Effect Of Breastfeeding Versus Formula Milk Feeding On Preterm Infants In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Objective:To investigate the effect of breastfeeding versus formula milk feeding on preterm infants,especially the small-for-gestational-age preterm infants,in the neonatal intensive care unit(NICU)through a retrospective control study,as well as the importance of breastfeeding in preterm infants in the NICU Methods:A total of 639 preterm infants with a gestational age of 28-36 weeks were enrolled,and according to the feeding pattern,they were divided into simple breastfeeding group with 237 infants(fed with breast milk without enhancers)and simple formula milk feeding group with 402 infants(fed with liquid milk for preterm infants).These two feeding patterns were compared in terms of their influence 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).Result:1?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).2?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).3?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).Conclusion:1?Breast feeding has apparent effect on enhancing the production rate of the 28-33 w NICU premature infants,reducing their rate of feeding intolerance,shortening their length of hospital stay,reducing their incidence of NEC.2?Breast feeding has an even greater effect,especially for small gestational age preterm infants(28-30w).