Surveillance of Neonatal Endotracheal Tube Colonisation

Starting soon

Conditions studied: Ventilation, Mechanical, Ventilation-Associated Pneumonia

In brief

Babies in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) sometimes need help breathing using a breathing tube (endotracheal tube, or ETT) connected to a breathing machine (ventilator). Over time, bacteria and other substances can build up on the inside of these tubes. This build-up may contribute to infections, inflammation, or breathing problems, but we do not fully understand how often this occurs or what is present within the tubes used in UK NICUs. This surveillance study will collect breathing tubes that have been removed from babies who have been ventilated for more than 12 hours as part of their normal clinical care. No additional procedures or interventions will be performed on babies, and the tubes would otherwise be discarded. Researchers will examine the used tubes and any respiratory secretions (mucus) associated with them. Laboratory testing will identify any bacteria or other microorganisms present and analyse the chemical composition that has accumulated within the tubes and respiratory secretions. By studying these samples, we hope to better understand how breathing tubes become colonised over time and how this may relate to infection and lung health in newborn babies. This study aims to identify the microorganisms that colonises ETT and map them in a contemporary UK neonatal cohort. The information gained from this study may help improve infection surveillance, guide future research, and support the development of strategies to reduce complications associated with mechanical ventilation in vulnerable newborn infants.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07664449

Run by

University of Nottingham

People needed

80

Starts

2026-07-01

Expected to finish

2028-03-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-06-24

Who can join

Age: any. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Infant of any gestational age (22 weeks gestation and upwards) who is expected to be intubated for more than 12 hours
• All infants must have verbal or written informed consent from the parent/carer
• All infants must have a realistic prospect of survival as determined by the attending clinical team

You may not qualify if…

• Infants that are not for active resuscitation
• Infants that are undergoing end-of-life care
• In situations where consent is not possible or provided

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

Trial information comes from ClinicalTrials.gov and is refreshed daily. TrialsForMe does not provide medical care and does not run the studies it lists.