CLINICAL RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN CARE

The Neonatal Research Network (NRN), established in 1986 by the NICHD, aims to improve care for critically ill newborns, particularly very low birth weight and preterm infants, through collaborative research. We joined the NRN in 1991 and have remained a continuous member in this 15-institution network. Our participation in NRN studies has substantively changed the way we care for critically ill newborns and led to improved survival rates and lower rates of morbidities. Our faculty lead the active follow-up study (ongoing since 1993) that tracks outcomes of NICU infants into toddlerhood.

Stanford’s contributions to the NRN were bolstered by the establishment of the Johnson Center for Pregnancy and Newborn Services (1997), which expanded regional perinatal diagnostic and NICU networks in the Bay Area. Our Fetal and Pregnancy Health Program enables prenatal enrollment in NRN trials, and our Clinical Research Team manages postnatal parental consent and conduct of clinical studies.

In addition to our participation in the NRN, we engage in other types of research and innovation:

Clinical Trials: Given the high-acuity and diverse population in our Level IV NICU, we have managed hundreds of clinical trials since our Division’s founding.

Neonatal Neurocritical Care: We are a pioneer in advancing newborn neuroprotective strategies, including therapeutic hypothermia, advanced MRI protocols, and neuromonitoring.

Non-invasive and Imaging Technologies: We implement near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG), and point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) for real-time diagnosis at the bedside, improving our understanding of neonatal conditions.

Developmental Care: We study how to best support the health and development of infants in the NICU setting to create standardized protocols and custom plans.

Therapeutics: With the application of pharmacometrics, we are better able to understand the individual drug dose needs of each neonate based on patient-specific characteristics.

Precision Medicine: We use AI to facilitate data interpretation and direct the application of research in the NICU.

Biodesign: We partner with Stanford Biodesign and Silicon Valley entrepreneurs to accelerate the development of high-impact pediatric health technologies.