Fighting for Every Gram: Novel Human Milk Fortification Strategies for Premature Infants in the NICU

Objectives:

• Review the nutritional and bioactive components of human milk and how pasteurization and donor variability influence the composition of donor milk
• Discuss the implications of these differences in clinical practice for high-risk and preterm infants
• Describe fortification strategies to overcome these differences, especially when using donor human milk, to meet the nutritional needs of NICU infants

Overview:

Donor human milk is the recommended alternative when maternal milk is unavailable and plays an important role in the nutritional management of preterm infants. However, it differs in nutrient content and biologic activity, and ideally, it should be considered a supportive tool, not a replacement, for maternal milk. For infants who rely on donor milk feedings, alternative fortification strategies may be needed to optimize their nutritional intake and support their growth.

This program has been approved for 1.0 Contact Hours; provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider #13692