Evidence · Systematic review or meta-analysis
Efficacy of Donated Milk in Early Nutrition of Preterm Infants: A Meta-Analysis.
- Allied health
- Breast milk and breastfeeding
- Enteral feeding
- Growth
- Medical
- Necrotising enterocolitis
- Nursing
- Nutrition and gastrointestinal
- Parenteral nutrition
Summary
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 11 randomised controlled trials (1390 infants) comparing donated breast milk with formula in the early nutrition of preterm infants. Donor milk was associated with a lower incidence of necrotising enterocolitis, shorter parenteral nutrition duration and shorter time to full enteral feeds. Formula was associated with better weight gain, head growth and length, and a quicker return to birth weight. The authors suggest that fortifying donor milk may achieve growth comparable to formula.
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- Open (Creative Commons)
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