Respiratory Viral Infection in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Study ID
STU 102011-079

Cancer Related
No

Healthy Volunteers
No

Study Sites

  • Children's Medical Center-Dallas
  • Parkland Health & Hospital System

Contact
Pablo Sanchez
214-648-3753
pablo.sanchez@utsouthwestern.edu

Principal Investigator
Pablo Sanchez

Summary

This pilot study will evaluate how often a viral pathogen is identified in infants who are >72 hours of age and are evaluated for possible sepsis, as well as the impact of viral infection on other co-morbidities. It will be performed at this site and in the NICU at Women and Infants Hospital/Hasbro Children’s Hospital (Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University), Rhode Island over a one year period. It is expected that about 200 infants will be enrolled at both sites (100 at each site). Infants in the NICU will have specimens (respiratory secretions and saliva) collected for viral pathogens at the time that they are evaluated for possible sepsis. Specimens will be tested at a later date in batch at Rhode Island Hospital (Brown University). In addition, 200 L of blood will be obtained from the heel or blood vessel for gene expression analysis (microarray). The clinical course of the infant will be followed for culture results and antibiotic therapy, and information will be collected to evaluate possible association with other co-morbidities (e.g. bronchopulmonary dysplasia among preterm infants) as well as antibiotic use.

Participant Eligibility

All infants who are >72 hours of age will be enrolled if they are evaluated for possible sepsis and antibiotics are started in the NICU.