neonatology

Dr. Jonathan Wispé studies the role that oxygen plays in the newborn lung disease Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD).

In Arizona, more than 5,000 babies are born prematurely each year. Many of those babies end up in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) like the one here at University Medical Center. Many of our neonatologists who take care of critically ill and premature newborns, also conduct research to develop better ways to take care of newborns.

Jonathan Wispé, MD, is exploring the role that Karatinocyte Growth Factor (KGF) plays in protecting the lungs of premature babies. Many premature babies develop a chronic lung disease known as Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD). BPD is casued by prematurity and hyperoxia (too much oxygen in the lungs). "We know that too much oxygen in the lungs stops lung cells from dividing, which then alters the goe growth and development of the lung," says Dr. Wispé. "If we identify the genetic mechanisms that cause the cells to stop dividing, we'll be able to identify was to prevent it."

Bohuslav Dvorak, PhD, has identified a growth factor (epidermal growth factor or EGF) that is present in very high concentrations in breast milk. He believes that it can speed the maturation of a premature baby’s intestines, which could promote overall growth and development.

Research has shown that breast-fed babies have many health benefits compared to formula-fed babies. However, many times it is difficult or impossible for mothers to breast feed premature babies. Neonatologist Lynn Edde, DO, is studying the role of lactoferrin, a protein that is present in breast milk, to see if it helps babies resist intestinal infections. If the hypothesis is correct, it's possible that someday lactoferrin may be added to the formula that is fed to premature babies to protect them from life-threatening intestinal infections.

Mark Brown, MD, pediatric pulmonologist, is studying how the immune systems of mother and baby interact during pregnancy to better understand the development of the child's immune system. During pregnancy, a woman's immune system adjusts to promote the development of the fetus. Generally the immune system reacts to foreign material (in this case the baby, but usually bacteria or virus) with an infection fighting response. During pregnancy the mother's body develops an allergic response to the baby, which allows the baby to develop normally. Mothers with allergies develop a stronger allergic response to the baby than mothers without allergies. This may influence the baby's immune development and put him/her at greater risk for asthma and allergies. If so, finding ways to modify the mother's response may reduce that risk.