HUM-TE Trial

Extremely preterm babies lose heat and water through their immature skin, causing dehydration and high blood sodium concentrations.

Additionally, over 800 babies were born extremely preterm (less than 27 weeks gestation) in Australia in 2020. Of these, 25% died and 75% survived the newborn period with major complications (morbidities). However, in Japan, death and complication rates are much lower, including issues with skin integrity. In Japan, they use high level of heat and moisture (known as incubator humidification) up to 95%. Emerging evidence suggests this contributes to better outcomes, but no clinical trials exist comparing this practice (80 vs 95%).

In this world first trial, the Australian research team is working with teams from Japan and the United States of America to explore skin health and complications for the smallest and sickest babies. The team will explore skin integrity assessments specifically designed for preterm babies who’s skin is comprised of a single layer at birth. Additionally, the team will use innovative non-invasive tools to measure heat and moisture loss and clinical images to better understand how to protect and care for these patients.

This program of work is nested in within the larger HUM-TE trial, which aims to assess the clinical effectiveness and explore implementation contexts of 95% incubator humidity on premature infants born <27 weeks gestation during the first three days of life, run out of University of Sydney. The trial will run in a number of neonatal units across Australia.