SPNBF
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Characteristics of Physiological Subperiosteal New Bone Formation
IRAS ID
288857
Contact name
Amaka C Offiah
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
The growing bones of babies are different from adult bones. As babies’ bones develop, the outer layer (called the periosteum) may develop an extra layer (known as subperiosteal new bone formation). This extra layer can be normal in babies who are 1 to 4 months old and it can be seen on x-rays of their arm and leg bones. This extra layer can also be seen when babies have an infection, when they have conditions that affect their bones, or when fractures are healing. It is very suspicious when healing fractures are seen on x-rays in babies who are less than 1 year old. It makes doctors think that a baby might have suffered physical abuse.
We are doing this study to measure the normal thickness of this extra layer on x-rays of arm and leg bones of babies less than 1 year old. This will help doctors to work out if extra layers are normal or from another cause when they are seen on x-rays. It is very important that babies and their families are given a correct diagnosis.
We are going to look at x-rays of babies who have passed away from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS; also known as cot death). This is because infections, conditions affecting the bones and physical abuse will have been ruled out.
Once we have finished this study, we will publish the results in a medical journal so that other doctors can read what we have done. This will help them to work out which extra layers on x-rays are normal and not normal to help protect babies who might have been abused.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/YH/0289
Date of REC Opinion
6 Oct 2020
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion