Feeding Strategies Around Blood Transfusions for Necrotizing Enterocolitis

(WHEAT Trial)

Overseen by Balpreet Singh, MD

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Recruiting

Sponsor: IWK Health Centre

Disqualifiers: Parental opt-out, GIT abnormality, NEC, others

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The WHEAT International trial is a comparative effectiveness trial exploring whether withholding enteral feeds around the time of blood transfusion in very premature infants (\<30 weeks) will reduce the occurrence of Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC). Currently both continued feeding and withholding feeding are approved care practices. The current study will randomize infants from Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) across Canada and the United Kingdom (UK) into one of the two care approaches (withholding or continued feeds) to determine if any significant outcomes are found.

Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It focuses on feeding strategies around blood transfusions for very premature infants.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment of withholding feeds around transfusion for necrotizing enterocolitis?

There is limited evidence suggesting that withholding feeding during blood transfusion in preterm infants may reduce the risk of developing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). However, current studies, including a pilot trial, do not provide strong support for this approach, and further well-designed research is needed to confirm its effectiveness. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is it safe to continue or withhold feeding during blood transfusions in preterm infants?

There is limited evidence suggesting that withholding feeds during blood transfusions may reduce the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (a serious intestinal disease) in preterm infants, but more research is needed to confirm this. Some studies found no significant difference in safety between continuing and withholding feeds, indicating that both practices might be safe, but larger studies are required for a definitive conclusion. ^{2 3 4 5 6}

How does the feeding strategy around blood transfusions differ from other treatments for necrotizing enterocolitis?

This treatment involves withholding feeds during blood transfusions to potentially reduce the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm infants, which is different from other treatments that do not focus on feeding timing around transfusions. While some studies suggest this approach might lower NEC risk, more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness. ^{1 2 3 4 7}

Research Team

Jon Dorling, MD

Principal Investigator

Princess Anne Hospital, UK

Chris Gale, MD

Principal Investigator

Imperial College London, UK

Balpreet Singh, MD

Principal Investigator

IWK Health, Canada

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for very premature infants born before 30 weeks of gestation. It's not suitable for babies with major GIT abnormalities, those whose parents opt out, or who have had a blood transfusion with feeds or a previous episode of NEC/SIP before their first transfusion.

Inclusion Criteria

Preterm birth at <30+0 gestational weeks + days

Exclusion Criteria

I had NEC or an intestinal tear before my first blood transfusion.

My parents have decided I will not participate in the trial.

My infant cannot be fed through the mouth or stomach due to a major birth defect in the digestive system.

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Infants are randomized to either withhold or continue enteral feeds around blood transfusion until 34(+6) weeks gestational age

Up to 34(+6) weeks gestational age

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, including NEC, ROP, severe brain injury, and other outcomes

From randomization to 40 weeks postmenstrual age

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Continued feeds around transfusion (Behavioural Intervention)
• Withholding feeds around transfusion (Behavioural Intervention)

Trial Overview The WHEAT International trial is testing if withholding enteral feeds around the time of a blood transfusion reduces the risk of Necrotizing Enterocolitis in preterm infants compared to continuing feeding during transfusions.

Participant Groups

Group I: Continuing feeds around transfusion Active Control 1 Intervention

Enteral feeds will continue to be given prior, during and after the packed red cell transfusion, in the manner in which they were being given prior to the decision to transfuse. Infants will remain allocated to the same care pathway until 34(+6) weeks(+days) gestational age.

Group II: Withholding feeds around transfusion Active Control 1 Intervention

All enteral feeds will be discontinued (the infant will be placed nil by mouth) for 4 hours prior to packed red cell transfusion, during the transfusion and until 4 hours post transfusion. During this period, hydration and blood glucose will be maintained according to local practice, commonly by providing parenteral nutrition or intravenous dextrose. Four hours after the red cell transfusion has finished, feeds will be recommenced to how they were being received prior to the decision to transfuse. This duration of withholding feeds will follow the approach used in other trials and observational studies, and identified as the most acceptable in a survey of UK neonatal units. It gives time for milk in the small bowel to transit into the large bowel before the transfusion and for the circulation to stabilize after the transfusion before milk feeds given into the stomach pass through into the small intestine.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

IWK Health Centre

Lead Sponsor

Trials

131

Recruited

112,000+

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

Collaborator

Trials

1,417

Recruited

26,550,000+

Imperial College London

Collaborator

Trials

1,052

Recruited

15,030,000+

Findings from Research

A systematic review identified only one eligible randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 22 preterm infants that examined the effects of stopping feeds during blood transfusion, but it did not report any cases of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).

