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Human Milk Feeding Status of Preterm Infants in Neonatal Intensive Care Units in China
Wenjing Peng1, Siyuan Jiang1, Shujuan Li1
1145601 Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Insights
Human milk feeding rates for preterm infants in Chinese NICUs are increasing, but significant variations exist. Further efforts are needed to improve these crucial rates nationwide.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Pediatric nutrition
- Public health
Background:
- Previous reports indicated low human milk feeding rates for preterm infants in Chinese neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
- Nationwide data on human milk feeding practices for preterm infants in China were previously unavailable.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the current status of human milk feeding for preterm infants in Chinese NICUs.
- To provide essential baseline data for future research and interventions.
Main Methods:
- Secondary data analysis from a clinical database of 25 Chinese NICUs.
- Inclusion of infants born <34 weeks gestation admitted between May 2015 and April 2018.
- Analysis of infant data and human milk feeding practices through unit surveys.
Main Results:
- Overall human milk feeding rate was 58.2%, with an exclusive rate of 18.8%, showing significant increases over the study period.
- Human milk feeding rates decreased with increasing gestational age and birth weight.
- Significant inter-unit variation in feeding rates was observed, though most units implemented improvement measures.
Conclusions:
- Human milk feeding rates in Chinese NICUs have shown a positive upward trend over the last three years.
- Substantial variations persist among different NICUs, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
- Continued and enhanced efforts are necessary to further increase human milk feeding rates for preterm infants across China.
Background:
Previous low human milk feeding rates in Chinese neonatal intensive care units of preterm infants were reported. There are no nationwide data on these.
Research Aims:
To investigate the current status of human milk feeding for preterm infants in Chinese units and provide baseline data for future research.
Methods:
A secondary data analysis was conducted from a previously established clinical database including 25 Chinese neonatal intensive care units. All infants born <34 weeks gestation and admitted to participating units from May 2015 to April 2018 were enrolled. Variables analyzed were infant data collected and the human milk feeding practices at participating units were surveyed.
Results:
A total of 24,113 infants were included. The overall and exclusive human milk feeding rates were 58.2% and 18.8%, respectively, which increased significantly during study years. We found that rates of human milk feeding decreased with increase in gestational age and birth weight. There was significant variation in human milk feeding rates among units. Most participating Chinese neonatal intensive care units have taken measures to improve the rates of human milk feeding.
Conclusions:
The human milk feeding rates in Chinese neonatal intensive care units have continued to increase in the past 3 years, but there was significant variation among them. More efforts are needed to further increase the human milk feeding rates in China.
Trial Registration:
This study was registered NCT02600195 with clinicaltrials.gov on November 9, 2015.
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