Human Milk Is a ‘Life-Saving Intervention’ for Infants with Congenital Heart Disease
With a lower risk of serious complications and improved feeding and growth outcomes, human milk is strongly preferred as the best diet for infants with congenital heart disease (CHD), according to a research review in Advances in Neonatal Care, the official journal of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses.
February 15, 2019
CHD is the most common category of birth defects, diagnosed in an estimated 1 in 1,000 newborns and infants each year. While the benefits of human milk for preterm and healthy infants are well documented, little attention has been given to the role of human milk in improving outcomes for infants with CHD. The researchers examined evidence on the benefits of human milk on key outcomes for infants with CHD.
Penn Nursing’s Diane L. Spatz PhD, RN-BC, FAAN, Professor of Perinatal Nursing, the Helen M. Shearer Term Professor of Nutrition, and Director of the Lactation Program, and Jessica A. Davis, BSN, RN, CCRN, IBCLC, of UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, analyzed six studies on the benefits of human milk and breast-feeding for infants with CHD. They conclude, “Due to the overwhelming evidence of improved outcomes related to human milk feeing for critically ill infants, human milk should be considered a medical intervention for infants with CHD.”
Infants with CHD are also at risk of feeding difficulties leading to inadequate growth and weight gain. Studies have shown that a diet of human milk can improve weight gain in infants with heart disease. Despite this, health professionals may not view human milk and breastfeeding as a high priority.
“Human milk is a life-saving intervention for infants with CHD and health professionals must prioritize helping families to make an informed feeding decision and ensure that mothers of infants with CHD can reach their personal breastfeeding goals,” said Spatz.
The authors outline Spatz’s 10-step model to promote and protect human milk feeding and breastfeeding for infants with CHD. Recommendations include steps to ensure initiation and maintenance of the mother’s milk supply, either by breastfeeding or pumping. If necessary, pasteurized donated human milk can serve as a bridge to the mother’s own milk.
