Targeted Fortification of Pasteurized Donor Human Milk

Overview

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate a modified targeted fortification method of pasteurized donor human milk (PDHM) in very low birth weight infants (VLBWs). Pools of PDHM will be analyzed for macronutrient content using the Miris Human Milk Analyzer. The control arm will receive standard of care, which is PDHM without additional protein fortification. The intervention arm will receive PDHM with a fat content of 3.8g/dL or more, with additional protein fortification of 0.67g/dL. Primary outcome will be rate of malnutrition at hospital discharge or 37 weeks, whichever earlier. Secondary outcomes include body composition, feed tolerance, and morbidity outcomes.

Our hospital milk bank provides pasteurized donor human milk (PDHM) to very low birth weight (VLBW) infants without sufficient mother's milk, with the overall aim of lowering the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis in this population. However, with the introduction of PDHM in our setting, rates of suboptimal weight gain have increased (60.2% to 65.7%). This is likely due to the fact that PDHM is often lower in energy and protein than preterm mother's own milk. One solution to delivery adequate nutrition in this VLBWs receiving PDHM, is targeted fortification, which involves measurement of the macronutrient content of human milk, and adding extra macronutrients to reach nutrient goals. In this proposed study, we will conduct a pilot randomized controlled trial of a modified targeted fortification versus standard care. This study will include preterm VLBW infants (\<1500g), without congenital conditions resulting in growth restriction, and receiving \>25% of PDHM use in the first week of life. 40 patients in each arm will be recruited over a period of 2 years. The intervention group will receive a modified targeted fortification, consisting of selection of high fat PDHM (3.8g/dL or more) with the addition of protein fortification of 0.67g/dL from week 2 of life until a gestational age of 37 weeks or hospital discharge, whichever earlier. The control group will receive usual regular PDHM with standard fortification using human milk fortifier as per current practice. The primary outcome is the rate of suboptimal growth (drop in weight z-score from birth ≥0.8) at discharge or 37 weeks. Secondary outcomes include body composition, feed tolerance, and morbidity outcomes.