Abstract
BackgroundDonor human milk (DHM) has been recommended for premature infants if mothers’ own milk is not available. The aim of this study was to increase the knowledge about the utilization rate and handling of DHM among neonatal units in Germany, Austria und Switzerland.MethodsOnline survey of utilization rates and handling practices of DHM of all neonatal units within Germany, Austria and Switzerland providing care for premature infants less than 32 weeks of gestation.ResultsDHM utilization rate of 35% is low (50/142) within those 54% of units that responded to our survey (142/261). Only 26/50 units have DHM routinely integrated into their nutritional management protocols. Lacking access and difficult procurement were cited as the main obstacles for not using DHM. However, eight out of ten respondents currently not using DHM would like to introduce DHM in their unit if available. There were differences in most aspects of DHM handling including donor recruitment and screening, testing and treatment of milk microbiota and commencement of DHM utilization. Breastmilk feeding rates were increased in units utilizing DHM compared to those not utilizing DHM.ConclusionsDHM is underutilized in most neonatal units caring for premature infants within participating countries. Lacking access to DHM represents the main barrier for utilizing DHM for premature infants.
Highlights
Donor human milk (DHM) has been recommended for premature infants if mothers’ own milk is not available
Donor human milk banks (DHMB) are the means by which DHM may be made available for premature infants
The aim of this study is to provide an overview about the actual utilization rate of DHM, the procurement and handling of DHM, the implementation of feeding strategies using DHM or to identify the barriers to its use within German, Swiss and Austrian neonatal units
Summary
Donor human milk (DHM) has been recommended for premature infants if mothers’ own milk is not available. The aim of this study was to increase the knowledge about the utilization rate and handling of DHM among neonatal units in Germany, Austria und Switzerland. Donor human milk banks (DHMB) are the means by which DHM may be made available for premature infants. The knowledge about the actual DHM utilization rates in neonatal intensive care units providing care for very premature infants is limited [5,6,7]. The aim of this study is to provide an overview about the actual utilization rate of DHM, the procurement and handling of DHM, the implementation of feeding strategies using DHM or to identify the barriers to its use within German, Swiss and Austrian neonatal units. DHM programs and DHMB within these countries are established, operated and funded exclusively by individual neonatal departments setting their own policies concerning procurement and handling of human donor milk
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