Breastfeeding, Meconium
Conditions
Keywords
Breastfeeding, Breast milk, meconium passage, newborn, infant
Brief summary
To investigate the relationship between breastfeeding success and the time of first meconium passage in term newborns.
Detailed description
The timing of the first meconium passage in neonates is a useful indicator of distal colon function. Delayed passage may signal congenital distal bowel dysfunctions such as hirschsprung disease (HD), anorectal malformations, distal intestinal atresia, prematurity, or hypothyroidism. Several factors may influence the timing of the first meconium passage, including gestational age, birth weight, sex, mode of delivery, and presence of respiratory distress. Another significant factor is breastfeeding. Effective breastfeeding is known to contribute to the maturation of the gut microbiota and has long-term positive outcomes for both mother and infant. However, the literature lacks studies examining the relationship between breastfeeding and the timing of meconium passage.This study aimed to investigate the relationship between breastfeeding success and the timing of first meconium passage in term newborns. The following hypotheses were tested: (a) There is a relationship between breastfeeding success and the timing of meconium passage in term newborns; (b) Term newborns with higher breastfeeding success will pass meconium earlier.
Interventions
None listed
Sponsors
Acibadem University
Study design
Observational model
CASE_ONLY
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
1 Days to 3 Days
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Healthy term newborns (≥37 weeks gestation) who were exclusively breastfeed
Exclusion criteria
* Newborns who received any feeding other than direct breastfeeding (e.g., bottle, cup, etc.)
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Timing of the first meconium passage | The difference from the time of birth to the first observed meconium passage during hospitalization, assessed up to the time of discharge (up to 72 hours) | Newborns were observed from birth until discharge. During this observation, when the first meconium passage occurred, the timing of meconium passage was recorded. |
| LATCH score | LATCH score assessed first breastfeeding, on day 1 (1-24 hours), and on day 2 (24-48 hours). The change in these time intervals will be assessed. | Breastfeeding success in all newborns was assessed using the LATCH Breastfeeding Assessment Tool at three different time points: during the first breastfeeding session (0-1 hours), on day 1 (1-24 hours), and on day 2 (24-48 hours). The LATCH Breastfeeding Assessment Tool was developed in 1993 by Deborah Jensen and Sheila Wallace. The Turkish adaptation and validation of the tool were conducted by Yenal and Okumuş. Modeled after the Apgar scoring system, this tool was designed to objectively evaluate breastfeeding success, identify potential issues, and establish a standardized language among healthcare professionals. The scale consists of five criteria, each scored from 0 to 2, for a total score ranging from 0 to 10. Higher LATCH scores indicate greater breastfeeding success. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed