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Does Breastmilk Influence the Development of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia?

Juliane Spiegler1, Michael Preuß2, Corinna Gebauer3

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.

The Journal of Pediatrics
|December 2, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Exclusive breast milk feeding in very low birth weight infants is linked to lower growth rates but significantly reduces the risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Clinical Research

Background:

  • Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) are significant morbidities in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.
  • Nutritional strategies, including breast milk feeding, are critical for improving outcomes in preterm infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the association between exclusive breast milk feeding and the risk of BPD in VLBW infants.
  • To assess the impact of breast milk feeding on secondary outcomes: ROP and NEC.

Main Methods:

  • A multicenter cohort study analyzed data from 1433 VLBW infants born before 32 weeks gestation.
  • Infants were categorized into exclusive breast milk (N=223) or exclusive formula feeding (N=239) groups.
  • Logistic regression models, including Firth logistic regression and Lasso, were used to analyze the association between nutrition and neonatal complications.

Main Results:

  • Exclusive breast milk-fed infants showed lower weight gain compared to formula-fed infants (SDS for weight decreased more).
  • Exclusive formula feeding was associated with significantly increased risks of BPD (OR 2.6), NEC (OR 12.6), and ROP (OR 1.80).
  • These associations remained significant after controlling for known risk factors.

Conclusions:

  • Exclusive breast milk feeding in VLBW infants is associated with reduced rates of BPD, NEC, and ROP.
  • Despite lower growth rates, breast milk confers protective benefits against major neonatal morbidities.
  • Findings support the promotion of exclusive breast milk feeding for VLBW infants to improve clinical outcomes.
Abstract

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