PREM-IMPACT is a UK-based observational study exploring how caring for a very premature baby-particularly one affected by necrotising enterocolitis (NEC)-impacts families over the first year after hospital discharge. NEC is a serious bowel disease that can occur in premature babies, often requiring surgery and prolonged hospitalisation. This study runs alongside the WHEAT International Trial, which investigates whether pausing or continuing milk feeds during blood transfusions affects the risk of NEC in very preterm babies. PREM-IMPACT acts as a nested economic evaluation of the WHEAT Trial, helping to understand whether different feeding practices around transfusion offer good value for money from both the NHS and family perspective. PREM-IMPACT will collect detailed data on babies' health-related quality of life, as well as the financial, emotional, and social impact on parents and siblings. Families are recruited from neonatal units when their baby is ready to go home and complete questionnaires at three timepoints: 1) just before discharge, 2) six months later, and 3) twelve months later. Questionnaires cover health, wellbeing, healthcare use, and costs to the family (such as travel, time off work, or extra care needs). A dedicated research nurse based at the lead NHS site helps coordinate follow-up centrally. By studying families of babies with and without NEC, this project aims to clarify the burden of prematurity and NEC on infant outcomes and family wellbeing. The results will inform future policy decisions, including whether pausing or continuing milk feeds during transfusion should be adopted in routine neonatal care.
Age range
30 Weeks
Sex
ALL
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The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
Infant Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL)
Timeframe: Baseline (at the point of discharge home from neonatal care), 6 months post-neonatal discharge, and 12 months post-neonatal discharge.
Infant Healthcare Resource Utilisation
Timeframe: At 6 months post-neonatal discharge and 12 months post-neonatal discharge.
Household Financial Impact
Timeframe: At 6 months post-neonatal discharge and 12 months post-neonatal discharge.