Treatment Trials

41 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions

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TERMINATED
Feeding Study in VLBW Premature Infants
Description

A multi-center, single-blind, randomized, controlled, parallel-designed, prospective trial to compare growth between preterm infants fed one of three study human milk fortifiers added to human milk

RECRUITING
Does Starting Feeds on the First Day of Life Help Premature Infants Reach Full Volume Feeds Sooner?
Description

Feeding advancements in ELBW infants have evolved over decades. The fear of causing mortality and morbidity, notably NEC, have made providers cautious when advancing feeds. ELBW infants initially remained NPO for several days before initiating trophic feeds. However, data then showed that there was no increase in mortality and morbidity if trophic feeds were initiated earlier. Then data showed that a short duration of trophic feeds did not increase mortality and morbidity when compared to a prolonged duration. More recent data showed that enteral feeding should be initiated early, preferably within 24 hours of birth, because it may promote feeding tolerance, shorten the time to reach total enteral feeding, and reduce the incidence of extrauterine growth restriction and late onset sepsis without increasing the risk of developing NEC. The management of enteral nutrition in ELBW infants is still very variable. For example, there is no consensus on the optimal time point after birth at which enteral nutrition can be started. This study evaluates the benefits of starting feeds by 6 hours of life Purpose: The primary aim of this study is to evaluate if in infants ≤ 1000g birth weight, is there a benefit initiating feeds by 6 hours of life (compared to current feeding practice data of 3 days of life) on decreasing the time to attain full feeds in the first 30 days of life. The secondary aim is to evaluate if antenatal feeding discussions would streamline feeding management post-delivery.

RECRUITING
Duodenal Feeds in Very Low Birth Weight Infants
Description

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.

COMPLETED
Self Regulated Physical Activity and Bone Growth Enhancement in Premature Infants
Description

Premature very low birth weight (VLBW) infants were placed in two groups matched for birth age. The control group received traditional joint compression exercises designed to decrease bone density loss. Exercises lasted approximately 10 minutes each day 5 days a week. The experimental group were placed in a "prepod", an elastic fabric pod shaped garment or sack on entry into the study and remained in the pod essentially 24 hours a day, with brief breaks for bathing, parental skin to skin experiences,etc. An ultrasound of the left tibia was done on entrance into the study at 31 to 32 weeks gestation and again at completion of the study 4 weeks later. Results showed that experimental infants in pods had slightly less bone density loss than their peers receiving traditional therapy. An incidental finding was that the experimental infants in pods had a significantly shorter length of stay.

COMPLETED
Mother Sibling Interactions Following Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW) Infant Homecoming
Description

The proposed study will explore longitudinally the impact of a very low birthweight (VLBW) infant on mother-sibling interactions and sibling adjustment. The study will also include a comparison group of fullterm infants to determine which sibling adjustment problems are typical of having a new baby in the home and which are associated with the unique stress of having a VLBW infant. This study will be the initial step in identifying factors affecting the adjustment of siblings of VLBW infants.

COMPLETED
Identifying Vitamin D Deficiency in Very Low Birth Weight Infant (VLBW) Infants Part 2
Description

This study is to determine the amount of vitamin D required for a very low birth weight infant to reach vitamin D sufficiency and achieve optimal calcium health and bone growth.

COMPLETED
Protective Effects of Delayed Cord Clamping in Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW) Infants
Description

The purpose of this study is to determine whether the intervention of delaying cord clamping for 30 to 45 seconds followed by one milking of the cord while simultaneously lowering the VLBW infants below the introitus will result in less bleeding in the brain and fewer infections while in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and better motor skills at 7 months corrected age. The investigators will attempt to identify the mechanisms of effect through measurement of biologic markers.

COMPLETED
The Safety Evaluation of Silver Alginate (Algidex™) Dressing in Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW) Infants
Description

The purpose of this study is to test the safety of silver alginate (Algidex™) dressing in VLBW infants in preparation for a large efficacy trial.

TERMINATED
SURFAXIN® Treatment for Prevention of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) in Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW) Infants.
Description

SURFAXIN® (lucinactant) treatment will be examined in very low birth weight infants to prevent development of chronic lung disease, commonly known as bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), in premature infants who have required continued intubation and received surfactants for the prevention or treatment of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).

