What is a primary reason for fortifying human milk for preemies?

Fortifying human milk for preterm infants serves several important purposes, and one of the primary reasons is to compensate for deficiencies in key nutrients such as calcium and phosphorus. Preterm infants often have increased nutritional requirements due to their rapid growth and development needs, which cannot always be met by human milk alone, especially in the early weeks of life.

Calcium and phosphorus are critical for bone development, and preemies are particularly susceptible to bone mineralization issues, such as osteopenia of prematurity. By fortifying human milk, healthcare providers can enhance the levels of these essential minerals, ensuring that preterm infants receive adequate nutrition to support proper skeletal growth and development.

This approach helps to minimize the risk of complications associated with inadequate mineral intake, thereby promoting better overall growth outcomes for preterm infants. The need for fortification reflects the understanding that preterm infants have unique nutritional needs that differ from those of full-term infants.