Review of the most contentious issues of breast milk fortification in preterm infants

To receive human milk, most preterm infants initially receive the mothers’ expressed milk through a nasogastric tube. However, breast milk feeding the preterm infant and making the transition to direct breast-feeding come with significant challenges. The study explored and described the experiences of mothers of preterm infants regarding initiation and expressing breast milk, tube feeding practices, and transition to breastfeeding during the infants’ stay in a kangaroo care unit (KMC) of an academic hospital in South Africa. Using a qualitative design, focus group interviews were conducted with 38 mothers of preterm infants after discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). We analyzed transcripts following the 5 steps for qualitative thematic data analysis. Tube feeding and breastfeeding preterm infants was challenging and exhausting for the mothers. Many described their experiences of initiating expression and sustaining milk supply as negative. They had constant concerns about their ability to produce adequate milk volumes to feed their infants. They had immense dislike of expressing, which they described as physically exhausting, stressful, and painful. Those who had initiated breastfeeding were highly motivated to breastfeed their preterm infants. They described breastfeeding as a positive bonding experience that they derived pleasure from. The mothers’ dislike of expressing was overshadowed by their emotional obligation toward their preterm infants. Although the KMC unit promotes breastfeeding, mothers encountered problems and struggled to initiate expression and sustain milk production. Mothers of extreme and very preterm infants need support to continue with milk expression during the long NICU and KMC stay.

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Olfactory Stimulation of Preterm Infants with Breast Milk

Clinical Nursing Research ◽

10.1177/10547738211018913 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 105477382110189

Author(s):

Woon Ae Lee ◽

Jin Suk Ra

Keyword(s):

Breast Milk ◽

Preterm Infants ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Physiological Responses ◽

Nursing Intervention ◽

Olfactory Stimulation ◽

Control Group ◽

Repeated Measures Analysis ◽

Equivalent Control ◽

Experimental Group

Maintaining stable physiological responses may be important for the growth and development of preterm infants. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the effects of olfactory stimulation with maternal breast milk on the occurrence of abnormal physiological responses in preterm infants. With a non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design, 13 preterm infants in the experimental group and 18 preterm infants in the control group completed the intervention. The intervention was implemented three times a day for 5 days in a row with 2 hours of administration per intervention. The frequency of abnormal physiological responses was assessed over 6 days (one day before intervention administration and 5 days during intervention administration). With repeated-measures analysis of variance, the experimental group showed a significantly lower frequency of apnea than the control group ( p = .021). Olfactory stimulation with maternal breast milk may be an effective nursing intervention for reducing apnea episodes in preterm infants.

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Human milk feeding and cognitive outcome in preterm infants: the role of infection and NEC reduction

Pediatric Research ◽

10.1038/s41390-021-01367-z ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Winok Lapidaire ◽

Alan Lucas ◽

Jonathan D. Clayden ◽

Chris Clark ◽

Mary S. Fewtrell

Keyword(s):

Breast Milk ◽

Human Milk ◽

Preterm Infants ◽

Neonatal Infection ◽

Necrotising Enterocolitis ◽

Cognitive Outcome ◽

Standard Diet ◽

Risk Of Infection ◽

Verbal Iq

Abstract Background Breast milk has been associated with lower risk of infection and necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) and improved long-term cognitive outcomes in preterm infants but, if unsupplemented, does not meet the nutritional requirements of preterm infants. Methods Preterm infants were randomised to receive a high nutrient intervention diet: preterm formula (PTF) or the standard diet: term formula (TF) or banked donor breast milk (BBM), either as their sole diet or as supplement to maternal breast milk (MBM). IQ tests were performed at ages 7, 15, 20, and 30 years. Results An increase in MBM and BBM intake was associated with a lower chance of neonatal infection/NEC. Neonatal infection/NEC was associated with lower Full Scale IQ (FSIQ) and Performance IQ (PIQ) score at ages 7 and 30 years. The relationship between higher intake of MBM and PIQ at age 7 years was partly mediated by neonatal infection/NEC. The intervention diet was associated with higher Verbal IQ (VIQ) scores compared to the standard diet. There was no evidence that these effects changed from childhood through to adulthood. Conclusions Neonatal diet is an important modifiable factor that can affect long-term cognitive outcome through a ‘human milk’ factor, protecting against infection/NEC, and a ‘nutrient content’ factor. Impact This is the first study to demonstrate the effects of neonatal infection/necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) on IQ in the same cohort in childhood and adulthood. Diet can be a key factor in long-term cognitive outcome in people born preterm by preventing neonatal infection/NEC and providing adequate nutrients. Human milk, whether MBM or BBM, is associated with a reduced risk of infection/NEC. A higher nutrient diet is associated with better cognitive outcome in childhood. Performance IQ is particularly vulnerable to the effects of infection/NEC and verbal IQ to the quantity of (macro)nutrients in the diet.

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The Effect of Individualized Developmental Care Practices in Preterm Infants

Complementary Medicine Research ◽

10.1159/000504357 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 27 (2) ◽

pp. 97-104

Author(s):

Dilek Küçük Alemdar ◽

Sevil İnal

Keyword(s):

Breast Milk ◽

Preterm Infants ◽

Neonatal Intensive Care ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Oral Feeding ◽

Control Group ◽

Developmental Care ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Care Practices ◽

Maternal Voice

Background: Preterm infants are vulnerable humans requiring much care and attention. They may be exposed to irregular noise, light, and odor in the neonatal intensive care unit for a period of several weeks or months. This study was carried out to determine the effect of individualized developmental care on physiological parameters, growth, and transition to oral feeding in preterm infants. Methods: The study was a randomized controlled trial. The sample comprised premature infants meeting the inclusion criteria. They were randomly assigned to four groups: the maternal voice group, the breast milk odor (BMO) group, the incubator cover (IC) group, and the control group. Results: No statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of weight, height, and head circumference at time of discharge. Mean SO2 values were statistically higher in the IC group than the other groups; however, the heart rate and respiratory rate were not statistically different in a significant sense between the groups. The briefest duration of transition to total oral feeding was seen in the BMO group. Conclusion: Individualized developmental care practices based on the results of these interventions are likely to support the care of preterm infants. Breast milk odor may ease the transition to breastfeeding.

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Effects of oral stimulation with breast milk in preterm infants oral feeding: a randomized clinical trial

Journal of Perinatal Medicine ◽

10.1515/jpm-2020-0282 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

Author(s):

Qiong Le ◽

Sheng-hua Zheng ◽

Lan Zhang ◽

Li-fen Wu ◽

Feng-juan Zhou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

Breast Milk ◽

Premature Infant ◽

Preterm Infants ◽

Oral Feeding ◽

Transition Time ◽

Control Group ◽

Oral Motor ◽

Oral Stimulation ◽

Nutritive Sucking

Abstract Objectives This study was performed to evaluate the effect of oral stimulation with breast milk for preterm infants. Methods A total of 68 subjects form neonatal intensive care unit were randomly assigned into control group (n=20), premature infant oral motor intervention (PIOMI) group (n=25) and premature infant oral motor intervention with breast milk (BM-PIOMI) group (n=23). Results BM-PIOMI group had significant shorter initiation of oral feeding (IOF) time compared to PIOMI group (2.95 days, 95% CI [0.42–5.48]) or control group (9.79 days, 95% CI [7.07–12.51]). BM-PIOMI group had significant sooner transition time from IOF to full oral feeding (FOF) compared to control group (6.68 days, 95% CI [2.2–11.16]), but not to PIOMI group (2.09 days, 95% CI [−2.07 to 6.25]). Length of hospital stay (LOS) did not show statistical different between three groups (control 38.85 ± 14.40 vs. PIOMI 38.48 ± 11.76 vs. BM-PIOMI 38.04 ± 12.2). Growth mixture model identified improvement in non-nutritive sucking (NNS) score in BM-PIOMI group compared to control and PIOMI group (0.8293, p<0.0001, and 0.8296, p<0.0001, respectively). Conclusions Oral stimulation with breast milk can better promotes the oral feeding process of premature infants than the simple oral stimulation, by shorten IOF time and improve early NNS score, but does not shorten transition time from IOF to FOF and LOS. Trial registration The trial identification number is ChiCTR1800019134 (Chinese Clinical Trial Registry http://www.who.int/ictrp/network/chictr2/en/)

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Mothersʼ Experiences Expressing Breast Milk for Their Preterm Infants

Advances in Neonatal Care ◽

10.1097/anc.0b013e318265b299 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 12 (6) ◽

pp. 377-384 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Donna A. Dowling ◽

Mary Ann Blatz ◽

Gregory Graham

Keyword(s):

Breast Milk ◽

Preterm Infants

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Use of breast milk in preterm infants cost saving in UK

PharmacoEconomics & Outcomes News ◽

10.1007/s40274-016-3631-y ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 768 (1) ◽

pp. 33-33

Keyword(s):

Breast Milk ◽

Cost Saving ◽

Preterm Infants

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The Roles of Prebiotics on Impaired Immune System in Preterm Infants: A Narrative Literature Review

