Early Human Milk Fortification After Early, Exclusive, Enteral Nutrition in Very Preterm Infants

Early Human Milk Fortification After Early, Exclusive, Enteral Nutrition in Very Preterm Infants: a Randomized Clinical Trial

In this proposed clinical trial, the investigators will randomize 80 very preterm (VPT) infants to receive either early (between day 4 and 7) or delayed (between day 10 and 14) fortification and determine if providing early protein supplementation through early fortification results in higher FFM-for-age z scores and more diversity in the gut microbiome.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Gestational age 29 to 33 weeks of gestation
• Birth weight < 1800 g
• Postnatal age < 96 hours

Exclusion Criteria:

• Small for gestational age (<5th percentile)
• Major congenital/chromosomal anomalies
• Terminal illness needing withhold or limit support