title: Food and microbiological problems in the newborn: data and practice.
abstract: We have reviewed the relationships of food, nutrition and feeding practices to various infections in the newborn. Tentative conclusions are made: (a) the initial use of human milk (raw or pasteurized) continues to offer advantages in the care of babies in intensive care; (b) attempts to mimic the microbiological effects of breast milk by manipulation of the composition of infant formulas have so far achieved little success, but this is a rapidly developing field; (c) we are wary of the widespread use of breast milk "fortifiers" until there is evidence that they do not adversely affect the protective properties of breast milk; (d) the doubtful advantages of nasojejunal feeding need to be weighed against the increased bacterial contamination of the upper small bowel; (e) systems monitoring in milk kitchens and the handling of feeds in the neonatal unit are an integral part of comprehensive neonatal care; (f) to limit nosocomial infection, particular attention to the faecal-food-oral route is necessary since there is potential for multiplication of initial contamination of food.
authors.affiliation: Sorrento Maternity Hospital, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Wharton
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Balmer
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Noy
mesh_terms: D005511:Food Handling; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007239:Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000382:microbiology