Brainstem maturation in premature infants as a function of enteral feedingtype

Objective. To determine whether brainstem maturation as measured by brainst em auditory-evoked responses (BAERs) in preterm infants is a function of di etary intake. Study Design. We obtained serial BAERs on infants 28 to 32 weeks' gestation at birth, cared for in the neonatal intensive care unit of a regional refe rral center in Upstate New York. Waveforms were analyzed for replicability and for the presence of waves III and V. Absolute and interwave latencies w ere measured. Baseline and follow-up BAER measurements were compared, and t he rates of change were calculated. Patient charts were reviewed for type o f enteral feeding during the interval between BAERs. Student's t test was u sed to analyze continuous variables and chi(2) analysis was used to analyze categorical variables. Results. Data from 37 study infants (17 fed breast milk and 20 fed commerci al premature formula) revealed that there was no difference in absolute lat encies of waves III and V at baseline; however, the rates of decrease of ab solute latencies over the study interval were significantly greater in infa nts receiving human milk. Conclusions. Infants fed breast milk have faster brainstem maturation, comp ared with infants fed formula, based on the rate of maturation of BAERs. Th is effect may be attributable to the constituent composition of breast milk , compared with synthetic formulas.