Enteral nutrition for premature infants: the role of human milk.

Nutrition support of the premature infant must be designed to compensate for metabolic and gastrointestinal immaturity, immunologic insufficiency, and the demands of associated medical conditions. The beneficial effects of human milk extend to the feeding of premature infants. Although human milk enhances immunity, nutritional concerns arise because the milk might not meet the expanded nutrient requirements of very low birth weight premature infants. Human milk fortifiers are available to provide optimum nutrition. This chapter summarizes the benefits and limitations of human milk for the premature infant.