A Cochrane review [Abstract] 1 included 12 studies with a total of 1 879 subjects. Four studies compared standard term formula versus donor breast milk and 8 compared nutrient-enriched preterm formula versus donor breast milk. Only the 5 most recent studies used nutrient-fortified donor breast milk. Formula-fed infants had higher in-hospital rates of weight gain (MD 2.51, 95% CI 1.93 to 3.08 g/kg/day; 9 studies, n=1 028; statistical heterogeneity I2 =90%), linear growth (MD 1.21, 95% CI 0.77 to 1.65 mm/week; 8 studies, n=820; statistical heterogeneity I2 =68%) and head growth (MD 0.85, 95% CI 0.47 to 1.23 mm/week; 8 studies, n=894; statistical heterogeneity I2 =74%). There was no evidence of an effect on long-term growth or neurodevelopment. Formula feeding increased the risk of necrotising enterocolitis (RR 1.87, 95% CI 1.23 to 2.85; 9 studies, n=1 675).
Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by inconsistency (statistical heterogeneity).
Primary/Secondary Keywords