COMPLETED
Donor Human Milk and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Very Low Birthweight (VLBW) Infants
Description

Breastfeeding is an important health-promoting behavior. Human milk is the ideal diet for all infants, optimizes intellect, and provides protection against infectious and atopic diseases in childhood as well as decreasing risks for obesity, hypertension and other chronic diseases. Infants with the highest risk of life-long disability, very low birthweight (VLBW) preterm infants, are breastfed at some of the lowest rates in the US. Maternal milk is not always available, and pasteurized donor human milk is an alternative that requires investigation. Whether donor milk conveys health and developmental advantages similar to those bestowed by maternal milk is unknown. By determining the effects of donor milk on health and developmental outcomes when compared to preterm infant formula, the investigators seek to optimize outcomes in this fragile population. The hypothesis of our donor milk research is that a donor human milk diet in non-maternal milk fed VLBW infants is associated with better neurodevelopmental outcome scores at 18-22 months adjusted age than a preterm infant formula diet.

COMPLETED
Glutamine Supplementation to Prevent Death or Infection in Extremely Premature Infants
Description

This large multicenter double-masked clinical trial tested whether supplementation of standard neonatal parenteral nutrition with glutamine would reduce the risk of death or late-onset sepsis in extremely-low-birth-weight (ELBW, less than or equal to 1000 gm) infants. Neonates with birth weights of 401-1000gm were randomized to standard TrophAmine or TrophAmine supplemented with glutamine before 72 hours and continued until the infants are tolerating full enteral feedings.

COMPLETED
Nasal Noninvasive NAVA in the Very Low Birth Weight Infant
Description

The purpose of this study is to determine if a new type of mechanical ventilation, or breathing machine (called neurally adjusted ventilatory assist or NAVA), will provide additional support to infants who were born prematurely. Investigators are looking to determine if in two hours infants who weighed less than 1500 grams or 3 pounds 5 ounces, will demonstrate a decrease in the amount of carbon dioxide (the gas that humans exhale) dissolved in their blood as compared to prior to starting the study. This will be accomplished by enrolling infants who are stable on their current type of mechanical breathing that provides a constant air flow into the infant. This type of mechanical support helps keep the lungs inflated but does not help remove carbon dioxide. This study will change the type of mechanical support to a type of support called neurally adjusted ventilatory assist or NAVA. This type of mechanical support detects when the infant is breathing in by having electrical sensors on a feeding tube that is placed into the stomach through the nose or mouth. These electrical sensors detect when the diaphragm or the muscle that helps humans breath is trying to take a breath in. When the NAVA ventilator senses the attempt to breath, it provides additional air flow to make the effort of breathing easier. The ventilator will be attached to a tube or cannula that is placed into the infant's nose. After two hours of being on the NAVA ventilator a repeat measure of carbon dioxide in the blood will be performed by taking a small amount of blood from the infant's heel.

COMPLETED
Oropharyngeal Colostrum for Immune Stimulation in Very Low Birth Weight Infants
Description

Colostrum, mothers' early breastmilk, contains multiple factors that provide immune protection to very low birth weight (VLBW) infants, a population at high risk for hospital-acquired infections. However, critical illness during the first few days of life often prevents the initiation of enteral feeds, placing these infants at even higher risk for morbidities including feeding intolerance and infection. Oropharyngeal administration has been proposed as an alternative route of delivery for colostrum and the immune benefits it provides. Research from animal and adult human models supports oropharyngeal administration as a potentially safe and effective mode of delivery for immune therapies. Immune components of colostrum, such as secretory IgA, may have both direct and indirect effects on the immune system. The purpose of this proposed randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study is to determine the effect of oropharyngeally administered colostrum (OAC) on immune stimulation in VLBW infants, as measured by secretory IgA (sIgA) levels. In addition to measuring sIgA response to OAC the investigators will also collect clinical data to determine if OAC has effects on tolerance of enteral feedings and rates of infection. The investigators hypothesize OAC will have a moderate effect on salivary secretory IgA concentration in VLBW infants. If proven efficacious, utilization of OAC in VLBW infants could have far reaching consequences for these highly fragile babies including lower rates of infection, improved tolerance of enteral feedings, and shorter NICU stays.

COMPLETED
Delivery Room CPAP in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants
Description

This pilot study was designed to determine the feasibility of randomizing extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants \<28 weeks' gestation who required resuscitation to one of two resuscitation methods, either: (a) 100% oxygen by facemask and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or positive pressure ventilation (PPV) with positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), if the infant required PPV (the intervention group); or (b) 100% oxygen and no CPAP and no PEEP if the infant required PPV (the control group).

