Denny Rice expressed her frustrations yesterday about the use of banked milk
and the physicians concern with Hep. C. I would encourage the use of the "Red
Book" of the American Academy of Pediatrics- latest edition was 1997, with
another due out this year. The rate of transmission if I recall correctly (I
am at home, book is at work) is 4% if the mother is positive for Hep C. and
the rate of transmission is the same in breast or bottle feeding. This
indicates to me that breastfeeding does not increase tranmission in the
latest material. Now we must presume that the milk from the bank is tested-
and even so this should not be a confounding factor, especially in light of
all the benefits such as decreasing necrotizing enterocolitis, etc. My
suggest is to put the issue to rest with the neo's by using their own
information system (ie the Red Book- which is supposed to be one of their
Bible's) to win this in favor of the EBM.
I recently had to defend breastfeeding to the ped's section when this
question was raised and using this book quickly squelched that
argument/concern. I hope this information and angle of thought may help you
defend the health of this little one as I know you have that premie's best
interests at heart.
Gloria DeHaven BSN, ICCE, IBCLC

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