NCT04991792

Brief Summary

A multi-centre, randomized, parallel-group, double-blind, controlled, exploratory clinical trial is conducted to assess the positive effect of feeding a formula containing synbiotics (pre- and probiotics) on the composition of the gut microbiota in caesarean section (CS) born healthy term infants within the first 6 months of life.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
486

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Sep 2021

Typical duration for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

July 28, 2021

Completed
8 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

August 5, 2021

Completed
2 months until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

September 23, 2021

Completed
1.2 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

November 29, 2022

Completed
1.6 years until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

July 7, 2024

Completed
Last Updated

May 6, 2025

Status Verified

May 1, 2025

Enrollment Period

1.2 years

First QC Date

July 28, 2021

Last Update Submit

May 2, 2025

Conditions

Keywords

Caesarean Section; Microbiota; Infant Formula; Infants

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Assessment whether an infant formula containing synbiotics positively affects the composition of the gut microbiota in CS-born infants compared to a standard formula (without synbiotics) or breast-feeding within the first 6 months of life

    6 months duration

Study Arms (6)

Standard Infant Formula with synbiotics (CS-born)

EXPERIMENTAL

CS born infants, randomized to receive infant formula with synbiotics

Other: Intervention Group 1: Infant Formula with synbiotics

Standard Infant Formula with prebiotics (CS-born)

EXPERIMENTAL

CS born infants, randomized to receive infant formula with prebiotics

Other: Intervention Group 2: Infant Formula with prebiotics

Control Group 1: Standard Infant Formula (CS-born)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

CS born infants, randomized to receive standard infant formula without synbiotics

Other: Control Group 1 and 2: Infant Formula without synbiotics

Control Group 2 : Standard Infant Formula (VD-born)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

VD born infants, receiving standard infant formula without synbiotics (self-selected for formula-feeding = non-randomized)

Other: Control Group 1 and 2: Infant Formula without synbiotics

Reference Group 1: Breastfed (CS-born)

NO INTERVENTION

CS-born infants, receiving exclusive breast-feeding with mother's own breast milk (non-randomized)

Reference Group 2: Breastfed (VD-born)

NO INTERVENTION

VD-born infants, receiving exclusive breast-feeding with mother's own breast milk (non-randomized)

Interventions

Infants will receive infant formula during the first 6 months of life

Standard Infant Formula with synbiotics (CS-born)

Infants will receive infant formula during the first 6 months of life

Standard Infant Formula with prebiotics (CS-born)

Infants will receive infant formula during the first 6 months of life

Control Group 1: Standard Infant Formula (CS-born)Control Group 2 : Standard Infant Formula (VD-born)

Eligibility Criteria

Age4 Days - 6 Days
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsChild (0-17)

You may qualify if:

  • Healthy term infants
  • Female or male gender
  • Gestational age ≥37 weeks, \<42 weeks
  • Singleton, born by caesarean section or vaginally born
  • Birth weight between ≥2500g and ≤4200g with a regular weight gain without any signs of developmental delays or growth disorders according to investigator opinion
  • Uncomplicated early course of neonatal period
  • Age at enrolment: 5 +/-1 days of life
  • Infants whose parent(s)/ legal authorized representatives (LAR(s)) have reached the legal age of majority in Bulgaria
  • Infants whose parent(s)/ LAR(s) are capable of and willing to comply with the protocol and have signed the informed consent form in accordance with legal requirements
  • At least one of the legal representatives is affiliated to a health security/insurance or equally
  • Infants whose parent(s)/ LAR(s) are willing to comply with the feeding regimen during the intervention period. Infant's parent(s)/ LAR(s) will decide which feeding regimen will be used (infant formula or breast milk)
  • Parents/ LARs who agree to not use any sort of other formula than provided during the study

You may not qualify if:

  • Intensive care prior to or at Baseline Visit
  • UV-treatment of jaundice and clinical significant jaundice prior to Baseline Visit (according to investigator opinion)
  • Known immune deficiency
  • Serious acquired or congenital diseases, chromosomal anomalies (if known)
  • Serious pre-natal and/or serious post-natal disease before enrolment (per investigator's medical diagnosis)
  • Infants or mothers under antibiotic treatment before Baseline Visit (only for vaginally born and breastfed infants) or at Baseline Visit (all groups)
  • Infants requiring infant formula intake other than those specified in the protocol (formula for special medical purposes (FSMP), formula with hydrolyzed protein (allergy risk)
  • Infant's supplementation or formula intake, which contains probiotics, prebiotics, dietary fibres or synbiotics before and during study
  • Feeding difficulties or formula intolerance according to investigator's opinion
  • Currently participating or having participated in another clinical trial since birth
  • Reason to presume that the infant's parent(s)/LAR(s) are unable to meet the study plan requirements, such as drug/alcohol abuse, psychological or linguistic incapability, chronic or mental diseases
  • Infants born to mothers with medical conditions that require prescription medication (coagulation abnormalities, if acetylsalicylic acid was not stopped at 35 weeks GA according to guidelines, mothers treated with Methyldopa, ACE inhibitors, breastfeeding mothers treated with L-thyroxine, diabetic mothers, epileptic mothers)
  • Any smoking, drug or alcohol intake by the mother during the last two trimesters of pregnancy
  • Mother's weight gain \>18 kg during pregnancy

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

University multiprofile hospital for active treatment "Dr. Georgi Stranski" EAD

Pleven, Bulgaria

Location

MeSH Terms

Interventions

SynbioticsPrebiotics

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Dietary SupplementsFoodDiet, Food, and NutritionPhysiological PhenomenaProbioticsFood and BeveragesDietary FiberDietary CarbohydratesCarbohydratesPolysaccharides, BacterialPolysaccharides

Study Officials

  • Victoria Assoc. Prof. Dr. Atanasova, MD, PhD

    "Dr. Georgi Stranski" EAD, 91 "Vladimir Vazov" Str., 5809 Pleven, Bulgaria

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
OTHER
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
INDUSTRY
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

July 28, 2021

First Posted

August 5, 2021

Study Start

September 23, 2021

Primary Completion

November 29, 2022

Study Completion

July 7, 2024

Last Updated

May 6, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-05

Locations