Effect of Melatonin on Feeding Intolerance and Incidence of Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Preterm Infants
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Phase 4
- Status
- Completed
- Sponsor
- Ain Shams University
- Enrollment
- 90
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Melatonin as an antioxidant and free radical scavenger in feeding intolerance in preterm infants
Study Overview
Brief Summary
Assesses the efficacy of melatonin in treatment of feeding intolerance in preterm infants, the time needed to reach full enteral intake, the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis and measures the level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha as a marker of oxidative stress.
Detailed Description
This is a prospective study held on ninety preterm infants in Ain Shams University neonatal intensive care units. All enrolled neonates were suffering from feeding intolerance in the form of abdominal distension, gastric residuals or bloody stools. The first group of forty five infants were given melatonin in addition to traditional antibiotic treatment. The second group of forty five infants were given traditional antibiotic treatment only. Both groups were followed up clinically as regards improvement of clinical signs of feeding intolerance and laboratory results till they reached full enteral intake. Both groups were compared as regards incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis and level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha after 72 hours of starting treatment as a marker of oxidative stress.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Treatment
- Masking
- None
Eligibility Criteria
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria
- •Preterm infants (<37 weeks of gestation)
- •Evidence of feeding intolerance
Exclusion Criteria
- •Infants with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy
- •Infants on nothing per os
- •Infants with high oxygen needs wither on invasive or non-invasive mechanical ventilation
- •Major congenital anomalies
- •Intracranial hemorrhage
- •Respiratory distress syndrome
Arms & Interventions
Group I
Forty five preterm infants with signs of feeding intolerance who received 20 mg of melatonin treatment in addition to traditional antibiotic treatment.
Intervention: Melatonin 20 mg (Drug)
Group II
Forty five preterm infants with signs of feeding intolerance who received traditional antibiotic treatment only.
Intervention: Traditional antibiotic treatment (Drug)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Melatonin as an antioxidant and free radical scavenger in feeding intolerance in preterm infants
Time Frame: 3 days
Melatonin efficacy in treatment of oxidative stress in preterm infants with feeding intolerance was assessed by measuring level of tumor necrosis factor- alpha.
Melatonin efficacy in reducing incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants
Time Frame: 1 week
Melatonin efficacy in reducing incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis by radiological criteria: abdominal ultrasound showing pneumatosis intestinalis.
Effect of melatonin on time needed to reach full enteral intake in preterm infants with feeding intolerance
Time Frame: 2 weeks
Preterm infants with feeding intolerance were observed for the time needed to reach full enteral intake.
Secondary Outcomes
No secondary outcomes reported
Investigators
Mona Mostafa El-Gammall
Resident of pediatrics and neonatology
Ain Shams University