Postdischarge Feeding of Very-low-birth-weight Infants: Adherence to Nutrition Guidelines

Early-life nutrition is associated with processing speed at age 5 in children born preterm with very low birth weight

OBJECTIVE

Processing speed is suboptimal among preterm-born children which is of concern as it is a foundational skill supporting higher-level cognitive functions. The study objective was to evaluate associations between early-life nutrition and processing speed in childhood.

METHODS

Macronutrient and human milk (mother's own, donor) intakes from 137 children born preterm with very low birth weight enrolled in a nutrition feeding trial were included. Processing speed was evaluated at age 5 using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-fourth edition Processing Speed Index. Associations between early-life nutrition and processing speed were explored through linear regression.

RESULTS

Children had a mean (standard deviation [SD]) birth gestational age of 28.1 (2.5) weeks, weight of 1036 (260) g and 52% were male. The mean (SD) assessment age was 5.7 (0.2) years. Sex-dependent relationships were identified between first postnatal month protein, lipid and energy intakes and processing speed at 5 years. For females, lower protein (per 0.1 g/kg/d: -0.88, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.53, -0.23; p = 0.01) and energy (per 10 kcal/kg/d: -2.38, 95% CI: -4.70, -0.05; p = 0.03) intakes were related to higher processing speed scores. Mother's milk provision was positively associated (per 10% increase: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.22, 1.37; p = 0.01) and donor milk was negatively associated (per 10% increase: -1.15, 95% CI: -2.22, -0.08; p = 0.04) with processing speed scores; no sex differences were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

First postnatal month nutrition was related to processing speed at age 5 in children born preterm with very low birth weight. Early-life nutrition that supports processing speed may be leveraged to improve later cognitive outcomes for this vulnerable population.

Association of the presence of a COVID-19 infection at the time of birth and the rates of exclusive breastfeeding upon discharge in BFHI hospitals: a multicenter, prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Very few studies have assessed the association between COVID-19 infection and the rates of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) upon discharge following the first waves of the pandemic and after initiation of vaccination. The primary objective of this study is to compare the rates of EBF since birth upon discharge in mothers diagnosed with COVID-19 infection at the time of the delivery versus a group of non-infected mothers in maternity hospitals with Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) accreditation. The secondary objectives include determining the rates of any breastfeeding at three and six months of life in both groups, as well as determining the possible factors associated with EBF rates observed upon discharge.

METHODS

An observational, Spanish multi-center hospital, prospective cohort study conducted from 1 to 2021 to 31 March 2022 and with follow-up during the first six months of life. Follow-up was performed via telephone contact with calls performed at three and six months. A multivariate logistic regression analysis model was used to identify the factors related to a lower probability of EBF upon discharge.

RESULTS

308 mother-infant pairs participated in the study, 111 in the cohort of women with COVID infection and 197 in the comparison group. EBF upon discharge was 62.7% in the COVID group vs. 81.2% in the comparison group (p = 0.002); at three months; 52.4% vs. 57.0% (p = 0.33) were performing EBF, with the rates of EBF at six months being 43.0% vs. 39.3% (p = 0.45), respectively. Exposure to COVID-19 at delivery (AOR 5.28; 95% CI 2.01, 13.86), not practicing BF previously (AOR 36.3; 95% CI 7.02, 187.74), birth via Cesarean section (AOR 5.06; 95% CI 1.62, 15.79) and low birth weight of the newborn (AOR 1.01; 95% CI 1.01, 1.01) were associated with a greater risk of not performing EBF upon discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

Mothers with a mild or asymptomatic COVID-19 infection at the time of the delivery were less likely to have exclusively breastfed during their hospital stay than other mothers in these BFHI-accredited hospitals. However, there were no differences in breastfeeding rates between the groups at three and six months postpartum.

Associations between use of expressed human milk at 2 weeks postpartum and human milk feeding practices to 6 months: a prospective cohort study with vulnerable women in Toronto, Canada

OBJECTIVES

To examine whether use of expressed human milk in the first two weeks postpartum is associated with cessation of human milk feeding and non-exclusive human milk feeding up to 6 months.

DESIGN

Pooled data from two prospective cohort studies SETTING: Three Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP) sites serving vulnerable families in Toronto, Canada.

