FUTURE
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Early Brain Function and Predictors of Outcome in Infants with Perinatal Asphyxia, With and Without Hypoxic-Ischaemic Encephalopathy
IRAS ID
344392
Contact name
Ela Chakkarapani
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research Governance Team, Research & Enterprise Division
Duration of Study in the UK
20 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Perinatal asphyxia refers to a situation during birth where the baby experiences a shortage of oxygen and blood supply to the brain, impacting the brain's functioning. While many babies recover without complications, some may develop a condition called hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE), which can lead to death or long-term developmental problems. HIE occurs in approximately 1.5 cases in 1000 live births in developed countries and can be classified into mild, moderate or severe categories. Therapeutic hypothermia is currently the only treatment for moderate and severe HIE in high-income settings and importantly improves survival and neurodevelopmental outcomes of these babies. Nevertheless, research shows that even babies who experience milder forms of HIE due to perinatal asphyxia or those without HIE face developmental problems later in life. Therefore, it is important to understand the impact of mild HIE and perinatal asphyxia without HIE on brain functioning and child development to inform clinical decisions regarding follow-up and monitoring of infants at risk.
To better understand the implications of perinatal asphyxia with and without HIE, this research seeks to analyse routinely collected clinical data, including brain monitoring through aEEG, brain scan (MRI), and blood tests assessing factors like blood gas levels, glucose, and inflammation markers. By examining these data in relation to the outcomes of babies followed in standard clinical practice, this study aims to provide insights that can guide medical professionals in monitoring and caring for at-risk infants more effectively.
We will establish a database to enrol any infant exposed to perinatal asphyxia admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at St Michael’s Hospital, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, from 2010 to 2030. We will only record routinely collected data and there will be no changes in clinical care of these babies.
REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/EM/0281
Date of REC Opinion
13 Jan 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion