HM provided a clear protective effect against NEC , with an approximate 4 % reduction in incidence .
HM also provided a possible reduction in LOS , severe ROP and severe NEC .
Particularly for NEC , any volume of HM is better than EPTF , and the higher the dose the greater the protection .
Evidence regarding pasteurisation is inconclusive , but it appears to have no effect on some outcomes .
Improving the intake of mother ’s own milk ( MOM ) and /or donor HM results in small improvements in morbidity in this population
EFFECT OF BREASTMILK CONSUMPTION ON NEURODEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOMES AT 6 AND 12 MONTHS OF AGE IN VLBW INFANTS
PURPOSE To determine the influence of breastmilk consumption , as a dose response , in very low-birth-weight ( VLBW ) infants ( < 1,500 g ) on neurodevelopmental outcomes at 6 and 12 months corrected age , and to determine the influence of selected sociodemographic and infant variables on neurodevelopmental outcomes . SUBJECTSVLBW infants ( n = 148 ) who were fed mother 's milk or formula by parental choice . DESIGN Prospect i ve cohort with longitudinal follow-up at 6 and 12 months corrected age . METHODS Self-administered question naires given to mothers at study entry , before discharge , and at 3- , 6- , and 12-month follow-up visits . During hospitalization , mothers recorded the 24-hour volume of expressed milk once per week . At each follow-up visit , the volume of a  single feeding was assessed by pre- and postbreastfeeding test weights of infants measured on an electronic scale accurate to 1.0 g. The amount of breastfeeding was also assessed by feeding records and mother 's report . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The Bayley Scales of Infant Development ( 2nd Edition ) , the Mental Development Index ( MDI ) , and the Psychomotor Development Index ( PDI ) . PRINCIPAL RESULTS After controlling for specific sociodemographic and infant variables , this study of VLBW infants showed no statistically significant effect of predominantly breastfeeding compared with predominantly formula feeding on neurodevelopmental outcomes to 12 months corrected age . The most significant predictor of MDI scores at 6 and 12 months corrected age was birth weight , in which higher birth weights predicted higher MDI scores . CONCLUSIONS Despite the lack of statistically significant differences , the findings suggest a small but consistent advantage in developmental scores in infants who were fed their mother 's milk compared with those who were predominantly formula fed . Supporting parents to breastfeed preterm infants may maximize the potential advantages of early nutrition in the neurodevelopmental outcome of VLBW infants
HM provided a clear protective effect against NEC , with an approximate 4 % reduction in incidence .
HM also provided a possible reduction in LOS , severe ROP and severe NEC .
Particularly for NEC , any volume of HM is better than EPTF , and the higher the dose the greater the protection .
Evidence regarding pasteurisation is inconclusive , but it appears to have no effect on some outcomes .
Improving the intake of mother ’s own milk ( MOM ) and /or donor HM results in small improvements in morbidity in this population