Abstract
Background and aims: Professionals involved in the care of sick preterm babies are familiar with difficulties in making decisions about feeding. This audit looks at the provision of human-milk to very low birth weight (VLBW) babies in a tertiary neonatal unit over a 10 year period and the impact of opening a human milk-bank.
Methods: Data was collected retrospectively using a regional neonatal database. All VLBW babies born in-house or transferred in within 7 days of life were included. The first 3 months of each year (2001-2010) were studied.Gestational age, weight and type of feed at weeks 1, 2, 3 and discharge were analysed. Feeding interventions, service and educational strategies developed in each year were noted.
Results: Results demonstrated consistent improvement in breast-milk provision for VLBW babies, particularly with the opening of a milk-bank. More than 80% babies were discharged receiving breast milk and 100% babies received exclusive human-milk for first two weeks in the audit's final two years. Improvement in breast-milk provision occurred due to:
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i)
Robust, closely adhered to, feeding guidelines for VLBW babies,
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Earlier interventions with parents,
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iii)
Nursing and medical staff education,
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iv)
Successful milk-bank established in 2004 to ensure continuous supply of donor breast-milk; and
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v)
Community nurses pro-actively supporting breastfeeding mothers pre-discharge.
Conclusion: This 10 year audit confirms the impact of a coherent feeding policy for VLBW babies in a hospital with a donor milk-bank. This strategy led to more than 80% of the smallest and sickest babies being discharged still receiving maternal milk.
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Bhat, P., Gupta, M. & Kingdon, C. Audit of Human Breast-Milk Provision for Very Low Birth Weight Babies in a Tertiary Neonatal Unit Over A 10 Year Period. Pediatr Res 70 (Suppl 5), 835 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/pr.2011.1060
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/pr.2011.1060