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Description
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is one of the leading causes of death in infants < 32 weeks gestation and/or < 1500g. Human breast milk lowers NEC rates through immunologic, microbial, and gut-protective mechanisms. When maternal or donor milk is unavailable, infants require formula with fortification but the safest type of fortifiers remains unclear. Bovine-derived fortifiers may increase gut inflammation; human milk-derived fortifiers may offer more protection. Limited research exists comparing these fortifiers when infants are exclusively formula fed. Determining if human milk-derived fortifiers still reduce NEC risk could influence NICU feeding guidelines and improve outcomes.
Department
Nursing
Faculty Mentor(s)
Kendra Hoepper, DNP, APRN, PNP-C
Publication Date
2025
Sponsorship/Conference/Institution
Dominican University of California
City
San Rafael, CA
Keywords
necrotizing enterocolitis, preterm infants, human milk, donor milk, formula-fed
Disciplines
Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities | Critical Care | Gastroenterology | Maternal, Child Health and Neonatal Nursing | Medical Nutrition | Nursing | Preventive Medicine
Included in
Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities Commons, Critical Care Commons, Gastroenterology Commons, Maternal, Child Health and Neonatal Nursing Commons, Medical Nutrition Commons, Preventive Medicine Commons