Due emphasis on the role of human milk feeding to prevent neonatal respiratory morbidity.

Abstract

We read with great interest recent research by Anderson et al.1 on how NICU respiratory support affects infant feeding, and by Behnke et al.2 on the potential interference of infant feeding with successful respiratory stabilization of the preterm infant. Since both preclinical and human studies have established that nutrition plays a key role in preterm lung growth and development, a crucial aspect of any research undertaken in the field of neonatal respiratory outcomes should be the breastfeeding history. It is now becoming well established that human milk feeding actively contributes in limiting lung injury among vulnerable neonates.