Active clinical trials for "Birth Weight"

Objectives: To compare the effects of two different methods of individualized protein fortification of breast milk on the early growth of VLBW preterm infants. Design: VLBW preterm infants ≤ 32 weeks of gestational age were included in the study and randomized into two groups according to the method of breast milk fortification. In the targeted protein fortification group, breast milk samples were analyzed daily via mid-infrared spectroscopy and additional protein was provided to maintain an intake of 4.5 g/kg/day. In the adjustable protein fortification group, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels were monitored weekly, and if the level was < 5 mg/dL, the amount of protein fortification was gradually increased to an "estimated" maximum level of 4.5 g/kg/day, as per the policy of neonatal intensive care unit. The cumulative amounts of protein, energy, fat, and carbohydrate given to infants prior to study commencement and during the study period were calculated. Anthropometric measurements were performed in both groups weekly for 4 weeks to compare their growth, and blood data including pH, base deficit, and urea, creatinine, and albumin levels were collected.

The study is being conducted to develop an intervention to assess the feasibility of implementing Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) for low birth weight (LBW) and preterm babies in a community setting. A prototype intervention package will be developed using information obtained from in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and other qualitative research techniques. These interviews will help us identify current behaviours, barriers to adoption of KMC and effective ways to promote KMC in the community. The prototype intervention will be refined by conducting acceptability studies (household trials) with few mothers. The study team are identifying LBW and preterm infants, demonstrating to mothers how to practice KMC and following up till KMC is stopped. The process is being documented using observations and interviews. Information is obtained on acceptability of KMC, number of hours per day and number of days KMC was given, breastfeeding practices and support provided by other family members.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the pharmacokinetics of fluconazole which is used as prophylaxis of invasive fungal infection in premature infants.

The purposes of this study were: 1) to compare mortality and postoperative morbidities in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants who underwent initial laparotomy or drainage for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) or isolated intestinal perforation (IP); 2) to determine the ability to distinguish NEC from IP preoperatively and the importance of this distinction on outcome measures; and 3) to evaluate the association between extent of intestinal disease determined at operation and outcome measures. All ELBW infants born at participating NRN centers were screened for the presence of NEC or IP that was thought by the pediatric surgeon and neonatologist to require surgical intervention. Data were collected enrolled infants, including: intraoperative findings recorded by the surgeon and specific post-operative complications. Neurodevelopmental examinations were conducted on surviving infants at 18-22 months corrected age.

Probiotics are favorable microorganisms that regulate the flora of the gastrointestinal system and stimulate the immune system. Saccharomyces boulardii was shown to reduce candida colonization. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of prophylactic S boulardii in reducing the candida colonization and infection in very low birth weight infants.

In this observational pilot project, the investigators plan to document duration and sources of exposure to plasticizers in infants born at birth weights less than 1500 grams. The investigators will examine the association between exposure to plasticizers and outcomes such as performance on a neurological screening tool, extrauterine growth, and thyroid function.

NCDs are observed mostly in adults, however there is strong evidence that suggests NCDs origin early in life, thus the first 1000 days of life (conception to age 2yrs). Studies show that maternal BMI before conception and during pregnancy predict future risk of obesity and associated metabolic conditions in both mother and offspring. Weight gain during the first two years of life is also critical in defining the infant's predisposition to obesity during adulthood. Objective: to assess the effectiveness of delivering a primary health care intervention to enhance compliance with updated nutrition and health care (diet, physical activity and breastfeeding) standards from early pregnancy through the first year of life. Methods: cluster randomized controlled trial (CRCT), designed as a public health intervention "program effectiveness" study (i.e. intervention will be available through the established national health system under standard operating conditions). A cluster unit will be a primary health care centers (PHCC) in South-East Santiago 12 PHCC will be randomly allocated to: enhanced nutrition and health care (intervention group) or routine nutrition and health care (control group).We will recruit 200 women in each of 12 PHCC; assuming a 20% loss to f-up we will complete 960 women per arm. After randomization, pregnant women in the intervention PHCCs starting at their first pre-natal visit (< 15 wks.) will receive, diet and physical activity (PA) counseling-support based on updated recommendations and monitoring goals for weight gain & glycemic control and breastfeeding (BF) promotion till 12 m postpartum. Pregnant women who attend control PHCCs will receive routine antenatal care according to national guidelines. Expected results: participants in the intervention PHCCs will benefit by achieving adequate nutritional status & metabolic control, during and early after, pregnancy as well as adequate infant growth & development as a result of improved nutrition and health care practices. The results will likely be generalizable through the primary health care system; considering this is a "program effectiveness" trial conducted under "real life" conditions . Additionally, we will include specific ancillary mechanistic projects to better characterize the intervention and its impact.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether silver alginate (Algidex) patch is effective in the prevention of central line infections in very low birth weight infants.

In this observational study, the NICHD Neonatal Research Network (NRN) is conducting surveillance of all infants born at NRN centers to identify all newborns who are diagnosed with early-onset sepsis (EOS) and/or meningitis. The study will: establish current hospital-based rates of EOS among term and preterm infants in the era of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis; monitor the organisms associated with EOS and meningitis; compare asymptomatic and symptomatic infants by gestational age and pathogen; and monitor sepsis-associated mortality rates by pathogen group.

Plasma L-arginine concentrations are decreased in premature infants with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). A carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase 1 (CPS1) polymorphism has been correlated with low plasma concentrations of L-arginine in neonates (> 35 weeks of gestation). Recently Moonen et al (Pediatr Res 2007; 62(2):188-90) described a correlation between this CPS1 T1405N single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and the presence of NEC in VLBW infants. However there is no data about the correlation between the plasma arginine concentrations and the T1405N SNP in the CPS-1 gene in VLBW infants. In the present project we postulate that T1405N SNP in the CPS-1 gene is associated with lower plasma arginine concentrations and is also a risk factor for the development of NEC.