Docosahexaenoic Acid and Amino Acid Contents in Pasteurized Donor Milk are Low for Preterm Infants

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate whether pasteurized donor human milk meets the nutritional needs of preterm infants in terms of free fatty acid and amino acid contents.

Study design: Milk samples were prospectively collected from 39 donors to the Mothers' Milk Bank of Ohio. The fatty acid and amino acid compositions in donor milk samples were measured before and after pasteurization, and values were compared with previously published findings and preterm infant nutrition guidelines. The nutritional adequacy of donor milk for preterm infants was based on estimated daily intake of 150 mL/kg. Statistical significance was adjusted to account for multiple comparisons.

Results: Pasteurization did not appreciably affect donor milk composition. Docosahexaenoic acid level (0.1 mol wt %), and concentrations of glycine, aspartate, valine, phenylalanine, proline, lysine, arginine, serine, and histidine in donor milk were all significantly lower than previously reported concentrations in milk.

Conclusions: Donor milk is not substantially affected by pasteurization, but has low concentrations of docosahexaenoic acid and amino acids. Targeted nutritional supplementation of human donor milk for feeding preterm infants might be warranted.