Premature babies often face a difficult start to life, relying on respiratory support to survive. While lifesaving, this intervention can also cause long-term lung damage, leading to chronic conditions such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Mercy Health Neonatal Fellow Kristin Ferguson is determined to change that.
Kristin’s research shines a spotlight on an overlooked factor in respiratory care: gas flow. Unlike oxygen levels and pressure, which have been extensively studied, the speed at which gases are delivered to a baby’s lungs has received little attention. “If you open up the lung really quickly, it doesn’t have a chance to adapt, so it’s more likely that the lung will be injured,” she explains.
Preclinical studies at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and small trials in New Zealand and the UK suggest that lower gas flows can reduce inflammation and lung damage without compromising oxygen delivery. Building on this evidence, Kristin and her team are preparing to launch two clinical trials — FLOW-VENT for ventilated babies and FLOW-CPAP for those receiving Continuous Positive Airway Pressure.
Recruitment for the first trial is expected to begin later this year, offering hope to families and clinicians seeking better outcomes for the tiniest patients. “Ultimately, my goal is to see babies leave the neonatal intensive care unit without ongoing respiratory health problems,” Kristin says.
This pioneering work underscores Mercy Health’s commitment to innovation and improving care for vulnerable newborns.
Read the full story in Mercy Health’s 2024 Research Report
