USPSTF Recommends Providing Interventions to Support Breastfeeding
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter
TUESDAY, Oct. 22, 2024 -- The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends providing or referring to interventions that support breastfeeding. This recommendation forms the basis of a draft recommendation statement published online Oct. 22.
Researchers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality in Rockville, Maryland, conducted a systematic review to aid the USPSTF in updating its 2016 recommendation on interventions to support breastfeeding. A total of 290 full-text articles were reviewed for inclusion; 90 randomized clinical trials assessing interventions to support breastfeeding that were initiated in, feasible for, or referable from a primary care setting were included. The researchers found mixed evidence on the effectiveness of breastfeeding support interventions on infant health outcomes, including gastrointestinal outcomes, otitis media, and the number of health care visits for respiratory tract illnesses. More favorable effects were seen in infants born in intervention versus control groups, but few differences were statistically significant. Most of the studies on maternal health outcomes reported better symptom scores among intervention versus control mothers, but differences were not statistically significant. Breastfeeding support interventions were associated with higher rates of any and exclusive breastfeeding at all time points (less than three months, three to less than six months, and six months).
Based on these findings, the USPSTF recommends providing or referring to interventions that support breastfeeding for pregnant and postpartum persons (B recommendation).
The draft evidence review and draft recommendation statement have been posted for public comment. Comments can be submitted from Oct. 22 to Nov. 18, 2024.
Draft Recommendation Statement
Comment on Recommendation Statement
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted October 2024
Read this next
Long-Term Stroke Risk Higher for Women With Pregnancy Complications
THURSDAY, July 3, 2025 -- Women who experience five major adverse pregnancy outcomes have a higher long-term stroke risk, according to a study published online June 23 in the...
Arsenic Less Than EPA Maximum Contaminant Level Tied to Adverse Birth Outcomes
THURSDAY, June 26, 2025 -- Arsenic measured in public water systems at levels below the current U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's maximum contaminant level are associated...
Paternal Mental Distress Linked to Poorer Offspring Development
WEDNESDAY, June 25, 2025 -- Paternal mental distress is associated with poorer child development, according to a study published online June 16 in JAMA Pediatrics. Genevieve Le...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.