Understanding the nutritional value of donor human milk for preterm infants
Official title: Investigating Donor Human Milk Composition Globally to Develop Effective Strategies for the Nutritional Care of Preterm Infants
Funded at University of North Carolina Greensboro · NIH-10693795 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at the nutrients in donor human milk used to feed premature babies, especially in low and middle-income countries, to see how it can be best combined with other supplements to help these little ones grow healthy and strong.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of North Carolina Greensboro NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Greensboro, United States) |
| Project start | September 3, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $335,246 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD106391-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10693795 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are preterm infants, particularly those who are fed donor human milk in neonatal care settings.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are full-term infants or those who are not receiving donor human milk may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the composition of donor human milk (DHM) used for feeding preterm infants, particularly in low and middle-income countries. It aims to understand how the nutritional content of DHM varies and whether it meets the specific needs of preterm infants when combined with commercial fortifiers. By analyzing milk samples and their effects on infant growth, the study seeks to establish evidence-based nutritional standards for DHM. This could lead to improved feeding strategies and better health outcomes for vulnerable newborns.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance the nutritional care of preterm infants, potentially improving their growth and reducing health complications.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been studies on donor human milk, this research aims to fill significant gaps in knowledge regarding its nutritional composition and effectiveness, making it a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of North Carolina Greensboro
Greensboro, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Perrin, Maryanne Tigchelaar — University of North Carolina Greensboro
- Study coordinator: Perrin, Maryanne Tigchelaar
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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.