Efficacy and heterogeneity: an exclusive human milk diet for necrotizing enterocolitis prevention in very preterm infants—a systematic review and meta-analysis of 11 studies (opens in new tab)

BackgroundNecrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in very preterm infants. While human milk is known to reduce NEC risk, the efficacy of an exclusive human milk diet (EHMD), which avoids all bovine-based products, remains quantitatively uncertain.ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the association between EHMD and NEC incidence in very preterm infants.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), co...