Improving resuscitation of preterm infants

Every year, 13.4 million babies are born, and 900,000 will die, making it the leading cause of death in children <5 years of age globally. Half of preterm infant deaths occur within 24 hours of birth, highlighting their vulnerability during the transition to newborn life. The main cause of newborn mortality is poor or insufficient respiratory function at birth. As a consequence, preterm infants often require respiratory support at birth, and prolonged (weeks) of respiratory support in the neonatal intensive care unit. Importantly, respiratory support increases lung inflammation and injury, increasing the risk of long-term respiratory consequences such as chronic lung disease (bronchopulmonary dysplasia). Our research focus is to reduce lung injury at birth by improving the provision of respiratory support at birth. Our research includes optimisation of non-invasive respiratory support, nasal high flow and continuous positive airway pressure, improving the interfaces used to deliver respiratory support, determining the correct oxygen levels the reduce lung injury, and identifying the best way to provide positive pressure ventilation which doesn't impact on lung inflammation and injury. These studies combine large animal preclinical models, with advanced imaging, physiological measures and the latest molecular and histological assessments. Our goal is to reduce preterm morbidity and mortality globally.