EC Clinical and Medical Case Reports

Introduction: Human milk feeding is fundamental for the optimal development of premature neonates, providing the necessary nutrients for their growth and recovery. However, in cases of extreme prematurity and prenatal exposure to toxic substances of the mother, complications may arise that hinder the ability to feed through sucking-swallowing or natural breastfeeding. This clinical case evaluates the effectiveness of powdered human milk (PHM) as a nutritional intervention in a premature newborn with prenatal exposure to toxic substances and multiple complications.

Case Presentation: A female infant born at 32.3 weeks of gestation, weighing 1331g, is presented with a complex diagnosis including respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), congenital syphilis, pneumonia, hepatosplenomegaly, microcephaly, patent ductus arteriosus, bacterial sepsis, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Prenatal exposure to methamphetamines and the infant’s rejection of conventional milk formulas led to the need to explore nutritional alternatives for her recovery, such as feeding with PHM.

Methods: The PHM was administered to the patient starting from 30 days of life. The human milk was collected from healthy donors, processed through spray drying, and subjected to rigorous quality controls to ensure its safety and effectiveness. Feeding was administered via an orogastric tube, adjusted to meet the nutritional requirements of the premature infant.

Results: The administration of PHM resulted in a significant improvement in the newborn from the first feeds. Gastrointestinal tolerance, abdominal distension, and haematochezia, which had emerged with the intake of commercial formulas, were solved with the introduction of PHM. The patient gained weight, increasing from 1331g at birth to 2034g after 56 days of PHM feeding. Haematological and biochemical parameters also stabilised, with improvements in haemoglobin, platelet, and electrolyte levels.

Conclusion: The PHM facilitated a rapid improvement in the premature patient affected by prenatal exposure to toxic substances and associated complications. The good tolerance to PHM and the clinical recovery observed in this case highlight the potential of this unique food as a key tool for the nutrition of premature infants in complex hospitalised situations. These results suggest the need for further research to refine nutritional protocols for neonates with a past exposure to toxic substances and to implement the feeding of premature neonates with PHM in hospitals.

 Keywords: Human Milk Powder; Nutrition; Premature Neonate; Recovery; Toxic Substance

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