Am J Perinatol 2014; 31(10): 891-898
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1363500
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Independent Predictors of Human Milk Receipt at Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Discharge

Elizabeth A. Brownell
1   The Connecticut Human Milk Research Center, Division of Neonatology, Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Hartford, Connecticut
2   Department of Pediatrics, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut
,
Mary M. Lussier
1   The Connecticut Human Milk Research Center, Division of Neonatology, Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Hartford, Connecticut
,
James I. Hagadorn
1   The Connecticut Human Milk Research Center, Division of Neonatology, Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Hartford, Connecticut
2   Department of Pediatrics, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut
,
Jacqueline M. McGrath
3   Nursing Research, Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Hartford, Connecticut
4   Department of Nursing, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut
,
Kathleen A. Marinelli
1   The Connecticut Human Milk Research Center, Division of Neonatology, Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Hartford, Connecticut
2   Department of Pediatrics, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut
,
Victor C. Herson
1   The Connecticut Human Milk Research Center, Division of Neonatology, Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Hartford, Connecticut
2   Department of Pediatrics, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

18 July 2013

12 November 2013

Publication Date:
17 December 2013 (online)

Preview

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study is to construct a predictive model for very low birth weight (VLBW) infants' receipt of mother's own milk within 24 hours before neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) discharge.

Study Design Vermont Oxford Network (VON) clinical data were analyzed retrospectively for VLBW infants admitted between 2002 and 2012 at an inner city, level IV NICU with a well-established lactation program. Bivariate analyses compared infant characteristics between recipients and nonrecipients of human milk before 24 hours of NICU discharge. Independent predictors identified in the bivariate analyses (p ≤ 0.05), were eligible for inclusion into a multivariable logistic regression model.

Results We observed a 60.4% human milk feeding rate at NICU discharge. Multiple independent maternal (black race and Hispanic ethnicity) and clinical factors (need for mechanical ventilation, patent ductus arteriosus, late-onset sepsis, or discharge to home on a cardiorespiratory monitor) positively predicted the outcome.

Conclusions Our results were inconsistent with previous studies and suggest that a strong NICU lactation program in combination with a community-based peer counselor program may increase rates of human milk receipt among VLBW infants born to black/Hispanic mothers and those with more complicated neonatal courses.