PARTICIPANTS

337 registered CPNP clients enrolled prenatally from 2017 to 2020; 315 (93%) were retained to 6 months postpartum.

EXCLUSIONS

pregnancy loss or participation in prior related study; Study B: preterm birth (<34 weeks); plan to move outside Toronto; not intending to feed human milk; hospitalisation of mother or baby at 2 weeks postpartum.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Main exposure variable: any use of expressed human milk at 2 weeks postpartum.

OUTCOMES

cessation of human milk feeding by 6 months; non-exclusive human milk feeding to 4 months and 6 months postpartum.

RESULTS

All participants initiated human milk feeding and 80% continued for 6 months. Exclusive human milk feeding was practiced postdischarge to 4 months by 28% and to 6 months by 16%. At 2 weeks postpartum, 34% reported use of expressed human milk. Any use of expressed human milk at 2 weeks was associated with cessation of human milk feeding before 6 months postpartum (aOR 2.66; 95% CI 1.41 to 5.05) and with non-exclusive human milk feeding to 4 months (aOR 2.19; 95% CI 1.16 to 4.14) and 6 months (aOR 3.65; 95% CI 1.50 to 8.84).

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS

NCT03400605, NCT03589963.

Eating Behaviors, Caregiver Feeding Interactions, and Dietary Patterns of Children Born Preterm: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Infants born preterm (<37 weeks of gestation) often experience feeding problems during hospitalization. Whether difficulties persist or have long-term sequelae on childhood eating is unclear. We aimed to describe the oromotor eating skills (e.g., chewing/swallowing), eating behaviors (e.g., food neophobia), food parenting practices (e.g., pressure to eat), and dietary patterns of preterm children during late infancy (6-12 mo) and early childhood (>12 mo-7 y) and to determine whether these differed from those of term-born peers. We identified 67 articles (57 unique studies) for inclusion. We used random-effects meta-analysis of proportions to examine the prevalence of oromotor eating skill and eating behavior challenges among preterm children, standard meta-analysis for comparisons with term-born peers, and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach to assess the certainty of evidence. Forty-three percent (95% CI: 24%, 62%) of infants and 25% (95% CI: 17%, 33%) of children born preterm experienced oromotor eating difficulties and 16% (95% CI: 4%, 27%) and 20% (95% CI: 11%, 28%), respectively, exhibited challenging eating behaviors. During late infancy and early childhood, oromotor eating difficulties (OR: 2.86; 95% CI: 1.71, 4.77; I2 = 67.8%) and challenging eating behaviors (OR: 1.52; 95% CI: 1.11, 2.10; I2 = 0.0%) were more common in those born preterm than in those born term: however, the certainty of evidence was very low. Owing to the low number and heterogeneity of studies, we narratively reviewed literature on food parenting and dietary patterns. Mothers of preterm infants appeared to have heightened anxiety while feeding and utilized coercive food parenting practices; their infants reportedly received less human milk, started solid foods earlier, and had poorer diet quality than term-born peers. In conclusion, meta-analyses show preterm children experience frequent oromotor eating difficulties and challenging eating behaviors throughout the early years. Given preterm birth increases risk of later obesity and diet-related chronic disease, research examining the effects of caregiver-child interactions on subsequent diet is warranted. This review was registered at www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/ as CRD42020176063.

Breastfeeding rates are high in a prenatal community support program targeting vulnerable women and offering enhanced postnatal lactation support: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

In Canada, 91% of all mothers initiate breastfeeding, but 40-50% stop by 6 months and only 34% breastfeed exclusively for 6 months, with lower rates among socially and/or economically vulnerable women. The Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP) aims to support breastfeeding among vulnerable women, but there is no formal framework or funding for sites to integrate proactive postnatal breastfeeding support. This research aimed to i) describe infant feeding practices among clients of one Toronto CPNP site using charitable funds to offer a lactation support program (in-home lactation consultant visits, breast pumps); ii) determine whether breastfeeding outcomes at 6 months differ based on maternal sociodemographics and food insecurity; and iii) assess utilization of the lactation support program.

