Feature articles
New treatment option for juvenile arthritis patients - thanks to MCRN help (PDF, 711KB)
Until recently, treatments available for children with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis were only partially effective and cause problematic side effects. But MCRN has helped to change that by supporting a global study that has found an effective long-term treatment.
MCRN helps district hospital to take on global trial
Support from the Medicines for Children Research Network has helped Barnsley District Hospital to participate successfully in a Johnson & Johnson study on the use of proton pump inhibitors for gastro oesophageal reflux disease.
Industry benefits from Network know-how (PDF, 90kb)
Children with chronic kidney disease will benefit from the results of an international clinical study led by a Manchester-based consultant working with the Medicines for Children Research Network (MCRN).
Widening participation for all children (PDF, 79kb)
Recruiting children to clinical research studies is never easy, but recruiting ‘looked-after’ children, (i.e. those who need to be accommodated/looked after by local authorities), presents study teams with a unique set of challenges that are difficult to overcome. The NIHR Greater Manchester, Lancashire and South Cumbria Medicines for Children Research Network (GMLC MCRN) recently succeeded in recruiting a looked-after child to a study and hope the lessons learnt can help themselves and other Networks give more looked-after children access to clinical research.
MAGNETIC attraction (PDF 194kb)
Accident and Emergency (A&E) Departments and Paediatric Assessment Units are often fast-paced, unpredictable environments in constant flux. And that’s why the Magnesium Nebuliser Trial in Children (MAGNETIC) is so remarkable. Despite the challenges, it’s a fantastic example of what can be achieved with a well designed protocol, the expertise of clinical staff and the support of the Medicines for Children Research Network and Comprehensive Clinical Research Network.
Children benefit from broader protection (PDF 386kb)
For parents with babies under five years old, meningitis is a disease to fear – and with good reason. Meningitis kills more children under five than any other infectious disease in the UK, with 50% of all cases occurring in this age group. However, recent research into vaccinations, assisted by the Medicines for Children Research Network (MCRN), is already making a real difference to the protection of children against meningitis and other pneumococcal diseases.
Study addresses key question in neonatal care (PDF 157kb)
Premature babies are born with under-developed immune systems and one of the major dangers they face is infection. MABN007 is a neonatal clinical research study exploring the effectiveness of an experimental antibody drug designed to strengthen premature babies’ immune systems, thereby preventing them from getting infection. If this drug proves successful, it will boost premature babies’ chances of survival, shorten their stay in neonatal intensive care and improve their overall health.
