The effect of smell and taste of milk during tube feeding of preterm infants (the Taste trial): A protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Introduction Smell and taste of milk are not generally considered when tube feeding preterm infants. Preterm infants have rapid growth, particularly of the brain, and high caloric needs. Enteral feeding is often poorly tolerated which may lead to growth failure and long-term neurodevelopmental impairment. Smell and taste are strong stimulators of digestion and metabolism. We hypothesise that regular smell and taste during tube feeding will improve weight z-scores of very preterm infants at discharge from hospital. Methods and analysis Taste is a randomised, unblinded two-centre trial. Infants born at <29 weeks' gestation and/or <1250 g at birth and admitted to a participating neonatal intens..