Background: Premature babies are at higher risk for getting infection and necrotizing enterocolitis leading to significant morbidity and mortality. Mothers own milk contain protective enzymes and immunoglobulins which provide antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and can lower down the rates of infection and necrotizing enterocolitis. Oropharyngeal administration of own mother’s milk may raise serum IgA level which improve the overall outcome of preterm babies.  

Aim and Objectives: To estimate the salivary IgA level in babies and to corelate the incidence of sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis with oral application of colostrum and mothers’ own milk (MOM).

Design of study: Randomized control trial. Setting: NICU, JNMC Sawangi Meghe. Duration: 1 year

Methodology: All inborn babies less than 32 weeks of gestation requiring CPAP and Ventilation and not receiving feed will be included in study. Babies will be allocated in two groups by randomized selection. Interventional group will be applied colostrum to oral mucosa and will receive 0.2 ml of own mother’s own milk via oropharyngeal administration. Control group babies receive a placebo (0.2 ml sterile water) following the same protocol. The serum IgA level will be estimated after 7 days in all babies. The incidence of septicemia, NEC and total stay will be noted down during course of hospital stay.

Data collection and analysis: Demographic information will be collected and detailed perinatal history will be noted. The septicemia parameters, abdominal girth, feed intolerance and x ray findings will be noted. The serum IgA levels will be calculated and compared in two groups. The data will be analysed by the STATA 10 software. The chi- square and Fischer’s exact two tail test will be used to study the frequency, odd ratio and p value < 0.05 will be considered significant.

Key Words: Colostrum, Mothers own milk, Septicemia, Immunoglobulin, Necrotizing enterocolitis,