Lay summary
Late preterm infants, born from 34 to 36 weeks’ gestation, represent a large group of infants (3,000 annually) at risk of adverse health outcomes, including cerebral palsy and developmental delay. At present there is little research focused on reducing these risks, which are significantly higher than for term infants and show ethnic disparity. Caffeine is a promising, simple intervention that improves neonatal blood oxygen levels and is being investigated in the HRC-funded Latte Trial as a neuroprotective strategy for late preterm infants. My doctoral studies, based within the Latte Trial, will assess the effects of caffeine compared with placebo on neonatal outcomes and explore the underlying mechanisms of brain protection, including changes in blood flow and oxygenation of the brain. My PhD will not only provide a robust evidence base for caffeine therapy but will also lay the foundation for my future career as an academic neonatologist and clinical researcher.