Viruses and The Neonatal Gut
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Examination of the presence and effects of viruses on the neonatal gastrointestinal tract
IRAS ID
192802
Contact name
Claire Smith
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Background: There is increasing interest in the bacterial microbiome of the neonatal gut and the potential correlates with health and disease. To date there is very little data on viral colonisation of the neonatal gut nor of any correlation with health or disease. Given that humans are continually exposed to viruses, better understanding of neonatal viral colonisation is desirable.
Aims: To determine whether there are viruses present in the developing neonatal gastrointestinal tract, the range of viruses found and if there are any basic associations between gestational age, feeds and presence of gut pathology.
Methods: To take informed consent from parents to gather serial stool samples (that would otherwise be disposed of) of babies with differing gestational ages admitted to the neonatal unit of the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. The samples would be placed in viral transport medium and PCR testing carried out for a range of enteric viruses. Basic clinical details would be gathered for each sample to put it in context by a member of the existing clinical team. The samples would then be numbered as baby 1, 2, 3 and each baby would then be given a unique lab code by the lab team so that no individual is able to link the results to an individual baby.
Number of babies to be included: 200
Number of samples from each baby: max 30
Duration of study: 24 monthsREC name
West of Scotland REC 5
REC reference
16/WS/0037
Date of REC Opinion
4 Feb 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion