Child Health nieuws
Child Health nieuws
Substantial grant awarded for smart alarm in ICU
UMC Utrecht is coordinating the Smart Alarm Management Study. This investigates ways in which beeping medical devices around the patient's bedside can be used differently. Using smarter algorithms, the devices can transform into a silent alarm chain that informs the caregiver in a proper and timely manner. Eight tons have been allocated for this study, which is being conducted as part of Smart And Silent ICU (SASICU). This is a €17 million public-private funded research project. Several other European teaching hospitals and Innovation Partners Dräger and Ascom are involved.
Read moreAI forecasts outcomes in very premature babies
Researchers at UMC Utrecht have developed an AI model to predict long-term outcome in extremely premature babies early in life. The model can identify which infants might face intellectual disability as they grow. When further developed, it could offer crucial insights for healthcare providers as well as valuable information for parents about their child’s expected developmental journey. The results of the study have been published in The Lancet Digital Health.
Read moreNewly described mechanism offers opportunities for treatment of cystic fibrosis
People with cystic fibrosis have a compromised defense against pathogens in the lungs, due to the accumulation of thick mucus in their lungs in which pathogens thrive. Apart from the mucus, the fluids lining the airway surfaces are also too acidic and that inhibits additional antimicrobial defense mechanisms against pathogens. Researchers from Newcastle University and University Medical Center Utrecht have described a new cellular mechanism that influences this acidity using miniature airways, and discovered two already approved drugs that could potentially be used to change the acidity in people with CF.
Read morePay attention to late effects of childhood cancer
Leontien Kremer, professor of late effects after childhood cancer at Utrecht University delivered her oration titled 'LIFE: now and LATER' on caring for survivors of childhood cancer with late effects, health problems after treatment.
Read moreUtrecht collaboration strengthens care and research
Children with a tumour near the hypothalamus - the hormone centre in the brain - may suffer from hormone imbalances. This can be caused by the tumour, but symptoms can also worsen after treatment through surgery or radiotherapy. If the hypothalamus is damaged, in addition to a hormone imbalance, there is also a disturbed sense of hunger and thirst, heat regulation and day-night rhythms. As a result, they may suffer from severe obesity and chronic fatigue after treatment.
Read moreInvestigating genetic kidney failure in young people
Albertien van Eerde, clinical geneticist and associate professor translational nephrogenetics, Gisela Slaats, assistant professor experimental nephrology, and Marc Lilien, paediatric nephrologist at UMC Utrecht, played a crucial role in securing Utrecht's participation in TheRaCil consortium. This will take research into kidney failure in young people to a higher level. The researchers involved from 15 institutes from six countries are working closely together as they integrate their expertise and the various large European ciliopathy biobanks and databases.
Read more'Paediatric radiologist: we contribute to optimal care'
Well-supported guidelines for paediatric radiological imaging are needed to ensure the best care for children, Professor of Paediatric Radiology Rutger Jan Nievelstein recently stated in his inaugural address. This requires sound scientific research. After all, children have a different range of conditions than adults, such as congenital defects, hereditary and metabolic diseases, and certain types of tumours. The new chair that will strengthen this scientific research falls under the strategic theme Child Health and supports the enhancers image-guided interventions and integral complex care for children.
Read moreGet rid of those rubber schoolyard tiles
Anxious adults. Restrictive regulations. Dull playgrounds. It makes children do less and less 'risky play'. And that is a shame, say Utrecht researchers Kirsten Visser and Heidi Lesscher. Because it is precisely through adventurous play - climbing trees, roaming the neighborhood - that children develop things like social behaviour, self-confidence, and perseverance. 'But fortunately 'risky play' is being rediscovered.'
Read moreTitia Lely appointed as professor
On 15 September 2023, gynaecologist Titia Lely was appointed professor of maternal and child vascular disorders. She focuses on the optimal treatment of vascular disorders during pregnancy to improve pregnancy outcomes and the long-term vascular health of mother and child. The chair, which falls under the Child Health and Circulatory Health spearheads, strengthens scientific research within the Birth Centre of the Wilhelmina Children's Hospital.
Read moreInnovative MRI study babies takes step forward
Damage to the brain, for example due to oxygen deprivation at birth, is often detected with an MRI scanner. In babies at UMC Utrecht and worldwide, we use an MRI scanner with the strength of 3 Tesla or lower for this study. But the stronger the scanner (measured in Tesla) the more doctors can see on the images. Researcher Inge van Ooijen and physician-researcher Kim Annink investigated whether the 7 Tesla MRI at UMC Utrecht is safe for newborn babies. They followed 20 babies who received a standard 3 Tesla MRI scan and a more powerful 7 Tesla MRI scan. They saw no difference in safety with the more powerful 7 Tesla MRI. The study was recently published in Neuroimage Reports.
Read more