Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Breast Milk Enhances Growth of Enteroids: An Ex Vivo Model of Cell Proliferation
09:02

Breast Milk Enhances Growth of Enteroids: An Ex Vivo Model of Cell Proliferation

Published on: February 15, 2018

19.7K

Growth outcomes of small for gestational age preterm infants before and after implementation of an exclusive human

Lindsay Fleig1,2, Joseph Hagan3, Martin L Lee4,5

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, University of Texas at Houston Health Science Center, Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital, Houston, TX, USA. lindsay.n.fleig@uth.tmc.edu.

Journal of Perinatology : Official Journal of the California Perinatal Association
|May 20, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Exclusive human milk diet (HUM) improved growth and reduced morbidities in small for gestational age (SGA) preterm infants (PT). This reassures concerns about growth while highlighting benefits for conditions like necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Nutrition
  • Pediatric Growth and Development
  • Infant Morbidities

Background:

  • Small for gestational age (SGA) preterm infants (PT) face significant risks of growth failure.
  • Nutritional strategies are critical for optimizing outcomes in this vulnerable population.
  • Previous concerns existed regarding growth potential with exclusive human milk diets (HUM) in SGA infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of an exclusive human milk diet (HUM) on growth velocities in SGA preterm infants.
  • To assess the effect of HUM on neonatal morbidities from birth to discharge in SGA preterm infants.
  • To compare outcomes between SGA preterm infants receiving a HUM diet versus a cow's milk diet (CMD).

Main Methods:

  • A multicenter, retrospective cohort study was conducted.
  • Subgroup analysis focused on SGA preterm infants.
  • Infants were compared based on diet: exclusive human milk (HUM) or cow's milk (CMD).

Main Results:

  • The HUM group (n=223) showed a significant improvement in length Z-score at discharge compared to the CMD group (n=197).
  • A significant reduction in the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) was observed in the HUM group.
  • Demographics and anthropometric measurements at birth were similar between the groups.

Conclusions:

  • Exclusive human milk feeding in SGA preterm infants led to significantly decreased rates of NEC, surgical NEC, and late-onset sepsis.
  • Growth outcomes in SGA infants fed HUM were comparable to those fed CMD, with trends toward improvement.
  • HUM diet is a safe and beneficial nutritional approach for SGA preterm infants, addressing both growth and morbidity concerns.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Effect of Hyaluronic Acid 35 kDa on an In Vitro Model of Preterm Small Intestinal Injury and Healing Using Enteroid-Derived Monolayers09:36

Effect of Hyaluronic Acid 35 kDa on an In Vitro Model of Preterm Small Intestinal Injury and Healing Using Enteroid-Derived Monolayers

Published on: July 28, 2022

2.4K
Individualized Reconstitution of Human Milk Microbiota: A Feasible Approach in Real-World Settings04:16

Individualized Reconstitution of Human Milk Microbiota: A Feasible Approach in Real-World Settings

Published on: February 7, 2025

691

Related Concept Videos

Development of Immunocompetence01:22

Development of Immunocompetence

The initiation of cell-mediated immunity can be observed as early as the third month of fetal growth, with active antibody-mediated immunity following approximately one month later.
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...
Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...