Background
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a major complication confronting clinicians caring for premature infants. This investigation compares clinical outcomes before and after quality improvement–program interventions in a population of premature infants at intermediate risk for NEC.
Methods
This study is a retrospective single‐center chart review of infants admitted with a birth weight of 1000–1499 g, excluding major congenital anomalies, over a 6‐year period, beginning with implementation of a donor breast‐milk program when mother's own milk was not available. Infants were separated into 2 epochs, before (July 2012–December 2013) and after (April 2014–June 2018) introduction of human milk–derived fortifier (Prolacta) and a daily probiotic (FloraBABY) supplement.
Results
Comparing 140 preintervention infants with 265 postintervention infants, NEC was significantly lower in the postintervention group: 5.2% vs 1.1% (P = 0.046). Somatic growth was similar in both epochs.
Conclusions
Quality‐improvement initiatives utilizing an exclusive human‐milk diet and daily probiotic supplementation were associated with a decreased incidence of NEC in infants with a birth weight of 1000–1499 g. Implementation of the NEC reduction bundle did not affect infant growth.
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