Journal article
Growth at 2 years in children born preterm: donor milk versus preterm formula
Pediatric research, PMID 100714
01/19/2026
DOI: 10.1038/s41390-025-04729-z
PMID: 41554863
Abstract
The NICHD Neonatal Research Network MILK Trial randomized infants born preterm to receive donor milk or preterm formula. We hypothesized that there would be no growth differences at follow-up by study diet.
We conducted a secondary analysis of the double-blind trial of infants <29 weeks' gestation or <1000 g at birth at 15 US centers (September 2012-March 2019). Infants were randomized to receive donor milk or preterm formula. The primary outcome was body mass index (BMI) Z-score at 22-26 months corrected age.
Among 483 trial participants, 376 were seen at follow-up (181 donor milk, 195 formula). At 22-26 month follow-up, anthropometrics were similar for the two groups, including BMI Z-score (donor milk 0.21 ± 1.13, formula 0.23 ± 1.28, p = 0.67). There was a greater increase in weight Z-score between discharge and follow-up for children randomized to donor milk (donor milk 1.04 ± 1.28, formula 0.73 ± 1.30, p = 0.004).
While BMI Z-scores were similar at 22-26 months corrected age, patterns of growth between discharge and follow-up differed by study diet. Children fed donor milk in early infancy showed a greater increase in weight Z-score between discharge and follow-up than children fed preterm formula in early infancy.
At 2 years, the anthropometrics were similar for children randomized to donor milk or preterm formula in early infancy. Patterns of growth between discharge and follow-up differed by early infancy diet. There was a greater weight Z-score increase between discharge and follow-up for children randomized to donor milk than formula. Donor milk appears to be non-inferior to preterm formula with respect to growth at 2 years for children born extremely preterm. Policies and practices that facilitate parental milk provision and donor milk availability are needed for infants born extremely preterm.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Growth at 2 years in children born preterm: donor milk versus preterm formula
- Creators
- Jane E Brumbaugh - Mayo ClinicScott A McDonald - RTI InternationalDaniel T Robinson - Northwestern UniversitySamuel J Gentle - Yale UniversityAriel A Salas - University of Alabama at BirminghamSara B DeMauro - University of PennsylvaniaKera M McNelis - Emory UniversityBrenda B Poindexter - Emory UniversityRobert D Roghair - University of IowaTarah T Colaizy - University of IowaEunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Pediatric research, PMID 100714
- DOI
- 10.1038/s41390-025-04729-z
- PMID
- 41554863
- NLM abbreviation
- Pediatr Res
- ISSN
- 0031-3998
- eISSN
- 1530-0447
- Publisher
- Nature
- Grant note
- National Institutes of HealthEunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD): U10 HD21373, UG1 HD21364, UG1 HD21385, UG1 HD27851, UG1 HD27853, UG1 HD27856, UG1 HD27904, UG1 HD34216, UG1 HD36790, UG1 HD40492, UG1 HD40689, UG1 HD53089, UG1 HD53109, UG1 HD68244, UG1 HD68270, UG1 HD68278, UG1 HD68263, UG1 HD68284, UG1 HD87226, UG1 HD87229 National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences: UL1 TR6, UL1 TR41, UL1 TR42, UL1 TR77, UL1 TR105, UL1 TR442, UL1 TR454, UL1 TR1117
The National Institutes of Health and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) (U10 HD21373, UG1 HD21364, UG1 HD21385, UG1 HD27851, UG1 HD27853, UG1 HD27856, UG1 HD27904, UG1 HD34216, UG1 HD36790, UG1 HD40492, UG1 HD40689, UG1 HD53089, UG1 HD53109, UG1 HD68244, UG1 HD68270, UG1 HD68278, UG1 HD68263, UG1 HD68284; UG1 HD87226, UG1 HD87229) and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (UL1 TR6, UL1 TR41, UL1 TR42, UL1 TR77, UL1 TR105, UL1 TR442, UL1 TR454, UL1 TR1117) provided grant support for the Neonatal Research Network, including for the Follow-up Study.
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 01/19/2026
- Academic Unit
- Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Neonatology
- Record Identifier
- 9985129576002771
Metrics
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