Which statement best describes absorption of nutrients in human milk versus formulas for preterm or term infants?

Which statement best describes absorption of nutrients in human milk versus formulas for preterm or term infants?

• A. Nutrients in human milk (fortified or unfortified) are more readily absorbed than nutrients in preterm or term formula
• B. Nutrients in term formula are more readily absorbed than human milk
• C. Fortified formula is more readily absorbed than human milk
• D. Absorption is identical across all feeds

Answer: (A)

Nutrients in human milk are more readily absorbed than nutrients in formula for both preterm and term infants, and this holds whether the milk is fortified or unfortified. Human milk is naturally designed for infant digestion: the protein is mostly whey, which is generally easier to digest than many formula proteins; fats in human milk are arranged in droplets with natural emulsifiers and enzymes that aid fat breakdown; and it contains bioactive components that promote gut maturation and efficient nutrient uptake. Fortifying human milk increases the nutrient content to meet higher needs (especially for preterm infants) without significantly reducing its digestibility, so absorption remains superior to formula. Formulas, while nutritionally complete, have different protein matrices and fat emulsification that can be a bit less readily absorbed, particularly in immature guts. The statement that absorption is identical across feeds or that fortified formula absorbs better than human milk isn’t supported by typical physiology and clinical practice, where human milk generally achieves better nutrient absorption.

Nutrients in human milk are more readily absorbed than nutrients in formula for both preterm and term infants, and this holds whether the milk is fortified or unfortified. Human milk is naturally designed for infant digestion: the protein is mostly whey, which is generally easier to digest than many formula proteins; fats in human milk are arranged in droplets with natural emulsifiers and enzymes that aid fat breakdown; and it contains bioactive components that promote gut maturation and efficient nutrient uptake. Fortifying human milk increases the nutrient content to meet higher needs (especially for preterm infants) without significantly reducing its digestibility, so absorption remains superior to formula. Formulas, while nutritionally complete, have different protein matrices and fat emulsification that can be a bit less readily absorbed, particularly in immature guts. The statement that absorption is identical across feeds or that fortified formula absorbs better than human milk isn’t supported by typical physiology and clinical practice, where human milk generally achieves better nutrient absorption.