Beneficial Effects of Breast Milk in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit on the Developmental Outcome of Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants at 18 Months of Age

Abstract

An increase of 5 points potentially would optimize outcomes and decrease costs by decreasing the number of very low birth weight children who require special education services. The societal implications of a 5-point potential difference (one third of an SD) in IQ are substantial. The potential long-term benefit of receiving breast milk in the NICU for extremely low birth weight infants may be to optimize cognitive potential and reduce the need for early intervention and special education services.