An interventional study of Structured High-Prebiotic Dietary Pattern in Preterm, Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Dysbiosis, sponsored by Fudan University. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in China. Open to participants aged 6 Months to 6 Months. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-07-14.
Sponsored by Fudan University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Prevention
The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the effect of a structured, high-prebiotic dietary pattern on the neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm infants. The intervention lasts for 6 months and aims to promote the growth of endogenous beneficial gut bacteria through targeted complementary feeding. The primary outcome is assessed by the Gesell Developmental Schedules or the Ages \& Stages Questionnaires (ASQ-3). Secondary outcomes include longitudinal changes in gut microbiota composition,targeted metabolomics (such as short-chain fatty acids and tryptophan metabolites), and systemic inflammatory markers.
Preterm infants frequently face early-life gut dysbiosis due to perinatal complications and antibiotic exposure, which may adversely affect their neurodevelopment via the microbiota-gut-brain axis. While exogenous probiotics are one approach, modulating the gut microbiota through endogenous substrates-specifically, structured dietary interventions-offers a sustainable and highly translational alternative.
This single-blind, randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of a structured, high-prebiotic complementary feeding pattern on neurodevelopmental outcomes. Eligible preteum infants (aged 6 to 12 months, corrected age) will be randomized into the dietary intervention group or the standard care control group. Families in the intervention group will receive individualized, face-to-face guidance and tailored recipes from a registered dietitian, focusing on the scientific introduction of prebiotic-rich complementary foods according to the infant's age. The intervention spans 6 months.
Outcomes will be evaluated using the Gesell Developmental Schedules or ASQ-3. Concurrently, fecal and blood samples will be collected to analyze the dynamic shifts in gut microbiota composition and key metabolic pathways . This study will help elucidate whether structured dietary patterns can effectively reshape the gut microbiota and confer neuroprotective benefits in preterm infants.
2,550 studies on the registry are indexed under Premature Birth; 500 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 116 is above the median of 84 across 1,666 interventional studies indexed under Premature Birth.
Browse Premature Birth studies →Fudan University is the lead sponsor of 1,315 studies on the registry; 643 are open to participants now.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Individualized, face-to-face guidance and tailored recipes provided by a registered dietitian, focusing on the scientific introduction of prebiotic-rich complementary foods to promote endogenous beneficial gut bacteria over a 6-month period.
Behavioral: Structured High-Prebiotic Dietary Pattern
Preterm infants in this group will receive routine neonatal follow-up and standard infant feeding practices for 6 months.
Individualized, face-to-face guidance and tailored recipes provided by a registered dietitian, focusing on the scientific introduction of prebiotic-rich complementary foods to promote endogenous beneficial gut bacteria over a 6-month period.
Neurodevelopmental Status Assessed by the Gesell Developmental Schedules (GDS)
Neurodevelopmental trajectories will be quantitatively evaluated using the Gesell Developmental Schedules (GDS), which yield Developmental Quotients (DQs) across multiple domains (motor, adaptive, language, and personal-social). The DQ is a standardized score; a higher DQ score indicates better neurodevelopmental status and progression.
Time frame: Baseline and 6 months post-intervention
Parent-Reported Neurodevelopment Assessed by the Ages and Stages Questionnaires, Third Edition (ASQ-3)
Neurodevelopment will be secondarily assessed using the Ages and Stages Questionnaires, Third Edition (ASQ-3), a parent-completed screening tool. It evaluates communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem-solving, and personal-social skills. Higher scores indicate better developmental milestones achievement.
Time frame: Baseline and 6 months post-intervention
Change in Fecal Short-Chain Fatty Acid (SCFA) Concentrations Assessed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)
Targeted metabolomic profiling will be conducted to quantify fecal SCFA concentrations (primarily acetate, propionate, and butyrate) using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). A quantitative assessment of these microbial metabolites provides insight into gut fermentation capacity. Data will be reported in micromoles per gram (μmol/g) of wet feces.
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months post-intervention
Change in Fecal Tryptophan-Indole Derivatives Assessed by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS)
Targeted metabolomic analysis using Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) will be utilized to quantify the concentrations of specific fecal tryptophan-indole derivatives, which are crucial gut-brain axis signaling molecules. Data will be reported in nanograms per gram (ng/g) or micrograms per gram (μg/g) of feces.
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months post-intervention
Change in Systemic Inflammatory Cytokine Levels Assessed by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
Systemic signaling pathways will be evaluated by quantifying the serum concentrations of key inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-6, TNF-alpha) using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) kits. Data will be reported in picograms per milliliter (pg/mL).
Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months post-intervention
Change in Gut Microbiota Alpha Diversity (Shannon Index) Assessed by 16S rRNA Sequencing
The composition and diversity of the gut microbiota will be evaluated using 16S rRNA gene sequencing of fecal samples. Specifically, the Shannon Index will be calculated to assess alpha diversity (species richness and evenness) within individual samples. A higher Shannon Index value indicates a more diverse microbial community.
Time frame: Baseline and 6 months post-intervention
Start is estimated for Jul 2026; primary completion for Dec 2027, 17 months later.
Of 741 non-industry interventional studies with no phase under Premature Birth, half reached primary completion within 24 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 12 and three quarters within 47. This study's planned 17 months is below that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 759 studies reached it within 24 months; a quarter within 12 and three quarters within 47.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Jun 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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