In the UK, one in every 13 babies is born before 37 weeks (preterm) and one in every 100 babies is born before 32 weeks (very preterm). They have immature lungs and kidneys and often need help with breathing, feeding, and other life support.
Those who survive may spend months in hospital, and suffer ill health and/or disability in childhood. Even a modest improvement for these children and their families would be important.
Research is needed to assess which treatments lead to better health. Usually it is researchers who decide which treatments to assess, and how. Past research has often not addressed the questions about treatments that are of greatest importance to patients, their carers, and their clinicians. The James Lind Alliance (JLA) has developed methods for bringing patients and clinicians together in 'Priority Setting Partnerships' to identify and prioritise ‘treatment uncertainties’, in order to inform publicly funded research.
Have you had an experience of preterm birth in your family?
Or are you a clinician working in health care services and have dealt with preterm birth?
Then you are invited to participate in the Preterm Birth Priority Setting Partnership. Your feedback and opinion could have an impact to improve quality of care and outcomes at very preterm birth. For more information, please contact Seilin(s.uhm@ioe.ac.uk).
