Choice of breastfeeding and physicians' advice: A cohort study of women receiving propylthiouracil

Suspecting a gap between the current medical practice and the experts' recommendations in favor of breastfeeding during maternal propylthiouracil (PTU) therapy, nursing women on PTU were examined regarding choice of feeding method and relevant physicians' advice received. Seventy-eight women receiving PTU during pregnancy were interviewed postpartum. Endocrinologists and family physicians were also surveyed about their advice for nursing women on PTU. Of 78 women, 66 had live births. Thirty-six required PTU postpartum (Group 1), and 30 did not (Group 2). A control group consisted of 36 healthy women (Group 3). Whereas >80% in Groups 2 (25/30) and 3 (30/36) breastfed, only 44% in Group 1 (16/36) breastfed (P<0.01). In Group 1, 16 who breastfed were advised by 22 physicians regarding breastfeeding (20 in favor; 1 against; and 1 equivocal); the 20 who formula fed received advice from 17 physicians (4 in favor; 12 against; and 1 equivocal) (P<0.01). Twelve (60%) who formula fed, indicated physicians' advice or concerns about PTU as main reasons for formula feeding. In the survey, 44% of endocrinologists advised against breastfeeding while on PTU. Women on PTU tend not to breastfeed. A substantial proportion of women still receive advice from physicians against breastfeeding despite the current recommendations.