Northwick Park joins national baby study
Northwick Park is one 40 hospitals taking part in a study to find the best way of feeding premature babies born between 30-33 weeks.
Babies have traditionally been fed via a nasogastric tube, but the study is looking at the potential benefits of giving them complete milk feeds while they are still being cared for in the neonatal unit.
Research shows the new approach saves time and money as well as the potential discomfort of a nasogastric tube and IV fluids.
Neonatal consultant Richard Nicholl said: “We’re talking about a small number of babies but it adds up to several thousand across the country and the expectation is that they could go home several days earlier.
The Feed1 study will be carried out during the next year and is being coordinated by Nottingham Clinical Trials Unit.