Is an Exclusive Human Milk Diet at the Time of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Discharge Adequate to Maintain Growth and Neurodevelopment among Very Preterm Infants?

An exclusive human milk (EHM) diet has numerous benefits. Formula supplementation may be recommended for former preterm infants at the time of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) discharge to meet perceived metabolic demands and caloric goals. Recommendations addressing postdischarge nutrition for very preterm infants (VPTIs) are controversial, as the benefits of human milk supplementation regarding long-term growth, neurodevelopment, and chronic conditions are mixed.