ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Preterm infants require special considerations than term infants to obtain adequate growth. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to evaluate human milk (HM) in low birth weight premature newborn (LBW-PN) and very low birth weight (VLBW-PN) during hospitalization, maternal factors, and the relationship with nutritional parameters. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 87 LBW-PN and 82 VLBW-PN), admitted in a public hospital in Córdoba, Argentina, were included. Anthropometry, food and biochemical parameters, and child and maternal history were registered. HM contribution was calculated. Anthropometric and biochemical values, days of hospitalization and maternal factors by HM intake were analyzed. RESULTS: Only 36,36
of VLBW-PN and 31,02
of their diet with HM. The hemoglobin concentration at discharge was higher in VLBW-PN group with more HM (p=0,01). There was a statistically significant association between HM amount and height at discharge in the PN with less than 20
of their diet with HM. A high prevalence of cesarean delivery was observed, related to lower HM. CONCLUSIONS: HM contributes to hemoglobin stabilization. Cesarean delivery may be associated with lower contribution of HM to newborn infants.