Cellular Components of Human Milk: An Examination of Their Role in Infant Health and Development and the Functional Impact of Hospital Storage Practices

Preterm infants face higher health risks due to immature organ systems, and human milk is known to offer protective benefits. Recent findings suggest human milk contains stem-like cells that may contribute to infant organ development, though their role is not yet fully understood. In neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), milk is often refrigerated or frozen before feeding, but how these handling practices affect milk’s bioactive cellular components is unknown. This research aims to fill two major gaps: understanding how storage impacts the protective potential of milk cells, and uncovering how milk stem-like cells may function in infant organs.