Evaluation of the factors that influence the volume of breast milk collected in a hospital in Porto Alegre-RS

Abstract

Introduction: Breast milk is fundamental to children's growth, development, and overall health maintenance. It is, therefore, necessary to know the factors that interfere with human breast milk production to express better and store it and guide the mothers. Objectives: This study intended to verify which variables interfere the most in the production of human breast milk, and to correlate the medication taken by the mothers with the volume of milk that was produced. Methodology: This study was conducted between January 2014 and October 2021. The data was extracted from a database containing information regarding the milk volume collected, prenatal exams, medications taken by mothers, and preexisting diseases. Results: The sample comprises 2.130 mothers who donate breast milk, with an average age of 28,9 years. There was a correlation with the volume of milk collected, advanced maternal age, and comorbidities. Mothers who had their prenatal exams expressed higher volumes of milk, as well as the eutrophic mothers in relation to the obese ones. The use of medication was also linked to a decrease in the volume of milk that was collected. On the other hand, the use of sulpiride promoted increased volume. Conclusion: The presence of maternal comorbidities and the use of medication was linked to a decrease in the volume of breast milk that was collected, whereas prenatal exams and the use of sulpiride were related to an increase in its volume.