RECRUITING
Genetic Variants and Susceptibility to Diseases of Prematurity in Very Low Birth-Weight Infants
Description

The purpose of this study is to determine if sequence variations in genes involved in the development and function of vulnerable organs increases susceptibility to chronic lung disease (CLD) and other diseases affecting premature infants, such as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), sepsis, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). The study will also determine whether measurement of certain biomarkers in serum will identify infants who will develop these complications of prematurity. Previous studies from this institution and others have identified genetic variants in some genes, such as toll like receptor genes are associated with higher risk of CLD or NEC. The interaction of these variants with other gene variants that can influence the risk of these diseases remains unclear.

COMPLETED
Safety and Pharmacokinetics Study in VLBW Neonates With BSYX-A110
Description

"Phase I/II, Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo Controlled, Dose Escalating, Safety and Pharmacokinetics Study in Very Low Birth Weight Neonates of Four Doses of BSYX-A110 for the Prevention of S. epidermidis Infection." The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and pharmacokinetics of escalating doses of BSYX-A110 administered on Study Days 0 and 14.

COMPLETED
Safety, Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Clinical Activity Study in VLBW Neonates of BSYX-A110
Description

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety (including tolerability), pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and clinical activity of BSYX-A110 administered in a 3-dose regimen on Study Days 0, 7, and 14.

SUSPENDED
Effects of Volume Guarantee With Pressure Supported vs. Synchronized Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation in VLBW Infants
Description

Studies in preterm infants have shown that adding volume guarantee (VG) to synchronized modes of ventilation is not only feasible but also advantageous for providing more constant and desirable mechanical breath size. This ideally minimizes ventilator-induced lung injury due to barotrauma and volutrauma. To date, only one recent study has investigated the relative advantages of combining VG with different modes of synchronized mechanical ventilation in clinically stable, preterm infants that were mechanically ventilated at an average age of one month. We aim to further evaluate the effects of PSV+VG versus SIMV+VG ventilation in very low birth weight infants within the first three to five days of life. Our hypothesis is that in very low birth weight infants requiring mechanical ventilation in the first three to five days of life, PSV+VG will allow for more stable physiologic and ventilatory parameters compared to SIMV+VG. The primary endpoints are a reduction in respiratory rate and average mean airway pressure in the PSV+VG group compared to the SIMV+VG group.

COMPLETED
Dynamics of the Microbiome in the Premature Infant
Description

The purpose of the study is to describe the dynamics of the microbiome in the premature infant as a means to adapt the premature infant gut to affect better health outcomes.

Conditions
COMPLETED
Delayed Cord Clamping in VLBW Infants
Description

This study tested the feasibility of conducting a randomized controlled trial to vary the timing that doctors clamp the umbilical cord after birth in extremely low birthweight infants. The study also tested whether delaying cord clamping by 30-35 seconds and holding the newborn approximately 10 inches below the birth canal would result in increased hematocrit at 4 hours of age.

COMPLETED
Vitamin E for Extremely Preterm Infants
Description

The purpose of this pilot trial is to test the safety and efficacy of administering one dose of vitamin E, via a tube into the stomach, to extremely preterm infants (less than 27 weeks gestation and less than 1000 grams birth weight). This pilot will examine whether a single dose of vitamin E will be absorbed into the infants' bloodstreams with resulting serum α-tocopherol level in the target range of 1-3 mg/dl.

COMPLETED
Multi-dose Pharmacokinetics and Dose Ranging of Inositol in Premature Infants (INS-2)
Description

This pilot study is a randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial to measure changes in blood and urine levels of inositol in premature infants at high risk for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) following repeated doses of inositol. Based on previous studies, the premise is that maintaining inositol concentrations similar to those occurring naturally in utero will reduce the rates of ROP and bronchopulmonary dysplasia in premature infants. The objective is to evaluate pharmacokinetics, safety, and clinical outcomes of multiple doses of three different dose amounts of myo-inositol (provided by Abbott Laboratories) in very low birth weight premature infants. This study will enroll an estimated 96 infants at 17 NICHD Neonatal Research Network sites. Infants will be randomly assigned to receive either 10 mg/kg of 5% inositol, 40 mg/kg of 5% inositol, 80 mg/kg of 5% inositol, or 5% glucose given in the same volumes and timings as the inositol dosage to maintain masking. Enrollees will receive their assigned dose or placebo daily, starting within 72 hours of birth, and continuing until they reach 34 weeks post-menstrual age, 10 weeks chronologic age, or until the time of hospital discharge, whichever occurs first. The study drug will be administered first intravenously; as the infants progress to full feeding, the drug will be given enterally (orally or via feeding tube). Enrollees will be seen for a follow-up examination at 18-22 months corrected age. This pilot study is in preparation for a future Phase III multi-center randomized controlled trial.

