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. 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.

2. Chan PHY, Chan KYY, Schooling CM, Hui LL, Chan MHM, Li AM, et al. Association between genetic variations in GSH-related and MT genes and low-dose methylmercury exposure in children and women of childbearing age: a pilot study. Environ Res. 2020 Aug;187:109703.

3. 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.

4. Chan PHY, Chan MHM, Li AM, Cheung RCK, Yu XT, Lam HS. Methylmercury levels in commonly consumed fish and methylmercury exposure of children and women of childbearing age in Hong Kong, a high fish consumption community. Environ Res. 2018 Oct;166:418-26.

5. 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.

6. Leung KT, Lam HS, Chan KY, Sit T, Wong RP, Yu JW, et al. Regulation of Circulating Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cells in Preterm Infants with Septicemia. Stem cells and development. 2016 Dec 1;25(23):1780-7.

7. Lam HS, Sit T, Chau CL, Tam YH, Cheung HM, Wong SPS, et al. Attitudes of Parents and Health Care Workers to Major Surgery for High-Risk Preterm Infants. The Journal of Pediatrics. 2016 2016.

8. 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.

9. Chan KY, Leung KT, Tam YH, Lam HS, Cheung HM, Ma TP, Lee KH, To KF, Li K, Ng PC. Genome-wide expression profiles of necrotizing enterocolitis versus spontaneous intestinal perforation in human intestinal tissues: dysregulation of functional pathways. Ann Surg. 2014 Dec;260(6):1128-37.

10. Lam HS, Kwok KM, Chan PH, So HK, Li AM, Ng PC, et al. Long term neurocognitive impact of low dose prenatal methylmercury exposure in Hong Kong. Environment international. 2013 Apr;54:59-64.

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