Measuring energy metabolism in infants
Official title: Measurement of Energy Metabolism in Infants: BabyEE Pilot
Run by Pennington Biomedical Research Center · NCT02683473 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new way to measure how much energy healthy newborns use in their first three months to better understand their growth and metabolism.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 1 Month to 3 Months |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 70 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Pennington Biomedical Research Center Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Baton Rouge, Louisiana) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | March 16, 2016 |
| Main results expected | June 30, 2027 |
| Study ends | June 30, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | August 10, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT02683473 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates for this study are healthy, full-term infants aged 1 month to 3 months who are exclusively fed breast milk or infant formula.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who may not benefit from this study include those with congenital abnormalities, disabilities, or acute illnesses, as well as preterm infants.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study aims to measure energy expenditure in healthy, full-term infants during their first three months of life. It will assess the reliability of various energy metabolism measurements, including sleeping metabolic rate and resting metabolic rate, using a new infant metabolic chamber. The study will involve multiple visits to evaluate the accuracy of these measurements and how they relate to infant size and body composition. By establishing these protocols, the research seeks to enhance our understanding of infant energy metabolism.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide valuable insights into infant energy metabolism, potentially guiding interventions for infant overnutrition and development.
How similar studies have gone: While this approach is relatively novel, previous studies have explored energy metabolism in infants, but comprehensive metabolic phenotyping in this specific manner is less common.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Healthy, full-term infant * Aged 1 month (28 days) to 3 months (12 weeks, 6 days) at the first visit * Exclusively fed breast milk and/or infant formula * Willing to accept doubly-labeled water Exclusion Criteria: * Unable to complete 3 clinic visits within about 14 days at Pennington Biomedical Research Center * Born preterm (\< 37 weeks gestation) * Congenital abnormality or disability * Gastric reflux * Acute illness within 7 days of the study (fever, diarrhea) * Use of medications to treat a chronic condition (does not include use of vitamin supplements or PRN medication for flatulence or reflux such as Pepcid)
Where it's running
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Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Leanne M Redman, Ph.D. — Pennington Biomedical Research Center
- Study coordinator: Abby Altazan, M.S.
- Email: abby.altazan@pbrc.edu
- Phone: (225) 763-2801
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.