Limited vs Extended Tiny-Feeding in Very Preterm Babies and Their Gut-Brain Connection
Official title: Limited versus Extended Trophic Feeding among Very Preterm Newborns: Neurodevelopment and the Gut-Brain Axis (LET-FEED: Gut-Brain Axis)
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11426875 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in very preterm newborns compares feeding for 1 day versus 3 days to see how early milk feeding affects sepsis risk, gut bacteria, and later brain development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $718,447 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HD122688-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11426875 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Very preterm newborns (<32 weeks gestation) admitted to participating NICUs who are within the NICU feeding trial criteria.
✕Less likely to help
Infants not meeting eligibility or who do not tolerate changes in feeding may not experience benefits.
What this research studies
Very preterm babies are at high risk for infection and neurodevelopmental problems. This trial will randomly assign 350 infants to receive trophic feeds for either 1 day or 3 days to see which approach lowers sepsis risk and supports healthier gut and brain development. It uses multiple hospitals across the US and follows infants through their NICU stay, collecting medical data and stool samples to study the gut-brain axis. The goal is to provide clearer guidance on optimal early feeding that could improve long-term outcomes for these vulnerable newborns. Results could influence NICU feeding practices and standards of care for VP infants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could lead to better feeding strategies that reduce infection risk and support healthier brain development in very preterm babies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous analyses suggest a relationship between early feeding and gut-brain development, but direct trials comparing 1 vs 3 days of trophic feeds are limited.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Valentine, Gregory Charles — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Valentine, Gregory Charles
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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.