CompletedNot Applicable

Duodenal Feeds in Very Low Birth Weight Infants

United States24 participantsStarted 2020-08-07

Plain-language summary

Premature infants have high rates of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) due to prematurity of the participants' lungs and the need for prolonged respiratory support. These infants are at increased risk for gastroesophageal reflux and aspiration which may exacerbate lung injury. Transpyloric feeds, specifically duodenal feeds, may be used to bypass the stomach and directly feed the duodenum decreasing the amount of gastric reflux contributing to aspiration. Duodenal feeds are equivalent to gastric feeds with regards to nutritional outcomes, and have been shown to decrease events of apnea and bradycardia in premature infants. This study will evaluate the feasibility and safety of duodenal feeds in premature infants. The hypothesis is that duodenal feeds may be safely and successfully performed in premature very low birth weight infants.

Who can participate

Age range

0 Days – 12 Months

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Infants admitted to the Johns Hopkins All Children's NICU before 72 hours of life * Infants with a birth weight \<1251g Exclusion Criteria: * First obtained pH \<7.0 * APGAR \<5 at 5 minutes (The Apgar score is a test given to newborns soon after birth. This test checks a baby's heart rate, muscle tone, and other signs to see if extra medical care or emergency care is needed. Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, Respiration (APGAR)) * Infants on hydrocortisone for hypotension prior to randomization * Infants with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) defined by birth weight ≤10th percentile for gestational age * Infants with congenital anomalies, including but not limited to: Chromosomal abnormalities;Structural airway or pulmonary abnormalities (e.g. tracheoesophageal fistulas, cleft palate, congenital pulmonary adenomatous malformation, etc.); Abdominal anomalies requiring surgical interventions (e.g. intestinal atresia, intestinal webs, gastroschisis, omphalocele, anal atresia); Major cardiac anomalies * Infants with a history of intestinal perforation or NEC * Presence of gastrostomy tube * Infants who have not been initiated on any volume of enteral feeds by 10 days of life

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Number of successful placements of duodenal tubes

Timeframe: 12 months

Safety as assessed by number of intestinal perforations

Timeframe: 12 months

Trial details

NCT IDNCT04246333

SponsorJohns Hopkins All Children's Hospital

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-02-19

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More BPD - Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia trials