STAT April 18, 2024
Each day, more than 1,000 babies are born prematurely in America. Born before 37 weeks and often weighing less than five pounds, these infants are at greater risk for a suite of serious health problems, including life-threatening infections, chronic lung disease, blindness, and death.
One of the leading causes of death is necrotizing enterocolitis. An inflammatory disease of the gut, necrotizing enterocolitis can kill up to 40% of the smallest — and most vulnerable — babies. Those who survive can face lifelong complications.
The best way to prevent this disease in babies born prematurely is giving them human breast milk. Feeding preterm infants exclusively human milk, rather than formula, reduces the odds of developing necrotizing enterocolitis by 77%. But a...
Today's Sponsors
Today's Sponsor