Assessment of Nutritional Outcomes and maternal sense of competence in Preterm Infants Fed with Mother's Own Milk versus Donor Human Milk in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: a cross-sectional study in Iran

Background: Preterm infants require specialized nutritional care, and breast milk plays a vital role in improving growth and reducing complications. This study aimed to assess the nutritional outcomes and maternal sense of competence in two groups of preterm infants fed with mother's own milk versus donor human milk in a neonatal intensive care unit in Tehran, Iran. Methods: A descriptive-correlational, cross-sectional design was employed. The study sample included ۱۸۰ preterm infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Shahid Akbar-Abadi Hospital, between ۲۰۲۳-۲۰۲۴, with gestational ages between ۲۸-۳۴ weeks and birth weights ۱۰۰۰-۱۴۹۹ grams. Participants were divided into two groups: exclusive mother's own milk feeding and feeding with more than ۵۰% donor human milk. Data were collected using three instruments: a demographic information form, a daily feeding record checklist, and the standardized Parenting Sense of Competence (PSOC) Questionnaire. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version ۲۲. Descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, chi-square, and Fisher's exact tests. A significance level of P-value of less than ۰.۰۵ was considered. Results: No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups regarding feeding tolerance (p = ۰.۴۶۸) using Fisher's exact test. The number of days to achieve full enteral feeding also did not differ significantly between mother's milk and donor milk groups (p=۰.۷۴۴). However, the duration of total parenteral nutrition was significantly longer in the donor milk group compared to the mother's milk group (p = ۰.۰۱۶). Maternal sense of competence scores showed no significant difference between the two groups (p = ۰.۷۲۴). Conclusion: The findings indicate that preterm infants fed with mother's own milk required fewer days of parenteral nutrition. Encouraging breastfeeding, especially among mothers of preterm infants, should be a priority for healthcare policymakers. Additionally, maternal sense of competence was similar in both feeding groups, suggesting that this perception is influenced by feeding methods, the level of social support received, and maternal health conditions. Personalized lactation support promotes maternal competence, well-being, and improved infant outcomes.

کلیدواژه ها:

Mothers ، competence ، Premature infant ، Nutritional Outcomes ، Breast milk ، Donor human milk ، Human milk ، Neonatal intensive care unit