Pregnancy among female with spinal cord injury is possible but intails challenges for mother as well as healthcare professionals. Lack of support when it comes to knowledge within obstetrics, pediatrics as well as the postpartum period is common within this group of women.
This study aims to explore neonatal results, growth and nursing (breastfeed?) during the first six months among children of spinal cord injured mothers.
Methods:
The study is a retrospective kohort based on journal data.
Results:
67 maternity records and 32 records from child health care were collected from children born in Sweden between 1976 and 2018. Children of spinal cord injured mothers were smaller at birth (weight and length) as compared to average. No overall difference was observed at three months of age. No difference in breastfeeding duration compared to average was observed but mothers with high spinal cord injuries (Th6 and above) breastfed shorter as compared to women with injuries below Th6.
Conclusion:
As far as we know this is the first study to explore growth in children to spinal cord injured mothers. Our results indicate that they show a lower birth weight and birth length compared to the average population and that children of mothers with high spinal cord injuries breastfeed for a shorter period of time. Further studies are needed to validate (confirm?) these findings and to find possible causes.