A Pilot Single-Site Randomized Control Trial: Investigating the Use of Donor Milk in the Late Preterm and Term Infant in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Abstract Objective: We aimed to study the use of donor milk (DM) in term and late preterm infants (LPIs) when mother’s own milk (MOM) was unavailable. We hypothesized this study would be feasible and breastfeeding attempts and the percentage of MOM (MOM%) would increase with DM without adversely affecting growth. Study Design: This was a pilot study (n=32). Infants with gestational age >34 weeks admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit were included. Infants were randomized to: the human milk (MOM+DM) or formula (MOM+F) groups. Result: Consent rate was 52%. Breastfeeding attempts increased significantly over time in the MOM+DM group compared to the MOM+F group (group p=0.41, time p =0.02, group*time p=0.01). Growth at multiple time points was similar when the two groups were compared. Conclusion: A study randomizing term infants and LPIs to DM or formula when MOM is unavailable is feasible. DM may increase breastfeeding attempts without compromising growth.