Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 25, 2026

Breast Milk Enhances Growth of Enteroids: An Ex Vivo Model of Cell Proliferation
Published on: February 15, 2018
Importance of Milk Expression for Preterm Infants
Hidehiko Maruyama1, Yusei Nakata, Akane Kanazawa
1Department of Pediatrics, Kochi Health Sciences Center, Kochi 781-8555, Japan.maruyamahidehiko@gmail.com.
Mothers of preterm infants may find it difficult to express breast milk. There is a low breast milk rate among preterm infants at discharge at our hospital, and here we tested the hypothesis that milk expression factors were the cause of the low rate. The study subjects were born before 33 gestational weeks at our hospital between March 2005 and June 2014. Nutritional evaluation was performed at discharge and noted whether breast milk, infant formula, or a mix of the 2 was being given. We compared the group given breast milk or the mix versus the group given formula. Of the 337 infants, 40 cases were excluded. Data from 297 infants were analyzed. The mean (SD) gestational age and birth weight were 29.5 (2.4) weeks and 1,230 (391) g, respectively. At discharge, 26 (8.8% ), 102 (33.3% ), and 174 (57.9% ) infants were given breast milk, formula, and the mix, respectively. A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the first milk expression (h) was the risk factor for the formula group: adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) 1.06 (1.02-1.09) and p=0.002. Delayed first milk expression could affect the low breast milk rate at discharge. Improvement of milk expression should be achieved to promote breastfeeding.
Mothers of preterm infants may find it difficult to express breast milk. There is a low breast milk rate among preterm infants at discharge at our hospital, and here we tested the hypothesis that milk expression factors were the cause of the low rate. The study subjects were born before 33 gestational weeks at our hospital between March 2005 and June 2014. Nutritional evaluation was performed at discharge and noted whether breast milk, infant formula, or a mix of the 2 was being given. We compared the group given breast milk or the mix versus the group given formula. Of the 337 infants, 40 cases were excluded. Data from 297 infants were analyzed. The mean (SD) gestational age and birth weight were 29.5 (2.4) weeks and 1,230 (391) g, respectively. At discharge, 26 (8.8% ), 102 (33.3% ), and 174 (57.9% ) infants were given breast milk, formula, and the mix, respectively. A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the first milk expression (h) was the risk factor for the formula group: adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) 1.06 (1.02-1.09) and p=0.002. Delayed first milk expression could affect the low breast milk rate at discharge. Improvement of milk expression should be achieved to promote breastfeeding.
Related Concept Videos
Development of Human Microbiota
Development of the Oral Microbiota
Development of Immunocompetence
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...
Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles
Introduction
The initial evaluation of a patient's respiratory system...
The Mammary Glands
Each breast features a pigmented projection known as the nipple, through which milk emerges via closely spaced openings of ducts, referred to as lactiferous ducts. Surrounding the nipple is a circular pigmented area of skin named the areola, which appears rough due to...
Drug Dosing: Infants and Children

