Newcastle University

I am a Consultant Neonatal Paediatrician (Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust) with a major interest in nutrition and research. My research is clinically focused with direct implications for clinical care. I facilitate regional networking and dissemination (including UK Neonatal Nutrition Network  http://www.nicunutrition.com), am PI for several NIHR studies, member of CLRN specialty groups (RH & Paeds). I collaborate with University Institutes (IHS, IHG, IAH).

I use qualitative methodologies to provide unique insights into bereaved parents. We secured further funding (>£100k) to explore these issues of  loss in twin pregnancies. Our work has generate widespread interest and was recently awarded £37k from the Department of Health to conduct dissemination events in palliative care across the regional network.

Our proposal to examine early hospital discharge has recently received national funding (BLISS). My nutritional studies translate into improved breastfeeding rates on SCBU. I collaborate with other University teams in my nutritional studies and have secured funding for further metabolic follow up using novel MRI techniques. Work on epigenetic mechanisms is now being submitted for publication.

 Other activities

1. Expert member of a European working party for neonatal nutrition;  invited lecturer postgraduate course ESPGHAN 2010 
2. UK lead for two EU wide surveys examining parenteral and enteral nutrition in neonates 
3. Reviews: major international meetings, reviews and journals:  Archives Disease in Childhood, Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, Neonatology, Biomed Central, Early Human Development, British Journal of Nutrition, Pediatrics 
4. Member of College of Experts for the HTA (NIHR) programme and in 2010  reviewed major grant applications  for NIHR, Action Medical Research and the Welcome Foundation
5. Invited lecturer for Master's in Neonatal Nutrition: Dietetics, Uni of Plymouth, 2010 ; Regional Study days, BLISS and BAPM.
   
6. Expert reviewer for 2010 NCEPOD enquiry into parenteral nutrition

Research Interests

Neonatal Nutrition; Perinatal infections and epidemiology; Collaborative multicentre trials

Current Work

• Long term cognitive outcome in childhood of infants born preterm;
• Epigenetics;
• Growth, body composition and metabolic profiles in ex-preterm infants;
• Protein requirement in preterm infants;
• Breast milk;
• Antenatally diagnosed cerebral ventriculomegaly and other CNS lesions;
• Perinatal infections esp. group B streptococcal infections;
• Parental and staff views of withdrawal of active treatment in sick preterm infants;
• Multicentre trials coordinated by the NPEU - PI for ADEPT, BOOST, I2S2, DNSIYC
  

Future Research

Programming of early life events, Lactoferrin, Neonatal Infections,

Postgraduate Supervision

MD student

Research Nurse

Funding

1. Breast milk fortification or supplementation in preterm neonates: a controlled trial. PI; 2006- 08, £30k Tiny Lives charity
2. Growth, body composition and metabolic outcome in children who were born preterm. PI; 2007- 09. £42k Novo Nordisk, Endocrine Fund £4k Special Trustees £13k
3. Parent and staff perceptions of withdrawal of active treatment from sick neonates. Joint PI; collaboration with IHS, ICM and School of GPS; 2006- 09. £62k Tiny Lives Charity
4. Relationship between early growth, body composition, serum leptin, adiponectin and IGF-1PI; 2008-09. £15k  Nutricia UK
5. Dietary protein in the very low birthweight infant. PI. Multicentre RCT; 2007-11. £28k  Nestec SA
6. Long term cognitive outcome of birthweight discordant monochorionic twins. PI; 2007-09. £4k Children's Foundation
7. Nutrition and Early Life Programming: Exploring Epigenetic Mechanisms . Collaborator; PI: Dr Relton (IHG); 2008- 11. £410k BBSRC
8. Benefits of extended screening tests in Neonates (BEST). Co-applicant; 2010-12. £169k SPARKS
9. Quality of Life in infants with congenital anomalies (Systematic review). Co-applicant; 2010-11. £20k FSF, NUTH
10. Lifecourse data and epigenetic variation (Biostatistician post). Co-applicant; 2010-11. £38k FSF, NUTH
11. Diversity in staff and parental perspectives to neonatal palliative care. Co-PI; 2010-11 .
12. £37k Department of Health
    

