[Article Review] Maternal Milk Feeding in Preterm Infants: The Key to Better Neurodevelopmental Outcomes?

The Role of Maternal Milk Feeding in Neurodevelopmental Outcomes

The study by Belfort et al. (2022) investigates the impact of maternal milk feeding on neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants at 7 years of age. Conducted across multiple Australian perinatal centers, this research provides valuable insights into how early nutrition may influence long-term cognitive and academic performance in children born before 33 weeks of gestation.

Background

Preterm infants face unique challenges in their development, and maternal milk has been widely acknowledged for its role in supporting early growth and health. This study builds on previous research, focusing specifically on how the quantity and duration of maternal milk feeding during and after neonatal hospitalization correlate with later neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Key Insights

• Performance IQ and Academic Skills: Higher intake of maternal milk during neonatal hospitalization was linked to better performance IQ, reading, and math scores at 7 years of age.
• Reduced ADHD Symptoms: Children who received higher amounts of maternal milk exhibited fewer symptoms associated with ADHD.
• Gestational Age Matters: The benefits of maternal milk feeding were particularly evident among infants born at less than 30 weeks of gestation.

Significance

This study highlights the potential long-term benefits of maternal milk feeding for preterm infants, particularly in areas such as academic performance and attention regulation. However, the findings also indicate that maternal milk intake was not associated with improvements in full-scale IQ, verbal IQ, executive function, or behavior, suggesting that its effects may be domain-specific. These insights emphasize the need for further investigation into the mechanisms underlying these relationships.

Future Directions

Future research should explore the specific components of maternal milk that contribute to the observed neurodevelopmental benefits. Additionally, examining how these findings apply to more diverse populations could enhance our understanding of maternal milk’s broader implications. The role of post-discharge nutrition in supporting ongoing cognitive and academic development also warrants further exploration.

Conclusion

The findings of Belfort et al. (2022) suggest that maternal milk feeding during neonatal hospitalization and beyond may play an important role in improving school-age performance IQ and academic achievement, as well as reducing ADHD symptoms. These benefits appear to be most pronounced in preterm infants born at less than 30 weeks of gestation, highlighting the value of tailored nutritional strategies during critical early developmental periods.

Reference:
Belfort, M. B., Knight, E., Chandarana, S., Ikem, E., Gould, J. F., Collins, C. T., Makrides, M., Gibson, R. A., Anderson, P. J., Simmer, K., Tiemeier, H., & Rumbold, A. (2022). Associations of Maternal Milk Feeding With Neurodevelopmental Outcomes at 7 Years of Age in Former Preterm Infants. JAMA Network Open, 5(7), e2221608. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.21608