Necrotizing Enterocolitis and Human Milk Feeding: A Systematic Review

Nicole Theresa Cacho; Leslie A Parker; Josef Neu

doi:10.1016/j.clp.2016.11.009

Necrotizing Enterocolitis and Human Milk Feeding: A Systematic Review

Clin Perinatol. 2017 Mar;44(1):49-67. doi: 10.1016/j.clp.2016.11.009. Epub 2016 Dec 24.

Authors

Nicole Theresa Cacho¹, Leslie A Parker², Josef Neu³

Affiliations

¹ Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, 1600 Southwest Archer Road, HD-118, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA. Electronic address: nicole.cacho@peds.ufl.edu.
² Biobehavioral Nursing Science, College of Nursing, University of Florida, PO Box 100187, HPNP 2227, Gainesville, FL 32610-0187, USA.
³ Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, 1600 Southwest Archer Road, HD-112, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.

PMID: 28159209
DOI: 10.1016/j.clp.2016.11.009

Abstract

This article summarizes evidence regarding whether a donor human milk (DHM) and/or an exclusively human milk (EHM) diet decreases the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and the dose of human milk (HM) necessary to reduce the risk of NEC in premature infants. Additional research regarding protection afforded by DHM and EHM is necessary as well as research elucidating the exact dose of HM necessary for NEC risk reduction. Research is also needed to determine whether there is a dose-dependent effect of DHM, a combination of mother's own milk and DHM, and an EHM diet on NEC incidence.

Keywords: Donor milk; Exclusive human milk; Human milk; Necrotizing enterocolitis; Premature infant.

Publication types

Review
Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Breast Feeding / statistics & numerical data*
Breast Milk Expression / statistics & numerical data
Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / epidemiology*
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Premature
Milk, Human*
Protective Factors
Tissue and Organ Procurement

Grants and funding

R15 NR013566/NR/NINR NIH HHS/United States