MedPath

Nutrition Therapy in the Immature Infant (ImNuT)

Not Applicable
Active, not recruiting
Conditions
Immature Infant
Essential Fatty Acid Deficiency
Registration Number
NCT03555019
Lead Sponsor
Oslo University Hospital
Brief Summary

The primary objective of this double-blind randomized study is to assess the effects of an early, enhanced supply of the essential fatty acids (FAs) arachidonic acid (ARA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on brain maturation, clinical outcomes and quality of growth in immature infants (gestational age \<29 weeks) as compared to standard nutrient supply.

Detailed Description

This is a double-blind randomized study. 172 preterm infants with gestational age \< 29 weeks will be enrolled. The intervention group will receive enteral supplementation with essential fatty acids, arachidonic acid (ARA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The control group will receive standard supplementation with medium-chain triglycerides (MCT-oil). The main hypothesis is that early, enhanced supply of ARA and DHA will improve brain growth and maturation, as compared to standard nutrient supply. Secondary hypotheses are that early, enhanced supply of ARA and DHA will improve quality of growth and cognitive development as well as reduce the frequency of inflammation-related neonatal comorbidities and long-term cardiovascular disease risk. Primary endpoint will be assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain at term equivalent age.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
121
Inclusion Criteria
  • Extremely preterm infants born at Oslo University Hospital (OUH)
  • Gestational age (GA) < 29 weeks
  • Less than 48 hours of age at inclusion
  • Signed informed consent and expected Cooperation of the patients for the treatment and follow up must be obtained and documented according to good clinical practice (GCP) and national/local regulations
Exclusion Criteria
  • Major congenital malformations which will affect growth and development
  • Chromosomal abnormalities and other genetic diseases
  • Critical illness with short life expectancy as defined by the study physician

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Brain maturation assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)40 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA)

MRI with spectroscopy (MRS) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) will be used to examine myelinisation and quantification of anatomical structures as well as neuronal integrity and inflammation

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Cerebral Background Activity evaluated by Electroencephalogram (EEG)First week of life, 36 weeks PMA and 2 years corrected age (CA)

EEG maturational changes will be examined as a function of time and as a function of gestational age

Neurodevelopment assessed by standardized motor and cognitive tests2 years corrected age (CA)

Evaluation of psychomotor development by performing Bayley III and a standardized neurological examination

Blood pressureFirst week of life and at 36 weeks PMA and 2 years CA

Measurements of systolic, diastolic and mean pressure

Markers of inflammationFrom birth until 36 weeks PMA

Inflammation panels will be used to assess markers of inflammation in fullblood and sputum

Micronutrient content in urineFrom birth until 36 weeks PMA

Spot urine will be obtained regularly to study the changes in electrolyte- and mineral homeostasis during the first week of life as well as during the phase of steady growth

Neonatal morbidities associated with inflammationFrom birth til 36 weeks PMA

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), white matter injury (WMI) of the brain, and late onset septicemia

Lung function evaluated by tidal breathing measurements36 weeks PMA, 3 months and 2 years CA

Tidal breathing measurements include tidal volume, respiratory rate, minute ventilation and fraction of expiratory time to peak tidal expiratory flow to total expiratory time

Gut microbiotaFrom birth until 36 weeks PMA

Repeated samples of feces will be used to study the early fecal microbiota

Markers of nutritional status in bloodFrom birth until 36 weeks PMA

The concentrations of electrolytes, minerals, albumin, alkaline phosphatase, vitamin A and D will be assessed regularly during hospitalization

Weight gainWeight will be recorded until 36 weeks PMA and at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months and 8 years corrected age.

Weight measurements, including weight nadir.

GrowthLength and HC will be recorded until 36 weeks PMA and at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months and 8 years corrected age.

Length and head circumference (HC).

Body compositionAt 36 weeks PMA, 3 months and 2 years corrected age

Body composition will be assessed using PEA POD, an air displacement plethysmography system and Dexa Scan.

Cardiovascular Health assessed by echocardiographyFirst week of life, 2nd week of life, at 36 weeks PMA and 2 years CA

Echocardiography will be used to follow the transition from fetal to completed neonatal circulation, to measure superior vena cava flow, and to study mycardial function by the use of conventional two-dimensional echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging.

Fatty acid (FA) profiles in bloodFrom birth until 36 weeks PMA

Repeated dried blood spots (DBS) samples with approximately 10 µL blood will be collected for FA analyses. These analyses are important for assessing efficacy and protocol compliance. We will also collect 10 µL of fullblood for assessment of total lipid profile (Lipidomics).

Markers of metabolic statusFrom birth until 36 weeks PMA

Metabolic pathway analyses (http://omictools.com/metabolic-pathways-category) will be performed to analyse and describe the metabolic conditions of the infants during hospitalization. Metabolites outside the standard clinical chemistry parameters will also be investigated ("untargeted metabolomics). Metabolomics will be performed by the use of dried blood spot samples

Evaluation of nutrient composition of expressed breast milkFrom birth until 36 weeks PMA

Repeated samples of breast milk will be collected for FA analyses, macronutrient content and vitamin A

Inflammatory markers in sputumFrom birth until 36 weeks PMA

We will analyze the Expression of a standardized panel of inflammatory markers in collected laryngeal or tracheal secretion

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Oslo University Hospital

🇳🇴

Oslo, Norway

Oslo University Hospital
🇳🇴Oslo, Norway

MedPath

Empowering clinical research with data-driven insights and AI-powered tools.

© 2025 MedPath, Inc. All rights reserved.