Research Scope

An overview of research focus

We have a 22-bedded Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit within our Neonatal Unit. In the past our research focus has been in diagnostic markers of neonatal sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis and early life exposures and long-term child health. Recently we have been further developing research projects within the field of neonatal gastrointestinal microbiome and big data research.

A list of research topics

• Neonatal gastrointestinal microbiome research

• Neonatal big data research

• Necrotizing enterocolitis

• Neonatal sepsis markers

• Early life exposures and child health

Parenting support

• Parenting resources for parents of children born preterm (supported by the Knowledge Transfer Fund at CUHK): https://www.nnu.pae.cuhk.edu.hk/

Selected publications

1. Wang X, Hui LL, Cole TJ, Nelson EAS, Lam HS. Fitness of INTERGROWTH-21st birth weight standards for Chinese-ethnicity babies. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2023 Feb 28:fetalneonatal-2022-325066. doi: 10.1136/archdischild-2022-325066.

2. Wang XL, Leung E, Fung GPG, Lam HS. Gestational age-specific neonatal mortality in Hong Kong: a population-based retrospective study. World J Pediatr. 2023;19:158-169. doi: 10.1007/s12519-022-00633-2.

3. Wu YZ, Chan KYY, Leung KT, Lam HS, Tam YH, Lee KH, Li K, Ng PC. The miR-223/nuclear factor I-A axis regulates inflammation and cellular functions in intestinal tissues with necrotizing enterocolitis. FEBS Open Bio. 2021;11:1907-1920. doi: 10.1002/2211-5463.13164.

4. Chan PHY, Kwok KM, Chan MHM, Li AM, Chan IHS, Fok TF, Lam HS. Prenatal methylmercury exposure is associated with decrease heart rate variability in children. Environ Res. 2021;200:111744. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111744.

5. Tsoi K, Yam KKM, Cheung HM, Ma TPY, So KW, Fung ELW, Lam HS. Improving Consistency and Accuracy of Neonatal Amplitude-Integrated Electroencephalography. Am J Perinatol. 2021 Dec 7. doi: 10.1055/a-1677-9872.

6. Ng PC, Chan KYY, Lam HS, Wong RPO, Ma TPY, Sit T, et al. A Prospective Cohort Study of Fecal miR-223 and miR-451a as Noninvasive and Specific Biomarkers for Diagnosis of Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Preterm Infants. Neonatology. 2020;117(5):555-61.

7. Ng PC, Chan KYY, Yuen TP, Sit T, Lam HS, Leung KT, et al. Plasma miR-1290 Is a Novel and Specific Biomarker for Early Diagnosis of Necrotizing Enterocolitis-Biomarker Discovery with Prospective Cohort Evaluation. J Pediatr. 2019 Feb;205:83-90 e10.

8. Lam HS, Chan KY, Ip M, Leung KT, Lo NW, Wong RP, et al. Rapid Identification of Bacterial Antibiotic Resistance by qPCR in Infants with Gram-Negative Septicaemia: A Proof-of-Concept Study. Neonatology. 2017;111(2):145-52.

9. Lam HS, Sit T, Chau CL, Tam YH, Cheung HM, Wong SPS, Ng PC. Attitudes of Parents and Health Care Workers to Major Surgery for High-Risk Preterm Infants. J Pediatr. 2016;177:78-83.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2016.06.071.

10. Hui LL, Lam HS, Lau EY, Nelson EA, Wong TW, Fielding R. Prenatal dioxin exposure and neurocognitive development in Hong Kong 11-year-old children. Environ Res. 2016 Jun 10;150:205-12.

Grants 

1. Study title: Using Advanced Neuroimaging to Predict Language and Cognitive Outcomes in Pre-Term Infants

Funding source: RGC Collaborative Research Fund

Study period: 01 Jun 2020 to 31 May 2023

Reference number: C4055-19G

2. Study title: Implementation of a parent-led, healthcare professional mediated early developmental training programme for preterm children

Funding source: Food and Health Bureau - Health Care Promotion Scheme

Study period: 01 May 2018 to 31 Oct 2020

Reference number: 01170788

3. Study title: Umbilical Cord Blood Mononuclear Cell Bank in Hong Kong and Treatment of Neonatal Cerebral Ischemia and Anaemia

Funding source: Innovation and Technology Fund – Innovation and Technology Support Programme

Study period: 1 Oct 2017 to 30 Sep 2020

Reference number: ITS/208/16FX

4. Study title: A prospective cohort study on fecal miR-223 and miR-451 as non-invasive biomarkers for surveillance and early diagnosis of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants

Funding source: RGC General Research Fund

Study period: 01 Jan 2016 to 31 Dec 2018

Reference number: 14106715

5. Study title: Dysregulation of miR223 and miR431 expression in intestinal tissues of preterm infants with necrotizing enterocolitis: roles in altering enterocyte gene expressions and functions

Funding source: Food and Health Bureau – Health and Medical Research Fund

Study period: 01 Aug 2015 to 31 Jan 2019

Reference number: 02130566

6. Study title: Associations between sleep/wake patterns and neurocognitive outcomes in Hong Kong Chinese preschoolers

Funding source: RGC General Research Fund

Study period: 01 Nov 2014 to 31 Oct 2016

Reference number: 14108114

7. Study title: Characterisation of Benefit:Risk Ratios of Seafood Items Commonly Consumed by High-Risk Populations in Hong Kong

Funding source: Food and Health Bureau - Health and Medical Research Fund

Study period: 01 Mar 2014 to 31 Aug 2016

Reference number: 11120641

8. Study title: Circulating Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cells and Stem Cell-mobilizing Cytokines in Preterm Infants and Regulation during Late-onset Systemic Bacterial Infection

Funding source: Food and Health Bureau - Health Medical Research Fund

Study period: 1 Feb 2014 to 31 Jul 2015

Reference number: 01120826

9. Study title: Identification of Genetic Susceptibilities to Low-dose Mercury Exposure in Children

Funding source: Food and Health Bureau - Health and Medical Research Fund

Study period: 01 Jan 2014 to 31 Mar 2015

Reference number: 11120601

10. Study title: Prenatal exposure to dioxins and subsequent neurocognitive and developmental function in Hong Kong Chinese children.

Funding source: Food and Health Bureau - Health and Health Services Research Fund

Study period: 1 Feb 2013 to 31 May 2014

Reference number: 10111201

11. Study title: Factors affecting mercury concentration in commercially available seafood in Hong Kong

Funding source: RGC General Research Fund

Study period: 01 Jan 2012 to 31 Dec 2014

Reference number: CUHK468111

12. Study title: Prenatal mercury exposure and childhood cardiopulmonary health outcomes

Funding source: RGC General Research Fund

Study period: 01 Jan 2010 to 31 Dec 2011

Reference number: CUHK468509