Human Milk Fortification and Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Very Low Birthweight Infants: State of Evidence and Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.

ABSTRACT: Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in very low birthweight (VLBW) infants. Human milk feeding and standardized feeding protocols are protective, but clinical practice varies, particularly in fortifier choice. Whether human milk-derived fortifiers reduce NEC risk compared with cow milk-derived fortifiers remains unclear. Methods: We conducted a systematic state-of-evidence review and meta-analysis, searching PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus through July 2025. Eligible studies included RCTs and observational cohorts of VLBW infants comparing an exclusive human milk diet (EHMD) including human milk-derived fortifiers to cow milk-derived diets. Two reviewers independently screened and extracted data. Both RCTs and obse

SUBMITTER: Reyes SM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12609769 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature