Extremely Preterm Respiratory Outcome Cohort

Multicenter Cohort for Respiratory Outcome of Preterm Infants

This study examines the respiratory outcomes of preterm infants born at gestational ages less than 29 weeks, spanning from birth to 24 months corrected age. It delves into the intricacies of respiratory function impairment attributable to diverse factors, such as respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, postnatal corticosteroids, ventilatory support, as well as nutritional aspect during NICU stay. Furthermore, it scrutinizes the incidence of chronic respiratory diseases stemming from these conditions, assessing their long-term impact on respiratory prognosis post-discharge. In addition to respiratory aspects, the research extends its focus to the growth and developmental outcomes of preterm infants. By synthesizing these multifaceted elements, the study aspires to enhance current treatments and preventative measures for respiratory conditions in preterm infants.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Respiratory Disease; Infant, Premature
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Standard care for preterm infants

Detailed Description

The purpose of this study is to identify various neonatal and perinatal factors that influence the respiratory outcomes of premature infants born at gestational ages less than 29 weeks. Ultimately, the study aims to improve the prevention and treatment of chronic respiratory diseases in these infants by detecting and treating high-risk groups early. Specifically, it seeks to identify factors related to chronic respiratory diseases through the analysis of neonatal specimens.

Despite rising survival rates for premature infants, respiratory complications among these survivors are also increasing. However, there has been no clear identification of factors associated with post-prematurity respiratory diseases. Consequently, there is a growing demand among healthcare professionals in South Korea for respiratory cohorts similar to the PROP cohort in the United States and the Saitama cohort in Japan.

In the Korean Neonatal Network, data is collected on the clinical course during hospitalization and post-discharge growth and development of very low birth weight infants (weighing less than 1500g at birth) admitted to neonatal intensive care units. However, there is currently no information available on respiratory-related diseases, and investigations regarding respiratory outcomes are not being conducted. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the factors associated with respiratory outcomes in preterm survivors and to establish strategies for their prevention and treatment.

According to the research protocol, we are seeking parental consent to enroll preterm infants born before 29 weeks of gestation in participating healthcare institutions within 7 days of their birth. This enrollment will involve collecting biological materials and clinical data to establish a comprehensive database. Clinical data will primarily be obtained by reviewing medical records during the infants' hospitalization period. The assessment of long-term respiratory complications will involve conducting surveys with parents when the infants reach 4, 8, and 12 months of corrected age. Additionally, data collection at 12 and 24 months of corrected age will rely on reviewing medical records from outpatient visits to pediatric and adolescent clinics, based on examination findings and test results. In cases where obtaining in-person follow-up information is challenging, growth and developmental data may be gathered through various means, including telephone calls, text messages, emails, web surveys, and other communication methods. Web survey links will be distributed through text messages.

The primary outcome of this study is to assess the respiratory condition of preterm infants, including evaluating respiratory symptoms, the use of respiratory medications, and hospitalizations related to respiratory diseases. This assessment will be conducted at specific time points: 4, 8, 12, 18, and 24 months of corrected age.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 600

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Seung Han Shin, MD, PhD; Phone Number: +82-02-2072-7230; Email: revival421@snu.ac.kr
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Gyeong Eun Yeom, MD; Phone Number: +82-02-2072-0083; Email: minwoeun@naver.com

Study Locations

• Korea, Republic of
  • Seoul, Korea, Republic of, 110-744
    • Recruiting
    • Seung Han Shin
    • Contact: Seung Han Shin, MD, PhD; Phone Number: +82220727230; Email: revival421@snu.ac.kr
    • Contact: Gyeong Eun Yeom, MD
    • Contact: Baek Sup Shin, MD

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

This study is a multicenter cohort study conducted by a total of 7 institutions (Seoul National University Hospital, Severance Hospital, Asan Medical center, Samsung Medical Hospital, Ajou University Hospital, Bundang Seoul National University Hospital, Chonnam National University Hospital) jointly. It includes all preterm infants born at these hospitals from March 2022 to December 2024, who are born at a gestational age of less than 29 weeks and are admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Infants born at gestational age less than 29 weeks with cohort consent obtained within 7 days of birth

Exclusion Criteria:

• death within 3 days of birth
• severe structural heart defects
• structural abnormalities in the upper airway, lungs, or chest
• congenital anomalies that may impact cardiopulmonary function
• follow-up is difficult until 24 months of age

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
Respiratory cohort; Preterm infants with a gestational age less than 29 weeks	Other: Standard care for preterm infants; Standard care for preterm infants according to the institutional protocol

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Postprematurity respiratory disease	Severe≥2 respiratory hospitalizations,home supplemental O2 after 3 months or any home mechanical ventilation,systemic steroid exposure or pulmonary vasodilators, or symptoms despite -inhaled corticosteroid use; Mild to moderateone hospitalizationhome oxygen <3 months corrected age or tracheostomy without ventilation,any inhaled corticosteroid or bronchodilator exposure, or symptoms in ≥2 questionnaires; No/minimal - all other cases 1. Respiratory medications 2. Hospitalizations for cardiopulmonary cause 3. Coughing, wheezing, or other respiratory symptoms 4. Home technology dependence	12 months of corrected age

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Growth assessment	Weight z-score for sex and age based on WHO growth curve	at 24 months of corrected age
Any delay in developmental scale evaluation	Any delay (<85) in Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development of; Mental Development Index or Psychomotor Development Index in Edition II; Cognitive, Language or Motor domain in Edition III	at 24 months of corrected age
Long-term respiratory outcome	FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in one second) in pulmonary function test	at 6 years of corrected age

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Seoul National University Hospital
• Collaborators: Samsung Medical Center; Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine; Asan Medical Center; Chonnam National University Hospital; Seoul National University Bundang Hospital; Ajou University Medical Center
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Seung Han Shin, MD, PhD, Seoul National University Children's Hospital

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): June 1, 2022
• Primary Completion (Estimated): February 28, 2030
• Study Completion (Estimated): February 28, 2030

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 16, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 4, 2024
• First Posted (Estimated): December 10, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): December 10, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 4, 2024
• Last Verified: December 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Respiratory Tract Diseases; Respiration Disorders
• Other Study ID Numbers: EPRO

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No