Human Milk Fortification: A Practical Analysis of Current Evidence

Erynn M Bergner; Sarah N Taylor; Laura A Gollins; Amy B Hair

doi:10.1016/j.clp.2022.02.010

Human Milk Fortification: A Practical Analysis of Current Evidence

Clin Perinatol. 2022 Jun;49(2):447-460. doi: 10.1016/j.clp.2022.02.010. Epub 2022 Apr 21.

Authors

Erynn M Bergner¹, Sarah N Taylor², Laura A Gollins³, Amy B Hair⁴

Affiliations

¹ Section of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 1200 North Everett Drive, ETNP 7504 Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA. Electronic address: https://twitter.com/ErynnBergner.
² Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine, PO Box 208064 New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
³ Neonatal Nutrition Program, Neonatology, Texas Children's Hospital, 6621 Fannin Street, Suite WT6104, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
⁴ Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, 6621 Fannin Street, Suite WT6104, Houston, TX 77030, USA. Electronic address: abhair@texaschildrens.org.

PMID: 35659096
DOI: 10.1016/j.clp.2022.02.010

Abstract

Human milk (HM) with appropriate fortification is the recommended nutrition for very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. Fortification provides additional nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to support the growing preterm infant during critical periods of development. This article discusses the variability of HM including differences between maternal and pasteurized donor human milk (DHM), fortification of HM through the use of single- and multi-nutrient fortifiers, and clinical controversies including the timing of fortification, volume of feedings, and future innovations in HM fortification.

Keywords: Enteral nutrition; Fortification; Human milk; Preterm infants.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Food, Fortified
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Premature*
Infant, Very Low Birth Weight
Milk, Human*
Nutrients