PMID: 28506352May 17, 2017Paper

Effect of breastfeeding versus formula milk feeding on preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit

Zhongguo dang dai er ke za zhi = Chinese journal of contemporary pediatrics
Yong-Wei LiZong-Lai Han

Abstract

To investigate the importance of breastfeeding in preterm infants with various gestational ages. A total of 639 preterm infants with a gestational age of 28+3-36+6 weeks were enrolled, and according to the feeding pattern, they were divided into exclusive breastfeeding group (n=237) and formula milk feeding group (fed with liquid milk for preterm infants; n=402). These two feeding patterns were compared in terms of their effects on weight gain, laboratory markers including albumin (Alb) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), incidence rate of feeding intolerance, and incidence rates of complications including necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Compared with the formula milk feeding group, the breastfeeding group had a significantly faster increase in body weight, a significantly lower incidence rate of NEC, a significantly higher ALP level, and a significantly lower Alb level in the preterm infants with a gestational age of 28-30 weeks (P<0.05); there were no significant differences between the two groups in the incidence rates of anemia, ROP, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and nosocomial infection and length of hospital stay (P>0.05). For the preterm infants with a gestational age of 31-33 weeks,...Continue Reading

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