NIRTURE Follow-up
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Do neonatal IGF-1 levels predict the long-term outcome of preterm infants?
IRAS ID
148939
Contact name
David Dunger
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
CUHNFT and the University of Cambridge
Research summary
Background: 8% of children are born premature and it’s important to identify prognostic markers for short and long-term outcome, e.g. growth, development, body composition and insulin resistance. Traditionally, gestational age, size at birth and brain scan abnormalities are used to predict outcome. However, there’s a hidden morbidity which is not identified by these parameters relating to early growth and nutrition. In addition, there are reports suggesting an increased metabolic risk profile in children and adults born preterm, with as yet unidentified pathophysiology. IGF-1 is a growth factor, which has proved to be a biomarker for short-term morbidity, e.g. prematurity-related eye and lung disease, and might also be important for long-term outcomes, e.g. growth, development, body composition and insulin resistance.
Hypothesis: IGF-1 levels in preterms may predict long-term outcome
Aim: 1)To undertake a pilot study to investigate whether neonatal IGF-1 levels of preterm infants are a predictive biomarker of neurodevelopment in childhood. 2)To establish robust feasibility data to support an application for funding for a larger study
Study plan: Pilot follow-up study of ~50 preterm babies who participated in NIRTURE, a published study, which has provided unique detailed neonatal data on nutrition, IGF-1 and glucose levels.
Outcomes: 1)Score on validated neurodevelopmental questionnaires, 2)Insulin secretion, 3)Growth, 4)Body composition, 5)Intra-abdominal and subcutaneous fat by ultrasound, 6)Blood pressure, 7)Current IGF-1 levelREC name
East of England - Cambridge South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/EE/0212
Date of REC Opinion
5 Sep 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion