Neonatal Network Clinical Center to Improve Newborn Care

NICHD Neonatal Research Network (NRN): Clinical Centers (UG1 Clinical Trial Optional

NIH-funded research University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston · NIH-11316980

This center runs clinical trials and follow-up programs that try new ways to improve care and outcomes for newborns, especially premature or high‑risk infants.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Houston, United States)
Project IDNIH-11316980 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

The project supports a neonatal clinical center that enrolls newborns into network clinical trials and conducts detailed follow-up of their development. The team leads rigorous multicenter studies, may add a collaborating satellite site in Galveston to reach more families, and applies advanced statistical methods to strengthen results. The Houston center has enrolled large numbers of infants (over 2,100 enrollments since 2016) and maintains high follow-up rates at two years to track longer‑term outcomes. The program also mentors and trains the next generation of neonatal clinicians and researchers to improve future care.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal participants are newborns admitted to the participating NICUs—particularly premature or other high‑risk infants—whose parents are willing to consent to trials and follow-up visits.

Not a fit: Healthy full‑term infants not admitted to these NICUs or families unable to attend participating centers are unlikely to benefit directly from enrollment opportunities.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could produce safer, more effective treatments and better long‑term health and developmental outcomes for newborns.

How similar studies have performed: The Neonatal Research Network has a long record of successful trials and the Houston center has contributed thousands of enrollments, so this project builds on established, effective work.

Where this research is happening

Houston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.