30 Human Milk Banking: Neonatolgists' Opinions and Practices.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose was to describe professional opinions and practices related to human milk banking among neonatologists in order to increase the use of donor breast milk in the neonatal intensive care. Methodology: Approximately 2500 members of the Neonatal Pediatric Section of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) were contacted by email and invited to complete a brief anonymous online survey. The survey contained closed-end questions on demographic characteristics and practices, as well as open-ended questions related to attitudes. Results: A total of 437 physicians (17%) completed the survey. The majority were males (56%) who had completed medical training at least 16 years earlier (59%). Most physicians worked in neonatal intensive care units (NICU's) with 30–60 beds (57%); approximately 20% were employed by a facility where donor milk from human milk banks was prescribed. Respondents cited a wide range of benefits from using donor milk from a human milk bank; the most common were immunological benefits (43%) and general advantages associated with breast milk (25%). The overwhelming concern with the use of donor milk was transmission of known infectious agents (62%); this was also reflected in suggestions for future research, with the majority of respondents (61%) requesting additional studies on this topic. More than one-half of physicians (55%) indicated they would consider recommending donor milk from a human milk bank for babies under their care. Conclusions: Addressing neonatologists' practices that limit prescription of donor milk from human milk bank is key in promoting its use. Increased knowledge about the methods used to limit the risk of infection transmission through donor milk should increase its usage.