Not yet recruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Measuring Heart Health in Both Term, Preterm and Unwell Newborn Babies With an Advanced Ultrasound Method: Speckle Tracking Echocardiography

Doctors at Birmingham Women's Hospital are studying a new way to check the hearts of newborn babies. They use a special type of ultrasound scan, called speckle tracking echocardiography, which is better at finding small problems with how the heart muscle works. This is important because it could help doctors find and treat heart issues sooner. The study involves scanning healthy babies to understand what a normal heart looks like, and also babies with certain health problems, like those born too early, or those with lung or brain conditions. The scan is quick and painless, and often already part of the care for sick babies. The goal is to give doctors a clearer picture of heart health, helping them make the best decisions for these tiny patients.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Sponsor

Birmingham Women's NHS Foundation Trust

Enrolment target

190

Start

01 Feb 2026

Estimated completion

01 Mar 2028

Premature Baby Pulmonary Hypertension of Newborn Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy (HIE)Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Chronic Lung DIsease

What is this study about?

Doctors often use ultrasound scans to check a baby's heart, but this study uses a more advanced and detailed method. It's called 'speckle tracking echocardiography' (don't worry about the long name – think of it as a super-detailed heart scan). This special scan can spot very small changes in how the heart muscle squeezes and relaxes. This is really useful because it might help doctors find potential heart problems much earlier than before.

The research is happening at Birmingham Women's Hospital. The doctors will use this special scan on different groups of babies. Some will be healthy babies, both full-term and those born a little early. This helps establish what a healthy baby's heart looks like on this new scan. They'll also scan babies who are unwell with conditions like brain injury after birth, serious lung problems, a tummy muscle issue called a diaphragmatic hernia, or high blood pressure in their lungs.

The main aim is to see if this special scan works well and gives clear results in newborns. By understanding how the heart works in both healthy and sick babies, doctors hope to gain a much better understanding of newborn heart health. Ultimately, this could lead to quicker checks, earlier treatment, and better health for these precious babies.

Key takeaways

This study uses an advanced, painless heart scan for babies.
It aims to find subtle heart problems earlier in sick newborns.
No extra discomfort or time for your baby compared to routine scans.
The research helps doctors understand newborn hearts better for future care.
Your baby's standard medical care will not be affected by participation.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for newborn babies being cared for at Birmingham Women's Hospital. They are interested in babies who have certain health conditions like high blood pressure in their lungs, a hole in their diaphragm, a specific brain injury, or long-term lung problems (if they still need help breathing around their original due date).

They also want to include healthy babies, both those born at full-term (over 36 weeks) who are doing well on the postnatal ward, and those born a little early (under 36 weeks) who are in the neonatal unit or transitional care, but otherwise well.

However, some babies cannot join the study. This includes babies with a known serious heart problem (other than two common, usually harmless, heart openings that often close on their own). Babies with other very serious health issues that could affect their heart, or if the doctors feel the baby is too unwell to take part, won't be included. Also, if the scan images aren't clear enough, the baby might not be able to continue.

Quick self-check

Is your baby currently an inpatient at Birmingham Women's Hospital?
Does your baby have one of these conditions: high lung blood pressure, a hole in the diaphragm, a specific brain injury, or long-term lung issues needing breathing support at 36 weeks?
OR, is your baby a healthy full-term baby (over 36 weeks) or a healthy premature baby (under 36 weeks) in the hospital?
Does your baby *not* have a serious known heart condition (only small, common openings are okay)?
Does your baby *not* have other serious health problems that could affect their heart?

This is a guide only — the research team will confirm whether you can take part.

What does participation involve?

If your baby takes part in this study, they will have a special heart scan. This is a standard, comfortable procedure, similar to a regular ultrasound you might have had during pregnancy. The study simply adds an extra layer of detail to the images taken during this scan. It doesn't involve any extra time, pain, or discomfort for your baby beyond what a routine heart scan would involve. For many sick babies, these heart scans are already part of their usual care in the hospital. There are no medications or specific follow-up appointments directly related to the study itself. The information gathered during this single scan helps the researchers.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study carries very little risk for your baby. The special heart scan is non-invasive and painless, and it uses technology already well-established in medicine. There are no medications involved. While there isn't a direct benefit to your baby from the scan itself, the information gained will help doctors learn more about how newborn hearts work, which could improve care for many other babies in the future. You are free to withdraw your baby from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting their medical care.

Locations (1)

Birmingham Women's Hospital
Birmingham, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is a 'speckle tracking echocardiography' scan?

It's a very advanced and detailed type of heart ultrasound that helps doctors see how well the heart muscle is working, even subtle changes.

Will this scan hurt my baby?

No, the scan is completely painless and non-invasive, like the ultrasound scans you might have during pregnancy.

How long does the study scan take?

The special images are taken during a routine heart scan, so it doesn't add extra time or discomfort for your baby.

Will my baby get special treatment if they join?

No, your baby will continue to receive their standard medical care. This study is for research purposes to help future babies.

What if I change my mind about my baby participating?

You can withdraw your baby from the study at any time, for any reason, and it will not affect their medical care.

How to find out more

Asad Abbas Dr Asad Abbas, MD MBBS FRCPCH

asad.abbas1@nhs.net +441214721377 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.