Supplementation-based hypoglycemia guidelines including donor breast milk reduce NICU admission

Objective To study the effects of a supplementation-based hypoglycemia guideline including donor (DM) on NICU admission, exclusive breastfeeding, and blood glucose concentrations in infants at-risk for neonatal hypoglycemia (NH). Project design We integrated DM, feeding supplementation, and reduced frequency of blood glucose testing into an NH bundle for term and late-preterm newborns. We then examined NICU admission rates and rates of exclusive breastfeeding at discharge. Results NICU admission rates were reduced to 6% (-10%). Exclusive breastfeeding rates increased to 55% (+22%). Median cost of DM utilization was $13.73 per patient with an average volume of 50.8 ml/infant. DM supplementation resulted in similar times to last hypoglycemic episode and greater increases in blood glucose compared to expressed breast milk or breastfeeding alone (+9.6 mg/dL, p < 0.05). Conclusions A supplementation-based hypoglycemia guideline including donor milk may be an effective way to reduce NICU admissions for asymptomatic hypoglycemia and support mothers in achieving breastfeeding goals.

Automated summary

The study found that a supplementation-based hypoglycemia guideline including donor milk can effectively reduce NICU admission rates for asymptomatic hypoglycemia and help mothers achieve breastfeeding goals.