Investigating how protein-rich human milk diets affect growth and gut health in very premature infants.
Official title: 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
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-10886550 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 start | August 10, 2020 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $141,003 |
| NIH project number | 5K23HD102554-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10886550 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are extremely preterm infants born at or before 28 weeks of gestation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not extremely preterm or those who are not receiving enteral feeding may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Salas, Ariel — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Salas, Ariel
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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How the gut and liver affect fat absorption in very premature babies
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-
How breast milk IgA influences the gut bacteria in preterm infants
This study is looking at how a special part of breast milk called IgA helps protect the gut health of preterm babies by keeping harmful bacteria away, which could help lower the chances of them getting a serious intestinal problem called NEC.
-
Understanding how the liver and gut bacteria affect fat absorption in premature infants
This study is looking at how very low birth weight babies can better absorb important fats for their growth, especially when they are fed donor milk instead of their mom's milk, and it aims to find ways to help these tiny infants get the nutrition they need.
-
How the gut microbiome affects brain development in preterm infants
This study is looking at how the bacteria in the guts of preterm babies might affect their brain development, hoping to find ways to support their growth and health as they grow up.
-
Screening and treatment of Chlamydia infection in pregnancy to help prevent preterm birth
This grant studies whether screening pregnant people for Chlamydia trachomatis and treating those who are positive can reduce the risk of preterm birth.
-
Preterm infant body composition and early-life health after NICU stay
This grant studies how body composition in very preterm babies relates to later brain development and risk of obesity or diabetes, with findings meant to improve care from NICU through early childhood.
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.