Evaluating the impact of lactation centers on breastfeeding patterns, morbidity and nutritional status: a cohort study

Revista Brasileira de Epidemiologia

Semer, Tereza C.²  Tonioli Filho, Santo³  Victora, Cesar G.¹  Barros, Fernando C.² 

[1]Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas

[2]Organização Pan-Americana de Saúde

[3]Secretaria Municipal da Saúde, Guarujá

关键词: Breastfeeding;    Human milk;    Promotion;    Lactation centers;    Malnutrition;    Diarrhea;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S1415-790X2002000100003

学科分类：过敏症与临床免疫学

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

JUSTIFICATION:WHO has financed the creation of lactation centers in the city of Guarujá,São Paulo, Brazil, and has required an evaluation of their impact onbreastfeeding patterns, morbidity and growth.
OBJECTIVES: To measure the prevalence of breastfeeding, morbidity andnutritional status in a group of children differentiated by attendance to lactationcenters.
DESIGN: Cohort study from birth to 6 months of life.
RESULTS: Of the 605 children recruited in the neonatal period, 54% weresubsequently taken to lactation centers, whereas the remaining 46% were not.The first group was exclusively breastfed in a higher proportion than the second,both at 4 months (43% and 18%, respectively) and at 6 months (15% vs. 6%). Thesedifferences remained after adjustment for possible confounding factors. In addition,lactation center attendees presented fewer episodes of diarrhea in the two weeksbefore the interview (10% and 17%, respectively) and their weight accordingto age was more appropriate (mean z-scores of 0.26 e 0.02, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS: although this is not a randomized trial, and there is alwaysthe possibility that non-studied intervening variables could account for thedifferences, it appears that lactation centers improve breastfeeding patternsand reduce morbidity. Lactation centers should be promoted in areas with lowprevalence of breastfeeding.

【 授权许可】

CC BY