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Application effect of extensively hydrolyzed milk protein formula and follow-up in preterm children with a
Li-Ping Yin1, Li-Juan Qian2, Huan Zhu3
1Department of Paediatrics, Zhongda Hospital Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao, Nanjing, 210009, China. lipingyin_zd@163.com.
Insights
This study investigates extensively hydrolyzed formula for preterm infants with immature digestion. Results will determine if this formula improves gastrointestinal tolerance and supports healthy growth post-neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) discharge.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal nutrition
- Pediatric gastroenterology
- Clinical nutrition
Background:
- Preterm birth affects 11.1% globally, contributing to over 50% of neonatal deaths.
- Preterm infants (<34 weeks gestation) have underdeveloped gastrointestinal systems.
- Optimizing formula for preterm infants with poor GI tolerance is crucial for nutritional needs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of extensively hydrolyzed milk protein formula in preterm infants.
- To assess the impact of this formula on gastrointestinal tolerability and growth.
- To compare outcomes with standard preterm formula.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, randomized, single-blind, controlled clinical trial.
- 185 preterm infants (<34 weeks gestation) per group, unable to breastfeed.
- Observation group: extensively hydrolyzed whey protein formula; Control group: standard preterm formula, until NICU discharge.
Main Results:
- Data collection ongoing during NICU stay and 3-month follow-up.
- Statistical analysis using chi-square and Student's t-tests (SAS 9.4).
- Study aims to provide first long-term growth and development data.
Conclusions:
- This study will be the first RCT to observe preterm infant growth during NICU stay and post-discharge.
- Results will indicate if extensively hydrolyzed formula suits preterm infants with GI issues.
- The study will assess the effect of standard infant formula post-discharge on growth and development.
Background:
The average incidence of preterm birth in the world is up to 11.1 %, and deaths of preterm children account for more than 50 % of neonatal deaths. Gastrointestinal function of preterm children with a gestational age less than 34 weeks is immaturely developed. For preterm children who can only be fed with formula due to their mothers' sickness, choosing a suitable formula can not only meet the high nutritional needs of preterm children, but also solve their low gastrointestinal tolerability, and is thus very important.
Methods/Design:
The study is a prospective, randomized, single-blind and controlled clinical trial. Preterm children with a gestational age less than 34 weeks meeting the inclusion criteria who cannot be breastfed will be included. To demonstrate the application effect of extensively hydrolyzed milk protein formula on the target population, preterm children will be randomized into two groups, 185 subjects in each group. The observation group will be fed with extensively hydrolyzed milk protein (100 % whey protein) formula, while the control group will be fed with preterm children's formula until the children are discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). All the formula involved in this study will be from Dumex. After discharge, both groups will be uniformly fed with formula for 0 to 6-month-old infants. For statistical analysis, a chi-square test and Student's t test will be applied using SAS 9.4.
Discussion:
This will be the first randomized controlled clinical study with long-term observation of the growth and development of preterm children during the NICU stay and at 3-month follow-up after discharge from the NICU. Results from this study will be used to determine whether the extensively hydrolyzed formula is more suitable for the low gastrointestinal tolerability of preterm children, and also whether feeding preterm children who are fed with such formula during the NICU stay with ordinary infant formula after discharge from the NICU would affect the normal growth and development of preterm children in the early stage of their lives.
Trial Registration:
This study was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ( http://www.chictr.org.cn/ ) with number ChiCTR-IOR-14005696 , on December 22, 2014.
