BACKGROUND:

Several studies have demonstrated an associa tion between fresh human milk (FHM) feeding and a red uction in the incidence of sepsis in very low birth  weight infants (VLBW). The critical period and volume  of human milk that should be administered to exert a  protective effect are not well defined. 

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the volume of FHM that VLBW sh ould receive during the first week after birth to red uce the risk of lat e onset sepsis (LOS). 

DESIGN/METHODS:

All patients included in a RCT design ed to compare morbidity and tolerability in VLBW exclu sively fed with human milk during the first 28 days o f life  showed a lower incidence of LOS in those patients who  received human milk since the first day of life 1 . An univariate analysis between patients who devel oped or not LOS was  performed and those variables with statistical significan ce were included in a multivariate model. The volume  of FHM administered during the first week of life w as divided into  quartiles and the dose of milk that exerted a protecti ve effect was determined. 

RESULTS:

Ninety six patients included in our previous  study were analyzed. Characteristics of patients with LO S (n=24) that were statistically different compared wi th those  without sepsis are shown in the table. To feed with FHM  >40 ml/kg in the first of life was the cutoff point t hat was associated with a reduction in the incidence of LO S (ORa 75  % [95%CI 14-93%]). The proportion of patients who sur vived free of LOS until hospital discharge is shown in  the figure. 

CONCLUSIONS:

A dose-response relationship was demonstrat ed between FHM in the first week of life and a reduct ion in the odds of sepsis.

E-PAS2013:1541.579. Early Minimal Enteral Feeding W ith Human Milk In Very Low Birth Weight Infants: Whe n To Start? 

E-PAS2014:2917.229