Neurodevelopmental follow-up for high-risk babies in Liverpool
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Neurodevelopmental follow-up for high-risk babies in Liverpool;qualitative study. FOUNDATION study “Follow-Up for NeuroDevelopmentally AT risk Infants Of Neonatal care”
IRAS ID
217848
Contact name
Melissa Gladstone
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Liverpool
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 7 months, 29 days
Research summary
Babies born prematurely or who have complications such as Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy (a condition that can cause brain damage due to a lack of oxygen during labour) are often required to stay in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) until they have recovered from the acute stage of their illness and feeding and growth are established. These babies are at high risk of neurodevelopmental delay (delay in walking, speech or social interactions) or disability.
Studies looking at the impact of identifying children at high risk of neurodevelopmental delay have identified early screening and identification,rather than waiting for a form of disability or developmental delay to occur, as being crucial to maximising children’s outcomes
Currently, there is no guidance for professionals to use to plan follow-up tailored to high risk neonates in the UK. Moreover, our neurodevelopmental follow up system has not been built upon feedback from parents and professionals using qualitative research methodology. Parents and professionals have not been asked about their opinions on follow-up systems and whether children are followed-up and referred to early intervention at appropriate times.
Our aim is to investigate the perceptions, views and experiences of parents and carers of high-risk babies in relation to the follow-up clinics/systems and the care package they are provided after they leave the NICU. To undertake this study, we propose to utilise qualitative methods to capture the views and perceptions of parents, carers and staff who look after these babies
We will identify what information parents and carers are given at discharge, where and how they get information relating to their infant’s development, and what information they would have wanted if they are in a position to look back over their baby’s journey, and why.REC name
West Midlands - Solihull Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/WM/0016
Date of REC Opinion
31 Jan 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion