Donated Breast Milk: Poor Collection, Storage and Shipping Contaminate Fluid

Breastfeeding may not always be an option for all mothers. Some may have a low supply of breast milk or their milk may simply not agree with their baby. Yet other more serious reasons could also apply, including a mother who is infected with HIV, cytomegalovirus or hepatitis C. Mother's with serious illnesses, such as heart disease or severe anemia may also choose not to breast feed for the sake of their child's health.

Fortunately, donor breast milk programs have provided many with the opportunity to feed their child with breast milk when they could not do so. However, a recent study shows that the milk from many donors may carry harmful bacteria and viruses.

As a number of websites and social-networking groups continue to help mothers with breast milk sell and/or donate connect regarding the subject, many make their own arrangements to meet up locally or ship the milk, sometimes even long distances. Most websites suggest that women try to pasteurize their milk at home with high heat and ship it frozen; yet it is not always known how women carry out this process.

Researchers looked to determine the level of contamination regarding human milk by both bacteria and viruses. They analyzed samples of human milk that were purchased via milk-sharing websites. Individuals advertising milk were then contacted in Ohio in order to arrange purchase and the milk was shipped to a rented mailbox in Ohio. A total of 101 Internet milk samples were received and compared with 20 unpasteurized milk samples donated to a milk bank.

As half the samples arrived within 48 hours, a few took up to six days, and approximately 62 percent were packed in dry ice and 19 percent, another cooling agent. Breast-milk temperatures showed a wide spectrum, ranging from 80 degrees Fahrenheit to minus-56 degrees. Many different types of bacterial agents were also found in some breast milks, including E. coli, Streptococcus and staphylococcus in 72 percent of the samples.

Though no samples of milk contained the HIV virus, 21 percent contained cytomegalovirus-DNA, a common herpes-type virus.

If breast-milk groups do not carry proper screenings for those seeking human milk for their child, these statistics show cause for concern and families in search the right choice for their infant. Thus, poor collection, storage and shipping practices will often result in a higher risk of contaminants found in breast milk that can harm baby.

More information regarding the study can be found via the journal Pediatrics.