Abstract
Preterm infants may show a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, such as the development of metabolic syndrome and cognitive impairment. The most recent evidence highlights that nutrition, body composition development, and early postnatal growth may play a role in the programming of these processes. Human milk feeding has been recommended as the natural feeding for preterm infants and as a cost-effective strategy for reducing disease and economic burden. Considering that the postnatal growth retardation and aberrant body composition shown by preterm infants at the time of hospital discharge still remain important issues, we performed a literature review, aiming to provide an update about the effect of human milk feeding on these processes. On the basis of our findings, human milk feeding in preterm infants, although related to a slower weight gain than formula feeding, is associated with a better recovery of body composition through the promotion of fat-free mass deposition, which may ultimately lead to better metabolic and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Promotion and support of human milk feeding should be considered a priority in preterm infants’ care.
Highlights
Preterm birth represents a worldwide epidemic, accounting for an increased risk of mortality and morbidity both in the short and long term [1]
The growth of very low birth weight newborns was analysed by Colaizy et al [11], who focused on the impact of increasing proportions of human milk and on the effects of a predominantly maternal milk versus predominantly donor human milk diets
All the authors [14,15,16,17,18], except one [20], reported that human milk feeding in preterm infants is positively associated with fat-free mass deposition, contributing to a positive recovery of body composition in this population
Summary
Preterm birth represents a worldwide epidemic, accounting for an increased risk of mortality and morbidity both in the short and long term [1]. The specific and complex mechanisms underlying the positive biological effects associated with human milk feeding have not been completely elucidated yet [5]. Preterm infants complete their organogenesis being exposed to non-physiological environmental triggers, including hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit and the occurrence of co-morbidities. As a consequence, their developing organism needs to adapt the metabolic and homeostatic pathways to the newly acquired extrauterine environment, resulting in an increased risk
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
