Effect of Rectal Administration of Breast Milk on Gut Microbiota in Preterm Infants (premic)

Effect of Rectal Administration of Human Milk on Gut Microbiota and Clinical Outcomes in Preterm Infants: A Randomized Controlled Study

This study aims to evaluate the effect of rectal administration of maternal breast milk on gut microbiota development in preterm infants. Preterm infants are at increased risk of dysbiosis due to immaturity and limited enteral feeding in the early postnatal period. In this randomized controlled study, preterm infants will receive either rectal administration of maternal breast milk or normal saline. The primary objective is to compare gut microbiota composition between the two groups. The findings may provide insight into a novel and non-invasive strategy to support microbiota development in preterm infants.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Premature; NEC - Necrotizing Enterocolitis; Gut Microbiota Diversity and Composition
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Rectal irrigation with maternal breast milk; Other: Rectal irrigation with salin

Detailed Description

Preterm infants are highly vulnerable to alterations in gut microbiota due to immaturity, delayed enteral feeding, antibiotic exposure, and environmental factors. Early-life dysbiosis has been associated with adverse outcomes including necrotizing enterocolitis, sepsis, and impaired immune development. Strategies to promote healthy microbiota colonization in preterm infants are therefore of significant clinical interest.

Breast milk contains beneficial bacteria, prebiotics, and bioactive components that play a critical role in shaping neonatal gut microbiota. However, in the early postnatal period, especially in very preterm infants, enteral feeding may be limited or delayed. Alternative routes of exposure to breast milk components may offer a potential strategy to influence microbiota development.

This randomized controlled study aims to investigate the effects of rectal administration of maternal breast milk on gut microbiota in preterm infants. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either rectal maternal breast milk or normal saline. Stool samples will be collected at predefined time points to assess microbiota composition.

The study is designed to explore whether rectal exposure to breast milk can modulate early microbial colonization and provide a feasible, safe, and innovative approach to support gut microbiota development in preterm infants.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 60
• Phase: Not Applicable

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Preterm infants with a gestational age ≤32 weeks and birth weight ≤1500 g

Infants without meconium passage within the first 48 hours of life

Infants whose parents have provided written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

nfants with major congenital anomalies

Infants with gastrointestinal system anomalies

Infants in whom administration of maternal breast milk is contraindicated

Infants whose parents do not provide consent for participation

Infants who die within the first 72 hours of life

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Rectal irrigation with maternal breast milk; Rectal irrigation will be performed starting 48 hours after birth, twice daily for 5 consecutive days at 09:00 and 21:00. A 6 Fr feeding tube, 5 mL syringe, thermostatically controlled water bath (set at 37°C), sterile water-based lubricant, and sterile gloves will be used. The enema volume will be calculated as 5 mL/kg and warmed to 37°C. One end of the feeding tube will be connected to the syringe, and the other end will be gently inserted into the rectum after lubrication. The solution will be administered slowly over approximately 3 minutes, and the tube will then be carefully removed. Maternal breast milk will be used for rectal irrigation.	Other: Rectal irrigation with maternal breast milk; Maternal breast milk will be used for rectal irrigation . Rectal irrigation will be performed starting 48 hours after birth, twice daily for 5 consecutive days at 09:00 and 21:00. A 6 Fr feeding tube, 5 mL syringe, thermostatically controlled water bath (set at 37°C), sterile water-based lubricant, and sterile gloves will be used. The enema volume will be calculated as 5 mL/kg and warmed to 37°C. One end of the feeding tube will be connected to the syringe, and the other end will be gently inserted into the rectum after lubrication. The solution will be administered slowly over approximately 3 minutes, and the tube will then be carefully removed.
Active Comparator: Rectal irrigation with normal saline; Rectal irrigation will be performed starting 48 hours after birth, twice daily for 5 consecutive days at 09:00 and 21:00. A 6 Fr feeding tube, 5 mL syringe, thermostatically controlled water bath (set at 37°C), sterile water-based lubricant, and sterile gloves will be used. The enema volume will be calculated as 5 mL/kg and warmed to 37°C. One end of the feeding tube will be connected to the syringe, and the other end will be gently inserted into the rectum after lubrication. The solution will be administered slowly over approximately 3 minutes, and the tube will then be carefully removed.Normal saline will be used for rectal irrigation as an active comparator.	Other: Rectal irrigation with salin; Rectal irrigation will be performed starting 48 hours after birth, twice daily for 5 consecutive days at 09:00 and 21:00. A 6 Fr feeding tube, 5 mL syringe, thermostatically controlled water bath (set at 37°C), sterile water-based lubricant, and sterile gloves will be used. The enema volume will be calculated as 5 mL/kg and warmed to 37°C. One end of the feeding tube will be connected to the syringe, and the other end will be gently inserted into the rectum after lubrication. The solution will be administered slowly over approximately 3 minutes, and the tube will then be carefully removed. Normal saline will be used for rectal irrigation as an active comparator.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Gut microbiota composition in preterm infants	Gut microbiota composition will be analyzed using stool samples collected from preterm infants at 7 days and 1 month of life, including assessment of microbial diversity and relative abundance of bacterial taxa, to evaluate differences between study groups.	1 year

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Time to full enteral feeding	Time to achieve full enteral feeding will be defined as the number of days from birth until the infant tolerates full enteral nutrition without the need for parenteral nutrition.	1 year
Feeding intolerance	Feeding intolerance will be defined as the occurrence of bilious emesis, gastric residuals, visibly bloody stools, abdominal distension or tenderness, abdominal discoloration, gastric residual volume exceeding 50% of the previous feeding volume, emesis occurring three or more times within a 24-hour period, or clinical or radiological evidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).	1 year
Necrotizing enterocolitis	Necrotizing enterocolitis will be diagnosed according to modified Bell's criteria stage II or higher.	1 year

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Research and Education Hospital
• Collaborators: Kocaeli University; Umraniye Education and Research Hospital

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): June 15, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 15, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 15, 2027

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 17, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 22, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): April 30, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 30, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 22, 2026
• Last Verified: March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: gut microbiota; premature; preterm morbidities
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Urogenital Diseases; Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications; Intestinal Diseases; Obstetric Labor, Premature; Obstetric Labor Complications; Pregnancy Complications; Digestive System Diseases; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Gastroenteritis; Enterocolitis; Premature Birth; Enterocolitis, Necrotizing
• Other Study ID Numbers: PREMIC-2026

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No