Digested formula but not digested fresh human milk causes death of intestinal cells in vitro: implications for necrotizing enterocolitis

摘要

BackgroundPremature infants fed formula are more likely to develop necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) than if fed breast milk, but the mechanisms of intestinal necrosis in NEC and protection by breast milk are unknown. We hypothesized that after lipase digestion, formula, but not fresh breast milk, contains levels of unbound free fatty acids (FFAs) that are cytotoxic to intestinal cells.