Frequent Standardized Oral Care Using Human Milk to Prevent Oral Dysbiosis and Improve Health Outcomes in Premature Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Premature very low birth weight (VLBW) infants are susceptible to complications related to infrequent and non-standardized oral care. Although the benefits of frequent standardized oral care are known to reduce oral dysbiosis (increased level of potentially pathogenic bacteria) and its associated complications in critically ill adults leading to established evidence-based guidelines, no such information exists for VLBW infants. Premature VLBW infants are highly susceptible to costly, life threatening and potentially preventable morbidities, such as ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD; oxygen requirement at 28 days of life) and need for prolonged respiratory support which require additional treatments, increase cost of care, and can lead to chronic illness, re-hospitalization, and developmental delay. A dearth of information exists regarding oral care in VLBW infants, and no such guidelines exist for infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) which may negatively affect their health. Thus, research regarding the effect of frequent, standardized oral care on the health of VLBW infants is essential to develop guidelines thus potentially improving the health of this vulnerable population. If successful, this research could change practice in NICUs across the nation.