Variation in blood pressure in infants of 34 to 41 weeks of gestation
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A pilot study to explore the variation in blood pressure measured non-invasively in infants born at 34 to 41 weeks of gestation with respect to maternal and infant characteristics.
IRAS ID
274259
Contact name
ELAINE BOYLE
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leicester
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 17 days
Research summary
Title:How does early blood pressure vary in babies of 34-41 weeks gestation?
Background: Blood pressure in healthy, mature newborn babies is rarely measured. Information about normal ranges in the first hours of life is limited. Studies looking at blood pressure in newborn babies have been few. However, available information suggests that blood pressure varies with gestational age, birth weight and sex. Only a small number of studies have looked at maternal factors.
Rates of overweight, obesity, diabetes and heart disease are increasing. It has been suggested that variation in early factors may influence the development of later disease in childhood, adolescence or adulthood. A greater understanding of newborn babies' blood pressure may allow further exploration of the relationship between this and later disease.Design: This is an observational study, to be conducted between December 2019 and April 2020 at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust. It will provide pilot data on blood pressure in healthy babies born at 34-41 weeks of gestation and establish the feasibility of measuring this reliably. This data will be used to inform the design of a larger study to explore variation in neonatal blood pressure, how this is influenced by different maternal and baby characteristics and how it affects health outcomes in childhood.
Methods: Mothers of babies who are eligible to take part in the study will be asked to give their written informed consent on behalf of the baby. If consent is given, the baby will have his/her blood pressure measured up to three times on the first day of life. We will also collect information about the baby, including the baby's sex, gestation, birth weight and feeding. Information collected about the mother will include age, ethnicity, body mass index, pre-existing diabetes, high blood pressure or other chronic illness and complications of pregnancy.REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/NW/0028
Date of REC Opinion
12 Feb 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion