Colostrum protocol evaluation for very low birth weight preterm infants

Early administration of oral colostrum has been recommended in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) preterm infant care. Objective: To evaluate the clinical effect of early colostrum administration on in-hospital outcome and lactation of VLBW preterm infants compared with historical control in an Intensive Care Unit. Subjects and Method: descriptive cohort study with historical control of VLBW preterm infants who did or did not receive early oral colostrum, born 1.6 years before and 1.4 years after this protocol, with information collected from the database of infants under 1500 grams at birth and in the colostrum protocol registry. Children born to HIV+ mothers, with hepatitis, chemotherapy, and those born with malformations incompatible with life were excluded. The main perinatal, morbidity, nutritional, and breastfeeding data at discharge were compared. Results: 94 patients were born pre-colostrum and 64 in the protocol period (post-colostrum). The groups were comparable in perinatal history. No difference was observed in infectious, respiratory, or gastrointestinal morbidity, progress in enteral feeding, days of parenteral nutrition, and length of hospital stay. There were significant differences in the percentage breastfeeding at discharge (52 vs. 69%, p < 0.037) and in average breast milk volume at discharge (70 vs. 102 ml/k/day, p < 0.012) in the post-colostrum group. Conclusions: Early colostrum administration to preterm infants was associated with a higher volume of maternal milk at discharge, being a good benefit in VLBW preterm infant care.