AbstractContext: Assessment of breast feeding efficiency and impact of drugs used during labor is essential to increase success of breast feeding. Aims: To study impact of Oxytocin on LATCH scores, prediction of exclusive breast feeding at 6 weeks using LATCH scores and find out correlation between LATCH score and breastfeeding self efficacy scale (BSESSF). Settings and Design: Prospective cohort study conducted at Mehta multispecialty hospitals, Chennai. Methods and Material: 50 mother infant dyads receiving Oxytocin compared to 50 mother infant dyads who did not receive. LATCH scores assessed at birth, 48hrs/discharge and 6 weeks along with BSESSF print outs given to all mothers. Statistical analysis used: LATCH and BSESSF expressed as Mean. ChiSquare test and comparison of means used. Pearson correlation coefficient used to correlate LATCH and BSESSF. Sensitivity and specificity along with a cutoff of LATCH score that predicts exclusive breastfeeding at 6 weeks calculated. Results: Mean LATCH scores at birth and 48hrs/discharge significantly low in Oxytocin group (p = 0.0003 and 0.0035 respectively). LATCH score8 at birth and 9 at 48hrs/discharge had highest sensitivity and specificity in NVD group. LATCH score 7 at birth and 8 at 48hrs/discharge had highest sensitivity and specificity in Oxytocin group. Positive linear correlation between LATCH and BSESSF at 48 hrs and 6 weeks (NVD – r value 0.77, 0.77 and Oxytocin r value 0.76, 0.76). Conclusions: Use of Oxytocin during labor is associated with poor LATCH scores. LATCH tool assessed in the first days of life can predict exclusive breastfeeding at 6 weeks postpartum. There is a positive linear correlation between LATCH score and BSESSF.
Keywords: Breast Feeding Prediction; Breastfeeding Self Efficacy; LATCH Score and Oxytocin.