Clinical trial NCT00005888: Study of the Relationship Between Feeding and Late Onset Sepsis and/or Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Low Birth Weight Infants
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Sepsis
Keywords: gastrointestinal disorders
immunologic disorders and infectious disorders
low birth weight
necrotizing enterocolitis
neonatal disorders
rare disease
sepsis
Lead sponsor: National Center for Research Resources (NCRR)
Sponsor class: NIH
Collaborators: name: Baylor College of Medicine
First posted: 2000-06-05
Enrollment: 300
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 0
Maximum age (years): 96
Standard ages: CHILD
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: OBJECTIVES: I. Compare the incidence of late onset sepsis and/or necrotizing enterocolitis and duration of hospitalization in low birth weight infants fed with fortified mother's milk supplemented with either fortified pasteurized donor human milk or preterm formula, and with fortified mother's milk versus preterm formula.

II. Determine the relationship between functional antibody titers in serial milk samples and the incidence of pathogen specific late onset sepsis (e.g., Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus) in these patients.

III. Determine the long term sequelae (growth, body composition, health, and neurodevelopment) of human milk versus formula feeding in these patients.

IV. Determine the relationship between stress and milk production in the mothers of these patients.

Detailed description: PROTOCOL OUTLINE: This is a randomized, double blind study in arms I and II. Patients are randomized to receive either fortified pasteurized donor human milk (arm I) or preterm formula (arm II) as a supplement to mother's milk, if needed. Patients are stratified according to gestational age (less than 26 weeks vs 27-29 weeks) and prior antenatal steroids (yes vs no). Patients are also assigned to groups receiving fortified mother's milk (arm III) and preterm formula only (arm IV).

Milk samples are obtained from the patient's mother for analyses of functional antibody against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus; bacterial culture and sensitivity; bacterial colony count; and immunoglobulin and nutrient composition (i.e., energy, protein). Maternal blood samples to measure functional antibody are obtained every 2 weeks throughout hospitalization as long as infant is receiving own mother's milk. Cord blood is obtained at delivery.

Patients are studied at 40 week postmenstrual age, and then every 6 months for 3 years. Records of health (e.g., number of doctor, clinic, and emergency room visits; hospitalizations; and illnesses), dietary intake, and growth are collected. Urine is collected every 2 weeks to monitor infection. Neurodevelopment is assessed at 3 years using the McCarthy Scales of Infant Development.

Mothers who plan to nurse their infants after hospital discharge complete the STAI "trait" form at beginning of study. Mothers are assessed weekly for 6 weeks postpartum, and every other week thereafter as long as they are expressing milk by mechanical means only. Following a session of skin to skin contact, the number of milk expressions, the duration of each pumping, and a 24 hour milk collection is obtained. Mothers also complete the Spielberger State Trait Anxiety Inventory, STAI, Beck Depression Inventory, Norbeck Social Support questionnaire, Parental Stressor Scale, and the Neonatal Perception Inventory during each 24 hour milk collection.

Eligibility criteria: * Infants of less than 30 weeks gestational age
* Less than 96 hours after birth
* No HIV positive mothers who plan to nurse
* No major congenital malformations

Primary outcomes:
Secondary outcomes:
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Houston
country: United States
facility: Baylor College of Medicine
state: Texas
Study officials:
affiliation: Baylor College of Medicine
name: Richard J. Schanler
role: STUDY_CHAIR
References: