For more information about our obstetrics and gynaecology studies, please visit the pages below:
Aim:
This study is for babies who need cooling treatment after a difficult birth that may have affected the brain. It is testing whether giving melatonin (a hormone the body makes naturally) through a drip, alongside cooling, is safe and may help protect the baby’s brain.
Your baby will still receive all the usual intensive care and monitoring, whether you choose to take part.
Recruitment:
- Newborn babies diagnosed with hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE)
- Babies who are receiving therapeutic hypothermia (cooling treatment)
- Babies who are clinically stable and being cared for in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
- Eligible to receive the first dose of study drug within 6 hours of birth
- Parental/legal guardian consent provided for participation
Additional information:
Aim:
This study looks at how babies’ brains develop and respond to everyday things like gentle touch, sounds, and routine medical care. We use safe, non-invasive sensors to record brain and body activity while your baby is resting or being cared for, both in hospital and as they grow.
What we learn will help improve how babies are supported and cared for in the future.
Recruitment:
- Babies cared for on the neonatal unit or followed up by the Baby Lab team
- Babies whose parents or legal guardians can give consent
- Babies who can safely take part in non-invasive monitoring and follow-up questionnaires or visits
Additional information:
Aim:
This study is testing a smartphone app that checks for jaundice in newborn babies by taking a quick photo of the white part of the eye.
We will compare the app’s reading with your baby’s usual jaundice checks (and a blood test if your baby needs one anyway) to see how accurate the app is. The study takes about 30 minutes, happens during your baby’s normal hospital visit, and won’t affect your baby’s care.
Recruitment:
Babies can take part if they:
- Are under 4 weeks old
- Are well and not needing urgent treatment
- Have not had phototherapy before
- Are attending hospital for routine care (especially if they need a jaundice blood test, but babies without a blood test may also be included)
- Have a parent/guardian able to give consent
Additional information:
Aim:
This study is looking at how often babies in neonatal care should be bathed to help reduce the chance of infection. Babies will be placed into one of two groups and have a bath either every four days or every seven days, using a gentle “swaddled bath” method, with staff support.
We also take a quick, soft skin swab before and after baths to see how the normal skin germs change, and parents can share feedback about the experience.
Recruitment:
- Were born at UCLH
- Were born at 30 weeks gestation or above
- Weigh more than 1kg
- Are clinically stable (not needing a breathing machine or blood pressure medicine)
- Have healthy skin
- Have no cannulas in place for medicines
- Have a parent/guardian able to give consent
Additional information:
Aim:
This study is exploring how gentle music, familiar sounds, and songs can help parents feel more connected to their baby while they are in neonatal care.
You’ll be supported by a music therapist, receive simple resources like playlists and a reflection journal, and be invited to share your experience through short questionnaires and an optional interview. What you tell us will help shape how music therapy is offered to families in neonatal units in the future.
Recruitment:
- Have a baby who is currently seriously unwell on a neonatal unit
- Are able and willing to take part for up to 3 weeks
- Are comfortable completing short questionnaires and an optional interview
- Can give informed consent
Additional information: