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Breast milk fortification: effect on gastric emptying
Sule Yigit1, Ayca Akgoz, Asli Memisoglu
1Pediatrics/Neonatology, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey. yigitsule@gamil.com
Summary
Breast milk fortification does not significantly alter gastric emptying in very low birth weight infants. The amount of fortifier used, within recommended levels, does not impact feeding intolerance in preterm babies.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal nutrition
- Gastroenterology
- Pediatric research
Background:
- Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants often require specialized nutritional support.
- Breast milk fortification is common practice to meet the high nutrient demands of VLBW infants.
- Concerns exist regarding potential effects of fortification on infant digestion and feeding tolerance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of a common fortifier on gastric emptying in VLBW infants.
- To assess whether varying concentrations of fortifier in breast milk influence gastric emptying rates.
- To determine the clinical significance of breast milk fortification on feeding intolerance in preterm infants.
Main Methods:
- A balanced crossover design was employed to study gastric emptying.
- Antral cross-sectional area (ACSA) was measured using B-mode ultrasonography (US).
- Infants were fed unfortified, half-fortified, and fully fortified breast milk in random order, with ACSA measured over time.
Main Results:
- Average half-emptying times were 49 min (breast milk), 54 min (half-fortified), and 65 min (fully fortified).
- No statistically significant differences in gastric emptying were observed between the feeding groups.
- These findings suggest fortification does not significantly delay gastric emptying.
Conclusions:
- Fortification of breast milk with commonly used products does not appear to cause clinically significant feeding intolerance in preterm infants.
- The concentration of fortifier, when used at recommended levels, does not adversely affect gastric emptying.
- Current fortification practices are likely safe regarding gastric emptying in VLBW infants.
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