Introducción Numerosos obstáculos pueden impedir que un prematuro o un neonato enfermo reciba leche de su madre. En estos casos las sociedades científicas pediátricas recomiendan la alimentación con leche materna donada. Explicamos qué es un banco de leche, cómo funciona, el método de selección de donantes y sus beneficios. Finalmente, describimos la situación actual en Aragón.
Material y métodos Estudio retrospectivo de tipo descriptivo de las características perinatales de la muestra y analítico observacional, comparando 2 grupos de la muestra: prebanco y posbanco de leche. Finalmente se buscan diferencias dentro de la etapa posbanco entre los alimentados con leche materna propia y donada.
Resultados Un total de 234 pacientes (104 hombres y 130 mujeres). Dos grupos: prebanco (152 pacientes) y posbanco (82 pacientes), comparables al nacimiento; longitud y perímetro cefálico significativamente mayor en grupo posbanco y menor tasa de enterocolitis necrosante. Sin diferencias estadísticamente significativas en el resto de variables, y tampoco entre los subgrupos de leche materna propia y donada.
Discusión La implantación del banco supone un efecto beneficioso, con reducción de la morbilidad neonatal en el caso de la enterocolitis necrosante, y la alimentación con leche materna podría ser un factor protector frente a sepsis neonatal tardía al mejorar la inmunidad.
Conclusiones La incidencia de enterocolitis necrosante es menor tras la implantación del banco de leche. Estudios con mayor número de pacientes quizás demostrasen diferencias en otras variables.
Introduction Numerous obstacles may prevent a premature or sick neonate receiving their mother's milk. In these cases, pediatric scientific societies recommend feeding with donor human milk. In this article, it is explained what a milk bank is, how it works, the donors’ selection method, and the benefits. We also describe the current situation in Aragon (Spain) is also described.
Material and methods A retrospective and descriptive study was conducted on the perinatal sample characteristics, as well as an analytical observational study, comparing two sample groups: pre- and post-human milk bank. Finally, differences in the post-bank stage between those patients fed with own-mother's or donor human milk were determined.
Results The study included a total of 234 patients: 104 females and 130 males. Two groups: pre and post-bank, with 152 and 82 patients, respectively, which had similar characteristics at birth; length and head circumference were significantly higher in the post-bank group and a lower rate of necrotizing enterocolitis was also found. No statistically significant differences were found in other variables between subgroups fed with own-mother's milk and donor human milk.
Discussion The establishment of the human milk donor bank has a beneficial effect, as it reduces neonatal morbidity in cases of necrotizing enterocolitis. Human milk feeding could be a protective factor against neonatal sepsis due to improve immunity.
Conclusions The incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis is lower after the establishment of the milk bank. Studies with more patients may demonstrate differences in other variables.