Effect of L-Carnitine Supplementation in Preterm Neonates

Effect of L-Carnitine Supplementation in Preterm Neonates Suffering From Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS)

The current study is planned to see the effect of L-carnitine supplementation in preterm neonates suffering from RDS among the local population, as there is no such evidence available for the local population and there are conflicting statistics regarding the discharge rate of these neonates.

Given the contradictory results (discharge rate), additional rigorously designed studies are necessary to elucidate the impact of L-carnitine supplementation on short-term neonatal outcomes, including weight gain, discharge rate, and mortality. The proposed research aims to fill this knowledge gap by systematically evaluating the clinical efficacy and safety of L-carnitine supplementation in L-carnitine-deficient neonates. The findings would provide evidence-based suggestions on whether L-carnitine is a useful, safe, and potentially beneficial adjunct in managing preterm neonates with RDS, particularly in addressing metabolic needs.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Preterm neonates
• Either gender
• With RDS
• Admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) within 24 hours of birth .

Exclusion Criteria:

• Neonates with gastrointestinal tract (GIT) anomalies
• With confirmed or suspected sepsis at the time of enrollment
• Neonates whose clinical condition contraindicates study participation (e.g., expected survival <48 hours, as judged by the neonatologist).