Effect of lactation on pregnancy outcomes in Egyptian women

Abstract EN

Objective : to evaluate the outcome of pregnancies occurring during the lactation period.

Pa-tients and Methods : This retrospective case-control study was conducted among 85 women who had been enrolled after delivery.

They were divided into 2 groups according to lactation state at time of conception.

Women were compared as regarding certain outcomes including gestation-al maternal weight gain, abortion, and intrauterine growth restriction, Small for gestational age, intrauterine fetal death, and birth weight.

Results: Only incidence of low birth weight was significantly lower among women who got pregnant during lactation (group 1).

Mean birth weight was significantly lower among group 1 (3.01 Kg versus 3.4 Kg).

Odds of birth weight low-er than 2.5Kg increased up to 8 times if pregnancy occurred during lactation.

Women in group 1 with obstetric complications continued lactating for longer duration than women of this group with no obstetric complications.

Conclusion: There is a significant association between low birth weight and lactation during pregnancy.

Duration of lactation during pregnancy has a significant effect on increased incidence of obstetrics complications.