Early feeding factors associated with exclusive versus partial human milk feeding in neonates receiving intensive care

• Authors: Tracie C. Walker, Emory University; Sarah Keene, Emory University; Ravi Patel, Emory University
• Journal Title: Journal of Perinatology
• Volume: Volume 34, Number 8
• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group: Open Access Hybrid Model Option B | 2014-08-01, Pages 606-610
• Type of Work: Article | Post-print: After Peer Review
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2014.63
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology; Health Sciences, Health Care Management; Health Sciences, General
• Keywords: Science & Technology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Obstetrics & Gynecology; Pediatrics; OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY; PEDIATRICS; BIRTH-WEIGHT INFANTS; RANDOMIZED-TRIAL; BREAST-MILK; UNITED-STATES; RISK; INITIATION; PROMOTION; DISCHARGE; DURATION; INCREASE

Abstract

Objective:To evaluate early feeding factors associated with exclusive human milk (EHM) feeding at discharge in a cohort of human milk-fed infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).Study Design:Retrospective cohort of consecutively discharged infants from two NICUs over a 12-month period who received any human milk during the 24 h before hospital discharge. We used logistic regression to evaluate early feeding factors associated with EHM feeding at discharge. Result:We evaluated a total of 264 infants. EHM-fed infants were twice as likely to receive human milk at the first feeding compared with partial human milk-fed infants (65% vs 32%; P<0.01). In multivariable analysis, including adjustment for race and type of maternal insurance, infants receiving human milk as the initial feeding, compared with formula, had a greater odds of EHM feeding at hospital discharge (adjusted odds ratio (OR)=3.41; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.82 to 6.39; P<0.001). Conclusion:Among infants admitted to the NICU whose mothers provide human milk, those receiving human milk as the first feeding were more likely to receive EHM feeding at discharge.Journal of Perinatology advance online publication, 17 April 2014; doi:10.1038/jp.2014.63.