Amerta Nutrition ◽

10.20473/amnt.v5i1sp.2021.21-26 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (1SP) ◽

pp. 21

Author(s):

Zakiudin Munasir

Keyword(s):

Immune System ◽

Breast Milk ◽

Literature Review ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Preterm Infants ◽

Human Breast Milk ◽

Immune System Development ◽

Narrative Literature ◽

Narrative Literature Review ◽

The Impact

ABSTRACT Background: After birth, preterm infants face numerous challenges, including short and long-term morbidities, to survive and grow well with impaired immune and gastrointestinal systems. According to data from 184 countries, preterm birth rate ranges from 5-18%, accounting for 35% of all new born deaths. Purpose: This literature review aimed to summarize the evidence for the impact of prematurity on immune system development and the benefit of prebiotics on gut microbiota and immune responses. Discussion: Various studies in this narrative literature review showed that preterm infants have both qualitative and quantitative immune response deficits compared to term infants. Preterm newborns also have impaired intestinal immunity, underdeveloped intestinal mucosa barrier, and gut dysbiosis, which predisposes them to life-threatening infections. Early balanced gut microbiota in infants believed to be essential for adequate intestinal physiological functions and immune system maturation. The use of prebiotics, including human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) in human breast milk, has been found to decrease the risk of various infections and cognitive impairment. A previous study found that prebiotic oligosaccharides supplementation was well-tolerated, significantly increased Bifidobacteria growth, and reduced the presence of gut pathogens. Conclusions: There was robust evidence that breast milk and prebiotics supplementation may support the gut microbiome and immune system in preterm infants. However, different types of synthetic prebiotics offer different benefits, and the protective effect seems to depend on the supplementation duration and dosage.

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Intermittent Kangaroo Mother Care and the Practice of Breastfeeding Late Preterm Infants: Results from Four Hospitals in Different Provinces of China

10.21203/rs.2.18645/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Bo Zhang ◽

Zhiying Duan ◽

Yingxi Zhao ◽

Sarah Williams ◽

Stephen Wall ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Milk ◽

Preterm Infants ◽

Exclusive Breastfeeding ◽

Kangaroo Mother Care ◽

Late Preterm ◽

Feeding Practice ◽

Late Preterm Infants ◽

Breastfeeding Rate ◽

Milk Feeding

Abstract Background China has an extremely low exclusive breastfeeding rate. Kangaroo mother care (KMC) has been shown to increase the exclusive breastfeeding rate among infants born extremely or very preterm. However, there is limited evidence surrounding intermittent KMC and exclusive breastfeeding in late preterm infants. In our study we investigated the association between the provision of intermittent KMC and breastfeeding practice for late preterm infants in four hospitals in different provinces of China. Methods Intermittent KMC was recommended to the mothers of all preterm infants admitted to the postnatal wards of participating hospitals between March 2018 and March 2019. Those who agreed to practice KMC were enrolled in the “KMC group”, those who did not were enrolled in the “No KMC group”. Basic maternal socio-demographic information was collected, feeding practice; outcome and method, were recorded daily whilst in hospital. A follow-up survey of feeding practice was conducted 42 days after discharge. Calculations for feeding practice were performed separately for both groups. Logistics regression was used to analyze the association between KMC and feeding outcome and method, adjusting for socio-demographic covariates. Results Among the 844 mothers participating in the study, 627 (74.3%) chose to perform KMC. More of the mothers who provided KMC were exclusively breast milk feeding their infants in the 24 hours before hospital discharge (54.6%) and at follow-up (57.3%), compared to mothers who did not provide KMC (34.6% at discharge and 33.2% at follow-up,). Mothers in the KMC group were more likely to be breastfeeding (method) than mothers in the No KMC group (65.3% vs. 52.1% at discharge, and 83.1% vs. 67.3% at follow up). Logistic regression indicated that compared with the No KMC group, mothers who provided KMC were twice as likely to be exclusively breast milk feeding their infants at discharge (OR=2.15 (1.53-3.02)), use breastfeeding method at discharge as opposed to other means such as bottle or cup feeding (OR=1.61 (1.15-2.25)), be exclusive breast milk feeding at follow-up (OR=2.55 (1.81-3.61)), and use breastfeeding method at follow-up (OR=2.09 (1.44-3.02)). Conclusions Intermittent KMC was associated with a nearly doubled increase in exclusive breast milk feeding (outcome) and breastfeeding (method) at both discharge and 42 days after discharge for late preterm infants. This is especially important in China where exclusive breastfeeding rates are low, intermittent KMC provides a feasible means to increase the likelihood of these vulnerable infants receiving the benefits of exclusive breastmilk.

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