OC could significantly reduce the occurrence of VAP , and consequently , its routine use should be considered for VLBWs to prevent infectious diseases .
OC  significantly reduces the occurrence of VAP and NEC in VLBW infants  .
OC may reduce the incidence of VAP and NEC by increasing IgA levels .
Early OC therapy for mechanical ventilation of low-weight infants may prevent the occurrence of VAP .
OC significantly reduces the occurrence of VAP and NEC in VLBW infants .
OC may reduce the incidence of VAP and NEC by increasing IgA levels .
Early OC therapy for mechanical ventilation of low-weight infants may prevent the occurrence of VAP
Oropharyngeal colostrum ( OC ) is a novel feeding strategy to prevent complications of prematurity .
A meta- analysis was conducted to investigate whether very low birth weight infants ( VLBWs ) can benefit from OC .
Oropharyngeal Colostrum Administration in Very Low Birth Weight Infants: A Randomized Controlled Trial*
Objectives : Studies have confirmed the safety of oropharyngeal administration of colostrum in very low birth weight infants . However , the effect of oropharyngeal administration of colostrum on immune system is inconclusive . This study aims to evaluate the effect of oropharyngeal administration of colostrum on secretory immunoglobulin A and lactoferrin in very low birth weight infants . Design : R and omized controlled trial . Setting : Forty-bedded neonatal ICU in a university children ’s hospital in the People ’s Republic of China . Patients : Very low birth weight infants were allocated to the study group ( n = 32 ) and control group ( n = 32 ) . Intervention : The intervention was oropharyngeal administration of 0.2 mL of their mother ’s colostrum every 4 hours for 7 days . The control group received saline solution . Measurements and Main Results : Secretory immunoglobulin A and lactoferrin in urine and saliva were measured within 24 hours of life ( baseline ) and at 7 and 21 days . Primary outcomes were changes of secretory immunoglobulin A and lactoferrin in urine and saliva between baseline and at 7 and 21 days . Infant ’s clinical data were also collected during hospitalization . Change from baseline in lactoferrin in saliva at 7 days ( 5.18 ± 7.07 vs –1.74 ± 4.67 µg/mL ; p < 0.001 ) and 21 days ( 5.31 ± 9.74 vs –1.17 ± 10.38 µg/mL ; p = 0.02 ) shows statistic difference . No differences were found of lactoferrin in urine and also no differences of secretory immunoglobulin A in urine and saliva . There were also no differences between days to full enteral feeding , occurrence rate of clinical sepsis , proven sepsis , and necrotizing enterocolitis . Conclusions : Oropharyngeal administration of colostrum can increases the level of lactoferrin in saliva in very low birth weight infants . No effect could be documented of secretory immunoglobulin A and lactoferrin in urine . Larger trials are needed to better describe the benefit of oropharyngeal administration of colostrum , if any , in very low birth weight infants
OC could significantly reduce the occurrence of VAP , and consequently , its routine use should be considered for VLBWs to prevent infectious diseases .
OC  significantly reduces the occurrence of VAP and NEC in VLBW infants  .
OC may reduce the incidence of VAP and NEC by increasing IgA levels .
Early OC therapy for mechanical ventilation of low-weight infants may prevent the occurrence of VAP .
OC significantly reduces the occurrence of VAP and NEC in VLBW infants .
OC may reduce the incidence of VAP and NEC by increasing IgA levels .
Early OC therapy for mechanical ventilation of low-weight infants may prevent the occurrence of VAP
Oropharyngeal colostrum ( OC ) is a novel feeding strategy to prevent complications of prematurity .
A meta- analysis was conducted to investigate whether very low birth weight infants ( VLBWs ) can benefit from OC .