Clinical benefits of human milk for preterm infants

Importance of supporting optimal growth in neonates

Variability in human milk composition

Strategies for optimizing human milk fortification for preterm infants.

Why it matters:
In the first few weeks of life, the optimal growth rate for preterm infants is nearly twice that of term infants. To achieve this rapid rate of growth, preterm infants have high energy, protein, and micronutrient requirements. However, variability in human milk composition and inadequate fortification practices often result in suboptimal nutrition intake during these early critical weeks.