Miguel A Marín Gabriel1, Laura Domingo Goneche2, Irene Cuadrado Pérez3, Mar Reyne Vergeli4, Azul Forti Buratti5, Ana Royuela Vicente6, Iciar Olabarrieta Arnal7, Laura Sánchez8, Clara Alonso Díaz9, Enrique Criado10, Tamara Carrizosa Molina11, Sonia Caserío Carbonero12, Cristina Casas Satre13, Aurora Fernández-Cañadas Morillo14. 1. Deparment of Neonatology, Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda University Hospital, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain. Pediatric Deparment Associate Professor, Autónoma University, Madrid, Spain. 2. Deparment of Neonatology, Fuenlabrada University Hospital, Fuenlabrada, Madrid, Spain. 3. Deparment of Neonatology, Getafe University Hospital, Getafe, Madrid, Spain. 4. Deparment of Neonatology, Sant Joan de Deu University Hospital, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain. 5. Deparment of Psychiatry, Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda University Hospital, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain. 6. Biostatistics Unit, Puerta de Hierro Biomedical Research Institute, CIBERESP, Madrid, Spain. 7. Deparment of Neonatology, Severo Ochoa University Hospital, Leganes, Madrid, Spain. 8. Deparment of Neonatology, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain. 9. Deparment of Neonatology, 12 de Octubre University Hospital, Madrid, Spain. 10. Deparment of Neonatology, Clínico San Carlos University Hospital, Madrid, Spain. 11. Deparment of Neonatology, Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain. 12. Deparment of Neonatology, Río Hortega University Hospital, Valladolid, Castilla y León, Spain. 13. Deparment of Neonatology, Josep Trueta University Hospital, Girona, Catalunya, Spain. 14. Department of Obstetrics, Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda University Hospital, Madrid, Spain.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Adherence to the Ten Steps of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative has been shown to have a protective role for the initiation and maintenance of breastfeeding. RESEARCH AIMS: (1) To determine the breastfeeding rate during the first 6 months of life in children of mothers diagnosed with COVID-19 infection at the time of birth; and (2) to assess the possible influence of being born in a center with Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative accreditation. METHODS: This was a two-group comparative longitudinal observational study of infants born to mothers with COVID-19 at the time of birth, between March 13-May 31, 2020 (the first wave of the pandemic) in Spain. Fourteen Spanish hospitals participated, five (35.7%) were Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative accredited. Type of feeding was assessed prospectively at discharge, 1, 3, and 6 months of age. A total of 248 newborns were included in the study. RESULTS: A total of 117 (47.3%) newborns were born in Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) accredited centers. These centers applied skin-to-skin contact with greater probability (OR = 1.9; 95% CI [1.18, 3.29]) and separated the newborns from their mothers less frequently (OR = 0.46; 95% CI [0.26, 0.81]) than non-accredited centers. No differences were observed in relation to the presence of a companion at the time of birth. At discharge, 49.1% (n = 57) of newborns born in BFHI-accredited centers received exclusive breastfeeding versus 35.3% (n = 46) in non-accredited centers (p = .03). No differences were observed in breastfeeding rates throughout follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The exclusive breastfeeding rate at discharge in children of mothers with COVID-19 infection at birth was higher in Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative accredited centers, which most frequently applied skin-to-skin contact at birth as well as rooming-in.
BACKGROUND: Adherence to the Ten Steps of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative has been shown to have a protective role for the initiation and maintenance of breastfeeding. RESEARCH AIMS: (1) To determine the breastfeeding rate during the first 6 months of life in children of mothers diagnosed with COVID-19 infection at the time of birth; and (2) to assess the possible influence of being born in a center with Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative accreditation. METHODS: This was a two-group comparative longitudinal observational study of infants born to mothers with COVID-19 at the time of birth, between March 13-May 31, 2020 (the first wave of the pandemic) in Spain. Fourteen Spanish hospitals participated, five (35.7%) were Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative accredited. Type of feeding was assessed prospectively at discharge, 1, 3, and 6 months of age. A total of 248 newborns were included in the study. RESULTS: A total of 117 (47.3%) newborns were born in Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) accredited centers. These centers applied skin-to-skin contact with greater probability (OR = 1.9; 95% CI [1.18, 3.29]) and separated the newborns from their mothers less frequently (OR = 0.46; 95% CI [0.26, 0.81]) than non-accredited centers. No differences were observed in relation to the presence of a companion at the time of birth. At discharge, 49.1% (n = 57) of newborns born in BFHI-accredited centers received exclusive breastfeeding versus 35.3% (n = 46) in non-accredited centers (p = .03). No differences were observed in breastfeeding rates throughout follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The exclusive breastfeeding rate at discharge in children of mothers with COVID-19 infection at birth was higher in Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative accredited centers, which most frequently applied skin-to-skin contact at birth as well as rooming-in.