COMPLETED
Laparotomy vs. Drainage for Infants With Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Description

This study will compare the effectiveness of two surgical procedures -laparotomy versus drainage - commonly used to treat necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) or isolated intestinal perforations (IP) in extremely low birth weight infants (≤1,000 g). Infants diagnosed with NEC or IP requiring surgical intervention, will be recruited. Subjects will be randomized to receive either a laparotomy or peritoneal drainage. Primary outcome is impairment-free survival at 18-22 months corrected age.

COMPLETED
Early Blood Pressure Management in Extremely Premature Infants
Description

This trial tests the feasibility of enrolling 60 extremely preterm infants in a randomized, double-blinded study of blood pressure management within 12 months. Eligible infants will receive an infusion drug (dopamine or a dextrose placebo) and a syringe drug (hydrocortisone or a normal saline placebo). Enrolled infants will be randomized to receive one of the following drug pairs: * dopamine and hydrocortisone * dopamine and normal saline * dextrose and hydrocortisone * dextrose and normal saline. In addition to the intervention above, the NRN is conducting a 6-month time-limited prospective observational study of all infants born at an NRN center between 23 and 26 weeks gestational age. All clinical decisions made for these babies will be at the discretion of the attending neonatologist/infant care team according to standard practice at each institution. Data on blood pressure management in the first 24 postnatal hours collected for each infant.

COMPLETED
Cerebral Function Monitoring in Premature Infants
Description

This observational study tests the feasibility of enrolling subjects and obtaining an amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram (aEEG) within the first 72 hours of life, a second aEEG recording between 72-168 hours of life, and weekly thereafter up to 36 weeks post-menstrual age. It will enroll 85-100 infants between 401-1,000 grams birth weight OR between 23 0/7 and 28 6/7 weeks gestational age born at the 7 participating NICHD Neonatal Research Network sites.

COMPLETED
Single-Dose Intravenous Inositol Pharmacokinetics in Preterm Infants
Description

This pilot study was a randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial to measure changes in blood and urine levels of inositol in premature infants at high risk for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) following a single intravenous dose of inositol. Based on previous studies, the premise is that maintaining inositol concentrations similar to those occurring naturally in utero will reduce the rates of ROP and bronchopulmonary dysplasia in premature infants. The objective was to evaluate the single-dose pharmacokinetics and safety of different amounts of intravenous myo-inositol (provided by Ross Products Division, Abbott Laboratories) in very low birth weight neonates, in preparation for a future Phase III multi-center randomized controlled trial. This study enrolled 74 infants at high risk for retinopathy at 9 NICHD Neonatal Research Network sites, and randomly assigned them to receive either 60mg/kg of 5% inositol, 120 mg/kg of 5% inositol, 60 mg/kg of 5% glucose (the placebo), or 120 mg/kg of 5% glucose.

COMPLETED
Immunogenicity of PCV-7 Vaccine in VLBW Infants
Description

Premature infants are at a high risk for pneumonia. The PCV-7 vaccine effectively prevents the invasive disease from Streptococcus pneumoniae in full-term infants, but was not thoroughly studied in premature infants. This study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of the vaccine given in routine practice to very low birth weight infants, looking at blood antibody levels 4-6 weeks after the final vaccine dose, and adverse events, survival, infections, and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 18-22 months corrected age.

COMPLETED
Trial of Aggressive Versus Conservative Phototherapy in Infants <1,000 Grams Birth Weight
Description

This multi-center, randomized clinical trial compared different bilirubin levels as thresholds for timing of phototherapy in extremely low birth weight infants. The primary hypothesis was that there would be no difference in death or neurodevelopmental impairment at 18-22 months corrected age in infants treated by either aggressive or conservative threshold limits. 1,978 infants were enrolled.

TERMINATED
Inhaled Nitric Oxide for Preterm Infants With Severe Respiratory Failure
Description

This multicenter trial tested whether inhaled nitric oxide would reduce death or the need for oxygen in preterm infants (less than 34 weeks gestational age) with severe lung disease.

COMPLETED
Dexamethasone Therapy in VLBW Infants at Risk of CLD
Description

Infants who are on breathing support are often treated with steroids (dexamethasone); however, the best timing of therapy is not known. This trial looked at the benefits and hazards of starting dexamethasone therapy at two weeks of age and four weeks of age in premature infants.