The demographic characteristics for the randomized group
(n = 98) were published in a previous study5 and the demographic
characteristics for the group which completed the
follow-up process (n = 96) are described in Table 1. No statistically
significant differences were seen between groups for
the following variables: birth weight, gestational age, days of
life upon reaching clinical stability, gestational age upon
reaching clinical stability and maternal variables which could
influence breastfeeding rates.
Among the 96 preterm infants participating in this study,
59 (61.5%) were being breastfed at discharge, 31 (32.3%)
were still being breastfed at 3 months and only 18 (18.75%)
at 6 months of corrected age. The number needed to treat
(NNT) to prevent an event (weaning at discharge) was 3.3
preterm infants. Breastfeeding frequencies for both groups
are described in Table 2