Evidence · Systematic review or meta-analysis
Human milk and neurodevelopment in children with very low birth weight: a systematic review.
- Allied health
- Breast milk and breastfeeding
- Enteral feeding
- Medical
- Neurodevelopmental follow-up
- Neurology
- Nursing
- Nutrition and gastrointestinal
This paper is from 2014, more than five years ago. Newer evidence may have been published since.
Summary
This systematic review examines whether human milk feeding has a reproducible independent effect on neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm very low birth weight infants. Of 24 studies identified, seven VLBW-only studies were reviewed and appraised against non-nutritive and nutritive methodological parameters, with outcomes assessed in early childhood and at school age. Human milk-fed VLBW children without neurological impairment achieved normal or low-normal test scores, while feeding with older formula formulations was associated with lower subtest scores in some studies. The authors note the absence of randomised trials in VLBW-only populations and call for high-quality studies using current fortifiers and preterm formulas.
Summary written for NICUlearn. Always read the original.
- Licence:
- Open (Creative Commons)
The full text of this openly licensed paper is available to NICUlearn members, and Neeky can answer questions from it.
Guidelines are shown for education. Follow your unit's own guidance and senior advice.