Human Milk is the Feeding Strategy to Prevent Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Abstract

The use of human milk in the neonatal intensive care unit clearly has short and long-term beneficial effects, but its role in the prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) cannot be understated. Immaturity of the intestinal tract, barrier function, and mucosal defense contributes to NEC. Human milk feeding enhances maturity of the intestinal tract, barrier functions, and mucosal defenses by providing components such as immunoglobulin A, lactoferrin, lysozyme, oligosaccharides, epidermal growth factor, acetylhydrolase, erythropoietin, arginine and glutamine, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, and the ability to promote a commensal intestinal microflora.