Effects of blood sugar levels on brain health in newborns with brain injury
Official title: Neurological Outcome of Glycemia in Neonatal Encephalopathy
Funded at Hospital for Sick Chldrn (Toronto) · NIH-10844559 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how high blood sugar levels can impact the brains of newborns with a condition called hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), and it aims to help parents understand how these early sugar levels might affect their child's development as they grow.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Hospital for Sick Chldrn (Toronto) NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Toronto, Canada) |
| Project start | June 19, 2020 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $143,851 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD101419-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10844559 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are newborns diagnosed with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy or are older than newborns may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how blood sugar levels, particularly hyperglycemia, affect brain outcomes in newborns suffering from hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). By using continuous glucose monitoring, the study aims to clarify the relationship between elevated glucose levels and brain injury, cognitive function, and behavioral issues in affected infants. The research will assess how these early glucose-related findings translate into long-term developmental outcomes as the children grow. Parents of newborns with HIE may find this study relevant as it seeks to improve understanding and management of their child's condition.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better management strategies for blood sugar levels in newborns with HIE, potentially improving their long-term neurological outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have indicated that managing glucose levels can significantly impact neurological outcomes, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Hospital for Sick Chldrn (Toronto)
Toronto, Canada Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tam, Emily Wing Yun — Hospital for Sick Chldrn (Toronto)
- Study coordinator: Tam, Emily Wing Yun
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Hydrogen therapy for newborns with brain injury
A new NICU trial will test inhaled hydrogen added to standard hypothermia therapy to see if it can improve survival and brain outcomes for babies with hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.
-
MRI markers to predict outcomes after newborn brain injury
This project uses newborn brain MRI scans and AI tools to help doctors predict which babies with oxygen-related brain injury may have developmental problems by 18–22 months.
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Real-time brain blood-flow and oxygen monitoring for newborns with birth-related brain injury
This project uses a bedside monitoring system that tracks brain blood flow and oxygen in newborns with suspected oxygen-related injury to help doctors spot damage early.
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Using MRI to identify brain injury in newborns with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy
This study is looking for better ways to check for brain injuries in newborns with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) so that doctors can spot problems earlier and find the best treatments for these babies.
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Newborn Brain Wave Checker: See if CergenX Wave matches the Sarnat exam
This study tests whether the CergenX Wave software, which analyzes a newborn's EEG via a small four-electrode setup, can match the standard Sarnat examination in babies with suspected neonatal encephalopathy.
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Neonatal Neurological Observation With Video AI
This study tests a real-time, non-contact video AI system to help monitor brain health in newborns with suspected brain injury during their hospital stay.
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.