Understanding brain development in premature and full-term infants
Official title: Neural Markers of Developmental Delays in Premature and Full Term Infants
Funded at Boston Children's Hospital · NIH-10950228 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the brains of premature babies grow compared to full-term babies, especially for those who might need extra help as they develop, and it will track their brain activity during regular check-ups to see if there are signs that could help identify when they might need early support.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 26, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $132,705 |
| NIH project number | 1K99HD115830-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10950228 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include infants born prematurely (after 32 weeks) and full-term infants who are undergoing routine well-baby visits.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not infants or those who do not have concerns about developmental delays may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how brain development differs between premature and full-term infants, particularly focusing on those who may experience developmental delays. Using electroencephalography (EEG), the study will monitor brain activity during routine well-baby visits at 4, 9, and 12 months, followed by a lab visit at 24 months. By tracking these infants over time, the research aims to identify neural markers that could indicate the need for early intervention services, especially for moderate to late preterm infants who often miss out on necessary screenings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier identification and intervention for infants at risk of developmental delays, improving their long-term outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using EEG for early identification of developmental issues, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kelsey, Caroline M. — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Kelsey, Caroline M.
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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.