Research and Innovation

The Neuro-NICU is a translational enterprise that puts our team’s extensive experience in newborn brain research into clinical practice every day. Our patient care is continually improved by our participation in clinical trials. Since 1991, Stanford researchers have been key participants in the Eunice Kennedy Shriver NICHD Neonatal Research Network which establishes the reliability and validity of treatments and technologies that care for newborn brains. For example, we participated in one of the first clinical trials of hypothermia for term babies, a treatment that has revolutionized the treatment of neonatal brain injury. The Neuro-NICU is currently involved in two large randomized controlled trials. One is on using inducted therapeutic hypothermia treatment for babies that are mildly premature. The other examines the use of Erythropoietin for the treatment of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).

Once a year, we hold Neuro-NICU training courses and skills days for our staff as well as for outside physicians, nurses and other providers. We also share our program and experience with NICUs around the world.