PARROT Trial
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Prophylactic antibiotics to prevent chest infections in children with neurological impairment (PARROT) trial.
IRAS ID
263255
Contact name
Paul Stephen McNamara
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Liverpool
Eudract number
2019-001508-39
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
ACTRN12619001597189, Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR)
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Neurological Impairment (NI) in children and young people is often caused by conditions such as cerebral palsy. Many children and young people with NI are prone to chest infections which can lead to long stays in hospital, additional impairment and even premature death. Despite the suffering caused to children and young people and their families by these infections and the high cost to health services, there is very little information on how best to prevent them. Some doctors prescribe long-term antibiotics but we don't really know whether this treatment makes any difference to the numbers of chest infections children and young people suffer from, or whether these antibiotics can cause long term harm.
The trial is looking to recruit for 474 children and young people aged 3-17 years, with NI who are at risk of chest infections, along with their parents / primary care giver to take part. Children and young people included in the trial will be given either azithromycin or a placebo for 12 months to compare the difference.
The trial is taking place in the UK and Australia and each participant will be involved for a maximum of 18 months. The aim of the trial is to find out whether 12-month's treatment with the antibiotic azithromycin reduces how often children and young people with NI have to stay in hospital with chest infections.
REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/NW/0047
Date of REC Opinion
23 Mar 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion