The development of a core outcome set for breastfeeding research

No COS has yet been developed in the area of breastfeeding. Systematic reviews on breastfeeding interventions consistently report that study endpoints in the available trials vary widely, making it impossible to pool data in a meaningful way. There needs to be consistency in trials and systematic reviews in the area of breastfeeding. Methods for COS development are evolving,but the first step in the process is to map out which outcomes have been reported thus far in trials and systematic reviews. The project encompasses three parts: first to conduct a systematic review to identify which outcomes are being reported currently in Cochrane systematic reviews and randomised controlled trials; secondly to use the information from the systematic review to inform a Delphi survey to develop a COS in the area of breastfeeding; and thirdly this COS will be implemented across all Cochrane reviews of breastfeeding interventions to ensure standardisation of clinically important outcomes.

Contributors

All of this work is being co-ordinated by an international multi-disciplinary breastfeeding stakeholder group:
Christine East, Midwifery, Australia
Lisa Amir, GP, Lactation Consultant, Australia
Cath Chamberlain, Midwife, Australia
Clare Barnett, Project Officer, Germany
Mary Renfrew, Midwife, UK
Pat Hodinott, GP, Primary Care, UK
Leanne Jones, Associate Editor, Cochrane Pregnancy & Childbirth
Heather Whitford, Midwife, UK
Susan Tawia, Consumer & Manager Breastfeeding Information & Research, Australian Breastfeeding Association
Karen Edmond, Paediatrician, Australia

Further Study Information

Current Stage: Withdrawn
Date: January 2016 - January 2018
Funding source(s): No funding sources


Health Area

Disease Category: Pregnancy & childbirth

Disease Name: Breastfeeding

Target Population

Age Range: 0 - 60

Sex: Either

Nature of Intervention: Any

Stakeholders Involved

- Clinical experts
- Consumers (caregivers)
- Researchers

Study Type

- COS for clinical trials or clinical research

Method(s)

- Delphi process
- Systematic review

This COS is for breastfeeding infants up to one year and breastfeeding mothers.

Any intervention whose main purpose was to support women and infants to breastfeed. The intervention may have been given during pregnancy and/or the postnatal period (including immediately after delivery) up until one year postpartum.

The project encompasses three parts: first to conduct a systematic review to identify which outcomes are being reported currently in Cochrane systematic reviews and randomised controlled trials (completed); secondly to use the information from the systematic review to inform a Delphi survey to develop a COS in the area of breastfeeding (ongoing); and thirdly this COS will be implemented across all Cochrane reviews of breastfeeding interventions to ensure standardisation of clinically important outcomes.

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