Neonatal Research
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Ayers Children’s Medical Center provides highly specialized care for babies born prematurely or those who require extra medical attention after birth. Our neonatal team includes board-certified neonatologists, neonatal nurse practitioners, a highly skilled nursing staff, respiratory therapists, physical and music therapists, certified lactation counselors, a social worker, dietitian, and pediatric pharmacist, all of whom provide your special baby with high quality compassionate care.
Neonatal Research
Neonatal research is conducted at the Ayers Children’s Medical Center – Vanderbilt Regional Affiliate Nursery with the intent purpose of improving the quality of care for some of our most vulnerable patients. Prematurity and associated complications are the leading cause of death in infants. With what we learn from our research efforts we are able to change practices in providing care and improve outcomes for these babies.
Neonatal Research Team
Scott Guthrie, M.D., F.A.A.P.
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt
Mildred Stahlman Division of Neonatology in Jackson
Chairman of Pediatrics at Ayers Children’s Medical Center
Current Neonatal Research Initiatives
- Prematurity and Respiratory Outcomes Program (PROP) and Improving Prematurity-related Respiratory Outcomes at Vanderbilt (IMPROV) a National Heart, Lung, Blood Institute funded study (NCT01435187). Primary objective of the study is to observe the lung health of premature infants and improve care treatments while hospitalized and after discharge. Publications resulting from this research can be found at the following links:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25886363
http://www.nature.com/jp/journal/v35/n5/full/jp201519a.html - Postnatal Age Is a Critical Determinant of the Neonatal Host Response to Sepsis. Primary objective of the study is to demonstrate the timing after birth is a critical factor in the premature neonates response to infection. The publication resulting from this research can be found at the following link:
http://wth.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/15_064_Wynn.pdf - The Utility of Bedside CRP testing in the Neonatal ICU
Primary objective of the study is to determine the usefulness of a bedside CRP value to guide antibiotic therapy when the diagnosis of sepsis is uncertain. Research is currently active with the reporting of outcomes in the near future. - IBP-9414-010: A randomized, double blind, parallel-group, dose escalation placebo-controlled multicenter study to investigate the safety and tolerability of IBP-9414 administered in preterm infants.
Research to begin in the Winter of 2015
Sharon Wadley, BSN, RN, M.T.
Neonatal ICU Research Coordinator
Email: sharon.wadley@wth.org
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