Clinical trial Recruiting at 3 sites Interventional Ages 6 Hours to 4 Days

Effect of human milk diets on growth in preterm infants

Official title: A Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Two Human Milk Volumes to Optimize Growth and Gut Health in Infants Born Very Preterm

Run by University of Alabama at Birmingham · NCT06420531 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing if giving moderately preterm infants more human milk can help them grow better without causing any health issues.

More Prematurity trials

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages6 Hours to 4 Days
SexAll
Enrollment486 (estimated)
SponsorUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham
Academic / other
Locations4 sites (Birmingham, Alabama and 3 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedSeptember 16, 2025
Main results expectedJanuary 1, 2029
Study endsAugust 30, 2030
Registry record updatedOctober 23, 2026
Trial IDNCT06420531 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are infants born between 27 and 31 weeks of gestation with a birthweight of 1500 grams or less who are fed human milk during the first 14 days after birth.

Probably not a fit

Patients with severe gastrointestinal complications or major congenital anomalies may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This multi-center randomized trial aims to evaluate the impact of different volumes of human milk diets on the growth outcomes of moderately preterm infants born between 27 and 31 weeks of gestation. Participants will be assigned to receive either 140-160 mL/kg/day or 180-200 mL/kg/day of human milk, with adjustments made by clinicians as needed until they reach 34 weeks postmenstrual age. The study will involve multiple assessments of body composition, stool, and breastmilk samples, as well as a blood sample at 36 weeks corrected age. The goal is to determine if higher feeding volumes can prevent growth faltering without adverse metabolic effects.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could improve growth outcomes for preterm infants, potentially leading to better long-term health.

How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promising results with human milk diets in preterm infants, indicating potential for success in this approach.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Gestational age between 27 0/7 and 31 6/7 weeks
* Birthweight of 1500 grams or less
* Human milk feeding during the first 14 days after birth
* Full enteral feeding (120mL/kg/day or more) within the first 14 days after birth

Exclusion Criteria:

* Necrotizing enterocolitis stage 2 or greater
* Spontaneous intestinal perforation
* Major congenital/chromosomal anomalies
* Terminal illness requiring limited or withheld support
* Intention to restrict fluid intake after the first 14 postnatal days due to the presence of a symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
* Any formula feeding within the first 14 days after birth

Where it's running

  • University of Alabama at Birmingham
    Birmingham, Alabama, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
    Dallas, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
    Houston, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of Mississippi Medical Center
    Jackson, Mississippi, United States
    Not yet recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Ariel A. Salas, MD, MSPH — UAB Hospital
  • Study coordinator: Ariel A. Salas, MD, MSPH
  • Email: asalas@uab.edu
  • Phone: 205-934-4680

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.