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High resolution longitudinal analysis to evaluate the timing, duration and dynamics of exclusive breastfeeding in the Peruvian Amazon (119.3)
Author(s) -
Ambikapathi Ramya,
Kosek Margaret,
Olortegui Maribel,
Caulfield Laura
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.28.1_supplement.119.3
Subject(s) - breastfeeding , medicine , pediatrics , demography , breast feeding , breast milk , cohort , biochemistry , chemistry , sociology
The duration of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is often defined by the time from birth to the first non‐breast milk food/liquid fed (non‐EBF), or it is estimated by calculating the proportion of women at a given infant age who EBF in the previous 24 hr. Others have measured the total days of EBF (personal prevalence), recognizing that although non‐EBF days may occur, extended periods of EBF can be re‐initiated. We estimated and compared these metrics using data from enrollment (median 4 d, IQR: 3, 6) to 180 d among infants enrolled in the Peru MAL‐ED cohort study. Twice weekly surveillance was conducted with caretakers queried about infant feeding patterns in the previous 24 hr. Total of 14,922 household visits and 48,781 child days of nutritional data in the first 180 d were collected among 271 infants. The median duration of EBF (to first non‐EBF) was 19 d (IQR: 7, 63), in contrast to 54 d (IQR: 52, 60) based on prior 24‐hr method. The median total EBF prevalence was 81 d (IQR: 28, 131). Differences are due to the return to EBF after a non‐EBF period. Median number of returns to EBF is 2 (IQR: 1, 4). The first time mothers returned EBF, their infants gained 10.9 d (SE 3.9), and the second time, infants gained 8.1 d (SE 4.1) of EBF. Studies show that longer personal prevalence of EBF positively affects infant health. In settings where women report short gaps in EBF, programs should work with women to return to EBF during the 0‐6 month period. Interventions are likely to influence the duration of these secondary periods of EBF and their quantification should be considered in impact evaluation studies. Grant Funding Source : Funded by FNIH through grant from BMGF.