Forgive me if this has been posted this week. I don't recall seeing it and
do believe the study would have generated some discussion.

Does human milk reduce infection rates in preterm infants? A systematic
review
A de Silva1, P W Jones2 and S A Spencer1
1 Neonatology Unit, University Hospital of North Staffordshire, Stoke on
Trent, UK
2 School of Computing and Mathematics, Keele University, Staffordshire, UK


Correspondence to:
Dr S A Spencer
Neonatal Unit, University Hospital of North, Staffordshire, Newcastle Road,
Stoke-on-Trent ST4 6QG, UK; [log in to unmask]

One of the reasons for advocating human milk (HM) feeding for preterm
infants is the belief that this provides the infant with a degree of
protection from infection. Providing fresh HM for such infants is
challenging for mothers and staff, and consequently it is important that
its benefits are rigorously evaluated. Therefore a systematic review was
undertaken to assess all publications concerned with human milk feeding and
infection in very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants. Nine studies—six
cohort and three randomised controlled trials (RCT)—were assessed using
predefined criteria. Methodological problems included poor study design,
inadequate sample size, failure to adjust for confounding variables, and
inadequate definitions of HM feeding and outcome measures. In conclusion,
the advantage of HM in preventing infection in preterm, (VLBW) infants is
not proven by the existing studies. Recommendations are made regarding the
methodology required for further study of this important topic.



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Abbreviations: ELBW, extremely low birth weight; HM, human milk; RCT,
randomised controlled trial; UTI, urinary tract infection; VLBW, very low
birth weight


Keywords: human milk; preterm infants; VLBW; infection; systematic review



Ellen Penchuk, IBCLC, RLC

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