#United States #Duarte #Prolacta #NICUs #Prematurity

Prolacta's Revolutionary Impact on Neonatal Care

Prolacta Bioscience® is proud to announce a significant advancement in the care for premature infants as we celebrate Prematurity Awareness Month this November. As of 2025, a remarkable 55% of Level III and IV Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) across the United States have begun to utilize Prolacta’s 100% breastmilk-based fortifiers and formulas. This notable shift in feeding practices aims to improve the health outcomes for the country's most vulnerable newborns, those who weigh 2.75 lbs (1,250 grams) or less at birth.

Every year, around 36,000 babies in the U.S. face serious risks due to their low birth weight, including a condition known as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), which can be life-threatening. Prolacta's Exclusive Human Milk Diet (EHMD), comprising entirely of breastmilk-based nutritional fortifiers and formulas, has been shown to promote better survival rates and mitigate common complications associated with prematurity. The focus on breastmilk nutrition has allowed even those born as early as 22 weeks of gestation to not only endure their fragile beginnings but also thrive in their growth and development.

The advantages of Prolacta's products extend well beyond immediate survival. Numerous studies indicate that premature infants fed Prolacta's EHMD exhibit better developmental outcomes as they age. A recent independent research highlighted that these infants demonstrated a significantly lower risk of motor skill disabilities by the age of three compared to their peers who received non-EHMD nutrition.

Scott Elster, CEO of Prolacta, shared, "For two decades, extensive research has illuminated the myriad benefits of exclusive breastmilk-based nutrition for the most fragile infants. Across the nation, parents and healthcare providers alike are witnessing a reduction in complications, shorter hospital stays, and improved overall outcomes as a result of adopting these practices."

Since its inception in 2006, Prolacta has paved the way in providing breastmilk-based fortifiers specifically tailored for extremely vulnerable infants in NICUs. The introduction of breastmilk-based formulas in 2013 further solidified its commitment to catering to the nutritional needs of these babies. Prolacta’s infrastructure ensures that they can meet the growing demand while maintaining a waiting list of enthusiastic milk donors ready to contribute to this vital supply.

Understanding Premature Infants' Unique Nutritional Needs

It is essential to recognize that premature infants require 20% to 40% more calories and protein than their full-term counterparts due to the absence of crucial growth typically achieved during the final trimester of pregnancy. To accommodate these needs, healthcare providers supplement either a mother’s breast milk or donor milk with a nutritional fortifier. In the U.S. marketplace, these fortifiers fall into two categories: cow milk-based and breastmilk-based. While labeled similarly as “human milk fortifiers,” only Prolacta’s offerings are derived entirely from donor breastmilk, a distinction that can be pivotal for critically ill and premature newborns.

As consumer awareness regarding nutrition options for premature infants has increased, more parents are advocating for nutrition free from cow milk and synthetic additives, emphasizing the need for formulations that prioritize the most delicate health requirements of their babies in NICUs. For those seeking more information about the benefits of breastmilk-based nutrition, Prolacta’s website provides extensive resources dedicated to educating parents and caregivers.

The Future of Neonatal Care

Prolacta Bioscience is on a mission to improve health outcomes for critically ill and premature infants through their human milk-based products. With more than 125,000 extremely premature infants benefiting from these innovations globally, Prolacta remains dedicated to innovating in the field of neonatal nutrition. They stand out as the first and only company to create Surgifort®, an FDA-approved human milk-based fortifier specifically for term infants recovering from corrective surgery for conditions like gastroschisis.

Operating the world's first pharmaceutical-grade human milk processing plants, Prolacta adheres to the highest quality and safety standards in the industry, utilizing rigorous testing methods to maintain the integrity of the nutrient-rich offerings. The process involves vat pasteurization techniques that ensure not only the safety of the milk but also uphold its nutritional efficacy.

Through ongoing research, clinical studies, and a robust community of milk donors, Prolacta aims to further advance the science of human milk to optimize health outcomes for susceptible newborns. With an increasing number of NICUs transitioning towards breastmilk-based feeding as their standard, the future looks promising for premature infant care, fueled by the lasting impact of Prolacta's unwavering dedication to their wellbeing.