Researchers at the University of Southampton and the University of Oxford have the go ahead to begin a study to find out which milk feeds could help protect premature babies from a life-threatening bowel condition called necrotising enterocolitis (NEC).
The year-long study has been made possible with a grant of £26,262 from children’s charity Action Medical Research.
The research will involve analysing data on the feeding patterns and type of milk given to more than 400 premature babies.
NEC happens when the lining of a baby’s intestines becomes inflamed and starts to die. This can lead to a hole developing, which allows the contents of the intestine to leak into the abdomen. This can cause a very dangerous infection. NEC can be difficult to diagnose but symptoms tend to include general signs of illness, problems feeding or vomiting, and a swollen and tender tummy.
Premature babies, those with a very low birth weight and babies who are already poorly are the most susceptible to developing NEC.
Associate Professor Nigel Hall, from the University of Southampton is overseeing the research, alongside Associate Professor Ed Juszczak of the University of Oxford.
Associate Professor Hall commented:
If certain types of milk feeds in these babies seem to protect against NEC, or put babies at increased risk of developing NEC, we plan to set up a clinical trial to investigate this further.
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