Swansea hospital first in Wales to recruit poorly babies for UK clinical trial
12 March
Morriston Hospital has become the first in Wales to start recruiting for a UK-wide trial for poorly babies who need help with their breathing, thanks to vital support from Health and Care Research Wales.
The trial will aim to determine the most effective breathing support for infants hospitalised with bronchiolitis, a common chest infection affecting babies and children under two. Thousands of children require hospitalisation every year due to serious chest infections.
The £1.7 million BACHb trial will recruit over 1,500 infants from 50 hospitals across the UK over 30 months. Morriston Hospital, part of Swansea Bay University Health Board, is the first in Wales to participate. The trial seeks to identify the most effective breathing support for these infants.
Dr Huma Mazhar, a consultant paediatrician and respiratory lead at Morriston, is the trial’s principal investigator. She said: “Taking part in these trials benefits not only patients but also junior doctors, providing them with valuable opportunities to develop essential research skills.
“Research is fundamental to healthcare advancement, enabling treatments to be guided by the latest evidence.”
Dr Mazhar also acknowledged research nurse Gemma Smith, also funded by Health and Care Research Wales, for her role in ensuring a smooth setup for the trial. Gemma said: “As part of the R&D delivery team, it’s been a pleasure to facilitate the set-up and ongoing support for this trial. We look forward to this being the first of many successful collaborations.”
The trial aims to help babies recover more quickly, with less discomfort and shorter hospital stays.
The trial will compare high-flow oxygen therapy, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), and humidified standard oxygen to determine the most effective treatment for moderate and severe bronchiolitis in babies under 12 months. Two clinical trials will run simultaneously to assess the effectiveness of each treatment.
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