Organisation of bank of raw and pasteurised human milk for neonatal intensive care. (original) (raw)

  1. Research
  2. Organisation of bank...
  3. Organisation of bank of raw and pasteurised human milk for neonatal intensive care.

Research Article Br Med J 1978;1 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.1.6110.393 (Published 18 February 1978) Cite this as: Br Med J 1978;1:393

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  1. S Williamson,
  2. J H Hewitt,
  3. E Finucane,
  4. H R Gamsu

Abstract

In 1976 a human-milk bank was established at King's College Hospital to serve the neonatal intensive care unit. The bank is staffed by two part-time nurses, who interview prospective donors, organise collections, prepare samples for bacteriological screening, and process the milk. On average 25 litres a month may be collected from about 15 donors, of which at least two-thirds is free enough of bacteria to be fed raw (unheated) to sick and low-birth-weight infants. Most of the remainder may be used after holder pasteurisation. The bank provides an adequate supply of milk of consistent nutritional quality and permits a more informed approach to the dietary management of infants of low birth weight.