Does Starting Feeds on the First Day of Life Help Premature Infants Reach Full Volume Feeds Sooner?

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE · Dec 9, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is investigating whether starting to feed premature infants who weigh 1000 grams or less (about 2.2 pounds) within the first 6 hours of life helps them reach their full feeding amounts more quickly compared to starting feeds after 3 days. The researchers want to see if early feeding can improve the infants' growth and overall health without increasing the risk of serious complications. The study also aims to find out if discussing feeding plans with parents before delivery can help manage feeding better after birth.

To participate in this trial, infants need to weigh 1000 grams or less at birth, and the healthcare team must agree that they can take part. Unfortunately, some infants will not be eligible, such as those with certain birth defects affecting their digestive system or those whose mothers are critically ill. If eligible, families can expect to be part of a study that may help improve feeding practices for future premature infants.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. All infants less than or equal to 1000 g
• • 2. Clinical care team in agreement with patient's participation
• • 3. All mothers with pregnancies with EFW close to 1000g or less.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1 congenital malformations that may affect gastro intestinal perfusion
• • 2 Clinically progressing towards imminent death
• • 3 congenital gastrointestinal obstructions
• • 4 Mothers unlikely to deliver infants ≤ 1000g
• • 5 Infant on pressors other than dopamine given at \< 5mcg/kg/min. Dopamine is an exclusion if administered at a dose exceeding 5mcg/kg/min.
• • 6 Mothers who are not in a sound mental state to be consented either to their critical condition, intubated, sedated, for examples
• • 7 Mothers who are critically ill where by it is felt that mom will not be able to participate in the consent