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Poster

Poster - Research

Differences in Analyzed Nutrient and Energy Content Compared to Labeled Information in Banked Human Milk

Monday, August 14, 2023
4:45 PM – 6:15 PM PDT
Learning Level: Intermediate
Background: The powerful benefits of human milk can protect infants from some short- and long-term diseases. Human milk contains hormones, antibodies, macronutrients, immunoglobulin, and vitamins that aid infants in obtaining maximum health outcomes. Hence, Donor Human Milk (DHM) is the best alternative for fragile infants when their mother’s milk is unavailable. DHM is categorized by caloric count, typically 20 calories per ounce and 24 calories per ounce. It’s prepared by the Holder pasteurization (HoP) technique and is distributed in lots. It’s a low temperature, long, time (LTLT) pasteurization technique. The range of macronutrient content within and between lots is unknown. This study aimed to determine the variability between labeled and analyzed nutrient and energy content in banked human milk.

Method: This study analyzed multiple lots from one milk bank donated by a neonatal intensive care unit. Milk was analyzed using the MIRIS Human Milk analyzer to quantify the macronutrient and energy content within and between lot samples compared to labeled information.

Results: Our study found statistically significant differences when nutrient and energy content were analyzed within and between lots.

Conclusion: The differences may challenge the consistency of calorie intake in infants that consume only HDM if the energy content is assumed based on the label. This may not meet the needs of fragile infants. Samples of DHM being fed to high-risk infants should be regularly evaluated for macronutrient content to ensure the adequacy of the feeds to help the infant reach their optimum health outcome.

Publication: Not applicable 

Diversity and Inclusion: Our research has been conducted with Human milk samples collected from one Donor milk bank. In the future, we have plans to include more diverse options and collect milk samples from a wider geographical area.

This study was also supported by the authors:
Maisha Naowar – Graduate Research Assistant, University of Texas, San Antonio
Farjana Zaman – Graduate Research Assistant, The University of Texas San Antonio

Learning Objectives:

  • Discuss the quantitative variation of nutrient contents in banked Human Donor Milk.
  • Recognize the necessity of evaluating macronutrient content in Human Donor milk provided to high-risk infants.
  • Explain the importance of Human milk over formula milk.