Abstract

VELASQUEZ-BARAHONA, Gloria. Comparing the weight gain of premature babies fed exclusively on breast milk (emphasising hindmilk) to that of those receiving mixed breastfeeding and those fed on human breast milk substitutes. rev.fac.med. [online]. 2014, vol.62, suppl.1, pp.29-34. ISSN 0120-0011.  https://doi.org/10.15446/revfacmed.v62n3sup.40740.

Background. Interventions aimed at improving premature babies' feeding are likely to improve infants' immediate- and longer-term health and have a significant impact on neonatal and infant mortality levels (2,3). Objective. Determining whether premature babies exclusively fed on breast milk (i.e. exclusive breastfeeding - EBF), emphasising hindmilk, gained suitable weight compared to those receiving a mixed form of lactation and/or milk substitutes. Materials and methods. This was an analytic and observational cohort study which lasted two and a half months between August 31st and September 27^th 2007 at the Roosevelt Hospital's Healthy Children's Outpatient department; 48 patients were enrolled. Anthropometric measurements were taken regarding weight and size; premature babies were periodically followed-up until they reached 2.5 kg weight. Results. Most premature babies weighed 1,000 to 1,500 grams when born. Most of the group had received mixed forms of lactation. The average daily weight gained by EBF was 32.4+9.2 g; those having received mixed lactation gained an average 32+7g. Those fed on substitutes gained a daily average of 36.2+7.3g. No statistically significant differences were discovered when comparing average weight gain amongst the three groups (p=0.32) or regarding daily gain in size (p=0.44). Conclusions. The results provided clinical evidence that suitable gains in weight and size can be obtained for EBF premature babies compared to the results for feeding a baby with mixed forms of lactation or substitutes.

Keywords : Infant; Premature; Birth Weight; Breast Feeding.

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