In their article titled "Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating factor is
present in human Milk and its receptor is present in human fetal
intestine", Dr. Calhoun and her associates point out the importance to
improve anti-infection properties in human formulas where there is no
human milk available. Their research and others support that human milk
availability is an important issue to aid neonates, especially prematures
to resist and combat infections.
Fortunately, there exist regional human milk banks in Canada and the
United States that can supply pasteurized human milk to neonatal units. In
circumstances where the neonate's mother is unable to begin or to continue
the supply of her milk for her infant, our area hospitals use pasteurized
pooled donor breast milk. We have seen definite improvements in the
neonatal infection rates, especially for necrotizing enterocolitis.
Human Milk Banks in North America can be found in Vancouver B.C.
Canada, San Jose CA, Denver CO, Raleigh NC, Washington D.C, Wilmington
DE, Worcester MA and Austin TX. All are members of The Human Milk Banking
Association of North America that provides uniform guidelines for quality
and safety. The Regional Milk Banks are able to ship quantities of human
milk to other states and the banks support each other in handling
requests.
Perhaps more widespread use of human milk will make it unnecessary to
find ways to improve the anti-infection properties of formulas.
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