Abstract 202

Background: In recent years data are emerging to support the use of human milk as the basis for VLBW newborns nutrition. Factors associated with successful human milk feeding are scant for VLBW newborns. We retrospectively investigated such factors in our NICU. Subjects: Data on 108 survived VLBW (510-1500 g) infants born over 3 years were collected from medical records. Measurements: Data were analyzed by logistic regression for multivariate analysis. Successful human milk feeding (HuF) was defined as any use of human milk at discharge from the NICU. Results: Fifty-eight newborns (53.7%) were fed with human milk at discharge. In multivariate analysis, sex (male >female, p=0.03), length of stay in the NICU (inversely related, p=0.06), duration of mechanical ventilation (inversely related, marginally significant, p=0.09) and year of birth and were associated with Hu. Mode of delivery, place of delivery (outborn vs inborn), gestational age, birth weight, Apgar score at 5 min, maternal age, education and occupation, and antenatal steroid administration were not associated with HuF. Conclusions: Human milk feeding was possible in a large number of VLBW. Factors associated with successful HuF appear to be proxys of the severity of neonatal illness. When this is taken into account, the effect of gestational age and birth weight appear to be marginal. The trend toward higher rates of HuF could be the result of the policy of human milk feeding support in the NICU.