Neonatology Research

The Division of Neonatology has a long history of clinical and basic science research. UVA was a leader in clinical trials that evaluated surfactant replacement therapy and therapeutic hypothermia for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Basic science work at UVA laid the foundation for our current knowledge of the pathogenesis of spontaneous intestinal perforations. In addition, the finding that monitoring heart rate characteristics and variability can decrease mortality in the NICU was developed at UVA.

The Clinical Trials Group within the Division of Neonatology meets on a monthly basis to discuss current and upcoming clinical research within the NICU. Some of the current clinical trials within the NICU include:

• Ventilation prior to umbilical cord clamping
• Aerosolized surfactant
• Microbiome evaluation of very-low-birthweight infants
• Cardiorespiratory waveform analysis
• Use of video technology to enhance parent/staff communication

For more detailed information regarding individual faculty member research interests and projects, please see this link for ongoing and possible projects.

If you would like the UVA NICU’s participation in a clinical trial, please contact our Clinical Research Coordinators below.

Pediatric Clinical Research Coordinators:
Ben Small
E-mail: bas4kt@uvahealth.org

Heeju Snyder

E-mail: hvw8cy@uvahealth.org

Jennifer Burnsed, MD, runs an NIH-funded lab studying neuronal activity after hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.

Several of our neonatologist faculty are involved in basic science research within the Child Health Research Center. Neonatology faculty are focused on the mechanisms of neuronal injury and repair in hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Additional studies are investigating the effects of early-life seizures on neuronal activation in the mouse hippocampus.  Fellows in the Division have also worked with investigators in the Divisions of Nephrology, Infectious Disease, and Respiratory Medicine.

For more information about Dr. Burnsed’s work, click here.