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Clinical Trials/NCT01732874
NCT01732874CompletedPhase 1

Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation of Mothers to Improve Preterm Infant Nutrition and Immune Homeostasis

Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati1 site in 1 country27 target enrollmentStarted: May 2013Last updated:
Conditions
Interventions
Drugs

Trial Snapshot

Phase
Phase 1
Status
Completed
Enrollment
27
Locations
1
Primary Endpoint
Infant Serum Soluble Receptor for AGE (sRAGE) Levels at 4 Weeks From Baseline From Mothers Supplemented With 200 or 1000 mg/kg Per Day of DHA

Study Overview

Brief Summary

The purpose of this research study is to find out whether preterm infants are receiving enough of the essential and long chain fatty acids important for brain development and immune function. Our current intravenous (IV) fats do not contain the long chain fatty acids and different milk sources have different compositions. We would like to evaluate lactating mothers dietary intake and breastmilk level of fatty acid status by doing an analysis of their blood and breastmilk samples after they have been supplemented with a currently used fatty acid supplement (DHA- Martek Biosciences, now known as Dutch State Mines (DSM) Nutritional Lipid) The DHA supplement is available over the counter.

The information learned from this research study may benefit other mothers and babies in the future. The information could help make sure premature babies are receiving the right nutrients they need for appropriate growth and development.

Detailed Description

We designed a prospective, randomized trial to test the hypotheses that DHA supplementation to human milk providers will increase DHA concentration in milk and infant blood levels; and that infants receiving milk from DHA-supplemented providers will be receiving a more appropriate enteral intake to better mimic intrauterine accretion. In addition, we hypothesize that pro-inflammatory cytokines will be reduced in the mothers and infants receiving the higher DHA diet.

Study Design

Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel
Primary Purpose
Basic Science
Masking
Triple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator)

Eligibility Criteria

Ages
— to 45 Years (Child, Adult)
Sex
Female
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Inclusion Criteria

  • Lactating mothers at Cincinnati University Hospital with infants born at < 29 weeks gestation.

Exclusion Criteria

  • the presence of congenital anomalies (trisomy 13, 18, 21, urethral, gastrointestinal and cardiac defects) that affect the standard course of care.
  • mother's <18 and
  • mothers with known allergy to algeal source
  • mothers with history of bleeding disorders or taking any other medication that may increase the risk of bleeding
  • infants with bleeding disorders or receiving any other medication that may increase the risk of bleeding

Arms & Interventions

Expecta 200 mg

Other

Breastfeeding mothers of pre-mature infants randomly assigned to 200 mg Expecta to be taken orally once a day. Expecta to be taken for approximately 8 weeks post-partum or a shorter time if infant is discharged sooner from NICU.

Intervention: Expecta 200 mg (Drug)

Expecta 1 Gram

Other

Breastfeeding mothers of pre-mature infants randomly assigned to one Gram of Expecta to be taken orally once a day. Expecta to be taken for approximately 8 weeks post-partum or a shorter time if infant is discharged sooner from NICU.

Intervention: Expecta 1 gram (Drug)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Infant Serum Soluble Receptor for AGE (sRAGE) Levels at 4 Weeks From Baseline From Mothers Supplemented With 200 or 1000 mg/kg Per Day of DHA

Time Frame: value at week 4

The study was powered to detect differences in sRAGE levels in infant serum samples at 4 weeks of age from mothers supplemented with 200 or 1000 mg/kg per day of DHA. Serum Soluble Receptor for AGE (sRAGE) levels range from 7300-100 pg/mL where the higher number means a worse outcome.

Secondary Outcomes

No secondary outcomes reported

Investigators

Sponsor Class
Other
Responsible Party
Sponsor

Study Sites (1)

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