Cardiovascular Health Assessment of Preterm- and TERm-born Children
The CHAPTER study aims to understand how complications during pregnancy, like being born prematurely, affect the development of a child's heart and blood vessels. We know that young adults born prematurely often have differences in their heart's structure and how it works, and similar changes are seen in premature babies in their first few months of life. This study will follow children who were part of another study called EPOCH. Researchers will perform two check-ups for each child, both those born prematurely and those born at full term, to see how their hearts have developed over time. This information will help us learn if early heart changes in premature babies continue into childhood and could lead to ways to help these children in the future.
At a glance
What is this study about?
The CHAPTER study is looking into an important question: how does being born prematurely affect a child's heart and blood vessels as they grow? We know that when babies are born early (before 37 weeks of pregnancy), their hearts often show differences in how they're built and how they work. These changes can be seen even very early on, in the first few months of life.
What we don't fully understand yet is whether these early differences in a baby's heart continue as they get older, into childhood and beyond. This study aims to fill that gap. We want to see if the changes we observe in premature babies' hearts in their first few months have a lasting impact and if they affect the heart's pumping ability or other parts of the circulatory system, like blood vessels and blood pressure.
To do this, we'll be inviting children who previously took part in a study called EPOCH. We'll compare children who were born prematurely with those born at full term. By gathering more information about their hearts and blood vessels now, we hope to understand these long-term effects better. Ultimately, this knowledge could help doctors develop new ways to support the heart health of children born prematurely and reduce any future risks they might face.
Key takeaways
- This study explores how being born early affects children's heart health.
- It uses scans to look at heart and blood vessel development.
- Participants must have been in the previous EPOCH study or be related to someone who was.
- The goal is to understand long-term effects and improve future care for premature children.
- There are two study visits involved for each child.
- Participation is voluntary, and you can withdraw at any time.
Who may be eligible?
This study is looking for children aged between 3 and 9 years old. To take part, your child must have been part of a previous study called EPOCH. If your child's friend or sibling was in the EPOCH study, your child may also be able to join.
It's very important that your child does not have a serious heart condition they were born with, or any other major long-term illness that could affect their heart or how their body uses energy.
There's also a special check for one part of the study, which uses a scanning machine called an MRI. If your child has certain medical conditions or implants, they might not be able to have an MRI scan, but they could still participate in other parts of the study.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Is your child between 3 and 9 years old?
- Did your child previously take part in the EPOCH study? (Or did a friend/sibling?)
- Does your child NOT have a serious heart problem they were born with?
- Does your child NOT have another major long-term illness affecting their heart or metabolism?
- Is your child able to have an MRI scan (no metal implants, etc.)?
What does participation involve?
If your child takes part, they will have two study visits. During these visits, doctors will use special scans to look at their heart and blood vessels. These scans include an echocardiogram (a type of ultrasound for the heart) and a cardiovascular magnetic resonance (MRI) scan. We'll also check your child's lung function, blood vessel health, and blood pressure. You and your child will be asked to give your permission to be part of the study. The study looks at measures taken from birth up to around 12 years of age, but your specific involvement will include these two visits.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- University of OxfordVerified postcodeOxford, United Kingdom
Common questions
What is 'preterm birth'?
Preterm birth means a baby was born before 37 full weeks of pregnancy. It's often called being born prematurely.
What is an 'echocardiogram'?
An echocardiogram is a safe and painless type of ultrasound scan that uses sound waves to create moving pictures of your child's heart, showing its structure and how well it's pumping.
What is a 'cardiovascular magnetic resonance (MRI)' scan?
An MRI scan uses strong magnets and radio waves to create detailed pictures of the heart and blood vessels. It’s a very safe scan, but your child will need to lie still in a tunnel-like machine for a while.
Will my child receive any medicine or treatment in this study?
No, this study is observational, meaning we are just gathering information and not testing any new medicines or treatments.
How long will my child's involvement in the study last?
Your child will have two study visits. The study itself looks at how their heart develops over several years, from birth up to around age 12, using previous and new information gathered.
How to find out more
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
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