Evaluation of fat separation and removal methods to prepare low-fat breast milk for fat-intolerant neonates with chylothorax.

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare 2 methods (syringe and spoon methods) of removing the fat from the low-fat milk portion and compare 3 methods (refrigerated centrifuge, nonrefrigerated centrifuge, and refrigeration method) of separating breast milk into the fat and low-fat milk components.

Methods: Human milk was divided into 24 aliquots using the 3 separating methods, and 2 methods (syringe, spoon) were compared to extract the low-fat milk. Thirty-one human milk samples were separated into fatty and low-fat milk layers using 3 methods: 24-hour refrigerator storage (2°C), centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 15 minutes at room temperature, and spun in the refrigerated-centrifuge at 3000 rpm for 15 minutes at 2°C.