Human Milk Improves Motor Development of Very Low Birth Weight Infants during Early Infancy

Abstract 696 Human Milk Poster Symposium, Sunday, 5/2

Previous studies have reported that human milk improves the cognitive outcome of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. The effect of human milk on motor development, however, has not been studied. Thirty infants (birth weight <1500gm) have been enrolled to date in a prospective study examining the effect of human milk on growth and development in VLBW infants. Twenty infants received human milk after discharge from the special care nursery and 10 received only formula. Growth parameters are obtained at one month post discharge and at three months corrected age. In addition, the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) is administered at three months corrected age. No differences in growth parameters were observed at one month post discharge. Results at three months corrected age are shown: (Table)

Table 1 No caption available

Multiple regression analysis was done with independent variables maternal age, SES and human milk vs. formula as predictors of AIMS score. The use of human milk significantly predicted improved motor outcome (R=0.4,p<0.025). We conclude that human milk improves motor development in these high risk infants. Breast feeding these infants should be enthusiastically supported both in the special care nursery and after hospital discharge.