Effect of an exclusive human milk diet on feeding tolerance in preterm infants

Objective To compare the time to full enteral feeds in preterm infants fed exclusive human milk (EHM) - mother’s own milk (MOM) fortified with human milk-based fortifier (HMBF), to those who received partial human milk (PHM) - MOM fortified with bovine milk-based fortifier (BMBF), and exclusive formula. Study design A single-center retrospective study of infants with birth weight <1250 g from 2013 to 2018. Data on feeding, growth and other short-term neonatal morbidities were collected. Results On regression analysis, time to full enteral feeds was significantly higher in PHM compared to EHM group (β-coefficient 4.14, 95% CI 0.00–8.29) and formula-fed group compared to EHM (β-coefficient 4.3, 95% CI 0.32–8.20). No significant differences in growth velocity, length of stay and other morbidities were found between the groups. Conclusion Infants in EHM had better feeding tolerance and reached their enteral feed goals sooner compared to PHM and formula-fed groups.