METHODS

Infant feeding practices were collected prospectively at 2 weeks, 2, 4 and 6 months postpartum via telephone questionnaires (n = 199). Maternal sociodemographics were collected at 2 weeks and food insecurity data at 6 months postpartum. Program monitoring records were used to determine utilization of the lactation support program.

RESULTS

Ninety-one percent of participants were born outside of Canada; 55% had incomes below the Low-Income Cut-Off; and 55% reported food insecurity. All participants initiated breastfeeding, 84% continued for 6 months and 16% exclusively breastfed for 6 months. Among breastfed infants, ≥76% received vitamin D supplementation. Approximately 50% of infants were introduced to solids before 6 months. Only high school education or less and food insecurity were associated with lower breastfeeding rates. Overall, 75% of participants received at least one visit with a lactation consultant and 95% of these received a breast pump.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides initial evidence that postnatal lactation support can be delivered within a CPNP site, with high uptake by clients. While all participants initiated breastfeeding and 84% continued for 6 months, adherence to the recommended 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding was low. Further research is needed to better understand the barriers to exclusive breastfeeding and how to support this practice among vulnerable women. Study registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03400605 .

Vitamin D supplementation for term breastfed infants to prevent vitamin D deficiency and improve bone health

BACKGROUND

Vitamin D deficiency is common worldwide, contributing to nutritional rickets and osteomalacia which have a major impact on health, growth, and development of infants, children and adolescents. Vitamin D levels are low in breast milk and exclusively breastfed infants are at risk of vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effect of vitamin D supplementation given to infants, or lactating mothers, on vitamin D deficiency, bone density and growth in healthy term breastfed infants.

SEARCH METHODS

We used the standard search strategy of Cochrane Neonatal to 29 May 2020 supplemented by searches of clinical trials databases, conference proceedings, and citations.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs in breastfeeding mother-infant pairs comparing vitamin D supplementation given to infants or lactating mothers compared to placebo or no intervention, or sunlight, or that compare vitamin D supplementation of infants to supplementation of mothers.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors assessed trial eligibility and risk of bias and independently extracted data. We used the GRADE approach to assess the certainty of evidence.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 19 studies with 2837 mother-infant pairs assessing vitamin D given to infants (nine studies), to lactating mothers (eight studies), and to infants versus lactating mothers (six studies). No studies compared vitamin D given to infants versus periods of infant sun exposure. Vitamin D supplementation given to infants: vitamin D at 400 IU/day may increase 25-OH vitamin D levels (MD 22.63 nmol/L, 95% CI 17.05 to 28.21; participants = 334; studies = 6; low-certainty) and may reduce the incidence of vitamin D insufficiency (25-OH vitamin D < 50 nmol/L) (RR 0.57, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.80; participants = 274; studies = 4; low-certainty). However, there was insufficient evidence to determine if vitamin D given to the infant reduces the risk of vitamin D deficiency (25-OH vitamin D < 30 nmol/L) up till six months of age (RR 0.41, 95% CI 0.16 to 1.05; participants = 122; studies = 2), affects bone mineral content (BMC), or the incidence of biochemical or radiological rickets (all very-low certainty). We are uncertain about adverse effects including hypercalcaemia. There were no studies of higher doses of infant vitamin D (> 400 IU/day) compared to placebo. Vitamin D supplementation given to lactating mothers: vitamin D supplementation given to lactating mothers may increase infant 25-OH vitamin D levels (MD 24.60 nmol/L, 95% CI 21.59 to 27.60; participants = 597; studies = 7; low-certainty), may reduce the incidences of vitamin D insufficiency (RR 0.47, 95% CI 0.39 to 0.57; participants = 512; studies = 5; low-certainty), vitamin D deficiency (RR 0.15, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.24; participants = 512; studies = 5; low-certainty) and biochemical rickets (RR 0.06, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.44; participants = 229; studies = 2; low-certainty). The two studies that reported biochemical rickets used maternal dosages of oral D3 60,000 IU/day for 10 days and oral D3 60,000 IU postpartum and at 6, 10, and 14 weeks. However, infant BMC was not reported and there was insufficient evidence to determine if maternal supplementation has an effect on radiological rickets (RR 0.76, 95% CI 0.18 to 3.31; participants = 536; studies = 3; very low-certainty). All studies of maternal supplementation enrolled populations at high risk of vitamin D deficiency. We are uncertain of the effects of maternal supplementation on infant growth and adverse effects including hypercalcaemia. Vitamin D supplementation given to infants compared with supplementation given to lactating mothers: infant vitamin D supplementation compared to lactating mother supplementation may increase infant 25-OH vitamin D levels (MD 14.35 nmol/L, 95% CI 9.64 to 19.06; participants = 269; studies = 4; low-certainty). Infant vitamin D supplementation may reduce the incidence of vitamin D insufficiency (RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.94; participants = 334; studies = 4) and may reduce vitamin D deficiency (RR 0.35, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.72; participants = 334; studies = 4) but the evidence is very uncertain. Infant BMC and radiological rickets were not reported and there was insufficient evidence to determine if maternal supplementation has an effect on infant biochemical rickets. All studies enrolled patient populations at high risk of vitamin D deficiency. Studies compared an infant dose of vitamin D 400 IU/day with varying maternal vitamin D doses from 400 IU/day to > 4000 IU/day. We are uncertain about adverse effects including hypercalcaemia.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

