A multicenter prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be performed in three hospitals. Patients meeting inclusion criteria will be randomly allocated to one of three enteral feeding formula with different protein content. Blood and urine test, nitrogen balance assessment and energy expenditure testing by indirect calorimetry will be performed at the beginning of nutrition regimen and at 24 hours, 72 hours and 5-7 days after initiation. The sample size for this trial is estimated as 90 participants, with approximately 30 participants in each group. The data analysis will be by intention to treat. This RCT will provide new data about the amount of protein needed to improve levels of serum protein and nitrogen balance, surrogate of protein balance, in critically ill infants receiving enteral nutrition.
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Nitrogen balance variation
Timeframe: From date of randomization until the date of first documented progression or date of discharge, whichever came first, assessed up to 7 days
Proportion of patients that meet study ending criteria
Timeframe: From date of randomization until the date of first documented progression or date of discharge, whichever came first, assessed up to 7 days