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Prediction of Feeding Problems in Prostaglandin-dependent Prematurely Born Infants With Congenital Heart Disease

Completed
Conditions
Congenital Heart Disease
Prematurity
Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Registration Number
NCT01126372
Lead Sponsor
University of Utah
Brief Summary

Prematurely born infants with ductal-dependent congenital heart disease (CHD) are at increased risk to develop necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Abnormal left to right blood flow through a patent ductus arteriosus can cause intestinal ischemia and compromise the gastrointestinal tract as a barrier to infection. In some infants, bacterial translocation leads to NEC which may result in death, intestinal perforation, cholestasis and, at the very least, feeding problems. Predicting which infants with CHD will develop NEC will potentially decrease the severity of disease if interventions were started earlier.

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) allows determination of regional oxygen saturation levels in tissues such as brain, kidney, and as recently reported, intestine. This study will test whether or not decreasing intestinal oxygen saturations can predict the development of NEC in this at risk population before the symptoms become severe. NIRS probes will be placed on the forehead, flank and abdomen of eligible infants and regional oxygen saturations will be recorded prospectively and continuously with the clinical care team blinded to the data. The development of NEC and significant feeding problems will then be correlated with the regional oxygen saturations to determine whether decreased intestinal oxygen saturations predicted early signs and symptoms of NEC.

We anticipate generating pilot data in 30 infants who meet inclusion criteria. Support of this research will be provided partially by Somanetics, the manufacturer of the INVOS regional oxygen saturation monitors. They will, however, have no control over the data generated by this study.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
6
Inclusion Criteria
  • >/+ 30 and 0/7 weeks gestation age at birth
  • Anticipated time to surgical repair is > 7 days
  • Meets criteria for management via the PCMC CHD feeding protocol
Exclusion Criteria
  • Any extracardiac major congenital anomalies

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Evaluate intestinal oxygen saturations using NIRS to predict the development of NEC.2 months

Using NIRS to test whether or not decreasing intestinal oxygen saturations can predict the development of NEC in this at risk population before the symptoms become severe.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Primary Children's Medical Center

🇺🇸

Salt Lake City, Utah, United States

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