The posts regarding formula use and NEC, specifically one brand of formula are troublesome - not just because of the outcomes but because these incidents have not been reported. All adverse outcomes related to infant formula should be reported to the FDA through its MedWatch program. This is easy to do at their website, www.fda.gov. These incidents should also be reported to the specific?formula company. A log should be kept of such adverse outcomes and discussed with NICU supervisors. Most of this is preventable by the use of banked human milk if a mother's own milk is not available. I am sure that parents are never informed that the use of infant formula raises the risk of such conditions.

These incidents should be pointed out to the Ross Products salespeople as they heavily promote their new preemie formulas. NABA has received several reports of expensive dinners being used to lure clinicians into listening to the commercial for these formulas. If your hospital has been approached with invitations to these dinners we may wish to do something about it as was previously discussed on Lactnet. A letter written to the Risk Management Department as well as?middle and senior management can detail the risk of using these formulas. Attending such dinners has a definite effect on the prescribing and usage of the particular formula company's products. Eating together promotes a cozy and and snug working relationship that works to remove professional barriers between salespeople and clinicians. The positive feelings associated with eating good food is projected onto the the people and messages experienced while eating. When salespeople combine food with flattery, recipients tend to like them more, regardless of what it is they have to say.?People are much more receptive to information when it is presented while eating enjoyable food. This is why formula salespeople always show up with food or offer expensive dinners. They know their message will get across and that those who blindly think they will not be affected are simply fooling themselves. Research shows otherwise.

Marsha Walker, RN, IBCLC
Weston, MA


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