Breast milk bank could be in Hma-Qubec's future

Hma-Qubec may soon be storing human breast milk for babies born prematurely to mothers who cant breastfeed.

Quebec health minister Rjean Hbert wants the National Assembly to give the provinces blood and tissue bank the green light on the project.

Hma-Qubec president Dr. Jean De Serres said that of the 1,000 or so premature babies born in Quebec every year, between three and 10 die.

He and Hbert think creating a breast milk bank will help save some of those lives, as well as improve the chances of babies born with complications, particularly those born before 32 weeks.

De Serres said breast milk would be available to any premature baby whose mother couldnt breastfeed.

"We dont care what the reason is. If the baby needs it, then we will provide it," he said.

If the project is approved, the province will be looking for 260 volunteer mothers to donate their extra milk.

De Serres said that about 6,000 new mothers a year already donate their umbilical cord blood, which is rich in stem cells.

Theyll be the first people Hma-Qubec goes to for breast milk.

"The mother is recruited in the hospital, and at the hospital she will be given instructions at birth," De Serres said.

The process would consist of collecting milk at home, freezing it and having a courier deliver it to Hma-Qubec.

Once received, it would be pasteurized, a process Hbert said actually improves its digestibility.

De Serres said currently, premature babies born to women who cant breastfeedwhether due to illness, lack of milk or other factorsare fed a commercial preparation.

But the nutrients present in breast milk help newborns fight illness and complications.

He said some people desperate for it are turning to eBay, which is considered an unsafe practice.

If Hma-Qubec manages the donation and distribution of breast milk, De Serres said they will test donors for certain viruses and illnesses to ensure their milk is safe.

"Its the best choice, and its better than the current situation," De Serres said.

Hma-Qubec already handles donations of blood, stem cells, corneas and human cardiac valves.