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Intestinal permeability in preterm infants by feeding type: mother's milk versus formula

Sarah N Taylor1, Laura A Basile, Myla Ebeling

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA. taylorse@musc.edu

Breastfeeding Medicine : the Official Journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine
|February 7, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Human milk significantly reduces intestinal permeability in preterm infants compared to formula. This effect is dose-dependent, with higher human milk intake correlating with lower permeability in the first month of life.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal research
  • Gastroenterology
  • Pediatric nutrition

Background:

  • Intestinal permeability is crucial for nutrient absorption and pathogen defense in preterm infants.
  • Feeding type significantly impacts gut health in vulnerable neonates.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the relationship between feeding type (human milk vs. formula) and intestinal permeability in preterm infants.
  • To assess intestinal permeability using the lactulose to mannitol ratio in the first postnatal month.

Main Methods:

  • Sixty-two preterm infants (
  • Feeding type (human milk and formula) was assessed.
  • Intestinal permeability was measured via lactulose and mannitol urinary excretion at three time points.

Main Results:

  • Infants receiving >75% human milk showed significantly lower intestinal permeability at postnatal days 7, 14, and 30 compared to those receiving <25% or no human milk.
  • A dose-related decrease in intestinal permeability was observed with increasing human milk intake.
  • Exclusively formula-fed infants had a 2.8-fold higher median lactulose/mannitol ratio than those receiving any human milk.

Conclusions:

  • Human milk intake significantly decreases intestinal permeability in preterm infants during the first postnatal month.
  • The protective effect of human milk on intestinal permeability is dose-dependent.
  • Feeding strategies prioritizing human milk may improve gut barrier function in preterm neonates.
Abstract

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