The Interactions between Diet and Growth Outcomes

The Interactions between Diet and Growth Outcomes (INDIGO) study explores how human milk affects gut bacteria. Mothers own breast-milk (MOM) is best and results in better outcomes such as fewer infections, but many mothers do not produce enough milk so either donor human milk (DHM) or a cow's milk formula are used to make up the 'shortfall'. Both MOM and DHM require fortification with additional nutrients in order to support optimal growth. This currently requires the use of a 'fortifier' derived from cow's milk, but new milk supplements made only from donor human milk are now available. The pattern of gut bacteria in early life is linked to outcomes including infections and allergies, and this is especially important in preterm infants. The aim of this study is to compare two diets in very preterm infants and study the effect on the pattern of gut bacteria and chemicals (metabolites) in stool and urine, as well as growth and body composition.