Infant brain development is the fastest in the early years of life compared to the rest of the body. The neonatal brain, which is one-third to one-fourth of the size of the adult brain at birth, grows rapidly to reach 72% of adult volume within the first year, suggesting that the majority of brain growth happens during the first year of life. 

Prematurity is the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality . Globally 15% of the newborns are Low Birth Weight due to Preterm or Intra Uterine Growth Retardation (IUGR). In India the number is 28 %. ¹   Extremely preterm (<28 weeks’ gestational age) and Extremely Low Birth Weight (ELBW, birth <1000 g) babies are born during the late second and third trimesters of pregnancy. ²   

The use of human breast milk for enteral nutrition is preferred for preterm infants, as it provides adequate amounts of energy, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, microelements, and water for growth and development. Furthermore, breast milk contains antimicrobial factors (e.g. immunoglobulin A, leucocytes, lactoferrin and lysozymes), and growth hormones and factors².

Preterm birth (before 37 gestational weeks) poses a risk of poorer neurocognitive functioning. This risk is highest for those born very preterm (<32 weeks) or at very low birth weight (VLBW; <1500g), and effects span beyond childhood. Explaining this vulnerability are factors that underlie and result from preterm birth, including pregnancy complications and immaturity-related health problems.