PremieFeed: Investigating Preterm Infant Feeding Behaviors, Growth, and Caregiver Experiences in the First Weeks After NICU Discharge.

Purpose: This study aimed to longitudinally investigate the preterm infant feeding regimens, feeding behaviors, effect on infant growth, and caregiver perceptions and experiences with feeding in the first 4 weeks following hospital discharge.

Background: Preterm infants face high nutritional risk due to their underdeveloped gastrointestinal systems and feeding coordination.

Methods: Caregivers of preterm infants were recruited to participate in a weekly telephone survey for the first 4 weeks following the infant's hospital discharge.

Fortified Donor Human Milk Frequently Does Not Meet Sodium Recommendations for the Preterm Infant.

We measured the sodium content of donor human milk (DHM) and calculated the estimated intake at a feeding volume of 160 mL/kg/day. The mean sodium content of unfortified DHM was 102.0 mg/L (4.

Relative cost-effectiveness of using a liquid human milk fortifier in preterm infants in the US.

Objective: To human milk fortifier (LHMF) compared to a powdered human milk fortifier (PHMF) in preterm infants in the US from the perspective of third-party payers and parents.

Methods: This was a decision modelling study using patient data obtained from a randomized controlled trial comparing a LHMF with a PHMF in preterm infants, supplemented with additional data obtained by performing a chart review among 79% of the trial patients. The model estimated the cost-effectiveness of LHMF versus PHMF in US$ at 2014/2015 prices.

Necrotizing Enterocolitis and Growth in Preterm Infants Fed Predominantly Maternal Milk, Pasteurized Donor Milk, or Preterm Formula: A Retrospective Study.

 To evaluate the association between necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), growth, and feeding.  This is a retrospective study of 551 infants (birth weight ≤ 1,500 g, ≤32 weeks' gestation). NEC, Bell's stage ≥ 2, was confirmed by independent review of sentinel radiographs.

A new liquid human milk fortifier and linear growth in preterm infants.

Objectives: To evaluate the growth, tolerance, and safety of a new ultraconcentrated liquid human milk fortifier (LHMF) designed to provide optimal nutrients for preterm infants receiving human breast milk in a safe, nonpowder formulation.

Methods: Preterm infants with a body weight ≤ 1250 g fed expressed and/or donor breast milk were randomized to receive a control powder human milk fortifier (HMF) or a new LHMF for 28 days. When added to breast milk, the LHMF provided ∼20% more protein than the control HMF.

Maternal and infant characteristics associated with human milk feeding in very low birth weight infants.

This study identified maternal and infant characteristics predicting human milk (HM) feeding in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants whose mothers (n = 184) participated in a study of lactation counseling and initiated milk expression. Data were collected prospectively, by maternal interview and medical record review. During hospitalization, 159 (86%) infants received at least 50% HM proportion of feedings in the first 2 weeks of life, and 114 (62%) received some HM until the day of hospital discharge.

Human milk consumption and full enteral feeding among infants who weigh

Objective: Establishing enteral feeding is an important goal in the care of very low birth weight infants. In such infants, receipt of >/=50 mL/kg per day human milk during hospitalization has been associated with shorter time to full enteral feeding. The objective of this study was to determine whether high proportions (>/=50%) of human milk during feeding advancement are associated with shorter time to full enteral feeding and improved feeding tolerance.

Lactation counseling for mothers of very low birth weight infants: effect on maternal anxiety and infant intake of human milk.

Objective: Although it is well documented that breastfeeding promotes health and development of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants, lactation initiation among mothers of VLBW infants is low. Mothers are anxious about the health of their children, and medical staff may be reluctant to promote breastfeeding out of concern for increasing that anxiety. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine whether mothers of VLBW infants who initially planned to formula feed were different in terms of their level of anxiety and maternal stress compared with mothers who had planned to breastfeed their infants.

Increased parenteral amino acid administration to extremely low-birth-weight infants during early postnatal life.

Background: Early administration of parenteral amino acids to infants with extremely low birth weight (birth weight < or = 1,000 g) has been encouraged to foster growth. However, excessive intravenous intake of amino acids may cause metabolic acidosis and uremia in extremely low birth weight infants. The hypothesis for this study was that extremely low birth weight infants would tolerate slightly increased early postnatal parenteral amino acid administration and benefit.