Collecting biospecimens from premature infants to improve sepsis detection
Official title: The Scientific Value of Premature Infant Biospecimens Collection
Funded at Inova Health Care Services · NIH-11201133 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at samples from premature babies to learn more about sepsis, a serious infection they can get, so we can find better ways to spot it and help them stay healthy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Inova Health Care Services NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fairfax, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 3, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $206,897 |
| NIH project number | 7R21GM150136-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11201133 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are premature infants born at or before 32 weeks of gestation and weighing 1500 grams or less.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not premature or do not meet the weight criteria may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on collecting and analyzing biospecimens from premature infants to better understand sepsis, a serious condition that can occur in this vulnerable population. By gathering samples such as stool, blood, and saliva at various stages of the infants' early lives, the research aims to identify effective methods for sample collection and processing. The goal is to enhance the understanding of sepsis pathways and improve detection strategies, ultimately leading to better outcomes for affected infants. This project will involve careful monitoring and data collection during critical periods, including suspected sepsis events.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved detection and treatment strategies for sepsis in premature infants, potentially saving lives.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using biospecimens for sepsis research is established, this specific focus on premature infants and the methodologies proposed may offer novel insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Inova Health Care Services
Fairfax, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Prescott, Stephanie — Inova Health Care Services
- Study coordinator: Prescott, Stephanie
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.