Research by Department
Neonatology
Dr. Michael O’Shea is currently working on 2 important studies outlined below:
Multi-center observational study of the relationship of biomarkers of inflammation (cytokines and chemokines) and neuroprotection (growth factors and hormones) to neurological, cognitive, and behavioral impairments in extremely premature infants. This study is being funded though a NIH sub contract with Yale University, 11/1/06-5/31/11, $83,540
Multi-center randomized trial of heart rate characteristics monitoring to improve outcome of hospitalized very low birth weight neonates. This study is funded through a NIH subcontract with Duke University, 4/1/06-6/30/10, $176,192
Dr. Beatrice Stefanescu is currently the site PI for the TOLSURF study to prevent BPD. The overall aim of this multicenter clinical trial is observe the effects of the administration of Infasurf in preventing BPD. This is funded through a NIH subcontract with UCSF, 9/15/09-7/31/11, $37,000.
Dr. Jennifer Helderman is currently the site PI for the Prophylactic Phenobarbital After Resolution of Neonatal Seizures study, and NIH sub from Rochester University, 9/20/09-6/30/11, $5,001 per patient. The primary objective of this study is to determine if neurodevelopmental outcome at 18-22 months differs in infants who have neonatal seizures who are treated for four months with placebo vs. phenobarbital.
Cardiology
Dr. Wes Covitz has been working on The Pediatric Heart Network North Carolina Consortium since September 1, 2004. This grant will run through August 31, 2011 and receives $42,846 annually for a total project cost of $299,922. Dr. Covitz's work on this project is being funded through a subcontract with Duke University for an NIH award they have. The primary objective is efficacy of carvedilol measured by a Clinical Global Improvement score (CGI) provided by the physician. The secondary objective is to determine efficacy of carvedilol to be measured by 1) quality of life assessment including the use of the Child Health Questionnaire, 2) clinical progression of heart failure, 3) ventricular end-diastolic volume and ejection fraction and 4) ß2AR polymorphisms.
Hematology/Oncology
Drs. Hernan Sabio and Natalia Dixon are currently working on studies of a clinical nature and involving mostly subjects with bleeding disorders and sickle cell disease.
The Center for Disease Control sponsored Universal Data Collection (CDC/UDC) study is an ongoing longitudinal study of laboratory and clinical parameters of patients with bleeding disorders. This is funded through two long running contracts, one running from 6/1/10-5/31/11, $70,961, and another running from 9/30/09-9/29/10, $62,533. Both of these studies are expected to continue for multiple years.
Dr. Thomas McLean has been participating in the Children's Oncology Group Chair's Grant for several years. This grant was recently renewed with the dates, 3/1/10-2/28/11, this is a per patient grant and dollars vary. The goal of this project is the conduction of clinical pediatric oncology trials at Wake Forest School of Medicine. These trials include treatment protocols developed by the Children's Oncology Group (COG).
Dr. Sharon Castellino has been working on a LAF grant, A Pilot Study of Donepezil in Childhood Survivors of Cranial Irradiation since 1/1/06 that is slated to end 6/30/10, $50,000. This trial of donepezil represents the first study of a non-stimulant drug in childhood survivors of cranial irradiation.
Gastroenterology
Dr. John Fortunato is currently working on a grant funded through AstraZeneca comparing oropharyngeal pepsin concentrations with gastroesophageal reflux events measured by multichannel intraluminal impedance (MII)/pH monitoring in children. This study started in 6/1/09 and is ongoing. The total award to date is $8,820.
Obesity Prevention
Dr. Joseph Skelton is currently using satisfaction, study of attrition (including programmatic factors and predictive family characteristics), and quality improvement to improve the treatment of pediatric obesity. Have particular interest in attrition and in health services of treatment, including rural outreach. This work is being funded through a number of grants (listed below).
Kate B Reynolds, 1/1/09-12/31/11, $587,998. A Proposal to Expand Brenner FIT. This grant is to expand the capacity of The Brenner FIT Program, which uses evidence-based approach to comprehensively assess and treat obese children and their families.
The Duke Endowment, 7/1/08-6/30/11, $530,398. A Proposal to Expand Brenner FIT. This grant is to expand the reach of The Brenner FIT Program in rural and Latino populations, which uses evidence-based approach to comprehensively assess and treat obese children and their families.
The North Carolina Health and Wellness Trust Fund, 7/1/08-6/30/11, $229,031. Practice-Based Nutrition Project to Reduce Childhood Obesity. The goal of this grant is to assess a model for integrating nutrition education and treatment from registered dieticians in order to prevent and treat overweight among children.
The Winston-Salem Foundation, 10/1/09-9/30/10, $30,000. Improving Nutrition in Communities: FIT Meals. Continuation of a community-based cooking and nutrition program for low-income families.
Kohl’s, 9/1/09-8/31/10, $104,344. Kohl’s Family Collaborative. The Kohl's Family Collaborative will serve as the leader in educating community members on family health, calling attention to the role healthy eating, physical activity and general wellness plays in children's lives, and how parents are key to instilling these habits in their children.