Human Milk Banking: Influence of Storage Processes and of Bacterial Contamination on Some Milk Constituents

Abstract

This paper reviews the effects of storage and bacterial content contaminating human milk on some milk constituents. Moreover, it reviews the inhibitory effect of refrigeration and freezing on bacterial growth. Our results suggest that the type and length of storage have an effect on some milk constituents, that this effect is modulated by the bacterial contamination of the milk and that refrigeration has a significant inhibitory effect on bacterial growth which is not observed after freezing. This stresses the importance of collecting noncontaminated milk and justifies the choice of refrigeration at 0-4°C for storage up to 8 days.

The Use of Human Milk in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Practices in Belgium and Luxembourg

“…13,14 However, regular opening of the refrigerator door in the NICU and loss of nutritional integrity and bactericidal capacity of the milk should be taken into account. Currently, pasteurization and screening of milk from the infant's biological mother are not uniformly recommended.…”

ABM Clinical Protocol #8: Human Milk Storage Information for Home Use for Full-Term Infants (Original Protocol March 2004; Revision #1 March 2010)

“…Studies show that human milk containing fewer bacteria at the time of expression develops less bacterial growth during storage and has higher protein levels compared to milk that has an abundance of bacteria. [1][2][3] 2. Milk expression can be achieved by hand or by a pump.…”

“…[17][18][19] However, studies of expressed human milk with little contamination at the time of expression demonstrate safe, low levels of bacteria growth in milk at 72 hours 15 and even after 4-8 days of refrigeration. 1,2,20 4. Freezing expressed human milk (~À208C, 08F) has been demonstrated to be safe for at least 3 months.…”

Breastfeeding in premature infants: in-hospital clinical management

“…Os benefícios biológicos do leite materno o tornam um excelente alimento para o RNPT, mesmo considerando que as eventuais perdas de nutrientes decorrentes da coleta 75 , do processamento 76,77 , da estocagem 78,79 e do método utilizado para a oferta do LH 11,80 aos pacientes das unidades neonatais possam ser responsáveis pela menor velocidade de crescimento dos RN quando comparados com aqueles que utilizam leite artificial 81 . Se o desempenho relacionado ao crescimento neonatal é melhor nos RNPT alimentados com fórmulas para prematuros, isso não é verdadeiro para as medidas de peso, altura, perímetro cefálico e prega cutânea por volta dos 9 meses e dos 8 anos de idade, que foram similares, independentemente da dieta recebida ser preferencialmente leite materno ou exclusivamente leite artificial 82 .…”