Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 6, 2025
Breast Milk Enhances Growth of Enteroids: An Ex Vivo Model of Cell Proliferation
Published on: February 15, 2018
Use of breast milk in infants with uncomplicated gastroschisis: A retrospective cohort study
Emily C Hodgson1, Michael H Livingston2, Tessa Robinson3
1Division of General Surgery, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada; Biomedical Graduate Studies, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA; Division of Pediatric General, Thoracic and Fetal Surgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, USA.
Insights
Exclusive breast milk feeding in infants with gastroschisis is linked to faster enteral autonomy and shorter parenteral nutrition duration. This finding suggests breast milk may improve outcomes for these newborns.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal surgery
- Pediatric gastroenterology
- Infant nutrition
Background:
- Infants with gastroschisis frequently exhibit delayed return of bowel function post-surgery.
- Optimizing nutrition is crucial for improving outcomes in neonates with gastroschisis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between exclusive breast milk feeding and the time to enteral autonomy in infants with gastroschisis.
- To evaluate if breast milk intake impacts the duration of parenteral nutrition in this population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of 75 infants with uncomplicated gastroschisis.
- Primary outcome: time to enteral autonomy (days from initiating enteral feeds to stopping parenteral nutrition).
- Secondary outcomes: duration of parenteral nutrition, length of stay, and other complications.
Main Results:
- Exclusive breast milk feeding (n=65) was associated with significantly decreased time to enteral autonomy (median 18 vs. 25 days, p=0.023).
- Infants fed exclusive breast milk also had a shorter duration of parenteral nutrition (median 20 vs. 26 days, p=0.037).
- Demographics and gastroschisis severity were similar between breast milk and formula groups.
Conclusions:
- Exclusive breast milk feeding may be associated with improved clinical outcomes in infants with gastroschisis.
- Further research is warranted to explore confounders and the economic impact of this association.
- Findings suggest a potential expanded role for donor breast milk in managing infants with gastroschisis.
Background:
Infants with gastroschisis often experience slow return of bowel function following closure. The purpose of this study was to determine whether exclusive breast milk is associated with decreased time to enteral autonomy.
Methods:
We conducted a retrospective cohort study of infants with uncomplicated gastroschisis from a tertiary pediatric hospital. The primary outcome was enteral autonomy, defined as days from initiating enteral feeds to stopping parenteral nutrition. Secondary outcomes included days of parenteral nutrition, length of stay, positive culture, necrotizing enterocolitis, cholestasis, additional surgery, readmission, and mortality.
Results:
We identified 100 infants with gastroschisis treated from 2005 to 2019. Twenty-five were excluded due to gestational age <32 weeks, birth weight <1500 g, or gastroschisis-associated complications (e.g., intestinal atresia). Seventy-five were included in the analysis. Mean gestational age was 36 weeks, 48% were female, and all were diagnosed antenatally. Sixty-five infants (87%) received exclusive maternal (n = 64) or donor (n = 1) breast milk, while 10 others (13%) were fed formula for 1-16 days (mean 7 days). Two infants received formula only. Demographics and gastroschisis prognostic scores were similar between groups. Infants who were given breast milk exclusively demonstrated decreased time to enteral autonomy (median 18 versus 25 days, p = 0.023) and shorter duration of parenteral nutrition (median 20 versus 26 days, p = 0.037).
Conclusion:
Exclusive breast milk may be associated with improved outcomes among infants with gastroschisis. Further research is needed to evaluate the economic impact of this association and explore possible confounders. These efforts may expand the role of donor breast milk for these patients.
