The focus of this Level l application is the identification and testing of strategies for using own mothers' milk (OMM) to provide protection from infection for extremely low-birthweight (ELBW; <1000g) infants. Immunoincompetence plus exposure to pathogenic microorganisms in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) predispose ELBW infants to nosocomial infections, which result in short-and long-term sequelae, and increase the cost of the NICU stay by a mean of $ 10,440 per infection. Clinical studies have documented a lower incidence and severity of nosocomial infections in OMM-fed than formula-fed preterm infants. Immunologic research has identified specific protective factors in OMM that provide passive and active immunity for the infant; many are concentrated more highly in OMM from mothers of preterm than term infants. Selected immunologic factors, such as secretory immunoglobulin A, are absorbed and excreted in the infant's urine; lactoferrin, with enhanced bacteriocidal properties, has been recaptured from feces. Thus, OMM may provide significant protection for ELBW infants; additionally, OMM is inexpensive, and facilitates mothers' participation in infant care. The dissertation will test strategies for using OMM to provide protection from infection during the early post-birth period when ELBW infants cannot tolerate enteral nutrition. An example is the use of OMM for routine infant mouth care and/or for gut-priming, e.g., minimal enteral feedings that stimulate maturation and barrier protection of the gastrointestinal tract. Outcome measures might include whether specific immune components of OMM are recaptured in infants' urine and feces.
Rodriguez, Nancy A; Meier, Paula P; Groer, Maureen W et al. (2010) A pilot study to determine the safety and feasibility of oropharyngeal administration of own mother's colostrum to extremely low-birth-weight infants. Adv Neonatal Care 10:206-12 |
Rodriguez, N A; Meier, P P; Groer, M W et al. (2009) Oropharyngeal administration of colostrum to extremely low birth weight infants: theoretical perspectives. J Perinatol 29:1-7 |
Meier, P; Hurst, N; Rodriguez, N et al. (2004) Comfort and effectiveness of the Symphony breast pump for mothers of preterm infants: comparison of three suction patterns. Adv Exp Med Biol 554:321-3 |