of the intervention after the infants received the second dose of Rotarix®. RESULTS Almost 98% (391/400) of the infants received both doses of Rotarix®. Adherence to the recommendations was high in both groups. All mothers in the group who were asked to withhold breastfeeding did so, except one who breastfed her infant before the recommended time after the first dose of Rotarix®. Of the mothers, 4% (7/195) reported that the recommendation to withhold breastfeeding was difficult to follow. All mothers in this group reported that they would withhold breastfeeding at the time of vaccination if they were asked to by a health-care provider. Only one mother responded that withholding breastfeeding would be a reason for not giving rotavirus vaccine to her infant. CONCLUSIONS Withholding breastfeeding half an hour before and after vaccination appears to be acceptable to mothers in this setting. If withholding breastfeeding produces an improvement in the performance of the vaccine, it could be used to increase the public health impact of rotavirus immunization. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinical Trial Registry, India (CTRI/2012/10/003057), Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01700127).Date of Registration: Clinical Trial Registry, India: 28 September 2012, Clinicaltrials.gov: 3 October 2012.