Comparative analysis of mother’s own milk, donor human milk and mix of both: Impact on growth.

Abstract

Objective: To compare the impact of mother’s own milk (MOM), donor milk (DM), and mixed milk (MM) on key growth parameters in preterm neonates. Study Design: Randomized Controlled Trial. Setting: The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Recep Tayyip Erdogan Hospital, Muzaffargarh, Punjab, Pakistan. Period: During 1st August 2024 to 30th January 2025. Methods: Ninety preterm neonates (28–32 weeks gestation, 800–2000 grams birth weight) were randomized to receive MOM, DM, or MM. Detailed demographic, anthropometric, and clinical data were collected at admission, and at discharge. Data were analyzed using IBM-SPSS v26.0, with appropriate statistical tests, and significance was set at p<0.05. Results: Among 90 enrolled preterm neonates, 53 (58.9%) were male, and 37 (41.1%) female. The median postnatal age was 12.0 (IQR 10.0–14.0) days, and gestational age was 30.0 (28.0–30.0) weeks. Baseline weight, length, and head circumference were 1200 g (1000–1300), 38.0 cm (36.0–40.0), and 29.0 cm (28.0–30.0), respectively. At discharge, median weight was 1500 g (1300–1725) in the MOM group, 1450 g (1157–1525) in the DM group, and 1350 g (1200–1600) in the MM group (p=0.122). Median length was 42.5 cm (41.0–46.0), 43.0 cm (41.0–45.0), and 42.0 cm (40.0–43.0), respectively (p=0.171). Head circumference medians were 31.0 cm (30.0–32.0) in MOM and MM, and 31.0 cm (30.0–31.0) in DM (p=0.546). Conclusion: This study supports the use of donor milk and mixed feeding strategies as safe and effective alternatives to exclusive maternal milk feeding, particularly when supported by appropriate fortification and clinical protocols.