Can breast milk or mouthwash stop pneumonia in preterm infants?

NCT ID NCT07482007

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested four different mouth care methods—colostrum (early breast milk), chlorhexidine (an antiseptic), sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), and normal saline (salt water)—in 80 premature babies on breathing machines. The goal was to see which best prevents ventilator-associated pneumonia, a common and dangerous infection. Researchers tracked how many babies got pneumonia, how long they needed the ventilator, and how long they stayed in the hospital.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

colostrum, chlorhexidine, sodium bicarbonate, or normal saline (oral care solutions)

What this could lead to

If one of these oral care methods works best, it could help prevent a serious lung infection in premature babies on breathing machines, potentially saving lives and reducing hospital stays.

What could go wrong

This is a small, single-center study with only 80 babies, so results may not apply to all NICUs. The study is completed but not yet published, so we don't know if any method was clearly better or if there were side effects.

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.

Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Tanta University Children's Hospital

    Tanta, Egypt