Is the LATCH scoring system a reliable predictor of breastfeeding duration?

Czech version

Authors: Střídová Adéla ¹; Burčková Hana ^1,2; Kuldanová Elena ¹; Vrtková Adéla ^3,4; Wiedermannová Hana ^1,2
Authors‘ workplace: Oddělení neonatologie Fakultní nemocnice Ostrava ¹; Lékařská fakulta Ostravské univerzity ²; Katedra aplikované matematiky, Fakulta elektrotechniky a informatiky Vysoké školy báňské – Technické univerzity Ostrava ³; Útvar náměstka ředitele pro vědu, výzkum a výuku Fakultní nemocnice Ostrava ⁴
Published in: Čes-slov Pediat 2023; 78 (3): 166-171.
Category: Original Papers
doi: https://doi.org/10.55095/CSPediatrie2023/022

Overview

Introduction: The current growing trend of early discharge of newborns from hospital increases the importance and need for an assessment of breastfeeding effectiveness in the first days of a baby’s life. In this study, we have selected the LATCH scoring system to study the relationship of the early breastfeeding assessment and the exclusive breastfeeding rate at discharge, at 6 weeks, 4 and 6 months postpartum.

Methods: We have analyzed the relationship between the LATCH score and exclusive breastfeeding in a study group of 308 children. The LATCH score was assessed first within 24 hours of birth and second at hospital discharge. In addition, we have analyzed the quality of predicting the infant breastfeeding at 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum based on the LATCH score.

Results: The group of newborns who were exclusively breastfed at discharge showed a significantly higher LATCH score assessed within first 24 hours after birth (p = 0.003). Together with the group of newborns who were fully breastfed at discharge, they also showed significantly higher LATCH score assessed at discharge (p < 0.001). Equally, the LATCH score of the group of breastfed newborns was always significantly higher based on the nutritional assessment at 6 weeks, 4 months and 6 months postpartum.

Conclusions: The LATCH score is a simple tool to assess breastfeeding as early as in the first 24 hours of baby’s life. In our study group of children, the LATCH score was not proven as a unique predictor of the breastfeeding duration. However, lower values of the LATCH score indicate higher risk of formula feeding, increased breastfeeding assistance and post-discharge follow-up services.

Keywords:

breastfeeding – LATCH score – breastfeeding duration

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