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A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect
Published on: September 22, 2023
[Breastfeeding in premature infants]
1Klinikum der Universität München, Klinik und Poliklinik für Frauenheilkunde und Geburthilfe--Grosshadern, München. susanne.herber-jonat@med.uni-muenchen.de
Insights
Human milk is crucial for preterm infants due to their limited nutrient reserves and increased metabolic stress. Early enteral human milk feeding is recommended, though challenges in intensive care settings persist.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Nutrition
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
Context:
- Preterm infants possess diminished nutrient reserves at birth compared to term infants.
- Physiological and metabolic stressors like infection or respiratory distress significantly impact preterm infants' nutritional requirements and metabolism.
- Appropriate nutrition is fundamental for supporting the growth and development of preterm infants.
Purpose:
- To highlight the benefits of human milk for preterm infants regarding growth, nutritional needs, infection prophylaxis, and neurological development.
- To discuss the challenges and provide guidance on establishing evidence-based standards for breastfeeding and human milk utilization in neonatal intensive care units.
- To illustrate strategies for initiating and maintaining milk supply and transitioning from gavage feeding to breastfeeding.
Summary:
- Human milk is recommended for preterm infants, especially those with gestational age > 34 weeks, who can establish breastfeeding. For less mature infants, early enteral human milk feeding is advised.
- The article examines human milk versus formula, focusing on growth, nutritional needs, infection prevention, and neurological outcomes in preterm infants.
- It also covers practical aspects such as milk supply management and the transition to breastfeeding from tube feeding.
Impact:
- Provides a comprehensive overview of human milk's role in preterm infant care, addressing critical aspects from nutrition to development.
- Aims to improve clinical practices by highlighting evidence-based standards for human milk use in neonatal intensive care.
- Supports the optimal growth, development, and long-term health of vulnerable preterm populations through informed feeding strategies.
Abstract:
Preterm infants have fewer nutrient reserves at birth than term infants. Additional physiological and metabolic stress factors, such as infection or respiratory distress, can affect their nutritional needs and metabolism. Hence, the provision of appropriate nutrition for growth and development is a cornerstone of care of preterm infants. Well infants of a gestational age > 34 weeks are usually able to suck effectively and coordinate swallowing and breathing. Therefore establishment of breast feeding seems reasonable for newborns of this gestational age. For less mature infants, national and international advisory boards also recommend enteral human milk feeding early postnatally. Challenges remain, particularly in establishing evidence-based standards of breastfeeding and the use of human milk for preterm infants in the intensive-care nursery. This article highlights the aspects of growth and nutritional needs, infection prophylaxis and neurological development with regard to the use of human milk versus formula for the preterm infant. Approaches to the initiation and maintenance of milk supply and the decision about when to replace gavage by breast feeding are illustrated.
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