BLUEPRINT: Predicting Long-term Outcomes of Prematurity from Early Life Events

Abstract

Most babies born preterm have breathing problems shortly after birth, and many need help with their breathing. Clinicians have many treatments to help preterm babies breath, and know which treatments works best for most babies. But clinicians don’t know which treatments will work best for each baby.

The BLUEPRINT Study aims to provide a more precise picture (phenotype) of how a specific preterm baby’s lungs are working in the first 7 days after birth. This will be achieved by combining information on the clinical care being used, measurements of lung function and the pattern of proteins in the blood collected 3 and 7 days after birth. We will then follow babies through until 2 years of age to measure their lung growth and function. By understanding the different lung phenotypes that exist in preterm babies, we hope to help doctors know which treatments may be best for a baby and predict which baby might be at more risk for lung problems as they grow up.