EGF and IgA in maternal milk, donor milk, and milk fortifiers in the neonatal intensive care unit setting.

ABSTRACT: Human milk contains a variety of factors that positively contribute to neonatal health, including epidermal growth factor (EGF) and immunoglobulin A (IgA). When maternal milk cannot be the primary diet, maternal milk alternatives like donor human milk or formula can be provided. Donor human milk is increasingly provided to infants born preterm or low birth weight with the aim to supply immunological factors at similar concentrations to maternal milk. We sought to assess the concentrations of human EGF and IgA in the diet and stool of neonates between exclusive maternal milk, donor human milk, or formula-based diets. Using a prospective cohort study, we collected samples of diet and stool weekly from premature and low birth weight neonates starting at 10 days postnatal through five weeks of

SUBMITTER: Tamar C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12002475 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature