A few studies of interest in the journals:

Full Breastfeeding May Lower Hospitalizations for Infections During the 
First Year of Life:

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/540857?src=nursecenl

"On the basis of the present data, we conclude that full breastfeeding 
would lower the risk for hospital admission as a result of infections 
among infants who are younger than 1 year within an industrialized 
country," the authors write. "The results are consistent with early 
studies and add to the body of evidence confirming the hypothesis that 
full breastfeeding lowers the risk for hospitalization as a result of 
infectious diseases during the first year of life in a developed country."

Beneficial Effects of Breast Milk in the NICU on the Developmental Outcome 
of Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants at 18 Months of Age:

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/118/1/e115

"CONCLUSIONS. An increase of 5 points potentially would optimize outcomes 
and decrease costs by decreasing the number of very low birth weight 
children who require special education services. The societal implications 
of a 5-point potential difference (one third of an SD) in IQ are 
substantial. The potential long-term benefit of receiving breast milk in 
the NICU for extremely low birth weight infants may be to optimize 
cognitive potential and reduce the need for early intervention and special 
education services."

Are Children of Moderately Low Birth Weight at an Increased Risk for Poor 
Health? An Age Old Question:

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/118/1/217

"CONCLUSIONS. This population-based study of rates of current morbidity 
shows that moderately low birth weight children born since 1990 are 
vulnerable to a wide range of health, learning, and behavioral problems, 
compared with normal birth weight children. This suggests the need for 
continued focus on ways to reduce morbidity rates for moderately low birth 
weight children." 


Perhaps feeding them human milk would be a good place to start.

Ellen Penchuk, IBCLC, RLC

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