Longitudinal composition of breast milk with extremely preterm infants compared to premature to term milk

Abstract

Over the last years research has established that human milk produced by mothers delivering prematurely (preterm milk) differs in several of its nutritional components compared to milk from mothers giving birth at term (term milk). Data available described quantitative and qualitative modifications between both milks demonstrating that preterm human milk tends to have higher levels of certain substrate components as opposed to term human milk throughout lactation. First observations reporting on comparative analysis of preterm milk and term milk described a higher protein concentration in preterm milk over lactation. These data provide evidence that preterm milk protein concentrations vary, not only depending on the length of lactation, but also on gestational stage at birth. Comparing others nutrient profiles from preterm milk to those of term milk such as carbohydrates, immunoglobulins, fat, and energy density there is a marked tendency that macronutrients are increased in preterm milk during lactation resulting in better suitability for the rapid growing premature infants. Changes in human milk minerals concentrations were only observed in the first days after birth and are closely related to the duration of lactation in both preterm and term milk. The knowledge of such variances in the nutritional composition of both milks improves the nutritional management and facilitates a more precise calculation of the necessary supplementation of nutrients required for adequate growth for the vulnerable premature infant.