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Human Milk Reduces Outpatient Upper Respiratory Symptoms in Premature Infants During Their First Year of Life

Journal of Perinatology volume 22, pages 354–359 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine if ingestion of human milk after discharge reduces symptoms of infections in premature infants.

STUDY DESIGN: Follow-up of 39 infants with birth weights <2000 g, 24 of whom received any amount of human milk and 15 of whom received only formula after discharge, was carried out. Mothers were given a calendar on which they recorded any signs of infections and feeding and day-care information. Data were collected at 1 month after discharge and at 3, 7, and 12 months corrected age.

RESULTS: Results show no differences between groups in birth weight, gestation, gender, maternal age, parental tobacco use, number of siblings, and day-care attendance. Socioeconomic status score was higher in the human milk group. Infants who received human milk had fewer days of upper respiratory symptoms at 1 month after discharge (p<0.025) and at 7 months corrected age (p<0.025).

CONCLUSION: Ingestion of human milk post discharge is associated with a reduction of upper respiratory symptoms in premature infants during their first year of life.

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Acknowledgements

Financial support was provided by Lifespan Development Grant.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, RI, USA

    Jo-Ann Blaymore Bier MD & Tanya Oliver MS, OTR

  2. Women and Infants Hospital, Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, RI, USA

    Betty R Vohr MD

  3. Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Tanya Oliver MS, OTR

  4. St. Luke's Hospital, New Bedford, MA, USA

    Anne Ferguson MS, OTR

Authors
  1. Jo-Ann Blaymore Bier MD
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  2. Tanya Oliver MS, OTR
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  3. Anne Ferguson MS, OTR
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  4. Betty R Vohr MD
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Blaymore Bier, JA., Oliver, T., Ferguson, A. et al. Human Milk Reduces Outpatient Upper Respiratory Symptoms in Premature Infants During Their First Year of Life. J Perinatol 22, 354–359 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7210742

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