MedPath

Targeted Fortification of Pasteurized Donor Human Milk

Not Applicable
Active, not recruiting
Conditions
Very Low Birth Weight Infant
Growth Failure
Donor Breast Milk
Interventions
Dietary Supplement: Protein supplementation
Other: Analysis with Miris Human Milk Analyzer
Registration Number
NCT04640805
Lead Sponsor
KK Women's and Children's Hospital
Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate a modified targeted fortification method of pasteurized donor human milk (PDHM) in very low birth weight infants (VLBWs). Pools of PDHM will be analyzed for macronutrient content using the Miris Human Milk Analyzer. The control arm will receive standard of care, which is PDHM without additional protein fortification. The intervention arm will receive PDHM with a fat content of 3.8g/dL or more, with additional protein fortification of 0.67g/dL. Primary outcome will be rate of malnutrition at hospital discharge or 37 weeks, whichever earlier. Secondary outcomes include body composition, feed tolerance, and morbidity outcomes.

Detailed Description

Our hospital milk bank provides pasteurized donor human milk (PDHM) to very low birth weight (VLBW) infants without sufficient mother's milk, with the overall aim of lowering the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis in this population. However, with the introduction of PDHM in our setting, rates of suboptimal weight gain have increased (60.2% to 65.7%). This is likely due to the fact that PDHM is often lower in energy and protein than preterm mother's own milk. One solution to delivery adequate nutrition in this VLBWs receiving PDHM, is targeted fortification, which involves measurement of the macronutrient content of human milk, and adding extra macronutrients to reach nutrient goals. In this proposed study, we will conduct a pilot randomized controlled trial of a modified targeted fortification versus standard care. This study will include preterm VLBW infants (\<1500g), without congenital conditions resulting in growth restriction, and receiving \>25% of PDHM use in the first week of life. 40 patients in each arm will be recruited over a period of 2 years. The intervention group will receive a modified targeted fortification, consisting of selection of high fat PDHM (3.8g/dL or more) with the addition of protein fortification of 0.67g/dL from week 2 of life until a gestational age of 37 weeks or hospital discharge, whichever earlier. The control group will receive usual regular PDHM with standard fortification using human milk fortifier as per current practice. The primary outcome is the rate of suboptimal growth (drop in weight z-score from birth ≥0.8) at discharge or 37 weeks. Secondary outcomes include body composition, feed tolerance, and morbidity outcomes.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
61
Inclusion Criteria
  • Birth weight less than or equal to 1500g
  • Born at our study hospital or transferred to study hospital within first week of life
  • Achieving at least 40ml/kg/day of enteral feeds by day 7 of life
  • Receiving at least 25% of pasteurized donor human milk within first 7 days of life
Exclusion Criteria
  • Diagnosed or suspected inborn errors of metabolism
  • Acute or chronic renal impairment
  • Congenital disease associated with significant growth impairment (including, but not limited to, Trisomy 21, neonatal encephalopathy and seizures, neonatal tumours, achondroplasia, complex congenital heart disease, anorectal malformations, gastrointestinal disorders)

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Intervention group (modified targeted fortification)Analysis with Miris Human Milk AnalyzerPasteurized Donor Human Milk (PDHM) will be analyzed using the Miris Human Milk Analyzer, and PDHM with a fat content of 3.8g/dL or higher will be selected. Additional protein will be added using liquid protein fortifier (Similac) at 1ml to every 25ml PDHM to give an additional 0.67g/dL protein.
Intervention group (modified targeted fortification)Protein supplementationPasteurized Donor Human Milk (PDHM) will be analyzed using the Miris Human Milk Analyzer, and PDHM with a fat content of 3.8g/dL or higher will be selected. Additional protein will be added using liquid protein fortifier (Similac) at 1ml to every 25ml PDHM to give an additional 0.67g/dL protein.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Malnutrition rateHospital discharge or 37 weeks gestation, whichever earlier

Malnutrition is defined as a decline in weight z-score from birth of 0.8 or more

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Bronchopulmonary dysplasiaHospital discharge or 37 weeks gestation, whichever earlier

Proportion of patients with bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Retinopathy of prematurityHospital discharge or 37 weeks gestation, whichever earlier

Proportion of patients with retinopathy of prematurity

Linear growthHospital discharge or 37 weeks post menstrual age, whichever earlier

Linear growth will be assessed using z-score changes from birth

Body compositionHospital discharge or 37 weeks gestation, whichever earlier

Percent fat mass and fat-free mass measured using air displacement plethysmography

Head circumference growthHospital discharge or 37 weeks gestation, whichever earlier

Head circumference will be assessed using z-score changes from birth

High calorie formula useHospital discharge or 35 weeks gestation, whichever earlier

Proportion of high calorie formula use (e.g. 27kcal/oz or 30kcal/oz formula)

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

KK Women's and Children's Hospital

🇸🇬

Singapore, Singapore

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath