Research Journal of Medical Sciences
ISSN: Online 1993-6095ISSN: Print 1815-9346
Abstract
WHO insisted upon exclusive breast feeding during first 6 months irrespective of the gestational age2. Breastfed babies steadily gain weight and attain normal development1. Modified Latch score is an assessment tool developed for assessing the adequacy of breast feeding in neonates1. A score of more than or equal to 8 , suggests a successful breast feeding in neonate. To determine the association of the modified latch score with the percentage difference of weight in the late preterm neonates. In this cross sectional study, 75 neonates with gestational age of 35 completed weeks‐36 weeks+6/7 days were recruited for the study. Birth weight was recorded on day 1 on digital weighing scale. Then Latch score assessment and discharge weight recording were done on post natal day 7. Babies classified into groups based on latch score as‐group 1( latch score 4‐5) with very poor score, group 2 (latch score 6‐7) with poor score, group 3 (latch score 8‐9) with good latch score. Then the groups were compared with the percentage difference in weight of the neonate. Data was analysed using Kruskal Wallis test used for comparison and Descriptive statistics was used for analysis. Group 3 neonates (14.7%) with very poor latch score of 4‐5 had a percentage weight difference with a median of‐10.74 % and Group 2 neonates (42.7%) with a poor latch score of 6 to 7 had a percentage weight difference of‐4.09% . But Group 1 neonates (42.7%) with good latch score of 8‐9 had a percentage weight difference of only‐0.43 %, which was statistically significant(p<0.001). Modified Latch score is an essential tool for breast feeding assessment to identify inadequate breast feeding, a reliable indicator of inadequate weight gain.
How to cite this article:
Masaraddi Sanjay Krishna, M.S. Shiffana Rukkya and K.E. Elizabeth. Modified Latch Score as a Determinant of Weight on Postnatal Day 7 Among Late‐Preterm Neonates.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36478/10.36478/makrjms.2024.7.311.313
URL: https://www.makhillpublications.co/view-article/1815-9346/10.36478/makrjms.2024.7.311.313