Objective:

To evaluate the short-term clinical application effects of standardized fortified donor human milk (SF-DHM) in preterm very low birth weight (VLBW) infants, focusing on growth parameters and relevant biomarkers.

Approach:

• Study Design: A retrospective single-center study with propensity score matching (PSM) was conducted involving 80 preterm VLBW infants.
• Groups: Infants were matched 1:1 into control (conventional feeding) and observation (SF-DHM) groups.
• Outcomes Measured: Growth parameters, nutritional biomarkers, inflammatory markers, immune function markers, feeding tolerance, and complications were compared.

Key Findings:

• The observation group showed superior weight gain velocity, head circumference growth velocity, and length growth velocity compared to the control group (P < 0.05).
• Shorter hospital stays (P < 0.05) and lower incidence of growth restriction at discharge (P < 0.05) were observed in the observation group.
• Nutritional biomarkers (PA, ALB, TP) improved (P < 0.05), while inflammatory markers (IL-6, CRP, TNF-α) decreased more significantly in the observation group (P < 0.05).
• Lower rates of feeding intolerance and complications were reported in the observation group (P < 0.05).

Interpretation:

SF-DHM significantly benefits growth, nutritional status, inflammation reduction, and immune function in preterm VLBW infants.

Limitations:

• The study is retrospective and conducted at a single center, which may limit generalizability.
• Further large-scale, multicenter randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm findings.

Conclusion:

SF-DHM is a safe and effective enteral nutrition strategy for preterm VLBW infants, as demonstrated by improved growth and nutritional status, and reduced inflammation.