Investigating how protein-rich human milk diets affect growth and gut health in very premature infants.
Early life protein-enriched human milk diets to increase lean body mass accretion and diversity of the gut microbiome in extremely preterm infants: a randomized trial
This study is looking at how feeding extremely premature babies, born at 28 weeks or earlier, a special diet with more protein in their human milk can help them grow better and support their gut health, with the hope of finding better ways to care for these tiny fighters.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10886550 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on extremely preterm infants, specifically those born at 28 weeks of gestation or less, to explore the impact of protein-enriched human milk diets on their growth and gut microbiome diversity. The study aims to understand how these dietary interventions can help prevent postnatal growth failure, which affects a significant number of these infants. By conducting a randomized trial, the research will gather data on the relationship between protein intake and both body composition and gut health. The findings could lead to improved nutritional strategies for this vulnerable population.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are extremely preterm infants born at or before 28 weeks of gestation.
Not a fit: Patients who are not extremely preterm or those who are not receiving enteral feeding may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly enhance the growth and health outcomes of extremely preterm infants, potentially reducing the incidence of growth failure.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results with dietary interventions in preterm infants, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
Birmingham, United States
- University of Alabama at Birmingham — Birmingham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Salas, Ariel — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Salas, Ariel
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.