How suitable is human milk for pre-term babies?
Optimum nutrition for pre-term babies can be defined as that which permits satisfactory growth and health in the short term, free from metabolic problems and infection, and in the long-term fulfillment of growth and neuro-developmental potential. This paper examines how human milk meets these requirements. The composition of the various types of human milk available to the pre-term baby is described along with their short-term influences on early growth, infection, necrotising enterocolitis and protein allergy and long-term effects on physical size and neuro-psychological function. The conclusion reached is that while admitting that human milk will often fail to meet some of the special nutritional needs of small pre-term babies, there is as yet insufficient evidence to discourage its feeding to these babies. Its antimicrobial properties, potential immunological benefits and possible advantages to body (and brain) composition justify its continued use, particularly in those parts of the world where risks of neonatal infection are high.
Davies
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D004761:Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / Q000517:prevention & control; D006128:Growth; D006801:Humans; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000502:physiology*; D017053:Infection Control; D008606:Mental Processes / Q000502:physiology; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000032:analysis; D009751:Nutritional Requirements