Formula ‘may contribute’ to intestinal condition in premature infants – study

Premature infants fed formula are more likely to develop necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) - a severe,…

Premature infants fed formula are more likely to develop necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) - a severe, often fatal intestinal condition – than those who are breast-fed, a US study has found.

The research, which was conducted by University of California bio-engineers in San Diego, involved the digestion of fresh human breast milk and nine different infant formula products before comparing free fatty acid (FFA) levels.