Improving treatment and outcome of newborns with asphyxia in the Global South

Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) describes the brain damage after oxygen deprivation before, during or after birth (perinatal asphyxia). It is the cause of nearly 600.000 deaths worldwide every year, of which 99% occur in low- and middle-income countries (LIMC). Additionally it leads to a substantial burden of disease due to long-term neurological disability in survivors. Although therapeutic cooling in HIE showed asignificant decrease in handicap in high-income countries, studies in LIMC did not show positive results and even a higher mortality. Therefore, new ways of neuroprotection are needed for LIMC. 2-Iminobiotin (2-IB) 2-IB is a selective inhibitor of inducible and neuronal nitric oxide synthase. It was shown in animal research to decrease the devastating effects of HIE and a phase IIa Clinical Trial, conducted in Kinshasa by the research group of Prof. Biselele, showed its safety. We want to study this medication in three hospitals in Kinshasa and,if results are positive, introduce it in Congo and Sub-Saharan African countries to decrease mortality and severe morbidity in HIE.
With this study we also want to expand the knowledge in neonatology and establish the neonatology service in UNIKIN as a research and teaching center for neonatal medicine in LIMC. In this way we acknowledge that not all neonatal therapies are feasible and successful in LIMC, which means that trials in LIMC are needed to confirm its efficiency. By a female Congolese supervisor and PhD and involvement of other female specialists we also want to increase the involvement of women in scientific medical research and education in DRCongo.
As last important step, we are expanding the network of collaboration with local and international organisations. There is a collaboration with ENABEL and we are exploring collaborations with Memisa and the Laerdal foundation to evolve to a better network for research and education.