Should all preterm babies get extra nutrients? new study tests routine fortification

NCT ID NCT04284280

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study looked at 170 extremely preterm infants (born at or before 27 weeks) to see if adding a human milk fortifier to all feedings early on helps them grow better and reduces a dangerous gut condition called necrotizing enterocolitis. One group received the fortifier as soon as they reached full feeds, while the other group got it only if their weight gain was slow. The researchers tracked growth in the hospital and developmental outcomes at two years of age.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

Donor Human Milk Fortifier

What this could lead to

If successful, this could show that routine fortification of human milk improves growth and reduces serious gut complications in extremely preterm infants.

What could go wrong

This is a single-center study with 170 infants, so results may not apply to all hospitals. The intervention is a dietary supplement, not a drug, so benefits may be modest.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

necrotizing enterocolitis

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Crouse Hospital

    Syracuse, New York, 13210, United States