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Impact of early-onset sepsis guidelines on breastfeeding

Journal of Perinatology volume 41, pages 2499–2504 (2021)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the impact of changes to neonatal early-onset sepsis (EOS) guidelines on in-hospital breastfeeding.

Study design

Asymptomatic neonates admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for sepsis evaluations over a 2-year period were identified. A retrospective chart review was conducted as part of a larger quality initiative on antibiotic stewardship.

Result

In Epoch 1, Epoch 2, and Epoch 3, there were 268 babies, 138 babies and 138 babies admitted to the NICU based on sepsis protocol, respectively. When comparing Epoch 1 to Epoch 3, there was a 14% increase in total breast milk consumption rates (p < 0.0001) and a 15% increase in exclusive breastfeeding at discharge (p < 0.002).

Conclusion

By implementing new EOS protocols, we have decreased NICU length of stay. We suggest that the decrease in mother–infant separation time leads to an improvement in breastfeeding.

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Fig. 1: Exclusive breastfeeding at discharge through PDSA cycles.
Fig. 2: Comparing exclusive breastfeeding at discharge.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lenox Hill Hospital, Northwell Health System, New York, NY, USA

    Kavita Kasat, Seungjun Ahn, Shayla Smith & Marty Ellington

  2. Department of Pediatrics, Zucker School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA

    Kavita Kasat & Marty Ellington

  3. Biostatistics Unit, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Northwell Health, New York, NY, USA

    Seungjun Ahn

  4. Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA

    Sofia Zoullas

Authors
  1. Kavita Kasat
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  2. Seungjun Ahn
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  4. Sofia Zoullas
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  5. Marty Ellington
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Contributions

KK was responsible for study design, data collection, and writing the manuscript. SA was responsible for statistical analysis. SS and SZ collected data and assisted with analyzing results. ME assisted with writing manuscript and data interpretation.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kavita Kasat.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Kasat, K., Ahn, S., Smith, S. et al. Impact of early-onset sepsis guidelines on breastfeeding. J Perinatol 41, 2499–2504 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-021-01154-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-021-01154-y

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