Feeding Strategies for Premature Infants: Beneficial Outcomes of Feeding Fortified Human Milk Versus Preterm Formula

Although the study does not allow a comparison of FHM with unfortified human milk, the data suggest that the unique properties of human milk promote an improved host defense and gastrointestinal function compared with the feeding of formula. The benefits of improved health (less sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis) associated with the feeding of FHM outweighed the slower rate of growth observed, suggesting that the feeding of FHM should be promoted actively in premature infants.