#USA #Hospitals #Duarte #Prolacta #Gastroschisis

Prolacta Bioscience's Breakthrough with Surgifort

In a groundbreaking development, Prolacta Bioscience has made history by receiving FDA approval for Surgifort®, the first human milk-based fortifier specifically designed for term infants recovering from corrective surgery for gastroschisis. This fortifier represents a significant advancement in neonatal care, particularly for a vulnerable population that has historically faced challenges in nutritional support.

Understanding Gastroschisis

Gastroschisis is a serious congenital condition in which the intestines and occasionally other organs protrude through the abdominal wall, posing significant health risks from birth. Although it affects only a small number of babies each year—less than 2,400 in the United States—those affected require specialized nutrition to thrive post-surgery. Prolacta’s dedication to providing life-sustaining nutrition has now led to the development of this nutrient-rich solution tailored for these infants who are not born prematurely.

The Importance of Nutritional Support

For infants recovering from gastroschisis, like their premature counterparts, the need for high macronutrient intake is vital for optimal growth and recovery. The Surgifort fortifier is crafted to meet these demands by delivering concentrated protein and calories essential for healing. When combined with breast milk, this fortifier can help clinicians meet the nutritional recommendations set forth by the National Academy of Medicine.

Scott Elster, CEO of Prolacta, emphasized the significance of this approval: “With Surgifort fortifier, we're entering a new chapter in specialized human milk-based nutrition, extending its clinically proven benefits to babies who are not born prematurely. This underscores our commitment to developing nutritional solutions for infant populations with complex medical needs.”

Composition and Benefits

Surgifort is a concentrated, pasteurized liquid product derived from human milk that includes necessary calories, protein, fat, and carbohydrates, along with added minerals to facilitate growth. Recent studies have shown that incorporating the Surgifort fortifier leads to quicker advancement to full feedings and improved weight gain velocity compared to traditional methods. Specifically, babies receiving this product gained an impressive average of 33.3 grams per day.

Dr. Melinda Elliott, a neonatologist and Chief Medical Officer at Prolacta, highlighted that clinicians now have a critical human milk-based nutritional option to assist in the growth and recovery of infants post-gastroschisis surgery. "Surgifort fortifier extends the benefits of Prolacta's Exclusive Human Milk Diet beyond premature infants to this fragile surgical population," she affirmed.

The Commitment to Quality

As the international leader in human milk-based nutritional products for critically ill and premature infants, Prolacta Bioscience operates the world's first pharmaceutical-grade human milk processing facilities and adheres to the most stringent quality standards in the industry. With over 100,000 extremely premature infants having benefited from Prolacta's products, the company continuously showcases the lifesaving efficacy of human milk nutrition through numerous peer-reviewed studies.

Conclusion

The approval of Surgifort represents a paramount shift in the nutritional landscape for term infants undergoing complex surgical procedures such as gastroschisis repair. With increased emphasis on specialized nutrition, Prolacta's latest innovation not only reinforces the significance of human milk-based solutions but also sets a precedent for the care of critically ill infants.

For further information about Surgifort and its clinical applications, visit Prolacta's official website.