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Banbury Cross Health Centre part of new respiratory virus study for babies
26/10/2022
RSV is the leading cause of infant hospitalisation
The Banbury Cross Health Centre and John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford are amongst a number of medical establishments taking part in a new respiratory virus study, looking into the leading cause of infant hospitalisation.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) affects 90% of children before the age of two and is one of the main reasons infants end up in hospital. There has been a resurgence of RSV following the easing of COVID-19 public health measures.
The study is evaluating how well a new antibody immunisation works in protecting against RSV.
The virus often causes only mild illnesses, like a cold. However, for some babies, it leads to more severe lung problems such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia.
The study will include newborn babies to babies 12 months old who are in, or are approaching, their first RSV season. It will last approximately 12 months and includes a single, in-person visit with entirely virtual follow up. Babies will be randomly assigned to receive the antibody dose and participation is voluntary.
The aim is to find 180 youngsters for the study in Oxfordshire, as part of more than 20,000 infants across the UK, France and Germany.
Professor Andrew Ustianowski, National Specialty Lead for Infection at NIHR Clinical Research Network, said: “This study, supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research across more than 100 sites, provides the UK with the opportunity to lead the way in a disease which impacts infants globally.
“By carrying out this widespread study, we can help discover how babies can be protected from such a common, yet potentially debilitating virus. Previous smaller studies of the antibody injection being used has shown nirsevimab has a good safety profile in babies, which will hopefully provide parents with confidence to take part in the study.”
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam