Abnormal neurological soft signs in babies born to smoking mothers were associated with lower breastfeeding for first three months

Abstract

We examined associations between neurological alterations in infants born to smoking mothers and breastfeeding success at discharge and three months of age. This 2016 study compared 35 normal weight infants born to smoking mothers at 37-41weeks and 35 matched controls born to non-smoking mothers at the Maternity Hospital of Careggi University, Florence, Italy. Neonatal behaviour was evaluated using the neurological soft signs (NSS) component of the Graham-Rosenblith Scale. Breastfeeding variables were measured using the LATCH score that covers: breast latching, audible swallowing, type of nipple, mother's comfort and help they needed to hold their baby to their breast. A questionnaire on excessive crying and feeding was distributed at discharge, and further data were collected during a three-month telephone interview. At discharge, the infants born to smoking mothers had a significantly lower LATCH score and significantly poorer performance on several items of the NSS component than the controls. The LATCH score and number of NSS were inversely proportional. At the three-month follow-up only 57.1% of the smoking group infants were breastfeeding compared with 87.5% of the control infants (p<0.01). Infants with smoking mothers displayed altered neurobehavioural profiles and had a difficult start to breastfeeding.