Study of Maternal Stress, Breast Milk Composition, and Neurodevelopment in Preterm Infants Born Between 28 and 34 Weeks

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying how maternal stress affects breastmilk composition, feeding outcomes, and neurodevelopment in preterm infants born between 28 and 34 weeks of gestation. The study aims to understand how stress in mothers relates to the amount of milk given and the infants neurocognitive status at NICU discharge and at 4 months corrected age. It also explores whether stress influences the metabolomic and microbiome profiles of the infants gut and the milk, and how these differences relate to infant neurodevelopment. Mothers and their preterm infants will be recruited to collect maternal milk and infant fecal samples for detailed analyses. The study will observe the volume and proportion of maternal milk provided during the NICU stay 28 to 35 weeks postmenstrual age and again at 4 months corrected age. Infant neurodevelopment and gut microbiome will be assessed at NICU discharge 35 to 37 weeks postmenstrual age and at 4 months corrected age. The study does not involve any interventions but follows these infants and mothers over these time periods. Participants will be involved in sample collection and monitoring during their NICU stay and at 4 months corrected age. Researchers will measure maternal milk production, milk composition, infant neurodevelopment, and gut microbiome at specific timepoints. Mothers and infants will be assessed for feeding outcomes and neurocognitive status, with data collected to better understand the mother-milk-infant relationship and its impact on infant health. The study is observational, and participant involvement lasts through the NICU hospitalization and follow-up at 4 months corrected age.

Maternal Stress, Milk Composition, and Preterm Neurodevelopment