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Human Milk Feeding and Preterm Infants' Growth and Body Composition: A Literature Review
Jacopo Cerasani1, Federica Ceroni1, Valentina De Cosmi1,2
1Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy.
Insights
Human milk feeding in preterm infants promotes better body composition and fat-free mass deposition, potentially improving metabolic and neurodevelopmental outcomes despite slower initial weight gain.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal nutrition and development
- Pediatric health outcomes
- Human milk research
Background:
- Preterm infants face elevated risks for metabolic syndrome and cognitive impairment.
- Nutrition, body composition, and early growth are critical for long-term health programming.
- Postnatal growth retardation and abnormal body composition at discharge remain significant challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the impact of human milk feeding on body composition and growth in preterm infants.
- To update current understanding of human milk's role in mitigating adverse health outcomes.
- To emphasize the importance of human milk for preterm infant care.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on human milk feeding in preterm infants.
- Analysis of studies focusing on nutrition, body composition, and growth.
- Synthesis of evidence regarding metabolic and neurodevelopmental effects.
Main Results:
- Human milk feeding is associated with slower initial weight gain compared to formula.
- It promotes better recovery of body composition by increasing fat-free mass deposition.
- This improved composition may lead to enhanced metabolic and neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Human milk feeding supports favorable body composition in preterm infants.
- It is a crucial strategy for improving long-term health outcomes.
- Prioritizing human milk promotion and support is essential in preterm infant care.
Abstract:
Preterm infants may show a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, such as the development of metabolic syndrome and cognitive impairment. The most recent evidence highlights that nutrition, body composition development, and early postnatal growth may play a role in the programming of these processes. Human milk feeding has been recommended as the natural feeding for preterm infants and as a cost-effective strategy for reducing disease and economic burden. Considering that the postnatal growth retardation and aberrant body composition shown by preterm infants at the time of hospital discharge still remain important issues, we performed a literature review, aiming to provide an update about the effect of human milk feeding on these processes. On the basis of our findings, human milk feeding in preterm infants, although related to a slower weight gain than formula feeding, is associated with a better recovery of body composition through the promotion of fat-free mass deposition, which may ultimately lead to better metabolic and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Promotion and support of human milk feeding should be considered a priority in preterm infants' care.
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