The effects of early human milk fortification on extremely preterm infants

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K10193
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Embryonic/Neonatal medicine
• Research Institution: Showa University
• Principal Investigator: Itabashi Kazuo 昭和大学, 医学部, 名誉教授 (00223074)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 早産児 / 低出生体重児 / 母乳強化療法 / 経腸栄養 / 栄養

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Although human milk fortification (HMF) is the standard nutritional management for preterm infants, it currently does not prevent extrauterine growth restriction during NICU admission. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to compare the efficacy and safety of early HMF with those of conventional HMF (delayed HMF). Comparison between the two groups showed no difference in the number of days to establish enteral nutrition or to wean from parenteral nutrition, indicating that early HMF can be safely implemented without increasing feeding intolerance. On the other hand, there were no differences in outcomes such as anthropometric measurements at NICU discharge or developmental delay at the modified 18-month age point.

Free Research Field

新生児学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究により、早産児に対する出生後早期からの母乳強化療法の安全性が確認された。単施設研究であることから、今後さらなる症例の集積が必要ではあるが、従来よりも積極的な経腸栄養管理が実現すれば、早産・低出生体重児の成長や発達予後のより一層の向上が期待される。