Use of donor human milk in nonhospitalized infants: An infant growth study
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Published version
Author(s)
Bramer, Solange
Boyle, Robert
Weaver, Gillian
Shenker, Natalie
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
When mother's own milk (MOM) is unavailable or insufficient, donor human milk (DHM) is recommended as the next best alternative for low birthweight infants. DHM use for healthy, term infants is increasing, but evidence for growth and tolerability is limited. This retrospective study evaluated growth in term infants in the community who received DHM from a UK milk bank. Mothers of infants receiving DHM between 2017 and 2019 were contacted (n = 49), and 31 (63.2%) agreed to participate. Fourteen infants received DHM as a supplement to other feeds (MOM and/or infant formula) and 17 were exclusively fed DHM where breastfeeding was impossible (range: 3–6 weeks). Growth was assessed by deriving z‐scores using the WHO standard for infant growth and compared with 200 exclusively breastfed infants. Multivariate regression analysis revealed no feeding method‐specific association between z‐score and age, nor between weight and age, suggesting that z‐scores and growth velocity were not affected by feeding exclusive MOM, supplemental DHM or exclusive DHM. DHM was well‐tolerated with no adverse events that led to early cessation. After receiving supplemental DHM group, 63% of infants whose mothers had no physical barrier to breastfeeding (5/8 infants) were exclusively breastfed. This novel study reports adequate growth outcomes of healthy nonhospitalized infants receiving DHM, either as the sole milk source or supplement. Prospective studies are needed to confirm whether DHM is a suitable feeding alternative for term infants in the community, optimal durations, as well as the impact of DHM availability on breastfeeding rates and maternal mental health.
Date Issued
2021-04
Date Acceptance
2020-12-02
Citation
Maternal and Child Nutrition, 2021, 17, pp.1-9
ISSN
1740-8695
Publisher
Wiley Open Access
Start Page
1
End Page
9
Journal / Book Title
Maternal and Child Nutrition
Volume
17
Copyright Statement
© 2021 The Authors. Maternal & Child Nutrition published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
License URL
Sponsor
Medical Research Council (MRC)
Identifier
http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000604990600001&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Grant Number
MR/S017437/1
Subjects
Science & Technology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Nutrition & Dietetics
Pediatrics
breastfeeding
feeding problems
growth
human milk
infant feeding
infant growth
milk banks
HOLDER PASTEURIZATION
MOTHERS
CESSATION
NURSERY
FORMULA
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
ARTN e13128
Date Publish Online
2021-01-06