Microbiome and Inflammation in Preterm Infants
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating Microbial Colonisation and Immune Conditioning in Preterm Babies.
IRAS ID
188340
Contact name
Paul Fleming
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 10 months, 30 days
Research summary
Every year in England, approximately 8000 babies are born very prematurely, at or before the 32nd week of pregnancy. Up to 1 in 5 of these births occur as a result of an infection of the membranes and fluid within which the baby lies in the womb. Babies born with evidence of infection have a more unstable course following delivery, and are at an increased risk of a number of complications of prematurity, including further episodes of infection, brain injury, and long-term problems such as learning difficulties.
There is currently little understanding of the behaviour of the immature immune system in response to bacteria (i.e. from infections prior to delivery, or from the environment following birth). There is evidence that in some cases, the immature immune system of these babies can react in an abnormal manner when encountering bacteria, and that this abnormal reaction may lie behind some of the serious illnesses we encounter in preterm babies.
This project aims to improve the understanding of which bacteria babies may carry in their intestine when they are born prematurely; how the pattern of bacteria types changes in the weeks after birth; and how the immune system reacts to these differing bacteria.
Supported by Barts Charity, over a 3 year period, we will aim to recruit approximately 300 preterm infants born before 32 completed weeks of pregnancy, on the neonatal unit at Homerton University Hospital. These infants will have the bacteria in their guts identified through testing of stomach secretions and stool samples, and the activity of the immune system assessed through blood sampling, on a regular basis, for up to 3 months. The relationship between bacterial growth, immunity and the progression of the babies’ health will be assessed through tracking the babies' progress while on the neonatal intensive care unit.REC name
London - Chelsea Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/1924
Date of REC Opinion
30 Oct 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion