Breastfeeding Among Patients with Congenital Malformations

Background: This study was undertaken in order to 1) determine the frequency of infants with major congenital malformations who are breastfed and 2) identify factors associated with initiating and early weaning of breastfeeding. Methods: We conducted a descriptive cohort study at a tertiary-care pediatric hospital. Subjects included infants <20 days of age with major congenital malformations. According to the feeding pattern, the following three groups were identified: exclusively breastfed (EB); alternating breast and formula (ABF), and exclusively formula (EF). Follow-up interviews were conducted on a monthly basis until the infants were 6 months of age. The feeding pattern was determined during each visit. Reasons for changing the breastfeeding pattern were explored. ©Archives of Medical Research