Human Milk Improves Cognitive and Motor Development of Premature Infants During Infancy

Thirty-nine premature infants, 29 of whom received human milk (HMG) and 10of whom received formula only (FG), were enrolled in a study examining the effect of human milk on cognitive and motor development. Infants were assessed at 3, 7, and 12 months corrected ages; the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test was administered to their mothers. HMG in fants had higher motor scores than FG infants at 3 months (48 ± 20vs 35 ± 12, P= .05) and 12 months (63 ± 20 vs 46 ± 15, P< .05) and higher cognitive scores at 12 months corrected age (101 ± 11 vs 90 ± 9, P< .05). HMGinfants had higher scores (motor R 2= 0.2, cognitive R 2= 0.3; P< .05) adjusting for oxygen requirement and maternal vocabulary score. Human milk is associated with improved development of premature infants at 3 and 12 months corrected age in this sample.