Haywards Heath

Researchers are evaluating the safety and effectiveness of whole-body hypothermia for newborn babies with mild hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy. This phase III randomised controlled trial aims to determine whether cooling the whole body to 33.5.5C within six hours after birth and continuing for 72 hours improves cognitive development at around two years of age compared with maintaining normal body temperature. The study also seeks to assess the economic value of cooling therapy for mild encephalopathy within the healthcare system. Babies born at or after 36 weeks with signs of birth asphyxia or acidosis will be randomly assigned to receive either whole-body hypothermia or targeted normothermia. Cooling will be applied using a servo-controlled machine in neonatal intensive care units, maintaining a rectal temperature of about 33.5C for 72 hours. The control group will have their body temperature kept at normal levels 37C for the first 80 hours, with any fever carefully treated. Babies born at non-cooling centers will be transferred to specialized units for treatment. During the study, participants will undergo brain monitoring, MRI scans before discharge, and follow-up developmental assessments at 24 months using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development IV. Additional evaluations will include neurological exams, motor function assessments, vision and hearing tests, and parent-completed questionnaires. Researchers will collect detailed clinical data from birth through hospital stay, aiming to compare cognitive outcomes and safety measures between the two groups over the study period.

Researchers are evaluating treatments for community-acquired pneumonia CAP, especially in patients admitted to intensive care units ICUs. This trial also adapts to study treatments for respiratory pandemics like COVID-19. The goal is to determine which treatment strategies improve outcomes for patients with severe pneumonia, using a flexible, ongoing approach that can test multiple therapies simultaneously and update as new information becomes available. Participants receive different treatment strategies based on random assignment to study groups. Treatments include various antibiotics, steroids, antivirals, immune modulators, anticoagulation methods, and ventilation strategies. Some treatment options have been closed to recruitment, reflecting the trials adaptive nature. The trial includes several domains targeting specific infections such as influenza and COVID-19, with dosing and duration guided by clinical practice and local guidelines. During the study, participants are monitored closely with assessments including survival up to 90 days, days alive without organ support in ICU, ICU and hospital length of stay, ventilator-free days, organ failure-free days, and quality of life up to 6 months. Researchers collect detailed data on patient outcomes, organ support needs, and hospital discharge status. The study runs until February 2028, with ongoing evaluation to improve pneumonia treatment strategies in ICU settings and during respiratory pandemics.