Updated on
What did the project achieve?
“We’ve successfully identified relevant and novel markers of infection in preterm babies,” says Professor Deena Gibbons of King’s College London. “These findings could ultimately lead to the development of accurate new blood tests that can help each child to get the best treatments to combat infection – helping to save lives and reduce the risk of long-term complications.”
Around 55,000 babies are born prematurely in the UK each year and tragically, more than 1,000 die as a result of being born too soon.1-5 Bacterial infections are especially dangerous for preterm babies and sadly, can result in loss of life or serious lifelong disabilities.
However, diagnosing infection in these tiny babies is very difficult – subsequently some children may receive unnecessary antibiotics, which can put them at greater risk of other complications and fuel the development of resistant strains of bacteria. There is a need for better tests that can accurately diagnose an infection in preterm babies, enabling doctors to prescribe the most appropriate treatment for each child.
This research involved studying blood samples collected from preterm babies before, during, and after infection. The team analysed which genes are activated, which cells are involved, and which other molecules are produced when the baby gets sick – to identify specific changes in the immune system that could be used to help diagnose a bacterial infection in preterm babies.
“We can identify specific immune changes that are associated with infection in this group of children,” says Professor Gibbons. “Importantly, we have identified specific changes that can be triggered before an infection is confirmed by conventional methods. We also found changes that are common to several types of infections and those that are specific to different infections.”
The team has also improved their general understanding of the immune system of preterm babies when they are born, how it changes immediately after birth – and how it responds to infection.
“This study has increased our understanding of how the immune systems of preterm babies respond to bacterial infection – and may lead to new diagnostic and treatment techniques that can help improve the way these infections are managed in this vulnerable group of children in the future,” says Professor Gibbons.
References
- Office for National Statistics, Vital statistics in the UK: births, deaths and marriages - 2021 https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/datasets/vitalstatisticspopulationandhealthreferencetables [website accessed 11 Jan 2024]
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence - Preterm labour and birth final scope April 2013 http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/gid-cgwave0660/resources/preterm-labour-and-birth-final-scope2 [website accessed 20 June 2023]
- Office for National Statistics. Childhood mortality in England and Wales 2021. Table 4. Child mortality (death cohort) tables in England and Wales - Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk) 2021 data tables. Release date Mar2023 [website accessed 11 Jan 2024]
- National Records for Scotland. Vital Events Reference Tables 2021, Table 4.5: Infant Deaths by sex and cause, Scotland 2010 to 2021 List of Data Tables | National Records of Scotland (nrscotland.gov.uk) [website accessed 11 Jan 2024]
- Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency: Registrar General Annual Report 2020 Stillbirths and Infant Deaths, Table 4.5: Stillbirths and infant deaths by sex and cause, 2012 to 2020: Registrar General Annual Report 2020 Stillbirths and Infant Deaths | Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (nisra.gov.uk) [website accessed 11 Jan 2024]
This research was completed on
Around 60,000 babies are born prematurely in the UK each year and tragically, more than 1,000 die as a result of being born too soon. [1,2] Bacterial infections are especially dangerous for preterm babies and sadly can result in loss of life or serious lifelong disabilities. Dr Deena Gibbons of King’s College London is aiming to improve our understanding of how the immune system of preterm babies reacts to bacterial infection. She hopes this knowledge will lead to new tests that can help doctors to prevent and treat infections more effectively in this vulnerable group of babies, helping save lives and reduce life-changing complications
How are children’s lives affected now?
Around one in every 13 babies in the UK is born prematurely – before 37 weeks of pregnancy have been completed.1,2 Bacterial infections are a particular risk for these tiny infants during their first few weeks of life.
“Sadly, many preterm babies will lose their lives due to a severe bacterial infection,” says Dr Gibbons. “And those who survive repeated infection may be left with life-changing disabilities, such as cerebral palsy.”
But it is difficult to confirm an infection, as the normal tests are hard to interpret in preterm babies. Because doctors need to be very cautious with this vulnerable group, some babies may receive antibiotics when they might not need them or be treated for longer than necessary.
“This is not ideal as antibiotics themselves can contribute to other serious complications in newborn babies,” says Dr Gibbons. “And the unnecessary use of these medicines could also fuel the development of resistant strains of bacteria – putting future lives at risk.”
How could this research help?
“Our aim is to improve our understanding of how the preterm immune system reacts to life-threatening bacterial infections, which will be crucial for developing new ways to improve outcomes for these vulnerable babies,” says Dr Gibbons.
The researchers will study how the immune system is working in a series of blood samples that they have collected from nearly 150 preterm babies, many of whom had experienced a confirmed infection.
“We hope to identify specific features that could be used to diagnose a bacterial infection – so that doctors can prescribe the most appropriate treatment for each child,” says Dr Gibbons.
The researchers will also look for differences in the immune systems of preterm babies who later go on to develop a serious infection.
“Ultimately, we hope this will lead to new tests that can help identify babies who may be at higher risk of developing a severe infection so that steps can be taken to help protect them in the critical, first few weeks of life,” says Dr Gibbons.
References
- Office for National Statistics, Vital statistics in the UK: births, deaths and marriages - 2018 https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/datasets/vitalstatisticspopulationandhealthreferencetables [website accessed 04 Dec 2019]
- National Institute for Clinical Excellence: Preterm labour and birth final scope, April 2013: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng25/documents/preterm-labour-and-birth-final-scope2
Research table
Project details
| Project Leader | Dr Deena L Gibbons, PhD |
| Location | Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, King’s College London |
| Project Team | Dr Paul F Fleming, PhD FRCP |
| Other Locations | Neonatal Unit, Homerton University NHS Trust, London |
| Grant Awarded | |
| Grant Amount | £107,918 |
| Start Date | |
| End Date | |
| Duration | 18 months |
| Grant Code (GN number) | GN2790 |
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