Impact of gastro-intestinal surgery on growth in preterm infants
Research type
Research Study
Full title
What impact does gastro-intestinal surgery have on growth velocity in very low birth weight preterm infants?
IRAS ID
242261
Contact name
Gita Ramdharry
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
St George's University of London
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 31 days
Research summary
What impact does surgery have on the growth of premature babies?\nPremature babies are known to be at high risk of poor growth. Studies have shown that poor growth in the first few weeks of life can lead to lower intelligence scores and increased likelihood of cerebral palsy, a movement disorder. A proportion of babies that are born prematurely require surgery on their gut. This may be due to abnormalities that they are born with or conditions such as necrotizing enterocolitis, where the gut lining becomes inflamed and damaged. At our hospital we have observed that it is particularly difficult to get some babies to grow following surgery. Therefore the aim of this study is to investigate factors which may influence the growth in the post-surgical period. The factors which we feel may provide some insight into this question include how premature, birth weight, ethnicity and gender, the nutrition we provide in the post-surgical period, as well as the relationship that certain blood nutrient and protein levels have on growth. \nTo investigate this question, it is proposed that we would review case notes of previous patients, comparing each baby who has had surgery, with a similar baby who has not had surgery. Eligible babies would be identified from a database of previous patients at one specialist hospital. They would include those born 16 weeks or more early and weighing less than 1500g. They would need to have had their surgery at the hospital and remained an inpatient for 4 weeks following. \nThe information of characteristics, type of surgery, daily nutritional intake and blood biochemistry would be compared to growth using statistical tests to identify any links. It is hoped that this would provide further guidance to improve the nutrition and growth of premature babies following surgery. \n
REC name
South West - Central Bristol Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/SW/0128
Date of REC Opinion
8 May 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion