[Effect of breastfeeding versus formula milk feeding on preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the importance of breastfeeding in preterm infants with various gestational ages.

METHODS

A total of 639 preterm infants with a gestational age of 28+3-36+6 weeks were enrolled, and according to the feeding pattern, they were divided into exclusive breastfeeding group (n=237) and formula milk feeding group (fed with liquid milk for preterm infants; n=402). These two feeding patterns were compared in terms of their effects on weight gain, laboratory markers including albumin (Alb) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), incidence rate of feeding intolerance, and incidence rates of complications including necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

RESULTS

Compared with the formula milk feeding group, the breastfeeding group had a significantly faster increase in body weight, a significantly lower incidence rate of NEC, a significantly higher ALP level, and a significantly lower Alb level in the preterm infants with a gestational age of 28-30 weeks (P<0.05); there were no significant differences between the two groups in the incidence rates of anemia, ROP, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and nosocomial infection and length of hospital stay (P>0.05). For the preterm infants with a gestational age of 31-33 weeks, the breastfeeding group had a significantly faster increase in body weight, a significantly lower incidence rate of feeding intolerance, a significantly shorter length of hospital stay, and a significantly higher ALP level (P<0.05); there were no significant differences between the two groups in the incidence rates of NEC, anemia, ROP, BPD, and nosocomial infection and the Alb level (P>0.05). For the preterm infants with a gestational age of 34-36 weeks, there were no significant differences in these indices between the two groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Breastfeeding plays an important role in increasing body weight, reducing the incidence rates of feeding intolerance and NEC, and shortening the length of hospital stay in preterm infants with a gestational age of 28-33 weeks.