Promotion of Thickened Feeds to Manage Newborns With Feeding Difficulties

Swallowing Dysfunction Clinical Trial

Official title: Promotion of Thickened Feeds to Manage Newborns With Feeding Difficulties

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

Swallowing dysfunction and delay of oral feeding skills in premature infants significantly delay discharge from the hospital. Thickening oral formula or breast milk feeds with commercial thickeners and rice cereal has been used in some nurseries with the goal of promoting development of adequate feeding skills. The objective of this pilot study is to examine the effect of thickened feeds on premature infants with oral feeding difficulties due to dysfunction secondary to immature swallowing.

Hypotheses:

• Thickened feeds will lead to a reduction in symptoms secondary to immature swallowing in 32-40 weeks gestational age infants when compared to non-thickened feeds

• Thickened feeds will promote transition to hospital discharge.

Clinical Trial Description

n/a

Study Design

Allocation: Non-Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Swallowing Dysfunction

• NCT number: NCT00859092
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: Eastern Virginia Medical School
• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 2
• Start date: March 2008
• Completion date: September 2010