Comparing Donor Milk and Preterm Formula Effects on Neurodevelopment in Preterm Infants
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Reviewed & translated by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
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Posted on March 15th, 2024
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Preterm infants face elevated risks of sepsis, enterocolitis, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia, conditions that may contribute to neurodevelopmental issues. Maternal milk has been associated with mitigating these risks and promoting typical neurodevelopment. Consequently, a study was undertaken to evaluate the impact of donor milk versus preterm formula on the neurodevelopment of preterm infants.
The study included 483 infants that were born between 25 and 27 weeks of gestation. The birth weight of these infants was less than 1 kg, and the mother has minimal milk supply. The children were randomly assigned to be fed with either milk from donors or with preterm infant formula milk. Cognitive development was assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (BSID) when the child was between 22 and 26 months of age. The researchers observed that there was no significant difference between the BSID cognitive, language, and motor score between the children who were fed with donor milk and preterm formula. In addition, there was no significant difference in mortality rate. However, the rate of necrotizing enterocolitis was 5% lower in children fed with donor milk.
The study included 483 infants that were born between 25 and 27 weeks of gestation. The birth weight of these infants was less than 1 kg, and the mother has minimal milk supply. The children were randomly assigned to be fed with either milk from donors or with preterm infant formula milk. Cognitive development was assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (BSID) when the child was between 22 and 26 months of age. The researchers observed that there was no significant difference between the BSID cognitive, language, and motor score between the children who were fed with donor milk and preterm formula. In addition, there was no significant difference in mortality rate. However, the rate of necrotizing enterocolitis was 5% lower in children fed with donor milk.