The evidence is currently insufficient to determine whether withholding feeds around the time of blood transfusion affects the incidence of NEC or mortality in preterm infants, highlighting the need for larger, well-designed RCTs to clarify this issue.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Stopping enteral feeds for prevention of transfusion-associated necrotising enterocolitis in preterm infants. Yeo, KT., Kong, JY., Sasi, A., et al.[2021]

In a pilot study involving 112 preterm infants, withholding enteral feeding during red blood cell transfusion did not significantly reduce the rates of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) compared to continuing feeding, with NEC rates at 0% in the NPO group and 3.4% in the FED group.

The study found no significant differences in abdominal circumference or feeding intolerance between the two groups, suggesting that withholding feedings during transfusion may not be necessary, but further research with larger sample sizes is needed to confirm these findings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of withholding feeds on transfusion-related acute gut injury in preterm infants: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Sahin, S., Gozde Kanmaz Kutman, H., Bozkurt, O., et al.[2021]

Withholding feeding during red blood cell transfusions in preterm infants may help reduce the risk of developing transfusion-associated necrotising enterocolitis, although the evidence is currently limited.

The ongoing WHEAT trial aims to provide clearer answers on this practice, allowing individual medical units to make informed decisions in the meantime.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Do feeding practices during transfusion influence the risk of developing necrotising enterocolitis in preterm infants? Hilditch, C., Keir, A.[2019]

In a study involving 41 preterm infants, different enteral feeding regimens during red cell transfusions did not significantly affect splanchnic oxygenation or clinical outcomes, indicating that feeding practices may be safely adjusted during transfusions.

Despite no differences in oxygenation metrics or the occurrence of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) among the feeding groups, the study's design supports the potential for larger trials to further investigate clinical outcomes related to transfusion practices.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

FEEding DURing red cell transfusion (FEEDUR RCT): a multi-arm randomised controlled trial. Schindler, T., Yeo, KT., Bolisetty, S., et al.[2021]

Withholding feeds during packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusions in preterm infants may significantly reduce the incidence of transfusion-associated necrotizing enterocolitis (TANEC), based on a meta-analysis of 7 non-randomized controlled trials involving 7492 infants.

The evidence supporting this practice is of moderate quality, indicating a need for further research, particularly randomized controlled trials, to confirm these findings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Withholding Feeds and Transfusion-Associated Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Preterm Infants: A Systematic Review. Jasani, B., Rao, S., Patole, S.[2023]

In a study of 108 very low-birth-weight infants, withholding feedings during blood transfusions did not significantly reduce the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), with 7.8% of those with withheld feeds developing NEC compared to 13.8% of those who were fed.

While there was a 6% absolute difference in NEC rates that could be clinically important, the results were not statistically significant, suggesting that withholding feeds may not be an effective strategy and could lead to other complications like the need for intravenous access.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feeding during Blood Transfusions and the Association with Necrotizing Enterocolitis. Doty, M., Wade, C., Farr, J., et al.[2018]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Red blood cell transfusion, feeding and necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants. [2014]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Stopping enteral feeds for prevention of transfusion-associated necrotising enterocolitis in preterm infants. [2021]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of withholding feeds on transfusion-related acute gut injury in preterm infants: a pilot randomized controlled trial. [2021]

4. Australia pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Do feeding practices during transfusion influence the risk of developing necrotising enterocolitis in preterm infants? [2019]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

FEEding DURing red cell transfusion (FEEDUR RCT): a multi-arm randomised controlled trial. [2021]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Withholding Feeds and Transfusion-Associated Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Preterm Infants: A Systematic Review. [2023]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feeding during Blood Transfusions and the Association with Necrotizing Enterocolitis. [2018]