Evaluation of Current Standard of Care for Feeding Practices in the NICU (H-26923)

Quality Improvement Project - Evaluation of Current Standard of Care for Feeding Practices With Donor Human Milk Products in the NICU

Background Information

The use of donor human milk products for very low birth weight infants as an alternative to cow milk based infant formula has risen dramatically over the past year. New guidelines were introduced in 2009 at Texas Children’s Hospital to outline the appropriate use and standard of care for donor human milk products. While reports of nutritional imbalances with the use of infant formula were extremely uncommon, there have been reports recently of hyperphosphatemia and hyponatremia among infants consuming donor human milk products. Appropriate monitoring and supplementation is necessary with these infants to avoid potential nutritional problems.

Purpose and Objectives

• To evaluate the current guidelines of nutritional management for very low birth weight infants receiving donor human milk products in the NICU at Texas Children's Hospital and Ben Taub Hospital.

• To ensure that guidelines to monitor electrolytes in infants < 1500 g receiving donor human milk products are being followed and that appropriate interventions are being given if abnormalities are determined.

For study details see Quality Improvement Project - Evaluation of Current Standard of Care for Feeding Practices With Donor Human Milk Products in the NICU.