WELL-NOURISHED AND SLEEPING PRETERM INFANT IMPROVED BRAIN DEVELOPMENT

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. This is a prospective, controlled clinical trial in very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants supported by non profit fundations. We propose that nutritional supplementation of breast milk (and a modified sensory environment) can improve growth and brain development of preterm infants. Our goal is to improve the nutrition, quantity of sleep, growth and brain development plus later neuro-developmental outcomes of VLBW preterm infants. We believe that improved nutrition is based on: (1) determination of the protein and calorie content of breast milk, and (2) fortification of mother's breast milk based on the measured contents. The amounts of additional nutrients must be individualized, based on the determined content of the milk that is being fortified. In this way it is possible to ensure that protein and calorie intake remains at a target level. We also believe that cycled light and sound environment and presentation of the mother's milk scent during feeding may also benefit the infant.