Abstract
Objective To estimate risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) for extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants as a function of preterm formula (PF) and maternal milk intake and calculate the impact of suboptimal feeding on the incidence and costs of NEC. Study design We used aORs derived from the Glutamine Trial to perform Monte Carlo simulation of a cohort of ELBW infants under current suboptimal feeding practices, compared with a theoretical cohort in which 90% of infants received at least 98% human milk. Results NEC incidence among infants receiving ≥98% human milk was 1.3%; 11.1% among infants fed only PF; and 8.2% among infants fed a mixed diet (P = .002). In adjusted models, compared with infants fed predominantly human milk, we found an increased risk of NEC associated with exclusive PF (aOR = 12.1, 95% CI 1.5, 94.2), or a mixed diet (aOR 8.7, 95% CI 1.2-65.2). In Monte Carlo simulation, current feeding of ELBW infants was associated with 928 excess NEC cases and 121 excess deaths annually, compared with a model in which 90% of infants received ≥98% human milk. These models estimated an annual cost of suboptimal feeding of ELBW infants of $27.1 million (CI $24 million, $30.4 million) in direct medical costs, $563 655 (CI $476 191, $599 069) in indirect nonmedical costs, and $1.5 billion (CI $1.3 billion, $1.6 billion) in cost attributable to premature death. Conclusions Among ELBW infants, not being fed predominantly human milk is associated with an increased risk of NEC. Efforts to support milk production by mothers of ELBW infants may prevent infant deaths and reduce costs.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 100-105.e2 |
Journal | Journal of Pediatrics |
Volume | 175 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Aug 1 2016 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:Funded by W.K. Kellogg Foundation (P3024102) and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD; U10 HD053109). NICHD and the National Center for Research Resources supported the Neonatal Research Network's Glutamine Trial through cooperative agreements [Appendix]). Participating sites collected data and transmitted it to RTI International, the data coordinating center for the network, which stored, managed, and analyzed the data for this study. Although NICHD staff did have input into the study design, conduct, analysis, and manuscript drafting, the content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of NICHD. The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 Elsevier Inc.
Keywords
- economic analysis
- human milk
- monte carlo modeling
- necrotizing enterocolitis
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health