Breastfeeding Success and Time of First Meconium Passage

Acibadem University59 enrolled

Overview

To investigate the relationship between breastfeeding success and the time of first meconium passage in term newborns.

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.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

Conditions

Meconium Breastfeeding

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 1 DayMax age: 3 DaysHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

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.)

Locations (1)

Acıbadem University

Istanbul, Ataşehir, Turkey (Türkiye)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Timing of the first meconium passage

Newborns were observed from birth until discharge. During this observation, when the first meconium passage occurred, the timing of meconium passage was recorded.

Time frame: 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)

LATCH score

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.

Time frame: 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.

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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