Breastfeeding practices based on the gestational age and weight at birth in the first six months of life in a population-based cohort of infants from North India

BackgroundShort and long term benefits of early Initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) and exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) in the first six months of life are well established and recommended globally. However, reliable estimates of breastfeeding practices and impact of breastfeeding counselling interventions according to gestational age and weight at birth are not available in low and middle income countries.ObjectiveTo assess the impact of breastfeeding counselling on EIBF and EBF during the first 6 months of life according to gestational age and weight at birth.MethodsWe analysed the data collected from the Women and Infants Integrated Interventions for Growth Study (WINGS), an individually randomized factorial design trial. Mothers were counselled on EIBF during third trimester of pregnancy. They were supported throughout the first 6 months to continue EBF by early problem identification, frequent home visits and assistance in expressing breastmilk when direct breastfeeding was not possible. Breastfeeding practices were ascertained through 24 h recalls at infant ages 1, 3 and 5 months for both the intervention and control groups by an independent outcome ascertainment team. The World Health Organization (WHO) definitions were used for classification of infant breastfeeding practices. Generalized linear models of the Poisson family with a log-link function were used to estimate the effect of interventions on breastfeeding practices. The relative measures of effect on breastfeeding practices were estimated in term appropriate for gestational age (T-AGA), term small for gestational age (T-SGA), preterm AGA (PT-AGA), preterm SGA (PT-SGA) infants.ResultsAmongst all infants irrespective of gestational age and weight at birth, EIBF was (51.7%) higher amongst the intervention group (IRR 1.38, 95% CI 1.28–1.48) compared with the control group. The proportion of exclusively breastfed infants at ages 1 month (IRR 1.37, 95% CI 1.28–1.48), 3 months (IRR 2.13, 95% CI 1.30–1.44) and 5 months (IRR 2.78, 95% CI 2.58–3.00) were higher in intervention group than control group. We identified significant interaction (p value for interaction <0.05) between intervention and infant size and gestation at birth on exclusive breastfeeding at 3 and 5 months of age. Subgroup analysis showed that the impact of the intervention was greater on exclusive breastfeeding in PT- SGA infants at 3 months (IRR 3.30, 95% CI 2.20–4.96) and 5 months of age (IRR 5.26, 95% CI 2.98–9.28).ConclusionThis is one of the first studies wherein impact of breastfeeding counselling interventions in the first 6 months of life was assessed according to infant size and gestation at birth wherein gestational age was reliably estimated. The impact of this intervention was higher in preterm and SGA babies compared to other infants. This finding is important as preterm and SGA infants have a higher burden of mortality and morbidity during early infancy. Intensive breastfeeding counselling to these vulnerable infants is likely to improve overall breastfeeding rates and reduce the adverse outcomes.Clinical Trial Registration: [http://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/pmaindet2.php?trialid=19339%26EncHid=%26userName=societyforappliedstudies], identifier [#CTRI/2017/06/008908]

Child neurodevelopment after multidomain interventions from preconception through early childhood

ImportanceMultidomain interventions in pregnancy and early childhood have improved child neurodevelopment, but little is known about the effects of additional preconception interventions.ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of a multifaceted approach including health; nutrition; water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH); and psychosocial support interventions delivered during the preconception period and/or during pregnancy and early childhood on child neurodevelopment.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsIn this randomized trial involving low- and middle-income neighborhoods in Delhi, India, 13 500 participants were assigned to preconception interventions or routine care for the primary outcome of preterm births and childhood growth. Participants who became pregnant were randomized to pregnancy and early childhood interventions or routine care. Neurodevelopmental assessments, the trial’s secondary outcome reported herein, were conducted in a subsample of children at age 24 months, including 509 with preconception, pregnancy, and early childhood interventions; 473 with preconception interventions alone; 380 with pregnancy and early childhood interventions alone; and 350 with routine care. This study was conducted from November 1, 2020, through February 25, 2022.InterventionsHealth, nutrition, psychosocial care and support, and WASH interventions delivered during preconception, pregnancy, and early childhood periods.Main Outcomes and MeasuresCognitive, motor, language, and socioemotional performance at age 24 months, assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development 3 tool.ResultsThe mean age of participants at enrollment was 23.8 years (SD, 3.0 years). Compared with the controls at age 24 months, children in the preconception intervention groups had higher cognitive scores (mean difference [MD], 1.16; 98.3% CI, 0.18-2.13) but had similar language, motor, and socioemotional scores as controls. Those receiving pregnancy and early childhood interventions had higher cognitive (MD, 1.48; 98.3% CI, 0.49-2.46), language (MD, 2.29; 98.3% CI, 1.07-3.50), motor (MD, 1.53; 98.3% CI, 0.65-2.42), and socioemotional scores (MD, 4.15; 98.3% CI, 2.18-6.13) than did controls. The pregnancy and early childhood group also had lower incidence rate ratios (RRs) of moderate to severe delay in cognitive (incidence RR, 0.62; 98.3% CI, 0.40-0.96), language (incidence RR, 0.73; 98.3% CI, 0.57-0.93), and socioemotional (incidence RR, 0.49; 98.3% CI, 0.24-0.97) development than did those in the control group. Children in the preconception, pregnancy, and early childhood intervention group had higher cognitive (MD, 2.60; 98.3% CI, 1.08-4.12), language (MD, 3.46; 98.3% CI, 1.65-5.27), motor (MD, 2.31; 98.3% CI, 0.93-3.69), and socioemotional (MD, 5.55; 98.3% CI, 2.66-8.43) scores than did those in the control group.Conclusions and RelevanceMultidomain interventions during preconception, pregnancy and early childhood led to modest improvements in child neurodevelopment at 24 months. Such interventions for enhancing children’s development warrant further evaluation