Could a prebiotic diet boost brain development in preterm babies?
NCT ID NCT07702734
First seen Jul 14, 2026 · Last updated Jul 15, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial investigates whether a structured diet rich in prebiotics can improve brain development in preterm infants. Preterm babies often have disrupted gut bacteria due to antibiotics, which may affect brain growth. The study provides tailored dietary guidance to parents for six months and measures neurodevelopment using standardized tests.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- a structured high-prebiotic dietary pattern
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this dietary approach could offer a simple, safe way to support brain development in preterm infants.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial, so results may not apply broadly. The diet may not significantly change gut bacteria or neurodevelopment.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 116 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Jul 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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6 to 6 months
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Preterm infants with a gestational age between 28 and 37 weeks (inclusive of 28 weeks) * Documented history of neonatal intravenous antibiotic exposure for at least 5 consecutive days during the neonatal period (e.g., in the NICU). * Corrected age of 6 months ± 7days at the time of enrollment. * No systemic antibiotic usage within 14 days prior to screening. * Legal guardians are willing to sign the informed consent form and comply with the 6-month intervention and follow-up schedule. Exclusion Criteria: * Severe congenital malformations, chromosomal abnormalities, or inherited metabolic diseases (e.g., Down syndrome). * Severe neurological disorders or structural brain injuries (e.g., Grade III/IV intraventricular hemorrhage, cystic periventricular leukomalacia, or hydrocephalus requiring a shunt). * Severe chronic diseases affecting growth and development (e.g., congenital heart disease requiring surgery, short bowel syndrome, or severe sequelae of necrotizing enterocolitis). * Concurrent participation in other interventional clinical trials. * Planned long-term use of other commercial probiotic/prebiotic supplements outside the study protocol during the intervention period. * High risk of loss to follow-up (e.g., expected relocation).
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Shanghai Children's Hospital
Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, 200062, China
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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