Objective: To identify factors associated with nipple trauma in women breastfeeding exclusively in a maternity unit.
Methods: This was a case-control study that recruited 146 recently-delivered mothers in rooming-in wards: 73 cases, defined as women with nipple trauma, and 73 controls, defined as women free from this pathology. Women breastfeeding exclusively were tested daily for a diagnosis of nipple injury, identified using a magnifying glass. Sociodemographic, obstetric and neonatal variables were studied. A logistic regression model was used for statistical analysis.
Results: Cases and controls proved to be comparable in terms of their sociodemographic variables, although the women with nipple trauma were more likely not to be living with a partner. The following variables were found to be factors associated with nipple trauma: primiparity (OR 3.16; 95%CI 1.19-8.42), not living with a partner (OR 3.25; 95%CI 1.18-8.93), turgid and/or engorged breasts (OR 12.31; 95%CI 4.48-33.78), semi-protruding and/or malformed nipples (OR 4.69; 95%CI 1.50-14.62), and depigmentation of nipples (OR 13.98; 95%CI 4.43-44.06).
Conclusion: Primiparity, not living with a partner, turgid and/or engorged breasts, semi-protruding and/or malformed nipples, and depigmentated nipples are associated with nipple trauma.