NeoHIEC (V1.0)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Neonatal-Healthcare associated Infection Epidemiology Cohort (NeoHIEC)
IRAS ID
117557
Contact name
Paul T Heath
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
St George's, University of London
Research summary
Serious bacterial infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in young infants and their prevention remains fundamental for providing better outcomes, especially for premature babies requiring prolonged neonatal intensive care. Healthcare Associated Infection is a major concern in the care of newborn babies. Gram-negative infections, especially those due to multi-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (MRGNB), are an emerging issue in the UK and worldwide.
The NeoHIEC is a prospective study to be conducted in 10 neonatal units (NNUs) in south-London that aims to evaluate the association between colonisation rates with MRGNB and invasive infections due to MRGNB and to determine whether MRGNB colonisation is specific to individual neonatal units or to neonatal networks. The study will also explore the relationships between colonisation and demographic factors, antibiotic use and infection control policies. Peri-anal swabs will be obtained weekly or monthly (depending on the unit) from all babies over a 12 month period (who have been admitted for more than 48 hours and whose parents have not opted out of the study). Weekly (or monthly), unit-specific, anonymised demographic data as well as monthly antibiotic point prevalence data will be collected, together with continuous monitoring for invasive infections. We hope that this study will facilitate new approaches for prevention and control of these important infections.REC name
London - Bromley Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/LO/0897
Date of REC Opinion
27 Jun 2013
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion