The RAINBoW Study

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    The RAINBoW Study. A feasibility RCT to compare additional information on neonatal body water distribution (RAINBoW) with standard care.

  • IRAS ID

    342736

  • Contact name

    Colin Morgan

  • Contact email

    Colin.morgan@lwh.nhs.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    LIVERPOOL WOMEN'S NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    2 years, 0 months, 0 days

  • Research summary

    The research is a feasibility randomised control trial that aims to find out if the use of a body composition device is useful to members of the clinical team when making decisions about how much/how little fluid to give to premature or sick term babies who are receiving their fluid via a drip.
    Half the babies (85) will have a body composition reading taken and half will not (85). The usefulness will be judged on how well the serum sodium level has been controlled over the first 14 days of life. Sodium is a good marker of how well or not well the baby is hydrated.
    There will also be a detailed exploration of how parents and clinicians feel about the body composition device. There will be observations of ward round interactions and clinician and parent interviews to ask their opinion about if the machine is useful, practical or if the machine was used every day.
    The practical aspects of carrying out the study will also be evaluated, specifically looking at the recruitment and consent process, data collection methods and the suitability of the primary outcome. The aim is to see if this study is fit for purpose and if a bigger multicenter study could follow this work.

  • REC name

    Yorkshire & The Humber - Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    24/YH/0230

  • Date of REC Opinion

    21 Oct 2024

  • REC opinion

    Favourable Opinion