Clinical research is a crucial method to improve the outcomes of babies in newborn intensive care. Since its inception, the NICU at Memorial has had an important role in national and international clinical research into how medications, technology, and the design and environment of the NICU itself can help our babies be as healthy as possible.

Clinical research in Memorial's NICU began in the 1980s with projects that included one of the pivotal studies to show that bright lighting in NICUs at night was detrimental to babies, and as the only US center in an international trial that demonstrated the benefit and safety of a steroid medication for ventilator-dependent infants with chronic lung disease. We helped develop new ventilator technology, including the first report on the use of high-frequency ventilation during transport. The design of the NICU itself was sufficiently innovative to attract visits from design teams in the US, Canada, Europe, and Australia. Members of our staff helped to write the first definitive standards for NICU design, providing more space, amenities, and a better environment for babies, families, and caregivers than had previously been required for the NICU.

In the 1990s, our research continued into ways to improve the NICU environment for staff and babies, and we participated in a number of multicenter trials to develop new medications to prevent and treat lung disorders in preterm infants. Recent and current research includes studies on new medications to prevent and treat infections in preterm infants, new technology for continuous brain monitoring, measuring levels of potentially important hormones in breast milk, and finding the optimal level for intravenous nutrition in babies who are unable to receive all of their nutrition from milk.

All babies benefit from previous research, but many questions remain about how best to threat certain conditions, and new medications and technology continue to be developed. Only through careful research can we assure that we use these new treatments in the safest, most effective way possible. If we approach you about a research project that your baby may be eligible for, please give it your serious consideration. You should be aware that each study is carefully reviewed by a committee (the Institutional Review Board, or IRB) to be sure the study protects you and your baby's rights and confidentiality, and that the study has a realistic chance to answer a worthwhile scientific question. You should also know that we do not participate in any study that we would not be willing to have our own family member sign up for. It is never mandatory that you allow your baby to participate in a trial, and if you decline to do so, it will not adversely affect your infant's care or our relationship with you in any way. All we ask is that if you are approached about having your baby participate in a trial that you give it careful consideration, and then make the decision that you feel will be best for your baby and family.