Norwich neonatal research highlighted in national publication
The latest clinical research newsletter from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) features research carried out on the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.
Dr Clarke, consultant neonatologist, led the NICU’s research team in the MAB N007 study, a major clinical research study which tested the effectiveness of an experimental antibody drug designed to boost premature babies’ immune systems. The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital acted as the lead UK site for this research. As national Chief Investigator, Dr Clarke led seven other NHS hospital NICUs participating in the study.
The study was commercially sponsored by the American biotechnology company Biosynexus Inc., and involved more than 1,550 babies in 93 hospitals around the world. Recruitment to the study ended in December 2010. Dr Clarke was the top recruiter in the UK with a total of 14 babies taking part in Norwich.
The MAB N007 case study is featured in “News from The Network”, a quarterly publication by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network, and showcases examples of good working practice and success stories in the eight Clinical Research Networks. The publication can be viewed at http://www.crncc.nihr.ac.uk/news/news_archive/NFTN4+published
Neonatal research nurses Karen Few and Nicki Price, both funded by Norfolk & Suffolk Comprehensive Local Research Network, and supported by senior N&S CLRN Senior Research Nurse Manager Clare Darrah, also helped run the MAB N007 study in Norwich.
Dr Clarke said: “The positive news for Norfolk and Norwich patients is that we as a neonatal team were able to deliver this research activity and the infrastructure we’ve put in place means that our neonatal unit will be taking part in further high quality research studies. Our unit will continue to be involved in important clinical research studies that try to find out the best ways of treating sick babies and increase their chances of healthy survival”
An appeal is underway to expand the neonatal unit at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. The Norwich Cots for Tots appeal aims to raise £500,000 to fund the building work and equip four new cots for babies needing high dependency or intensive care.
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital is a highly specialist unit looking after the needs of premature and critically ill babies. The NICU is one of only three specialist neonatal units in the East of England.
1. Online at www.justgiving.com/norwichnicu
2. Send a cheque payable to the NNUH NHS Foundation Trust with “NICU Cot Expansion Fund F300” written on the back of the cheque and send to Communications, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Colney Lane, Norwich, NR4 7UY.