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Published on: February 5, 2019
[Colostrum protocol evaluation for very low birth weight preterm infants]
Marcia Maraboli Aguilera1, Graciela Lavanderos Bustamante1, Camila León Martínez1
1Complejo Aslsteoclal Dr. Sótero del Río, Santiago, Chile.
Insights
Early colostrum for very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) preterm infants improved breastfeeding rates and milk volume at discharge. This practice offers significant benefits for VLBW infant care.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Pediatrics
- Clinical Nutrition
Background:
- Oral colostrum administration is a recommended practice for very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) preterm infants.
- The clinical impact of early colostrum on infant outcomes and maternal lactation requires further evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the clinical effects of early oral colostrum administration on in-hospital outcomes.
- To evaluate the impact on lactation in VLBW preterm infants compared to historical controls.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive cohort study with historical controls was conducted.
- Infants under 1500 grams were included, with exclusions for specific maternal and infant conditions.
- Perinatal, morbidity, nutritional, and breastfeeding data were compared between groups.
Main Results:
- No significant differences were found in infectious, respiratory, or gastrointestinal morbidity, enteral feeding progression, parenteral nutrition duration, or hospital stay.
- A significant increase in breastfeeding at discharge (52% vs. 69%) and breast milk volume (70 vs. 102 ml/kg/day) was observed in the post-colostrum group.
- Groups were comparable in perinatal history.
Conclusions:
- Early colostrum administration in VLBW preterm infants is associated with increased maternal milk volume at discharge.
- This practice demonstrates a positive benefit for VLBW preterm infant care, particularly concerning lactation support.
Introduction:
Early administration of oral colostrum has been recommended in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) preterm infant care.
Objective:
To evaluate the clinical effect of early colostrum administration on in-hospital outcome and lactation of VLBW preterm infants compared with historical control in an Intensive Care Unit.
Subjects And Method:
descriptive cohort study with historical control of VLBW preterm infants who did or did not receive early oral colostrum, born 1.6 years before and 1.4 years after this protocol, with information collected from the database of infants under 1500 grams at birth and in the colostrum protocol registry. Children born to HIV+ mothers, with hepatitis, chemothe rapy, and those born with malformations incompatible with life were excluded. The main perinatal, morbidity, nutritional, and breastfeeding data at discharge were compared.
Results:
94 patients were born pre-colostrum and 64 in the protocol period (post-colostrum). The groups were comparable in perinatal history. No difference was observed in infectious, respiratory, or gastrointestinal morbidity, progress in enteral feeding, days of parenteral nutrition, and length of hospital stay. There were signi ficant differences in the percentage breastfeeding at discharge (52 vs. 69%, p < 0.037) and in average breast milk volume at discharge (70 vs. 102 ml/k/day, p < 0.012) in the post-colostrum group. Con clusions: Early colostrum administration to preterm infants was associated with a higher volume of maternal milk at discharge, being a good benefit in VLBW preterm infant care.
