More than 3,000 babies born each year at the SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital. Many of them are born prematurely, meaning before 32 weeks of gestation. The goal of all of our pediatricians and researchers is to make sure these neonates grow and develop properly, and that they have no repercussions at any point in their lives.
Main lines of investigation
Many conditions that appear in adulthood have their origin in the fetal period or in the first few years of life. Understanding how and why these occur is a crucial step towards prevention and treatment.
Diseases of fetal origin
Many conditions that appear in adulthood have their origin in the fetal period or in the first few years of life. Understanding how and why they occur is a crucial step towards prevention and treatment.
This research group covers several lines of investigation, such as:
- The relationship between precocious puberty and low birth weight.
- Feeding of premature newborns.
- Markers of fetal wellbeing and childhood diabetes.
- Repercussions of low birth weight in adulthood (cardiovascular problems, obesity, etc.).
A high percentage of premature babies often fail to grow properly during their first few months outside of the womb.
Postnatal feeding of premature babies
A high percentage of premature babies often fail to grow properly during their first few months outside of the womb. This is due, in part, to the lack of appropriate markers telling nutritionists that the child's diet is adequate.
Our line of research primarily aims to identify optimal nutrient dosages and growth trajectories, as well as early biomarkers, so that we can improve the security and efficacy of postnatal nutritional support.
This would allow us to prevent malnutrition in the neonatal period, as well as adverse effects in both the short and long term.
