PERINATAL TRIALS REPORT

PT0392

A double blind randomised controlled trial of Domperidone and Metoclopramide as pro-lactational agents in mothers of preterm infants

Plain Language Summary:      Breast milk is considered the optimum nutrition for the premature infant. However due to neurological immaturity these infants are often unable to suckle from the breast. Mothers who wish to supply breast milk will manually express their breasts of milk until their infant matures. The lack of infant suckling is often associated with a decline in breast milk volume, and production may become insufficient for the infant's nutrition or may cease. Frequently a pharmacological agent is offered to the mothers in an attempt to increase expressed volumes. This study aimed to compare the effect of domperidone, metoclopramide and placebo on expressed breast milk volumes when used a pro-lactational agents in mothers of preterm infants.

Trial status:                         Follow-up complete

Date of accrual completion:   December 2000

Trial Objective:                   

1. To compare the effect of domperidone and metoclopramide on expressed breast milk volumes in mothers of preterm infants.

Type of administration:        Multi-centre national

Principal Investigator/s:       

Dr Simon James

Email: simon.james@flinders.edu.au

© IMPACT/PSANZ 2002