Mother’s own milk versus donor human milk: effects on growth and outcomes in preterm neonates

Introduction: The present study compares the effects of mother’s own milk (MOM) and donor human milk (DM) on anthropometric indices, incidence of sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), and feeding intolerance (FI) among preterm neonates. Methods: Ninety neonates born at 30-32 weeks and hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit were assigned to 3 groups based on their daily milk intake. The first group received only MOM or < 20% DM, the second group received ≥ 20% to < 80% DM, and the third group received ≥ 80% DM. Results: Weight gain velocity was 1.5 g/kg/day in the group that received ≥ 80% DM and 6.2 g/kg/day in the group that received 80-100% MOM (without a statistically significant p-value). Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference in height increase among the 3 groups, and no sepsis or NEC were observed in any of the 3 groups either. The incidence of FI was not significantly different among the 3 groups. Conclusion: Based on the results, DM is as effective as MOM in preventing sepsis, NEC, and FI. Every effort should be made to educate mothers on this subject, provide breastfeeding support, and use pasteurized and appropriately fortified DM.