Higher and Standard Doses of Enteral Zinc Supplementation in Very Preterm Infants (ZnVeryPT)

Prince of Songkla University

Status

Invitation-only

Conditions

Very Preterm Infants

Zinc Deficiency

Treatments

Dietary Supplement: Standard dose of enteral zinc

Dietary Supplement: Higher dose of enteral zinc

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT06219525

66-451-1-1 (Other Grant/Funding Number)

Details and patient eligibility

About

The goal of this randomized clinical trial is to compare the effect of higher (10 mg per day) versus standard (1 mg per day) doses of zinc supplementation The main questions it aims to answer are:

Growth velocities and delta z-scores during the date of start intervention until the end of the time interval (at least 2 weeks of intervention on date of 44 weeks of postmenstrual age or discharge whichever came first) in very preterm infants with a birthweight less than1800 grams.
Growth and neurodevelopment at 24 months postnatal age

Full description

After informed consent, the neonates enrolled were randomly allocated to two study groups: group A (higher dose of zinc sulfate 10 mg/day; each 1 mL contains 10 mg of elemental zinc; Pharmacy Division, Songklanagarind Hospital), and group B (standard dose of zinc sulfate 1 mg/day; each 1 mL contains 1 mg of elemental zinc; Pharmacy Division, Songklanagarind Hospital).

The zinc solution was available as a white powder in white opaque plastic container. When normal sterile water was added up to the indicator mark, it provided 60 mL of solution containing 10 mg/mL (osmolality 450 Osm/kg H2O) and 1 mg/mL (osmolality 45 Osm/kg H2O) of elemental zinc with similar color, taste and packing. The two doses of zinc preparations were provided in identical bottles and was labeled only zinc solution, hospital number and name-surname, without indication of group identity (A or B) or concentration by a neonatal registered pharmacist in the study center (only unblinded investigator who recorded the group allocation according to the randomization list in consecutive participant). This information was not available to the investigators during the data had been obtained, entered in the database, and analyzed by a blinded statistician.

After randomization, nurses blinded to the study aims administered the assigned preparation 1 mL via tuberculin syringe, once daily, 1 h after feeding. Zinc sulphate oral solution was prepared by the pharmaceutical compounding unit in the hospital. Each subject received a 60-mL bottle solution individually and continued the medication until finished, either at a concentration of 1 or 10 mg/mL, depending on the study group. The supplement was given again to subjects who vomited within 15 min after the administration. All episodes of vomiting were reported on the record form. Vomiting episodes within 15 min were recorded. The supplement assigned was discontinued at discharge or at 44 weeks' postmenstrual age whichever came first. Both groups received multivitamin products (1 mL/day) and iron supplement (2-3 mg/kg/day) as routine preterm care.

Enrollment

120 estimated patients

Sex

All

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Very preterm neonates (gestational age [GA]: 24 0/7-32 6/7 weeks and BW: 401-1800 grams) were consecutively admitted in the NICU and NMCU
Body weight at enrollment less than 800 grams
Stable neonates and full enteral feeding (150 mL/kg/day) at least for a few days

Exclusion criteria

Outborn neonate who was admitted in study center after 7 days of life
Congenital infections
Malformations, syndromes, or genetic defects
Evidence of culture proven sepsis or necrotizing enterocolitis or death diagnosed before enrollment
Gastrointestinal (GI) surgery or high GI fluid output (usually ileostomy losses)
Unstable neonate during weighing including on intercostal drainage tube or drainage
Neonates need diuretics more than 7 days
Severe birth asphyxia (5-minute Apgar score less than 4)
Parents' decision not to participate the study