Preterm Health

What is preterm birth?

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines preterm babies as those born alive before 37 weeks of pregnancy are completed. But there are sub-categories of preterm birth, based on gestational age:

• extremely preterm (less than 28 weeks)
• very preterm (28 weeks to less than 32 weeks)
• moderate to late preterm (32 weeks to less than 37 weeks).

At Cure Kids, although there is a natural overlap with areas of health research, our preterm researchers are often focused on extremely preterm babies, i.e. those between 23 and 27 weeks gestation (i.e. less than 28 weeks)

Why does preterm birth happen?

Preterm birth occurs for a variety of reasons. While most preterm births ‘just happen’ (spontaneously) some are due to early induction of labour or a caesarean birth (which could be for medical or non-medical reasons). 

Common causes of preterm birth include multiple pregnancies, infections and chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure; however, often no cause is identified. There can also be various genetic or social factors that lead to preterm birth. A better understanding of these causes and mechanisms will help health researchers to offer new solutions to help prevent preterm birth.

What are we doing to help?

Here are just some of the research projects we are funding to help improve preterm health in New Zealand.

RECENTLY FUNDED...

Seeking a new treatment to prevent lung disease in extremely preterm babies

There are around 500 babies born extremely premature in New Zealand every year and over 50% of these babies will develop bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) — a lung disease that increases the risk of many other medical serious conditions. But researchers led by Dr Chis McKinlay from Auckland University are working on a new treatment to help premature babies — and their families — breathe a little easier. Along with neonatal specialists from around New Zealand and Australia, Dr McKinlay has been investigating a new way of giving anti-inflammatory steroids (corticosteroids) to babies to help prevent the development of BPD.

Investigating a new treatment for preterm babies with brain injury

Every year, about 8% of babies born in New Zealand arrive prematurely. And some of these children will have a significant risk of lifelong challenges due to brain injury and impaired development.

To really make a difference, paediatricians need treatments that can be given following birth, even after a very long delay. Dr Simerdeep Dhillon is leading a study to see if a commonly used drug (Exenatide), given days after a period of low oxygen, can help reduce inflammation and repair the preterm brain.

If successful, this research could pave the way for future studies that might reduce disabilities and improve outcomes for preterm infants.

PREVIOUS RESEARCH...

Measuring the effect on babies (at age 2) treated with dextrose gel at birth.

Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) is the only readily preventable cause of brain damage in newborn babies. While up to 15% of newborn babies have low blood sugar, this number is higher when the mother has diabetes (50%) or the baby is born preterm (60%). Professor Jane Harding is a neonatologist specialising in the care of newborn babies. Her team (recent winners of the Prime Minister’s Science Prize) have conducted a world-first trial which showed that dextrose gel massaged into the inside of a baby’s cheek can be used to treat hypoglycemia and therefore reduce the need for admission to intensive care for treatment.

Improving the nutritional care of preterm babies 

Researchers know that extremely preterm births or extremely low birthweights can be considered a nutritional emergency. So adequate protein intake in the weeks after birth is critical for optimum growth and development, but there is little evidence on the amount required. Led by Dr Barbara Cormack and Professor Frank Bloomfield the ProVIDe Study aims to assess whether a higher protein intake in the week after birth will improve neurodevelopment and the amount required.