Retrospective review of serological testing of potential human milk donors.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence of positive serology among potential donors to a human milk bank.


METHODS
Retrospective review of our experience with donor serological testing at our milk bank over a 6-year interval.


METHODS
Not-for-profit, regional human milk bank.


METHODS
Volunteer, unpaid potential donors of human milk.


METHODS
Serological testing for syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) and human T cell lymphotropic virus type 2 (HTLV-2).


METHODS
Results of serological screening tests performed on potential donors.


RESULTS
Of 1091 potential donors, 3.3% were positive on screening serology, including 6 syphilis, 17 hepatitis B, 3 hepatitis C, 6 HTLV and 4 HIV.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a significant incidence of positive serology among women interested in donating human milk. This implies that there may be significant risk associated with peer-to-peer distribution of human milk from unscreened donors.
Cohen
Ronald S
RS
Division of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA. rscohen@Stanford.edu
Xiong
Sean C
SC
Sakamoto
Pauline
P
D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000635:transmission; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017784:Milk Banks; D008895:Milk, Human; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000635:transmission