National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit

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== National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit ==

The National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit (NPEU) is a research unit based in the Nuffield Department of Population Health at the University of Oxford. The NPEU conducts research to improve the care provided to women and their families during pregnancy, childbirth, and the early postnatal period. The unit's work encompasses a wide range of topics, including maternal and infant health, health services research, and the evaluation of healthcare interventions.

History

The NPEU was established in 1978 by Professor Jean Golding and has since grown to become a leading center for perinatal research. The unit was initially focused on the epidemiology of perinatal health but has expanded its scope to include a variety of research methodologies and topics.

Research Areas

The NPEU's research is organized into several key areas:

• Maternal Health: Studies on maternal morbidity and mortality, pregnancy complications, and interventions to improve maternal health outcomes.
• Infant Health: Research on neonatal care, infant morbidity and mortality, and long-term outcomes for infants.
• Health Services Research: Evaluation of healthcare services and policies affecting maternal and infant health.
• Clinical Trials: Conducting randomized controlled trials to assess the effectiveness of interventions in perinatal care.
• Surveillance and Epidemiology: Monitoring trends in maternal and infant health and identifying risk factors for adverse outcomes.

Key Projects

Some of the notable projects undertaken by the NPEU include:

• The UK Obstetric Surveillance System (UKOSS), which collects data on rare and severe complications of pregnancy.
• The Maternity Survey, which gathers information on women's experiences of maternity care in the UK.
• The INFANT trial, a large-scale study evaluating the use of computerised decision support in the management of labour.

Collaborations

The NPEU collaborates with a wide range of national and international partners, including healthcare providers, policymakers, and other research institutions. These collaborations help to ensure that the unit's research is relevant and can be translated into practice to improve health outcomes.

Publications

The NPEU publishes its findings in leading medical and public health journals. The unit also produces reports and guidelines to inform clinical practice and health policy.

Funding

The NPEU receives funding from various sources, including the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), the Medical Research Council (MRC), and charitable organizations.

See Also

• Perinatal care
• Maternal health
• Neonatal care
• Epidemiology
• Clinical trials
• Health services research

External Links

• Nuffield Department of Population Health
• University of Oxford