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Home › Conditions › preterm infants

Preterm infants

Subtypes of Preterm infants

Premature infants 1

6 published articles · Updated continuously

Clinical Trial Landscape

Clinical Trials for preterm infants

12 trials tracked for preterm infants: 1 in phase 3 or 4 and 1 with published results.

12Trials tracked
1Phase 3 & 4
0Recruiting
1With published results
Phase distribution
Phase 4 1 Phase 2 2 Other / NA 9
  1. Phase 4 Effect of Vitamin D as Adjuvant Therapy in Preterm Infants With Neonatal Sepsis Completed
  2. Phase 2 Randomized Study of Weekly Erythropoietin Dosing in Preterm Infants Completed
  3. Phase 2 Comparison of Two Different Lipid Emulsions for Parenteral Nutrition in Preterm Infants Completed
  4. N/A NHFOV vs. NCPAP as a Primary Treatment to Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome(NRDS) Completed
  5. N/A Trial to Improve Multisensory Neural Processing, Language & Motor Outcomes in Preterm Infants Completed
  6. N/A Effects of Prefeeding Oral Stimulation on Feeding Performance in Preterm Infants Completed
Show 6 more trials
  1. N/A Very Low Birth Weight Preterm Infant Bundled Care in the NICU Completed
  2. N/A Treatment of Cranial Molding Deformities in Preterm Infants Completed
  3. N/A Utility of Placental/Umbilical Cord Blood in Early Onset Neonatal Sepsis in Very Low Birth Weight Infants Completed
  4. N/A Skin to Skin and Heart Rate Variability Completed
  5. N/A Kangaroo Mother Care Before Stabilisation Amongst Low Birth Weight Neonates in Africa Completed
  6. N/A A Novel Parent Education Program for Early Intervention Completed

Showing the 12 most-cited and recently-updated of 12 trials. Browse the full registry →

Trial data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. Counts describe the research landscape and are not a treatment recommendation. Informational only — not medical advice.

What the trials found Updated — new results For clinicians

Preterm infants: what the trials found

Vitamin D administration in preterm infants is associated with significant improvements in clinical markers of infection and sepsis risk. Specifically, Vitamin D was associated with a statistically significant reduction in the Modified Töllner Sepsis Scoring System after 7 days (p<0.001) 1.

Furthermore, Vitamin D treatment resulted in a significant decrease in the Sepsis Prediction Score at 7 days (p<0.001) and a statistically significant reduction in C-Reactive Protein levels (p=0.030) 1.

Recent results — preliminary, needs further review

  • Kangaroo mother care was evaluated for its impact on mortality, hypothermia prevalence at 24 hours, and mean duration of hospital stay 2.
  • A baby play intervention showed a statistically significant improvement in the Alberta Infant Motor Scale total percentile score (p=0.016) 7.
  • A prefeeding oral stimulation program was associated with a significantly higher breastfeeding rate at discharge (p=0.02) 12.

For the clinician treating this condition

  • Vitamin D supplementation is associated with measurable improvements in sepsis scoring and C-reactive protein levels in preterm infants 1.
  • Prefeeding oral stimulation programs may improve breastfeeding rates at discharge 12.

AI synthesis of 4 cited trials, updated Jun 29, 2026. Informational only — not medical advice; trial data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. How we use AI.

HCP Mode — summaries include clinical detail, trial data, and statistical outcomes.
Patient Mode — summaries use plain language, avoiding clinical jargon.
Systematic review finds uncertain benefit of olfactory stimulation in preterm infants
Neurology Sys. Review
Systematic review finds uncertain benefit of olfactory stimulation in preterm infants Smells May Help Preterm Infants Feed and Breathe Better
This systematic review of 14 trials involving 1087 preterm infants assessed olfactory stimulation with various odors. Evidence was very low …
A review of 14 trials suggests that certain odors, like breast milk or vanilla, may slightly reduce apnea and shorten hospital stays in pret…
Cochrane May 6, 2026
Three-factor nomogram predicts endotracheal IMV in preterm infants receiving pulmonary surfactant within 72 hours
Rheumatology Cohort
Three-factor nomogram predicts endotracheal IMV in preterm infants receiving pulmonary surfactant within 72 hours A simple three-factor check predicts breathing help for preterm babies
This single-center retrospective cohort study evaluated a three-factor nomogram in 1,059 preterm infants admitted within 72 hours of life.
A new bedside check using three simple factors can predict which preterm infants will need a breathing tube within 72 hours.
Frontiers Apr 29, 2026
Telemedicine family care guidance improves neurodevelopment in premature infants
Pediatrics RCT
Telemedicine family care guidance improves neurodevelopment in premature infants Tiny Babies, Big Gains: How Video Calls Help Preemies Thrive
This randomized controlled trial of 186 premature infants found that telemedicine-based family care guidance significantly improved Bayley S…
A new study shows that regular video calls with nurses can significantly improve how premature babies grow and learn after leaving the hospi…
Frontiers Apr 23, 2026
Closed-loop oxygen control shortens ventilation and oxygen duration in preterm infants in RCT
Pediatrics RCT
Closed-loop oxygen control shortens ventilation and oxygen duration in preterm infants in RCT New Technology Helps Preterm Babies Spend Less Time on Ventilators
This randomized controlled trial in 69 preterm infants compared closed-loop automated oxygen control to manual control.
A smart oxygen system helped preterm babies breathe on their own sooner, cutting ventilator time and reducing lung disease risk.
Apr 19, 2026
Retrospective Cohort Examines Brain Development in Very Low Birth Weight Infants
Pediatrics Cohort
Retrospective Cohort Examines Brain Development in Very Low Birth Weight Infants Brain Scans at Birth May Predict a Premature Baby's Development at Age Two
This retrospective cohort study enrolled 79 very low birth weight preterm infants within a neonatal intensive care setting.
Bedside brain scans in premature babies may help doctors predict which infants face developmental delays by age two.
Frontiers Apr 18, 2026
Intranasal breast milk improved cerebral oxygenation in 40 preterm infants compared to routine care
Pediatrics RCT
Intranasal breast milk improved cerebral oxygenation in 40 preterm infants compared to routine care Small study suggests intranasal breast milk may improve oxygen levels in preterm infants
This randomized controlled trial enrolled 40 preterm infants with gestational ages between 28 and 36 weeks.
Giving fresh breast milk through the nose may help preterm babies maintain higher brain oxygen levels and lower breathing rates without caus…
Apr 17, 2026

Questions about preterm infants

Is there clear evidence that olfactory stimulation benefits preterm infants based on recent reviews?

No, recent systematic review finds uncertain benefit of olfactory stimulation for preterm infants; evidence is insufficient to recommend routine use.

Full answer →
What do studies say about brain development in very low birth weight preterm infants?

Very low birth weight preterm infants show slower head growth and lower IGF-1 levels in early months, and extended caffeine therapy may reduce brain-harming oxygen dips, but direct brain imaging studies are limited.

Full answer →
Does automatic oxygen control help preterm infants breathe less than manual settings?

Yes, automatic oxygen control helps preterm infants breathe less by reducing time on mechanical ventilation and supplemental oxygen compared to manual settings.

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Does smelling scents help preterm infants breathe better or stay in the hospital shorter?

Smelling scents like breast milk may help preterm infants eat sooner, but research does not show it makes them breathe better or shortens their hospital stay.

Full answer →