HUMAN MILK AND THE PREVENTION OF NECROTIZING ENTEROCOLITIS IN HIGH DONATED -RISK PREMATURE INFANTS: A SCOPING REVIEW (2013-2023)

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22370/revmat.1.2025.4729

Keywords:

Milk Human, Necrotizing enterocolitis, Infant Premature, Milk Banks

Abstract

Objective: to analyze scientific evidence published between 2013 and 2023 on the use of donor human milk (DHM) in preventing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in high-risk premature neonates, identifying benefits, mechanisms of action, and limitations. (Adapted from )

Methodology: a scoping review of studies published in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases was conducted. Clinical trials, cohort studies, and other observational designs evaluating the impact of DHM on reducing NEC and other associated complications in premature infants were examined. Study selection followed the PRISMA methodology. (Adapted from )

Results: thirteen studies were included. Evidence indicates that DHM use significantly decreases NEC incidence compared to formula feeding, promoting more favorable intestinal development and strengthening the neonatal immune system. Prematurity and formula feeding are consistent risk factors for NEC. Holder pasteurization, while reducing some bioactive components, is crucial for microbiological safety. (Adapted from )

Conclusions: DHM is an effective strategy to reduce NEC incidence in high-risk premature neonates. Promoting its use and optimizing milk bank processes to maximize its benefits is essential. Further research is needed to address logistical challenges and optimize its clinical application.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Herrmann K, Carroll K. An exclusively human milk diet reduces necrotizing enterocolitis. Breastfeed Med. 2014;9(4):184-90.

Hosseini M, Farshbaf-Khalili A, Seyyedzavvar A, Fuladi N, Hosseini N, Talashi S. Short-term outcomes of launching Mother’s milk bank in neonatal intensive care unit: A retrospective study. Arch Iran Med. 2021;24(5):397-404.

Mane SV, Salunkhe S, Agarkhedkar S, Lakhwani P, Malwade S. Effect of Human Milk Banking on Immediate Neonatal Morbidity and

Mortality: A Study in a Tertiary Care Center. Med J DY Patil Vidyapeeth. 2022;15(5):682-6.

Parra-Llorca A, Gormaz M, Alcántara C, Cernada M, Nuñez-Ramiro A, Vento M, et al. Preterm gut microbiome depending on feeding type: Significance of donor human milk. Front Microbiol. 2018;9:1376.

Torres-Muñoz J, Jimenez-Fernandez CA, Murillo-Alvarado J, Torres-Figueroa S, Castro JP. Clinical results of the implementation of a breast milk bank in premature infants (Under 37 weeks) at the hospital universitario del valle 2018–2020. Nutrients. 2021;13(7):2187.

Meredith-Dennis L, Xu G, Goonatilleke E, Lebrilla CB, Underwood MA, Smilowitz JT. Composition and variation of macronutrients, immune proteins, and human milk oligosaccharides in human milk from nonprofit and commercial milk banks. J Hum Lact. 2018;34(1):120-9.

Piñeiro-Ramos JD, Parra-Llorca A, Ten-Doménech I, Gormaz M, Ramón-Beltrán A, Cernada M, et al. Effect of donor human milk on host-gut microbiota and metabolic interactions in preterm infants. Clin Nutr. 2021;40(3):1296-1309. (Corresponde a Piñeiro-Ramos et al., 2020 en la tesis, pero la revista lo publicó en 2021)

Pitino MA, Unger S, Doyen A, Pouliot Y, Aufreiter S, Stone D, et al. High hydrostatic pressure processing better preserves the nutrient and bioactive compound composition of human donor milk. J Nutr. 2019;149(3):497-504.

Quitadamo PA, Sorrentino L, Palumbo G, Cianti L, Copetti M, Gentile MA, et al. Effect of Holder pasteurization on macronutrients and energy content of pooled donor human milk. J Pediatr Neonatal Individ Med. 2021;10(2):e100202.

Rodríguez-Camejo C, Puyol A, Fazio L, Villamil E, Arbildi P, Sóñora C, et al. Impact of Holder pasteurization on immunological properties of human breast milk over the first year of lactation. Pediatr Res. 2020;87(1):32-41.

Fang L, Zhang M, Wu L, Wang R, Lin B, Yao J, et al. Is preterm donor milk better than preterm formula for very-low-bir th-weight infants? Food Nutr Res. 2021;65.

Wang H, Hu XL, Li QF, Zhou J, Wu MY. Operation Status of the Mutual Aid Human Milk Bank for Preterm Infants and Data Analysis. J Multidiscip Healthc. 2023;16:3521-30.

Zozaya C, García González I, Avila-Alvarez A, Oikonomopoulou N, Sánchez Tamayo T, Salguero E, et al. [Prevention, diagnosis and treatment of necrotising enterocolitis in newborns less than 32 weeks at birth in Spain]. An Pediatr (Barc). 2020;93(3):161-9. Spanish

Published

2025-10-16 — Updated on 2025-10-16

Versions

How to Cite

1.
Cornejo Ruiz M, Fredes Ortiz C, Riffo Vargas F, Contreras Huequemán H, Sepúlveda Valdés D. HUMAN MILK AND THE PREVENTION OF NECROTIZING ENTEROCOLITIS IN HIGH DONATED -RISK PREMATURE INFANTS: A SCOPING REVIEW (2013-2023). Mat.Actual [Internet]. 2025 Oct. 16 [cited 2025 Oct. 18];(1):6. Available from: https://syt.uv.cl/index.php/matroneria/article/view/4729