article = {JFNM-2018-1-103}
title = {The second Italian human milk banks survey}
journal = {Journal of Food Nutrition and Metabolism}
year = {2018}
issn = {2674-2411}
doi = {http://dx.doi.org/10.31487/j.JFNM.2018.01.003}
url = {https://www.sciencerepository.org/the-second-italian-human-milk-banks-survey_JFNM-1-103 
author = {Amalia M.  Ambruzzi,Augusto  Biasini,Claudio Profeti,Enrico Bertino,Giuseppe De  Nisi,Guido E.  Moro,Martina De  Nisi,Paola Tonetto,Roberto  Copparoni,Sertac  Arslanoglu,}
keywords = {Human milk, Banks, Donor milk, Survey, Guidelines}
abstract ={Background: In the latest decades some compelling evidence confirmed the substantial benefits of using
human milk, especially for preterm infants [1-5]. Donor human milk is a valid alternative.
Objective: This survey aimed to evaluate the activity of the human milk banks in Italy, analysing several
items.
Methods: The Italian Association of Donor Human Milk Banks (Associazione Italiana Banche del Latte
Umano Donato, AIBLUD) was founded in 2005. It currently consists of 35 human milk banks (Figure 1),
whose management should follow the Italian Guidelines. Among the goals of the association, scientific
work plays a major role.
After publication of the Italian Guidelines, the 2012 survey on Italian human milk banks also led to a nationwide improvement: some banks were established, others that were considered inactive were shut down [11].
In 2013 the Italian Ministry of Health published the national recommendations, based on the Italian
Guidelines [12].
Results: 91% of the banks (32/35) responded to this second survey. Table 2 shows the average number of
hours per week dedicated to the milk bank activity. This data varies greatly among the banks, as it did in
2012. The majority of the banks keeps having approximately 6 hours a day of work
Conclusion: This second survey gave AIBLUD and the Italian Ministry of Health important information
on the Italian human milk banks, overcoming their difficulties and correcting some negative aspects.}