An investigation into the way mothers are breastfeeding is under way as doctors have voiced concerns over babies becoming unwell due to their lack of milk intake.
The research will involve a recording of all the babies in the UK and Ireland that are diagnosed with severe hypernatraemic dehydration - an uncommon but very dangerous illness resulting from the baby not getting enough fluid and having too much salt in their blood.
Doctors have been aware of the condition for a number of years but no research has ever been carried out to establish exactly how many are affected by it. Experts predict the results of the study could reveal that between one in 100 and one in 1000 babies suffer from the condition.
There has been a reluctance by other countries to sanction the research, amid concerns that women would be put off from breast-feeding altogether, despite its well known benefits for babies. Doctors at the British Paediatric Surveillance Unit (BPSU), who are conducting the research have concerns of their own about the impact it will have, but felt it was still vital to proceed.
Consultant paediatrician at Ealing Hospital, London and a spokesman for the BPSU,Colin Michie remarked, “It is a biological process that some mothers have problems with. In the end we decided we had to do the study because we need the information. The benefits outweigh the harms.”
In order to breast-feed effectively, the baby must be in the right position so it can attach to the breast properly and it needs to begin as soon after birth as possible. It is vital that new mothers receive ample support from midwives but unfortunately the level of support is not always available. Dr Michie said, “Breastfeeding is not as easy as it looks. It is easier to get milk out of a bottle than a breast and that is why giving a bottle is a mistake. A lot of mothers give up.
“If mothers know how to breast-feed this condition [dehydration] is much less common. What the research may point up is where mothers are not getting good advice. The problem seems to be worse in the inner cities and among first-time mothers.”
However, Dr Michie was keen to dismiss speculation that the issue has been avoided in order to maintain a positive image of breast-feeding, “There is an anxiety not to give conflicting messages. The college
[Royal College of Paediatrics] wants to promote breastfeeding because breast-feeding rates are quite poor in the UK but there has been no attempt to suppress the issue.”
Consultant neonatologist at Bradford Royal Infirmary, Sam Oddie, who is heading the team carrying out the study, said, “There is discomfort about [the condition] among paediatricians because it is preventable. When you look back at individual cases it is always possible to identify clues – difficulties with feeding that have been missed.”
The research will continue for 13 months and will record details of all babies under 28 days old being admitted to hospital with the condition.
