Rare Infant Death Tied to Contaminated Breast Pump, CDC Says. What Parents Should Know.

Sep 09, 2023

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Federal health officials are reminding parents of infants to properly sterilize breast pump equipment after a baby died last year from a rare bacterial infection.

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By Catherine Pearson

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a new report this week urging parents and caregivers to carefully clean and sanitize breast pump equipment, after an infant died last year from a rare bacterial infection linked to a contaminated breast pump.

The baby, who was born preterm, was infected with Cronobacter sakazakii, a bacteria that can cause fatal meningitis and sepsis in young infants, and that sparked a nationwide infant formula recall last year.

At the time he became ill, the infant was being treated in the neonatal intensive care unit, though he was stable and growing well on a combination of expressed breast milk and liquid human milk fortifier (which adds extra nutrients).

Evidence of the bacteria was found in breast pump parts that were being used in the family home. They were cleaned in a household sink, sanitized and sometimes reassembled while still moist.

Here's what we know about the bacteria and what parents and caregivers should know about cleaning breast pump parts between uses.

Cronobacter sakazakii is a strain of Cronobacter, a germ that can live in the environment or in dry foods. Infections in babies less than 12 months old are often linked to powdered baby formula, which, unlike liquid formula, is not sterile.

Formula can become contaminated with the bacteria in the processing facility, where it can enter on the soles of shoes or on people's hands, or it can happen in the home.

In those cases, contamination can occur if container lids or scoops are placed on contaminated surfaces, like counters or sinks, or if the formula is mixed with contaminated water or in a contaminated bottle. Inadequate hand washing before preparing formula can also lead to infection.

The new C.D.C. report also includes a case where a full-term baby became infected with Cronobacter sakazakii from an open can of powdered infant formula; that child was hospitalized, but made a full recovery.

Though Cronobacter sakazakii is harmless for most children, babies younger than 2 months or those born prematurely or with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop serious complications if infected, including sepsis (a dangerous blood infection) and meningitis.

"The younger you are or the earlier you’re born, the less mature your immune system is," said Dr. Ann Kellams, a pediatrician with UVA Health in Charlottesville, Va., and the president of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. "An exposure for a 12-month-old baby versus a 2-week-old baby is potentially different."

The C.D.C. estimates there are around 18 cases of invasive Cronobacter sakazakii infection (meaning it has progressed to a bloodstream infection or meningitis) each year in the United States, most of which stem from isolated instances of contaminated infant feeding products and equipment at home. For context, there were more than 3.6 million babies born in the United States in 2021.

"Infections with Cronobacter are rare and should not discourage or scare parents about feeding their infants," said Dr. Hailey Nelson, a complex care pediatrician and lactation consultant with Valley Children's Healthcare in Madera, Calif.

Because Cronobacter sakazakii is widespread in the environment, it is important that health care providers educate parents of babies in those higher risk categories about the germ, the C.D.C. says, particularly if the babies are being fed powdered formula, pumped breast milk or a combination of the two.

When using powdered formula, the C.D.C. recommends that caregivers wash their hands well before preparing bottles and clean and sanitize the area where they are making bottles. It is important to clean and sanitize bottles beforehand, and to use water from a safe source. Keep the formula lid and scoop clean and dry and close the container immediately after use.

As for breast pumps, hospitals caring for babies born preterm or who are critically ill should give parents specific instructions for avoiding contamination, and send them home with a "dedicated basin" for cleaning their supplies when they are discharged, the report says. In fact, the C.D.C. warns all parents against placing pump parts directly in the sink, as that can increase the risk of contamination.

But the C.D.C. is not calling for any changes to its recommended best practices for cleaning pump parts, which the agency says can either be done by hand or in the dishwasher, if the pump kit manufacturer recommends it.

"Families should always break down their pump parts prior to washing," said Meghan Devine, a registered nurse, lactation consultant and clinical supervisor for the Lactation Program at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. "They should wash their pump parts in hot, soapy water and rinse thoroughly between every pumping session. Families should also sanitize the pump parts once daily by boiling the parts, using a sanitizing microwave bag or using the sanitizing setting on their dishwasher."

The C.D.C.'s guidelines provide further nuance — noting, for instance, that pump parts should be thoroughly air dried if they are washed by hand (rather than with a dish towel). And that caregivers should wash their hands before they remove clean pump parts from the dishwasher.

Though some parents quickly wipe down their pump parts and store them in the refrigerator between pumping sessions when they are pressed for time, the agency notes that no studies have shown whether that effectively limits the growth of bacteria.

Many doctors acknowledge that the process of pumping milk and cleaning pump parts is time-consuming and onerous, and that it can be particularly difficult for women who have limited time to express milk (because they’re at work, for example) or who are exclusively pumping and must repeat the process every few hours.

"We have to help mothers find realistic strategies to keep their equipment as clean as possible, but also be able to practically keep up with the schedule of pumping," said Dr. Lisa Hammer, a pediatrician and lactation consultant with Trinity Health IHA Medical Group in Michigan. She often advises her patients to get a second set of pump parts if possible, and noted that some insurers will cover it.

The doctors interviewed for this story sought to reassure parents that, despite the seriousness of the new C.D.C. report, these types of bacterial infections are rare, and that the benefits of breast milk far outweigh the risks of infection.

"This is an unusual situation, and very tragic of course, but as mothers in our society where we don't have the village anymore, we’re burdened with feeling like we need to be with our babies all the time, and feeling like we need to be pumping our milk when we’re not with them," Dr. Kellams said. "We’re all doing the best that we can."

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