Comparison of Two Commercially Available Liquid Human Milk Fortifiers for Feeding Tolerance in Premature Infants

Abstract

Background: Human milk is the ideal food for most babies, particularly for infants born prematurely. However, premature infants require fortification of human milk to meet the higher nutritional needs of their developmentally expected intra-uterine growth rates. Studies have shown that premature infants who are fed fortified breast milk have increased weight gain, length and head circumference, as well as improved bone mineralization. Premature infants who receive breast milk without fortification are at risk for extra-uterine growth retardation with lower growth rates and compromised neurodevelopmental outcomes. The two most commonly used commercially …