Breast milk mouth care may boost gut health in rare birth defect

NCT ID NCT03393832

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

Summary

This study looks at whether giving oral care with breast milk (or sterile water if breast milk is not available) can improve feeding tolerance and gut bacteria in newborns with gastroschisis, a rare abdominal wall defect. Researchers will follow 27 infants in the NICU to see if this simple practice helps them start and reach full feeds sooner and reduces hospital stay. The study is observational, meaning it observes outcomes without assigning treatments.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

breast milk (oral care)

What this could lead to

If it works, this could point toward a simple, low-cost way to improve feeding and reduce infections in infants with gastroschisis.

What could go wrong

This is a small observational study with only 27 infants, so results may not apply to all babies. It is not a treatment trial and cannot prove cause and effect.

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.

gastroschisis

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Texas Children's Hospital Fetal Center and Newborn Center

    Houston, Texas, 770230, United States