Supplementation-based hypoglycemia guidelines including donor breast milk reduce NICU admission.

Abstract

To study the effects of a supplementation-based hypoglycemia guideline including donor (DM) on NICU admission, exclusive breastfeeding, and blood glucose concentrations in infants at-risk for neonatal hypoglycemia (NH). We integrated DM, feeding supplementation, and reduced frequency of blood glucose testing into an NH bundle for term and late-preterm newborns. We then examined NICU admission rates and rates of exclusive breastfeeding at discharge. NICU admission rates were reduced to 6% (-10%). Exclusive breastfeeding rates increased to 55% (+22%). Median cost of DM utilization was $13.73 per patient with an average volume of 50.8 ml/infant. DM supplementation resulted in similar times to last hypoglycemic episode and greater increases in blood glucose compared to expressed breast milk or breastfeeding alone (+9.6 mg/dL, p < 0.05). A supplementation-based hypoglycemia guideline including donor milk may be an effective way to reduce NICU admissions for asymptomatic hypoglycemia and support mothers in achieving breastfeeding goals.