Emory University School of Medicine
Department of Pediatrics

Research Studies

We are currently recruiting into the following studies:

Management of the PDA Trial 

  • The objective of this study is to estimate the risks and benefits of active treatment versus expectant management of a symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus in premature infants
  • Site Principal Investigator: Shilpa Vyas-Read, MD MSc
  • Sponsor: National Institutes of Health (NICHD Neonatal Research Network)
  • Locations: Emory University Hospital Midtown and Grady Memorial Hospital

Moderately Preterm Infants With Caffeine at Home for Apnea (MoCHA) Trial 

  • The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of continuing treatment with caffeine citrate in the hospital and at home in moderately preterm infants with resolved apnea of prematurity on days of hospitalization after randomization.
  • Site Principal Investigator: Ravi Patel, MD MSc
  • Sponsor: National Institutes of Health (NICHD Neonatal Research Network)
  • Locations: Emory University Hospital Midtown and Grady Memorial Hospital

Milrinone in Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

  • This is a pilot trial to determine if milrinone infusion in neonates ≥ 36 weeks' postmenstrual age (PMA) at birth with CDH would lead to an increase in PaO2 with a corresponding decrease in OI by itself or in conjunction with other pulmonary vasodilators such as iNO at 24 h post-infusion.
  • Site Principal Investigator: Sarah Keene, MD
  • Sponsor: National Institutes of Health (NICHD Neonatal Research Network)
  • Location: Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston

Cycled Phototherapy 

  • The objective of this study is to determine of cycled phototherapy increases survival over that with continuous phototherapy among extremely premature infants (< 750 g BW or <27 weeks GA)
  • Site Principal Investigator: Ravi Patel, MD MSc
  • Sponsor: National Institutes of Health (NICHD Neonatal Research Network)
  • Locations: Emory University Hospital Midtown and Grady Memorial Hospital

Infections in Developing Newborns

  • This study is examining factors influencing immune dysfunction in the premature newborn
  • Site Principal Investigator: Theresa Gauthier, MD
  • Sponsor: National Institutes of Health
  • Locations: Emory University Hospital Midtown and Grady Memorial Hospital

Safety of Sildenafil in Premature Infants With Severe Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (SILDI-SAFE)

  • This is a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, sequential dose-escalating, double-masked, safety study of sildenafil in premature infants with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
  • Site Principal Investigator: Shilpa Vyas-Read, MD, MSc
  • Sponsor: National Institutes of Health
  • Locations: Emory University Hospital Midtown

Generic Database of Very Low Birth Weight Infants (GDB)

  • The Generic Database (GDB) is a registry of very low birth weight infants born alive in NICHD Neonatal Research Network (NRN) centers. The GDB collects observational baseline data on both mothers and infants, and the therapies used and outcomes of the infants. The information collected is not specific to a disease or treatment (i.e., it is "generic"). Data are analyzed to find associations and trends between baseline information, treatments, and infant outcome, and to develop future NRN trials.
  • Site Principal Investigator: Ravi Patel, MD MSc
  • Sponsor: National Institutes of Health (NICHD Neonatal Research Network)
  • Locations: Emory University Hospital Midtown and Grady Memorial Hospital

Follow-up Visit of High Risk Infants

  • The NICHD Neonatal Research Network's Follow-Up study is a multi-center cohort in which surviving extremely low birth-weight infants born in participating network centers receive neurodevelopmental, neurosensory and functional assessments at 22-26 months corrected age (Infants born prior to July 1, 2012 were seen at 18-22 months corrected age). Data regarding pregnancy and neonatal outcome are collected prospectively. The goal is to identify potential maternal and neonatal risk factors that may affect infant neurodevelopment.
  • Site Principal Investigator: Nathalie Maitre, MD PhD
  • Sponsor: National Institutes of Health (NICHD Neonatal Research Network)
  • Locations: Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Center for Advanced Pediatrics, Emory Children's Center, Hughes Spalding

Human Milk for Congenital Gastrointestinal Disorders

  • This study aims to identify whether an exclusive human milk diet would improve outcomes in neonates with congenital gastrointestinal disorders and by facilitating an earlier transition off of parenteral nutrition.
  • Site Principal Investigator: Heidi Karpen, MD
  • Sponsor: Emory University, Prolacta Bioscience, Chatham Valley Foundation
  • Location: Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston

Red Blood Cell Irradiation, Anemia and Gut Injury (RBC-mNIRS)

  • The purpose of this trial is to study the effect that anemia and Red Blood Cell (RBC) transfusions have on oxygen levels in the digestive tracts of Extremely Low Birth Weight (ELBW) infants and to look for possible markers in a baby's blood, urine and/or stool that may lead to a better understanding of what makes an ELBW infant at risk for digestive tract problems such as necrotizing enterocolitis.
  • Site Principal Investigator: Cassandra Josephson, MD
  • Sponsor: National Institutes of Health
  • Location: Emory University Hospital Midtown, Grady Memorial Hospital and Northside Hospital