#United States #Prolacta Bioscience #Duarte #NICU #PreemieFortifiers

Two Decades of Impact in NICU Nutrition

In the world of neonatal care, Prolacta Bioscience® has made significant strides over the past 20 years, especially during NICU Awareness Month. The company has established itself as a leader in the nutritional support for the tiniest of infants, specifically those born weighing less than 3 pounds. Through its innovative products, which are made entirely from human breastmilk, Prolacta has changed the landscape of nutrition in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) across the United States.

Understanding the Nutritional Needs of Premature Infants

The journey for extremely premature infants is often fraught with challenges. These babies require substantially more calories, proteins, and essential nutrients than full-term infants to compensate for the growth they missed in utero. This is where Prolacta comes in, offering Prolact+ H2MF®, a specialized fortifier introduced in 2006. Unlike traditional fortifiers that utilize cow's milk, Prolacta's products are derived exclusively from human breastmilk, ensuring that the most vulnerable infants receive the nutrients they need without the potential allergies associated with cow's milk.

The Importance of Early Nutritional Choices

Research emphasizes that the nutritional choices made during a baby's time in the NICU can have lasting effects on their development. A notable study tracking over 1,000 premature infants from birth through age three found that those who received an Exclusive Human Milk Diet (EHMD), which included Prolacta’s fortifiers, demonstrated significantly fewer motor skill delays by age three compared to those on a mixed diet. Motor skills such as walking, climbing, and exploring can be crucial for development in early childhood, highlighting how critical nutrition is during these formative years.

Additionally, previous studies indicated that infants on a human milk diet have higher cognitive scores at 18-22 months of age, showcasing the long-term advantages of early nutritional intervention.

Prolacta's Commitment to Quality and Safety

Prolacta’s mission focuses not only on providing high-quality nutrition but also ensuring safety and efficacy. CEO Scott Elster emphasized, “For 20 years, Prolacta has provided a clinically proven alternative to cow milk-based fortifiers, supporting improved outcomes for the smallest, most vulnerable premature infants.” Prolacta adheres to rigorous industry standards, employing over 20 screening tests on donor milk to assure quality. Its cutting-edge vat pasteurization method effectively inactivates pathogens while preserving the vital bioactive components in human milk that are essential for immune protection and brain development in premature infants.

A Vision for the Future

Prolacta's commitment to enhancing neonatal nutrition is evident in its achievements—over 125,000 infants worldwide have benefited from its human milk-based products since 2006. In a groundbreaking move, Japan has granted prescription drug status to PreemieFort® fortifiers, showcasing its potential to support very low birth weight infants, as well as those with congenital health issues. This recognition marks a significant milestone in neonatal care, paving the way for improved health outcomes globally.

Prolacta continues to invest in research, aiming to further explore the profound impacts its nutritional products can have on the growth and development of premature infants.

In conclusion, as Prolacta celebrates two successful decades, the company remains dedicated to its mission—improving the health outcomes for critically ill and premature infants through innovation, safety, and commitment to quality. The future for the tiniest patients looks brighter, thanks to advancements in NICU nutrition that prioritize human milk-based solutions.

For more information, visit Prolacta’s website or follow them on social media.