Intranasal breast milk improved cerebral oxygenation in 40 preterm infants compared to routine care.
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Key Takeaway
Consider that intranasal breast milk may increase cerebral oxygenation in preterm infants, though evidence is limited by small sample size.
This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of intranasal breast milk administration in 40 preterm infants with gestational ages between 28 and 36 weeks. The study population consisted of infants receiving either 0.2 mL of fresh breast milk intranasally three times daily for 3 days or routine clinical care. Follow-up continued until discharge from the hospital.
The primary outcome measured was cerebral oxygenation. Results indicated that cerebral oxygenation was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group. No specific effect size, absolute numbers, or p-values were reported for this finding. Secondary outcomes included vital signs, time to transition to full oral feeding, oxygen saturation, heart rate, length of hospital stay, vomiting frequency, and defecation frequency.
No significant differences were observed between groups for oxygen saturation, heart rate, time to full oral feeding, length of hospital stay, vomiting frequency, or defecation frequency. Respiratory rate was lower in the intervention group at some measurement times, but specific data points were not detailed. The procedure demonstrated good tolerance with no reported adverse events, serious adverse events, or discontinuations.
Limitations of the study were not reported in the provided data. Given the small sample size of 40 participants and the lack of reported statistical metrics such as confidence intervals or exact p-values, the certainty of the findings regarding cerebral oxygenation remains limited. These results should be interpreted with caution when considering broader clinical application.
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View Original Abstract ↓
UNLABELLED: This study examined the effects of intranasal breast milk administration on cerebral oxygenation, vital signs, and time to transition to full oral feeding in preterm infants. This assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial included 40 preterm infants with gestational ages between 28 and 36 weeks. Infants in the intervention group received 0.2 mL of fresh breast milk intranasally three times daily for 3 days. The control group continued to receive routine clinical care. During each intervention period, cerebral oxygenation and vital signs were recorded at baseline (T0), 5 (T1), 15 (T2), and 30 (T3) minutes after the intervention. The time required for preterm infants to achieve full oral feeding was monitored until discharge. Cerebral oxygenation levels of preterm infants who received intranasal breast milk were significantly higher than the control group and respiratory rate was lower at some measurement times. No significant differences were found between groups in oxygen saturation, heart rate, time to full oral feeding, length of hospital stay, vomiting frequency and defecation frequency.
CONCLUSION: Intranasal breast milk administration has the potential to increase cerebral oxygenation in preterm infants. The maintenance of oxygen saturation and heart rate, along with good tolerance of the procedure, suggests that this intervention may be safe and feasible.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov on 21 May 2024 (Identifier: NCT06706115).
WHAT IS KNOWN: • Intranasal breast milk administration has been reported to have therapeutic potential in improving brain injury in preterm infants. • Intranasal administration of breast milk is known not to cause significant side effects in preterm infants diagnosed with intraventricular hemorrhage.
WHAT IS NEW: • Intranasal breast milk administration may increase cerebral rSO₂ in preterm infants. • Intranasal breast milk administration did not affect preterm infants' heart rate, SpO₂ levels, time to transition to full oral feeding, length of hospital stay, daily vomiting, and stooling frequency.
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