Premature babies ­ preventing hydrocephalus and cerebral palsy

This research was completed on 14 July 2003

Project Leader	Professor Andrew G L Whitelaw MD FRCPCH, Dr Marianne Thoresen PhD FRCPCH and Dr Helen J Porter MD FRCPath
Location	Division of Child Health, University of Bristol Medical School, Southmead Hospital in conjunction with Departments of Child Health and Paediatric Pathology St Michael's Hospital, Bristol.
Grant awarded	26 October 2000
Start date	12 March 2001
End date	14 July 2003
Grant amount	£114,470.00
Grant code	SP3654

One of the serious complications of premature birth is bleeding into the ventricles of the brain. This can give rise to hydrocephalus (water on the brain), often resulting in cerebral palsy and multiple disability, affecting several hundred babies a year in the UK. Previous treatments for hydrocephalus have been frustrating and many babies have to depend on an implanted device (shunt) to redirect the excess fluid elsewhere in their body. This team is investigating the 'signal molecule' which produces the scarring around the brain thought to be responsible for causing hydrocephalus. By injecting an antibody which can specifically block this signal molecule, they hope to prevent this complication and thereby avoid the need for shunt surgery.