What is Fortified Human Milk?
Fortified human milk refers to breast milk that has been supplemented with additional nutrients to meet the specific needs of premature or medically fragile infants. This fortification often includes added proteins, vitamins, minerals, and sometimes fats, to ensure that these vulnerable babies receive the necessary nutrients for optimal growth and development.
Why is Fortified Human Milk Important in Neonatal Disorders?
Infants with neonatal disorders, especially premature babies, often have higher nutritional requirements than full-term infants. These babies may not be able to consume enough milk to meet their nutritional needs due to their small stomach capacity or medical conditions. Fortified human milk helps to bridge this nutritional gap by providing additional calories and essential nutrients in a concentrated form.
Premature infants born before 37 weeks of gestation
Infants with low birth weight ( Babies facing
failure to thrive Infants with congenital heart disease or other chronic conditions
Babies recovering from surgery or severe illness
Proteins: Crucial for growth and repair of tissues.
Calcium and Phosphorus: Essential for bone development.
Vitamins: Such as Vitamin D, which aids in calcium absorption, and Vitamin A, important for immune function.
Iron: Necessary to prevent anemia.
Fatty acids: Omega-3 and Omega-6 for brain development.
Adding human milk fortifiers (HMF) available in liquid or powder form.
Using donor milk that has already been fortified.
Combining breast milk with specially formulated preterm infant formulas.
Electrolyte Imbalance: Over-fortification can lead to imbalances in calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals.
Osmolality: High osmolality can affect the baby’s gastrointestinal system.
Allergic reactions to added proteins or other components.
Therefore, it's crucial to individualize fortification based on the infant's specific needs and to monitor their response closely.
Growth parameters: Monitoring weight, length, and head circumference.
Biochemical markers: Blood tests to check levels of important nutrients like calcium, phosphorus, and iron.
Developmental milestones: Observing the baby’s progress in reaching age-appropriate milestones.
Conclusion
Fortified human milk plays a critical role in the care of infants with neonatal disorders. By providing essential nutrients in a concentrated form, it helps meet the unique nutritional needs of these vulnerable babies, supporting their growth and development during a crucial period. Careful monitoring and individualized fortification plans are essential to maximizing benefits and minimizing risks.
