title: Improved outcomes of feeding low birth weight infants with predominantly raw human milk versus donor banked milk and formula.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the benefits of treating low birth weight infants predominantly with mother's own raw milk and early initiation of breastfeeding (raw human milk/breast-fed infants), in comparison to feeding only with donor banked milk (until the third week of life) and afterwards a preterm formula until hospital discharge (donor banked/formula-fed infants).
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and ninety-two predominantly raw human milk-fed infants (70% of raw and 30% of donor milk) were matched to 192 donor/formula-fed ones (on 1:1 ratio). Aggressive nutrition policy and targeted fortification of human milk were implemented in both groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The two groups show similar demographic and perinatal characteristics. Predominantly raw milk-fed infants regained earlier their birth weight, suffered less episodes of feeding intolerance and presented a higher body length and head circumference at discharge (p < 0.001). Those treated mainly with their mothers' milk were able to initiate breastfeeding almost 2 weeks earlier compared to those fed with donor milk who achieved to be bottle-fed later on post-conceptual age (p < 0.001). Infants being breastfed until the 8th month of life conducted less visits for a viral infection to a pediatrician compared to those in the other group (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Feeding predominantly with mother's raw milk seems to result in optimal neonatal outcomes.
authors.affiliation: a Departments of Quality Control, Research and Continuing Education , Elena Venizelou Maternity Hospital , Athens , Greece .
authors.forename: Kalliopi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dritsakou
authors.affiliation: b Elena Venizelou Maternity Hospital , Athens , Greece .
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Liosis
authors.affiliation: c School of Pharmacy , University of Athens , Athens , Greece .
authors.forename: Georgia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Valsami
authors.affiliation: d Department of Science of Dietetics - Nutrition , Harokopeion University of Athens , Athens , Greece , and.
authors.forename: Evangelos
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Polychronopoulos
authors.affiliation: e Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition, Department of Science of Dietetics - Nutrition , Harokopeion University of Athens , Athens , Greece.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Skouroliakou
mesh_terms: D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D041943:Infant Formula; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000502:physiology; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D017784:Milk Banks; D008895:Milk, Human; D009035:Mothers; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011309:Preservation, Biological / Q000592:standards; D011379:Prognosis
keywords: Breastfeeding; breast milk; donor banked; formula; raw milk