Posters
Presentation Type
Poster
Discipline Track
Patient Care
Abstract Type
Research/Clinical
Abstract
Introduction: The Doctors Hospital at Renaissance-Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (DHR-NICU) in Edinburg, is a large Level III/IV Regional NICU, admitting 140 Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW) babies per year. The population is 99% Latino, historically underserved and underrepresented; the unit is located 10 miles from the US- Mexico Border.
Background: Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW) infants are born too immaturely to feed human milk. In utero, the fetus continuously swallows amniotic fluid which provides growth stimulus and immune protective components. Human milk can provides essential antimicrobial agents and immune protective components to infants born prematurely, reducing the risk of major morbidities such as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and late onset sepsis (M. Caplan, 2020).
Goal: This study aims to evaluate the safety, and feasibility of establishing Oropharyngeal Therapy with Mothers Own Milk (OPT-MOM) in VLBW infants at DHR.
Methods: A standard operating procedure protocol was established based on a previously established OPT-MOM protocol (N. Garafolo, 2019). The OPT-MOM protocol consisted of administration of mother’s own milk directly to the newborn’s oropharyngeal mucosa every six hours and tracking tolerance. OPTMOM was administered to newborns weighing less than 1250 grams or having a gestational age of 24 to 28 weeks. Three outcome measures were tracked: (1) Time to reach full feeds (Time FF), (2) the occurrence of feeding intolerance, including NEC, and (3) length of hospital stay (LOS). An average goal of 30 days to reach full feeds, no significant feeding intolerance, no NEC, and an average LOS less than 10 weeks, had to be met to assess effectiveness. Parent and staff education was also conducted and tracked to ensure safe and feasible OPTMOM implementation.
Results: A total of 10 eligible infants born between 24 to 28 weeks gestational age were administered OPT-MOM during a three month period. Data showed an average of 25 days to reach full feeds. No significant feeding intolerance was reported, and zero NEC was reported. Participants averaged a length of stay of 9 weeks.
Conclusion: An OPT-MOM program is safe and feasible at DHR, and has great potential to benefit premature infants and mothers. The OPT-MOM protocol was safely implemented without increased morbidity, or increased length of NICU hospitalization in VLBW infants. The implementation of this OPT-MOM has shown to be safe and efficient and met with enthusiasm by both the nursing staff and NICU mothers.
Recommended Citation
Garcia, Kassandra; Honrubia, Mia; Martinez, Belen; and Honrubia, Dynio, "Safety and Feasibility of Oral Pharyngeal Human Milk Therapy in Latino VLBW Babies in a Large Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Along the US- Mexico Border" (2024). Research Symposium. 117.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/somrs/2023/posters/117
Included in
Safety and Feasibility of Oral Pharyngeal Human Milk Therapy in Latino VLBW Babies in a Large Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Along the US- Mexico Border
Introduction: The Doctors Hospital at Renaissance-Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (DHR-NICU) in Edinburg, is a large Level III/IV Regional NICU, admitting 140 Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW) babies per year. The population is 99% Latino, historically underserved and underrepresented; the unit is located 10 miles from the US- Mexico Border.
Background: Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW) infants are born too immaturely to feed human milk. In utero, the fetus continuously swallows amniotic fluid which provides growth stimulus and immune protective components. Human milk can provides essential antimicrobial agents and immune protective components to infants born prematurely, reducing the risk of major morbidities such as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and late onset sepsis (M. Caplan, 2020).
Goal: This study aims to evaluate the safety, and feasibility of establishing Oropharyngeal Therapy with Mothers Own Milk (OPT-MOM) in VLBW infants at DHR.
Methods: A standard operating procedure protocol was established based on a previously established OPT-MOM protocol (N. Garafolo, 2019). The OPT-MOM protocol consisted of administration of mother’s own milk directly to the newborn’s oropharyngeal mucosa every six hours and tracking tolerance. OPTMOM was administered to newborns weighing less than 1250 grams or having a gestational age of 24 to 28 weeks. Three outcome measures were tracked: (1) Time to reach full feeds (Time FF), (2) the occurrence of feeding intolerance, including NEC, and (3) length of hospital stay (LOS). An average goal of 30 days to reach full feeds, no significant feeding intolerance, no NEC, and an average LOS less than 10 weeks, had to be met to assess effectiveness. Parent and staff education was also conducted and tracked to ensure safe and feasible OPTMOM implementation.
Results: A total of 10 eligible infants born between 24 to 28 weeks gestational age were administered OPT-MOM during a three month period. Data showed an average of 25 days to reach full feeds. No significant feeding intolerance was reported, and zero NEC was reported. Participants averaged a length of stay of 9 weeks.
Conclusion: An OPT-MOM program is safe and feasible at DHR, and has great potential to benefit premature infants and mothers. The OPT-MOM protocol was safely implemented without increased morbidity, or increased length of NICU hospitalization in VLBW infants. The implementation of this OPT-MOM has shown to be safe and efficient and met with enthusiasm by both the nursing staff and NICU mothers.