PI(s): Momany & Rios

Primary Team Members: Gretchen Larson, Emma Carlson

IRB: 202303081 (Momany, approved)

Funding: 2023 CMN (Rios & Momany)

Status: Preparing for recruitment

Study Design: Prospective randomized cross-over; Preterm infants (GA<32 weeks) hospitalized in UIHC NICU. Infant physiologic and biologic reaction to routine clinical procedure assessed twice (same day on 2 consecutive weeks).

Description: This project is to examine change in a stress hormone, cortisol, in relation to an acute, stressful procedure that occurs as part of routine NICU care (weekly eye examination). We will use cheek swabs taken before and after the routine eye examination to quantify cortisol levels. We will examine change in cortisol in relation to the eye examination, and the extent to which this correlates with changes in neonatal physiology measures (e.g., heart rate, blood pressure, respiration rate) that are continuously monitored in clinical care. We will also examine whether providing a cloth eye mask after the eye examination reduces neonatal stress.