Picaud 2001.

Study characteristics
Methods	RCT
Participants	Preterm newborns with birth weight < 1500 g and aged < 15 days when enteral feeds commenced
Interventions	Empirical use of partially hydrolysed formula* (n = 9) Standard preterm formula* (n = 7) Until 40 weeks' postmenstrual age
Outcomes	Rate of weight gain during initial hospital admission Nitrogen balance studies
Notes	Edouard Herriot Hospital, Claude Bernard University, Lyon, France Trial date: late 1990s * Energy content of both formulas: 80 kcal/100 mL, but nitrogen content 10% higher in standard preterm formula
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors' judgement	Support for judgement
Random sequence generation (selection bias)	Unclear risk	Not stated
Allocation concealment (selection bias)	Unclear risk	Sealed envelopes ‐ unclear whether opaque
Blinding of participants and personnel (performance bias) All outcomes	Unclear risk	Investigators unaware of formula; unclear if carers or parents aware
Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias) All outcomes	Unclear risk	Investigators unaware of formula; unclear if carers or parents aware
Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) All outcomes	Low risk	All infants assessed for primary outcomes
Selective reporting (reporting bias)	Unclear risk	Protocol not available
Other bias	Unclear risk	Funder: Nestle (manufacturer of the trial formula)