Milk osmolality: does it matter?. Issue 2 (19th September 2011)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pearson, Freya; Johnson, Mark J; Leaf, Alison A
• Is Part Of: Archives of disease in childhood. Volume 98:Issue 2(2013)
• Page Start: F166
• Page End: F169
• Publication Date: 2011-09-19
• Subjects: Infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Newborn infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Fetus -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.920105
• DOI: 10.1136/adc.2011.300492
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-2998

Abstract

Abstract : High osmolality of infant feed reflects a high concentration of solute particles and has been implicated as a cause of necrotising enterocolitis. Evidence for direct intestinal mucosal injury as a result of hyperosmolar feeds is scant, and no good evidence has been found to support such an association. High osmolality of enteral substrate may, however, slow down gastric emptying. Osmolality of current infant feeds ranges from around 300 mOsm/kg in human breast milk to just more than 400 mOsm/kg in fully fortified breast milk. Addition of mineral and vitamin supplements to small volumes of milk can increase osmolality significantly and should be avoided if possible.