Study of preterm insulin secretion and fat metabolism: Primrose
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Study of insulin and fat metabolism in preterm infants and relationship to early growth
IRAS ID
297805
Contact name
Kathryn Beardsall
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and University of Cambridge
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 4 months, 31 days
Research summary
Being born small, and early growth are associated with heart disease, abnormal fat levels and type 2 diabetes in later life. Preterm infants often experience growth restriction both before birth and immediately after birth. However, there is a lack of information on the impact on early metabolism and therefore later risk, such as glucose levels (an indicator of insulin sensitivity) and lipid (fat) levels in the blood. Preterm babies have poor glucose control and we have shown marked differences in fat levels in their blood compared to babies born at term.
We have experience in the use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) to explore glucose control, and the detailed measurement of fat levels, using a novel method that requires only a few drops of blood (measured dried blood spot). We will combine these methods to determine the relationship of glucose control and insulin sensitivity to fat metabolism in preterm infants and whether abnormal fat metabolism persists in childhood.
Newborn Study: We will recruit preterm babies (n=50) and study them when they reach term age. Infants will have CGM for 4 days, along with a fasting blood sample to determine insulin sensitivity, and dried bloods spots to measure lipid levels in the blood. We will also measure them and take samples of breast milk, and stool. This will allow the novel characterization of glucose control, insulin sensitivity, and lipid profiles in preterm infants at term. We will explore potentially modifiable risk factors including gestation, feeding the microbiome and growth on these outcomes.
Infancy Study: We will recruit infants at specific critical periods of growth: 3, 6 and 12months (n=50 at each) and take a blood samples along with milk and stool to assess whether differences in lipid levels persist in infancy and relationship to insulin levels and to growth and nutrition.REC name
West Midlands - South Birmingham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/WM/0237
Date of REC Opinion
17 Nov 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion