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Necrotizing Enterocolitis Reduction Using an Exclusive Human‐Milk Diet and Probiotic Supplementation in Infants With 1000–1499 Gram Birth Weight
Author(s) -
Sato Ray,
Malai Solyvattey,
Razmjouy Behzad
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
nutrition in clinical practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.725
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1941-2452
pISSN - 0884-5336
DOI - 10.1002/ncp.10394
Subject(s) - medicine , necrotizing enterocolitis , pediatrics , breast milk , population , birth weight , low birth weight , incidence (geometry) , enterocolitis , pregnancy , environmental health , biochemistry , chemistry , physics , biology , optics , genetics
Background Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a major complication confronting clinicians caring for premature infants. This investigation compares clinical outcomes before and after quality improvement–program interventions in a population of premature infants at intermediate risk for NEC. Methods This study is a retrospective single‐center chart review of infants admitted with a birth weight of 1000–1499 g, excluding major congenital anomalies, over a 6‐year period, beginning with implementation of a donor breast‐milk program when mother's own milk was not available. Infants were separated into 2 epochs, before (July 2012–December 2013) and after (April 2014–June 2018) introduction of human milk–derived fortifier (Prolacta) and a daily probiotic (FloraBABY) supplement. Results Comparing 140 preintervention infants with 265 postintervention infants, NEC was significantly lower in the postintervention group: 5.2% vs 1.1% ( P = 0.046). Somatic growth was similar in both epochs. Conclusions Quality‐improvement initiatives utilizing an exclusive human‐milk diet and daily probiotic supplementation were associated with a decreased incidence of NEC in infants with a birth weight of 1000–1499 g. Implementation of the NEC reduction bundle did not affect infant growth.