60 Impact of sequential implementation of a standardized feeding protocol and donor breastmilk on necrotizing enterocolitis among preterm infants born <31 weeks gestation

Abstract

Abstract Primary Subject area Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Background Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the leading cause of gastrointestinal morbidity and mortality among preterm infants born <31 weeks. Nutritional interventions such as a standardized feeding protocol (SFP) and donor breastmilk (DBM) are recommended to reduce NEC. Objectives Our objective was to assess the impact of implementing a feeding protocol and pasteurized donor breastmilk protocol on NEC among preterm infants born < 31 weeks GA. Design/Methods Retrospective cohort study including 682 infants born < 31 weeks, who survived ≥ 14 days and were admitted to two tertiary NICUs from 2009-2018. Data was obtained from the local Canadian Neonatal Network database. Infants were classified into epochs, based on the timing of interventions: Epoch 1, baseline (2009-2012); Epoch 2, SFP (2013-2015); Epoch 3, SFP + DBM (2016-2018). The primary outcome was NEC stage ≥ 2. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess associations between epochs and outcomes and were adjusted for confounders. Results Among 682 infants, 46 (7%) had NEC and 74 (11%) had mortality/NEC. Rates of NEC decreased with each epoch: 10% (25/246) Epoch 1 (baseline); 5% (8/163) Epoch 2 (SFP); and 5% (13/273) Epoch 3 (SFP+DBM), (p<0.01) (Table1). SFP alone was associated with significantly lower odds of NEC compared to baseline (Epoch 2 vs 1, AOR 0.42, 95% CI 0.17-0.93) (Table 2). Implementation of DBM was not associated with lower odds of NEC compared to SFP alone (Epoch 3 vs 2, AOR 0.94, 95% CI 0.38-2.42) (Table2). Number of NPO days prior to the initiation of enteric feeds after birth decreased in Epoch 3 (Epoch 1&2: 2 days versus Epoch 3: 1 day; p<0.01). Exclusive human breastmilk feeds during the first 3 weeks increased from 62% in Epoch 2 to 82% in Epoch 3 (p<0.01). A significant decrease in number of total parenteral nutrition and central venous line (CVL) days was observed from Epoch 1 to 3 (25 to 15 days and 26 to 15 days respectively; p<0.01) (Table 1), this was reflected in the decrease in late onset sepsis (Epoch 3 vs 1, AOR 0.55, 95% CI 0.35-0.86). Conclusion Implementation of SFP was associated with a significant decrease in NEC among infants born < 31 weeks. Combining the SFP and DBM did not further decrease NEC, but was associated with shorter NPO days, higher exclusive human breastmilk exposure, and significant decrease in number of central venous line (CVL) days.