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In their paper Mukhopadhyay, et al.(1) have demonstrated
that breast milk fortifiers help small SGA babies in India. It is well
known that fortification of breast milk, with added calories and
proteins, helps growth in preterm babies(2). The cost of human milk
fortifiers (HMF) is however prohibitive. 1.2 g of ordinary term
formula-milk-powder contains the same nutrients as 2 g of HMF (Table
I), except for the calcium content (which can be supplemented
easily). The cost of 1.2 g of term-formula-milk powder is Rs 0.38
while the cost of HMF with the same calorie content is Rs 6. We have
been using formula milk to fortify breast milk in our preterm babies
for over some years now. An accurate measuring spoon to measure 1.2 g
of formula and ordinary formula milk is all that is required to
enhance breast milk.
Table I
Human Milk Fortifier (HMF) vs. Term Formula
| |
HMF
(2 g) |
Term formula
(1.2 g Dulac)
|
| Calories |
6.5
|
6.5
|
| Fat (g) |
0.1
|
0.33
|
| Sodium (mg) |
1.75
|
1.68
|
| Potassium (mg) |
3.9
|
5.6
|
| Manganese (µg) |
1.7
|
1.0
|
| Zinc (mg) |
0.18
|
0.36
|
| Calcium (mg) |
50.0
|
4.8
|
| Cost |
Rs 6.0 |
Rs
0.38 |
Sona Chowdhary,
St. Stephen’s Hospital, Delhi, India.
E-mail:
[email protected]
1. Mukhopadhyay K, Narang A and Mahajan R.
Effect of human milk fortification in appropriate for gestation
preterm babies: A randomized controlled trial. Indian Pediatr 2007;
44: 286-290.
2. Kuschel CA, Harding JE. Multicomponent fortified human milk to
promote growth in preterm infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2004:
CD 000343.
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