Association of timing of initial breastfeeding and neonatal outcome in very preterm infants: a multicentre cohort study in China.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To evaluate the association between the timing of initial breastfeeding and the risk of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) and other neonatal outcomes in very preterm infants (VPIs, <32 weeks' gestation).

Design

Multicentre observational cohort study.

Setting

Data were collected from 102 tertiary neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in China between 2019 and 2023 through the Chinese Neonatal Network.

Patients

A total of 12 679 VPIs admitted to NICUs within 24 hours of birth and initially breastfed within 7 days were included.

Interventions

Infants were categorised into four groups based on initial breastfeeding timing: within 24 hours (n=2242), 24-48 hours (n=3657), 48-72 hours (n=1870) and after 72 hours (n=4910, reference group).

Main outcom

SUBMITTER: Lin R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12273134 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature