The use of breastfeeding assessment tools to predict the excess weight loss risk in newborns

Nilgün Altuntaş,Canan Türkyılmaz,Yıldız Atalay,Esin Koç

doi:10.21601/ortadogutipdergisi.372028

Abstract

Aim: Postnatal weight loss is a major issue of concern to pediatricians. We aimed to determine whether the LATCH tool, Infant Breastfeeding Assessment Tool (IBFAT) and the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF) are useful in predicting postnatal excess weight loss. Material and Method: One hundred fifty one mother infant dyads’ breastfeeding sessions were monitored and scored simultaneously by using the LATCH and IBFAT assessment tools during the postnatal first feeding and at 12, 24 and 48 hours. Maternal confidence in breastfeeding was assessed using BSES-SF at the same breastfeeding sessions. Infants were followed until they reached their birth weights after discharge. Comparisons were made between infants with ≥10% weight loss and infants with <10% weight loss during following. Results: IBFAT, LATCH and BSES-SF scores were significantly higher in infants with <10% weight loss than those with ≥10% weight loss (p<0.05). According to ROC analysis including all tools’ scores, AUC values were close to 0.70. These results indicate that these assessment tools can be used to predict the risk of excessive weight loss of the newborns. Conclusions: Mother/infant dyads that achieve higher scores in these tests can be discharged earlier, avoiding unnecessary hospitalization.

Highlights

Neonates lose 5-7% of their birth weights over the first week of life and regain it by the tenth day of life [1,2]
We aimed to determine whether the LATCH tool, Infant Breastfeeding Assessment Tool (IBFAT) and the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSESSF) are useful in predicting postnatal excess weight loss
According to ROC analysis including all tools’ scores, AUC values were close to 0.70. These results indicate that these assessment tools can be used to predict the risk of excessive weight loss of the newborns

Summary

Introduction

Neonates lose 5-7% of their birth weights over the first week of life and regain it by the tenth day of life [1,2]. Inadequate breast milk intake appears to be the most important factor in the development of neonatal hypernatremic dehydration [9,10]. Excessive weight lose were found 8% in exclusively breastfed newborns and 26% of these cases were attributable to inadequate maternal milk volume and 74% were attributable to poor breastfeeding technique by either the mother or infant [5]. In order to prevent dehydration, pairs of mother and baby should be closely monitored after birth, and pairs at risk for breastfeeding failure should be further supported. Healthcare professionals have limited time to assess breastfeeding and identify babies who are at risk for dehydration due to short hospital stays. Hospitals without the possibility of long-hospital followup with high birth capacity, should take other measures to foresee infants at risk for dehydration

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