Effect of fortification with human milk fortifier (HMF) and other fortifying agents on the osmolality of preterm breast milk.

This study was conducted to test the effect of fortification with human milk fortifier (HMF), low birth weight (LBW) formula and coconut oil, initially and upon subsequent storage, on the osmolality of preterm breast milk. Milk samples (n = 48) were collected from mothers (n = 25) delivered at 34 pounds weeks and fortified with HMF (Lactodex-HMF), LBW formula (Lactodex-LBW) and edible coconut oil. Osmolality was measured before and after fortification and after 6 hours,.The gestation and birth weight (median) was 31 (range 29-32) weeks and 1198 (range 716-1478) grams. The median (range) postnatal age at testing was 15 days (range 3-60 days). There was a significant increase in osmolality of breast milk (302.3 +/- l.82) after addition of HMF (392.9 +/- 3.01) and LBW formula (390.5 +/- 2.4). There was no change in osmolality with addition of coconut oil (304 +/- 1.6). There was no further change in the osmolality after 6 hours of storage at 4 degrees C.