U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH NIH News
NIH Office of the Director (OD) <http://www.nih.gov/icd/od/>
Office of Medical Applications of Research (OMAR) <http://prevention.nih.gov/omar/>
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) <http://www.nichd.nih.gov/>
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, October 13, 2010
CONTACT: Elizabeth Neilson, 301-496-4999
NEWA ADVISORY
INDEPENDENT PANEL TO PRESENT FINDINGS ON INHALED NITRIC OXIDE THERAPY FOR PREMATURE INFANTS
WHAT:
Infants born before the 37th week of pregnancy are said to be "premature" or "preterm" and face increased risk for a variety of complications. Babies born before the 28th week of pregnancy -- more than 30,000 per year in the United States -- are particularly vulnerable to breathing problems such as respiratory distress syndrome and respiratory failure due to their underdeveloped lungs.
Nitric oxide is a chemical compound in gas form that is sometimes used to treat infants with severe breathing problems. Inhaled nitric oxide therapy was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2000 to treat term and near-term infants (born after the 33rd week of pregnancy) with respiratory failure. Since its approval, researchers have examined expanding the use of inhaled nitric oxide therapy to treat premature babies born at less than 34 weeks gestation. Studies to evaluate its safety and efficacy for these infants have had mixed results in terms of key outcomes.
To better understand the benefits and risks of inhaled nitric oxide therapy for premature infants, the National Institutes of Health is convening a Consensus Development Conference October 27-29, 2010, to assess the available scientific evidence. An impartial, independent, Consensus Development Panel will hold a press telebriefing after the conference to discuss their findings and implications for the public. The panel's statement will incorporate their assessment of the available evidence from a systematic literature review, expert presentations, and audience input to inform public and provider decisions regarding the use of inhaled nitric oxide for premature infants. Additional information about the NIH Consensus Development Conference: Inhaled Nitric Oxide Therapy for Premature Infants is available at <http://consensus.nih.gov/2010/ino.htm>.
WHO:
Members of the Consensus Development Panel, to be announced Wednesday, October 27, 2010.
WHEN & WHERE:
Presentation and discussion of the panel's draft consensus statement:
-- Friday, October 29, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. EST
-- Natcher Conference Center on the main NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland
-- Also available via webcast: <http://videocast.nih.gov>
PRESS TELEBRIEFING:
-- Friday, October 29, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. EST
-- Available via telephone conference call only
-- Pre-registration (optional) and additional resources:
<http://consensus.nih.gov/2010/inomedia.htm>
-- Dial in info: 1-888-428-7458 (US) | 201-604-5177 (international)
(Pre-registration is not required, but relevant material will be e-mailed to pre-registered media prior to the telebriefing.)
Please call in 5 to 10 minutes prior to the start of the telebriefing. Media will be asked for name and outlet. Interested parties who are not affiliated with a media outlet may listen in, but will not be permitted to ask questions during the call.
CONFERENCE INFORMATION:
The Consensus Development Conference is free and open to the public. Conference times are listed below and further details are available at <http://consensus.nih.gov/2010/ino.htm>.
-- Wednesday, October 27, 2010 - 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
-- Thursday, October 28, 2010 - 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
-- Friday, October 29, 2010 - 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Live and archived webcast: <http://videocast.nih.gov>
Visitors to campus should plan to take Metro, as parking is limited. For information about security procedures, please see <http://www.nih.gov/about/visitor>.
The Office of the Director, the central office at NIH, is responsible for setting policy for NIH, which includes 27 Institutes and Centers. This involves planning, managing, and coordinating the programs and activities of all NIH components. The Office of the Director also includes program offices which are responsible for stimulating specific areas of research throughout NIH. Additional information is available at <http://www.nih.gov/icd/od>.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) -- The Nation's Medical Research Agency -- includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is the primary federal agency for conducting and supporting basic, clinical and translational medical research, and it investigates the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit <www.nih.gov>.
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