Fish oil for tiny babies: could DHA boost brain growth in preterm infants?

NCT ID NCT06207071

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: University of Alabama at Birmingham Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether giving DHA (a type of omega-3 fat) early to very preterm infants who are small at birth can improve head growth without causing too much fat gain. The trial will include 152 infants and measure head size and body fat at 36 weeks adjusted age. If successful, it could lead to better nutrition strategies for these vulnerable babies.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) dietary supplement
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a simple nutritional strategy to improve head growth in vulnerable preterm infants.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage trial (152 infants) testing a dietary supplement, so results may not be conclusive or widely applicable. The primary focus is on head growth, not long-term development.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

fetal growth restriction Infant Nutrition Disorders nutritional deficiency disease nutritional disorder Premature Birth

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

INFANT MALNUTRITION LIGHT-FOR-DATES WITH SIGNS OF FETAL MALNUTRITION NUTRITION DISORDER, INFANT PREMATURE

Contacts and locations

Locations

University of Alabama at Birmingham
RECRUITING

Birmingham, Alabama, 35233, United States

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