A randomized controlled trial of oropharyngeal therapy with mother's own milk for premature infants

OBJECTIVE: To determine if oropharyngeal therapy with mother's own milk (OPT-MOM) reduces late-onset sepsis (L-OS; primary outcome), NEC, death, length of stay, time to full enteral nutrition (FEN) and full oral feeds in preterm infants (BW < 1250 g).DESIGN: Infants (N = 220) were randomized to Group A (milk) or B (placebo) and received 0.2 mL every 2 h for 48 h, then every 3 h until 32 weeks CGA.RESULTS: There were no significant differences in L-OS, NEC or death. Group A trended towards an 8-day reduction in stay, 8-day reduction in time to FEN and a 6-day reduction in time to full oral feeds, compared to B. While clinically relevant, due to large variability in outcomes and lack of power, p values were > 0.05.CONCLUSION: OPT-MOM did not reduce L-OS, NEC or death. Group A trended towards a reduced stay and better nutritional outcomes, but results were not statistically significant.