For breastfed infants, vitamin D supplementation 400 IU/day for up to six months increases 25-OH vitamin D levels and reduces vitamin D insufficiency, but there was insufficient evidence to assess its effect on vitamin D deficiency and bone health. For higher-risk infants who are breastfeeding, maternal vitamin D supplementation reduces vitamin D insufficiency and vitamin D deficiency, but there was insufficient evidence to determine an effect on bone health. In populations at higher risk of vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D supplementation of infants led to greater increases in infant 25-OH vitamin D levels, reductions in vitamin D insufficiency and vitamin D deficiency compared to supplementation of lactating mothers. However, the evidence is very uncertain for markers of bone health. Maternal higher dose supplementation (≥ 4000 IU/day) produced similar infant 25-OH vitamin D levels as infant supplementation of 400 IU/day. The certainty of evidence was graded as low to very low for all outcomes.

Adiposity and Fat-Free Mass of Children Born with Very Low Birth Weight Do Not Differ in Children Fed Supplemental Donor Milk Compared with Those Fed Preterm Formula

BACKGROUND

Many mothers of very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants (<1500 g) are unable to provide sufficient breast milk, and supplemental pasteurized donor human milk (donor milk) or preterm formula is required. The composition of donor milk differs from that of mother's milk and infants fed with donor milk often exhibit slower growth during hospitalization. The long-term impact of nutrient-enriched donor milk on growth, body composition, or blood pressure is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to determine the effects of nutrient-enriched donor milk compared with preterm formula on growth, body composition, and blood pressure of children born preterm and with VLBW. Associations with in-hospital mother's milk intake were explored.

METHODS

This study was a follow-up of children at 5.5-y of age who participated in a randomized controlled trial evaluating the effect of nutrient-enriched donor milk (commencing at ≥120 mL·kg-1·d-1) or preterm formula fed as a supplement when mother's milk was unavailable. The trial intervention lasted 90 d or until hospital discharge, whichever occurred first. In this follow-up investigation, differences in total body fat percentage determined by using air displacement plethysmography (primary outcome), fat-free mass, skinfold thickness, waist circumference, BMI z scores, and blood pressure] were evaluated using linear regressions.

RESULTS

Of 316 surviving infants from the earlier trial, 158 (50%) participated in the current study (53% male). Mean ± SD birth weight and gestational age were 1013 ± 264 g and 27.9 ± 2.5 wk. The median (IQR) intervention period was 67.5 d (52.0-91.0 d). Mean ± SD age and BMI z score at follow-up were 5.7 ± 0.2 y and -0.3 ± 1.2. Supplemental nutrient-enriched donor milk, compared to preterm formula, was not associated with growth, body composition, or blood pressure. In-hospital mother's milk intake was positively associated with height z score at 5.5 y (β: 0.07; 95% CI: 0.004, 0.1; P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Supplemental nutrient-enriched donor milk and preterm formula during initial hospitalization results in comparable long-term growth and body composition in young children born VLBW. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02759809 and at isrctn.com as ISRCTN35317141.