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Abstract
Growth, development and health of infants whose mothers used progestogen-only contraceptives
during lactation were examined in a prospective, non-randomized study carried out
in seven centres in five countries (Egypt, Thailand, Kenya, Chile and Hungary). The
results on growth are reported here. Breastfeeding women requesting effective contraception
were admitted to the study at six weeks postpartum. Infants of acceptors of progestogen-only
methods (pill, DMPA, NET-EN or NORPLANT® implants) and non-hormonal methods (IUD, barrier methods or sterilization) formed
the study groups. The follow-up was at monthly intervals until the end of the first
postpartum year. Participating in the study were 2466 mother-infant pairs. The mean
duration of exclusive breastfeeding varied from 68 to 159 days, but did not differ
significantly between study groups within centres. In anthropometric measures (weight,
arm circumference and triceps skinfold), the mean rates of change varied over time
as expected, and across the centres. However, there were very few statistically significant
differences in these rates of change between groups within centres. Since a large
number of statistical comparisons were made, and there was no consistency either across
centres, over time, or in the direction of the differences, we conclude that in this
study, the progestogen-only contraceptives used during lactation did not adversely
affect infant growth.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
February 15,
1994
Received:
October 27,
1993
Identification
Copyright
© 1994 Published by Elsevier Inc.