Babies to benefit from research programme

ALMOST 50,000 babies born in eight maternity hospitals in Ireland every year are to benefit from a research programme that aims to reduce infant sickness and mortality before and soon after birth.

A all-Ireland clinical research consortium called Perinatal Ireland is to use the latest ultrasound technologies and equipment to enhance observation and improve the detection of abnormalities while the baby is still in the womb.

The Health Research Board (HRB) announced yesterday that it had invested €3.9m in the project.