Publication: Colostrum Feeding among Newborns Visiting the Outpatient Department of Pediatrics of a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study
Date
2023
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Nepal Medical Association
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: Colostrum is the thick yellowish breast milk that is produced during the first 3-5 days of childbirth. Feeding colostrum protects the newborn from various diseases, thus promoting the overall well-being of the newborn. The objective of this study was to find out the prevalence of colostrum feeding among newborns visiting the Department of Pediatrics in a tertiary care centre.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was done among infants presenting to the Department of Pediatrics in a tertiary care centre. Ethical approval was taken from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: 2078/079/107). The duration of study was six month from 12 February 2022 to 12 August 2022. A pre-designed questionnaire was used for face-to-face interviews. Convenience sampling was done. Point estimate and 95% Confidence Interval were calculated.
Results: Among 350 newborns, colostrum was fed to 305 (87.14%) (83.63-90.65, 95% Confidence Interval) newborns. A total of 180 (59.02%) were breastfed within 1 hour of delivery.
Conclusions: The prevalence of colostrum feeding was higher in our study than in other studies done in similar settings.
Description
Sharda Acharya
Department of Pediatrics, KIST Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Mahalaxmi, Lalitpur, Nepal
Bibechan Thapa
KIST Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Mahalaxmi, Lalitpur, Nepal
Ajaya Kumar Dhakal
Department of Pediatrics, KIST Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Mahalaxmi, Lalitpur, Nepal
Saurav Kumar Singh
Department of Pediatrics, KIST Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Mahalaxmi, Lalitpur, Nepal
Keywords
Colostrum, Exclusive breastfeeding, Newborns, Prevalence