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Study aim
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The objective of this study is to assess the effects of the implementation of a standardized clinical guideline for intravenous nutrition in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) on growth and its related early nutritional and clinical outcomes.
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Design
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A phase 2 clinical trial involving a single cohort of 70 preterm neonates will be conducted for examination.
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Settings and conduct
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The research will be carried out in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Alzahra Hospital in Tabriz, focusing on preterm neonates requiring parenteral nutrition. The parenteral nutrition solutions will be formulated in a controlled clean room environment, with the macronutrient and micronutrient compositions tailored individually for each neonate.
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Participants/Inclusion and exclusion criteria
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Inclusion criteria: preterm infants born before 32 weeks of gestation and/or those weighing less than 1250 g
Exclusion criteria: Infants with significant congenital anomalies, chromosomal disorders, congenital metabolic conditions, cyanotic heart disease, severe asphyxia (Apgar 5 min below 4), as well as those transfer to other hospitals or who experience complications leading to premature death within the first week of life.
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Intervention groups
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Parenteral solutions comprising dextrose, amino acids, and lipids will be formulated in accordance with established protocols, taking into consideration the specific characteristics of neonates, such as weight, height, and age. These solutions will be utilized to provide nutritional support for neonates.
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Main outcome variables
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Intake of energy, carbohydrate, protein, and fat; weight, height, and head circumference; incidence of sepsis; incidence of retinopathy of prematurity; incidence of necrosis enterocolitis; incidence of intraventricular bleeding