A Comparison of Ultrasound Imaging Texture Analyses During the Early Postpartum With the Mode of Delivery.

Abstract

Breastfeeding is beneficial to infants. However, cesarean section is reported to be a risk factor for unsuccessful breastfeeding. (1) To extract discriminating data from texture analysis of breast ultrasound images in the immediate postpartum period; and (2) to compare the analysis results according to delivery mode. A cross-sectional, prospective non-experimental design with a questionnaire and observational components was used. Participants (N = 30) were women who delivered neonates at a center from September 2020 to December 2020. The participants underwent ultrasound examination of bilateral breasts 7-14 days after delivery. Ultrasound images were collected for texture analysis. A questionnaire about breastfeeding patterns was given to the participants on the day of the ultrasound examination. No significant differences were found in texture analysis between the breasts of participants who had undergone Cesarean section and vaginal deliveries. The mean volume of total human milk produced in 1 day was significantly greater in the vaginal delivery group than in the cesarean section group (M = 350.87 ml, SD = 183.83 vs. M = 186.20 ml, SD = 184.02; p = .017). The pain score due to breast engorgement measured subjectively by participants was significantly lower in the vaginal delivery group than in the cesarean section group (M = 2.8, SD = 0.86 vs. M = 3.4, SD = 0.63; p = .047). Texture analysis of breast ultrasound images did not demonstrate difference between the cesarean section and vaginal delivery groups in the immediate postpartum period; nevertheless, cesarean section was independently associated with less successful breastfeeding.