Identifying early signs of Necrotizing Enterocolitis in premature infants

Clinical Model for Early Predictors of Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Neonates

Observational Nationwide Children's Hospital · NCT03210831

This study is trying to find early signs of a serious gut condition in premature babies using simple tests to help doctors act quickly before symptoms show up.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment450 (estimated)
AgesN/A to 7 Days
SexAll
SponsorNationwide Children's Hospital Academic / other
Locations1 site (Columbus, Ohio)
Trial IDNCT03210831 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to identify neonates at risk for Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) by utilizing non-invasive measures and biochemical markers. The research will focus on premature, low birth weight infants in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs), enrolling up to 450 neonates to compare their splanchnic tissue oxygenation and gut inflammatory biomarkers against healthy controls. The goal is to detect early indicators of NEC before symptoms arise, allowing for timely interventions to prevent disease progression.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are infants born at or before 30 weeks gestational age or with a birth weight of 1500 grams or less.

Not a fit: Patients who may not benefit from this study include those born after 30 weeks gestational age or with known abdominal wall defects or complex cardiac abnormalities.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to earlier detection and prevention of NEC in vulnerable neonates, improving their health outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have explored early predictors of NEC, but this specific approach using non-invasive measures and biomarkers is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Infants born at ≤30 weeks gestational age and/or
* Infants with a birth weight ≤1500 grams

Exclusion Criteria:

* gestational age at birth greater than 30 weeks
* obvious dysmorphic syndromes
* any abdominal wall defect including omphalocele or gastroschisis
* any known intestinal atresia
* complex cardiac abnormalities
* any known lethal chromosomal abnormalities

Where this trial is running

Columbus, Ohio

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Necrotizing EnterocolitisNEC, tissue oxygenation, gut inflammation
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.