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Effect of an exclusive human milk diet on feeding tolerance in preterm infants

Journal of Perinatology volume 42, pages 1070–1075 (2022)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective

To compare the time to full enteral feeds in preterm infants fed exclusive human milk (EHM) - mother’s own milk (MOM) fortified with human milk-based fortifier (HMBF), to those who received partial human milk (PHM) - MOM fortified with bovine milk-based fortifier (BMBF), and exclusive formula.

Study design

A single-center retrospective study of infants with birth weight <1250 g from 2013 to 2018. Data on feeding, growth and other short-term neonatal morbidities were collected.

Results

On regression analysis, time to full enteral feeds was significantly higher in PHM compared to EHM group (β-coefficient 4.14, 95% CI 0.00–8.29) and formula-fed group compared to EHM (β-coefficient 4.3, 95% CI 0.32–8.20). No significant differences in growth velocity, length of stay and other morbidities were found between the groups.

Conclusion

Infants in EHM had better feeding tolerance and reached their enteral feed goals sooner compared to PHM and formula-fed groups.

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Fig. 1: Median z-scores for weight for age in the three groups at birth, fortification and discharge.
Fig. 2: Time to full feeds.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA

    Hiba El-Fadeel & Pradeep Velumula

  2. Department of Pharmacy, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA

    Mirjana Lulic-Botica

  3. Department of Pediatrics, Central Michigan University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA

    Girija Natarajan, Ronald Thomas & Monika Bajaj

  4. Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA

    Gabriella Botica

Authors
  1. Hiba El-Fadeel
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  2. Pradeep Velumula
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  3. Mirjana Lulic-Botica
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  4. Girija Natarajan
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  5. Ronald Thomas
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  6. Gabriella Botica
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  7. Monika Bajaj
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Contributions

HE was involved in writing the protocol, conducting the search and identifying eligible infants, extracting data and writing the manuscript. PV contributed to extracting data, interpreting results and reviewing the final manuscript. ML was involved in designing the study, extracting data and reviewing the manuscript. GN contributed to designing the study, interpreting results and reviewing the manuscript. RT helped with analyzing data and interpreting and writing the results. GB helped with extraction of data. MB was involved in designing and writing the protocol, analyzing data, interpreting results, creating reference list, and writing the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Monika Bajaj.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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El-Fadeel, H., Velumula, P., Lulic-Botica, M. et al. Effect of an exclusive human milk diet on feeding tolerance in preterm infants. J Perinatol 42, 1070–1075 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-022-01348-y

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