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Macronutrient analysis of donor human milk labelled as 24 kcal/oz

Journal of Perinatology volume 40, pages 666–671 (2020)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective

To measure the macronutrient content (MNC) of donor human milk labelled as 24 kcal/oz (“high-calorie DHM,” hcDHM), compare to bank-labelled MNC, and examine variability of hcDHM MNC among milk banks.

Study design

MNC was measured with near-infrared spectroscopy for 75 convenience samples from five milk banks collected during September 2016–July 2017. Concordance of measured MNC with labelled values was evaluated using three different thresholds: within ±20%, similar to FDA labelling standards for class II nutrients in foods; ±10%; and ±5%.

Results

Protein and caloric content differed significantly between measured and labelled values and varied significantly among milk banks. Measured caloric content ranged from 16.50 to 30.27 kcal/oz, with 89.3% of hcDHM samples within ±20%, 58.7% within ±10%, and 18.7% within ±5% of labelled content.

Conclusions

MNC of hcDHM used in clinical practice shows variation that may result in differences from desired diet. The clinical implications of such differences are unexplored.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine, Quinnipiac University, North Haven, CT, USA

    Diana B. Jo & Elizabeth A. Brownell

  2. Connecticut Human Milk Research Center, Division of Neonatology, Connecticut Children’s, 282 Washington Street, Hartford, CT, 06106, USA

    James I. Hagadorn & Elizabeth A. Brownell

  3. Department of Pediatrics, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA

    James I. Hagadorn & Elizabeth A. Brownell

  4. The Hemophilia Center at Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA

    Kelsey C. Smith

  5. Department of Clinical Nutrition, Connecticut Children’s, Hartford, CT, USA

    Patricia A. Esposito

  6. University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA

    Elizabeth A. Brownell

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  1. Diana B. Jo
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  2. James I. Hagadorn
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  3. Kelsey C. Smith
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  4. Patricia A. Esposito
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  5. Elizabeth A. Brownell
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Contributions

DBJ drafted the manuscript, interpreted the data, critically revised the manuscript for important intellectual content, and approved and takes responsibility for the final content of the manuscript. JIH conceived and designed the study, interpreted the data, critically revised the manuscript for important intellectual content, and approved and takes responsibility for the final content of the manuscript. KCS acquired, analyzed, and interpreted the data, and approved and takes responsibility for the final content of the manuscript. PAE critically revised the manuscript for important intellectual content, and approved and takes responsibility for the final content of the manuscript. EAB conceived and designed the study, analyzed and interpreted the data, critically revised the manuscript for important intellectual content, and approved and takes responsibility for the final content of the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to James I. Hagadorn.

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Conflict of interest

EAB serves in a volunteer capacity on the Research Advisory Board of the Mother’s Milk Bank Northeast. The other authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Jo, D.B., Hagadorn, J.I., Smith, K.C. et al. Macronutrient analysis of donor human milk labelled as 24 kcal/oz. J Perinatol 40, 666–671 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-020-0624-2

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