Breastmilk intake in children with down syndrome affecting factors

Aim Since the diagnosis of Down syndrome (DS) is often accompanied by many diseases, breastfeeding problems arise. In our study, we aimed to determine the factors affecting breast milk intake in children with DS. Materials and methods: 52 patients between the ages of 0-18 who were admitted to the emergency department of Adıyaman University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Child Health and Diseases or hospitalized in the service between 15.04.2020 and 15.04.2021 were included in our study. Data were evaluated using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 22.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, United States) program. Basic and descriptive statistical methods were used in the analysis of the data. Chi-square test was used in the evaluation of categorical data, Student's t test was used in the evaluation of continuous data, Pearson test was used for parametric data in correlation analyses, and Spearman test was used for nonparametric data. P<0.05 values were taken as the basis for significance. Results: 38% of the children with DS included in our study were girls, 62% were boys, and the mean age was 40.67 ± 41.71 months. While 51.9% of the patients included in the study did not experience any health problems after birth, 48.1% had any health problems. A statistically significant difference was found between DS patients born by normal vaginal delivery and DS patients born by cesarean section in terms of duration of exclusive breastfeeding (p=0.024). A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the duration of exclusive breastfeeding and birth weight of DS patients participating in the study (p=0.019 r=0.324). As the birth weight of the patients increased, the duration of exclusive breastfeeding increased. When the parents were grouped according to their education level, a significant difference was found between the groups in terms of the knowledge that colostrum is beneficial (p=0.005). Conclusion: Breast milk intake rates of DS children were found to be low in relation to the problems they experienced after birth. Close follow-up of DS patients from birth and training on breast milk to expectant mothers may increase the breast milk intake of DS children. Key words: Child, Down syndrome, breast milk.