Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was the main objective of the study mentioned in the text?
What was the main objective of the study mentioned in the text?
What was a limitation of the study mentioned in the text?
What was a limitation of the study mentioned in the text?
What did the study's results indicate about the use of different human milk fortifiers in preterm infants?
What did the study's results indicate about the use of different human milk fortifiers in preterm infants?
What was observed about the mean values of each marker in both fortifier groups?
What was observed about the mean values of each marker in both fortifier groups?
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What was suggested by the study's results regarding the faecal calprotectin threshold value for early detection of NEC?
What was suggested by the study's results regarding the faecal calprotectin threshold value for early detection of NEC?
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What can be inferred about the new fortifier used in the study?
What can be inferred about the new fortifier used in the study?
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What is a potential conflict of interest in the study?
What is a potential conflict of interest in the study?
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What was the significance of the study's findings in relation to NEC?
What was the significance of the study's findings in relation to NEC?
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What is the relevance of the study's findings to clinical practice?
What is the relevance of the study's findings to clinical practice?
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What is the significance of the study's comparison to the findings of Pergialiotis et al?
What is the significance of the study's comparison to the findings of Pergialiotis et al?
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Study Notes
Human Milk Fortification and Preterm Infants
- Federal government websites end in .gov or .mil, and the site is secure when the url starts with "https".
- NLM provides access to scientific literature, and inclusion in an NLM database does not imply endorsement.
Study Overview
- The study examined the influence of different human milk fortifiers on biomarkers of gastrointestinal immaturity and inflammation in preterm infants.
- The study was a controlled, double-blind, randomised, parallel group study conducted in 11 metropolitan hospitals in France, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy.
- 153 preterm infants were enrolled and randomised to receive either a new or control human milk fortifier.
Preterm Infants and Gut Maturity
- Preterm infants have immature development at birth and are more likely to need specialised care.
- Gut immaturity is a particular concern, as it has been associated with severe morbidities, including necrotising enterocolitis (NEC).
- Human milk fortification is recommended for all infants born weighing less than 1800 g.
Faecal Biomarkers
- Faecal biomarkers can be used to assess maturity of gastrointestinal function and inflammation.
- Alpha-1 antitrypsin is a serum trypsin inhibitor that is highly resistant to intestinal proteolysis and is a classic marker for protein-losing enteropathies.
- Faecal calprotectin reflects various pathological processes that occur in the mucosa of paediatric patients.
- Faecal elastase-1 is a highly specific and sensitive test for determining gut functional maturity, specifically pancreatic exocrine function.
Study Results
- The geometric mean concentration of faecal alpha-1 antitrypsin was slightly lower in the new fortifier group than in the control fortifier group after 21 days of full enteral feeding.
- There was no significant difference in faecal calprotectin between the groups.
- Faecal elastase-1 was lower in the new fortifier group than in the control fortifier group.
- The mean values of each marker in both fortifier groups were within the ranges observed in healthy term infants.
Conclusion
- The study suggests that different human milk fortifiers can lead to modest differences in markers of gastrointestinal status in clinically stable, preterm infants.
- The results indicate that the faecal calprotectin threshold value for early detection of NEC should be revised.
- The new fortifier was safe and well tolerated by the cohort.
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Description
Learn how to identify official government websites and ensure secure online interactions with the federal government. Understand the importance of .gov and .mil domains and the role of HTTPS.