NICHD Neonatal Research Network Clinical Center UAB

Project Summary This application provides evidence that the clinical center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) meets and exceeds all the requirements of the NICHD Cooperative Multicenter Neonatal Research Network (NRN) Request for Applications. The UAB clinical center, one of the original seven clinical centers of the NRN, is a large perinatal center that includes a Level IV neonatal intensive care unit (the only one in the State of Alabama) with 1607 admissions in 2020 and 1856 admissions in 2021, including 14% outborn infants. The UAB clinical center has major strengths: (1) The UAB clinical center consistently has high patient enrollment in NRN trials and studies, with highest enrollment in three of the current 13 studies including major randomized controlled trials (Cycled Phototherapy, MoCHA, and BiB), second in Generic Database, and third in Follow-Up enrollment. UAB was also the top enroller in the DARBE trial that is now closed to enrollment, (2) The UAB PI and the Alternate PI are leaders in the NRN in development and leadership of two of the ongoing randomized controlled trials (MoCHA and BiB), senior authors of eight peer-reviewed publications in the current NRN cycle, and collegial committee members who foster rigorous research and collaboration, (3) The Division of Neonatology members are committed to the NRN with six investigators at UAB having been first authors of peer-reviewed NRN manuscripts published during the current cycle, (4) There are strong clinical ties and integrated collaborative clinical research between the UAB NRN Center and the UAB Maternal-Fetal Medicine Unit Network Center that foster an environment conductive to excellence in perinatal trials, (5) The UAB Center has a well-established referral pattern that includes all NICUs in the state and the statewide perinatal health care system, which assures a large pool of high-risk admissions for clinical research in the coming years, and (6) There is a comprehensive multidisciplinary follow-up program that assures excellent long-term evaluation and care. This application highlights the strengths and commitment of UAB Clinical Center team to continue participation in the NICHD NRN.