• Embleton NE, Pang N, Cooke RJ. Postnatal malnutrition and growth retardation: An inevitable consequence of current recommendations in preterm infants?. Pediatrics 2001, 107(2), 270-273.
• Agostoni C, Buonocore G, Carnielli VP, De Curtis M, Darmaun D, Decsi T, Domellof M, Embleton ND, Fusch C, Genzel-Boroviczeny O, Goulet O, Kalhan SC, Kolacek S, Koletzko B, Lapillonne A, Mihatsch W, Moreno L, Neu J, Poindexter B, Puntis J, Putet G, Rigo J, Riskin A, Salle B, Sauer P, Shamir R, Szajewska H, Thureen P, Turck D, van Goudoever JB, Ziegler EE, ESPGHAN Comm Nutr. Enteral Nutrient Supply for Preterm Infants: Commentary From the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition Committee on Nutrition. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition 2010, 50(1), 85-91.
• Cooke RJ, Rigo J, Embleton D, Ziegeler EE. Nutrient balance and metabolic status in preterm infants fed two levels of dietary protein. In: Pediatric Research. 2002, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
• Buswell CA, Leslie P, Embleton ND, Drinnan MJ. Oral-motor Dysfunction at 10 Months Corrected Gestational Age in Infants Born Less Than 37 Weeks Preterm. Dysphagia 2008, 24(1), 20-25.
• Cooke RJ, McCormick K, Griffin IJ, Embleton N, Faulkner K, Wells JC, Rawlings DC. Feeding preterm infants after hospital discharge: Effect of diet on body composition. Pediatric Research 1999, 46(4), 461-464.
• Graham R, Mason K, Embleton N, Rankin J, Robson S. Communication and identity in parent and health professional accounts of withdrawing life-sustaining treatments from sick neonates. In: 29th Annual Conference of The Society for Reproductive and Infant Psychology. 2009, Newcastle-upon-Tyne: Routledge.
• Cooke R, Embleton N, Rigo J, Carrie A, Haschke F, Ziegler E. High protein pre-term infant formula: Effect on nutrient balance, metabolic status and growth. Pediatric Research 2006, 59(2), 265-270.
• Embleton N, Wariyar U, Hey E. Mortality from early onset group B streptococcal infection in the United Kingdom. ARCHIVES OF DISEASE IN CHILDHOOD 1999, 80(2), F139-F141.
• Oddie S, Embleton ND, No Neonatal Network. Risk factors for early onset neonatal group B streptococcal sepsis: case-control study. British Medical Journal 2002, 325(7359), 308-311.
• Cooke RJ, Embleton ND. Feeding issues in preterm infants. Archives of Disease in Childhood 2000, 83(3), F215-F218.
• Embleton ND. Optimal protein and energy intakes in preterm infants. Early Human Development 2007, 83(12), 831-837.
• Embleton ND, Cooke RJ. Protein requirements in preterm infants: Effect of different levels of protein intake on growth and body composition. Pediatric Research 2005, 58(5), 855-860.
• Moss SJ, D Embleton N, Fenton AC. Towards safer neonatal transfer: the importance of critical incident review. Archives of Disease in Childhood 2005, 90(7), 729-732.
• Dharmaraj ST, Embleton ND, Jenkins A, Jones G. Depressed skull fracture in a newborn baby. Archives of Disease in Childhood. Fetal and Neonatal Edition 2009, 94(2), F137-F137.
• Embleton ND, Pillalamarri KVS. Whistle blowing in clinical diagnosis. Archives of Disease in Childhood: Education and Practice Edition 2007, 92(3), ep70-ep75.
• Embleton ND, Berrington J. Giving vancomycin as a continuous infusion. In: Archives of Disease in Childhood: Fetal and Neonatal Edition. 2009, BMJ Group.
• Embleton ND, Harkensee C, Mckean MC. Palivizumab for preterm infants. Is it worth it?. Archives of Disease in Childhood: Fetal and Neonatal Edition 2005, 90(4), F286-F289.
• N. D. Embleton, J. P. Wyllie, M. J. Wright, J. Burn and S. Hunter. Natural history of trisomy 18. Archives of Disease in Childhood 1996, 75, F38-F41.
• Embleton ND, Northern Region's Perinatal Mortality Survey. Fetal and neonatal death from maternally acquired infection. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology 2001, 15(1), 54-60.
• Harkensee C, Brodlie M, Embleton ND, Mckean M. Passive immunisation of preterm infants with palivizumab against RSV infection. Journal of Infection 2006, 52(1), 2-8.
• Cooke RJ, McCormick K, Griffin IJ, Embleton N, Faulkner K, Wells JC, Rawlings DC. Feeding preterm infants after hospital discharge: Effect of diet on body composition. PEDIATRIC RESEARCH 1999, 46(4), 461-464.
• Embleton ND, O'Sullivan JJ, Hamilton JRL, Dark JH, Summerfield GP. High prevalence of anemia after cardiac transplantation in children. TRANSPLANTATION 1997, 64(11), 1590-1594.
• Embleton ND, Wyllie JP, Wright MJ, Burn J, Hunter S. Natural history of trisomy 18. ARCHIVES OF DISEASE IN CHILDHOOD 1996, 75(1), F38-F41.
• Menon G, Boyle EM, Embleton ND, McIntosh N. Introduction of enteral feeds in preterm infants. Pediatrics 2004. , 114(1), 327-328.
• N. D. Embleton, J. J. O'Sullivan, J. R. L. Hamilton, J. H. Dark and G. P. Summerfield. High prevalence of anemia after cardiac transplantation in children. Transplantation 1997, 64, 1590-1594.
• Swamy RS, Embleton ND. Red blood cell transfusions in preterm infants: Is there a difference between restrictive and liberal criteria?. Pediatrics 2006, 117(1), 257-258.
• Embleton ND. Galvanised by a rash diagnosis. Archives of Disease in Childhood: Education and Practice Edition 2004, 89(2), ep40-ep45.
• McCormick KP, Griffin IJ, Embleton ND, Cooke RJ. Regional changes in body composition of preterm infants during infancy. In: PEDIATRIC RESEARCH. 1999.
• Wright C, Fenton A, Embleton N. Neonatal necropsy. Lancet 2001, 357(9262), 1128-1128.
• Embleton ND, Pang N, Perring J, Cooke RJ. Systematic underfeeding of preterm infants on neonatal intensive care units. In: PEDIATRIC RESEARCH. 1999.
• Embleton ND, Ward Platt MP. Management of hypoglycaemia in the newborn. Current Paediatrics 2003, 13(2), 134-139.
• Moghal NE, Embleton ND. Management of acute renal failure in the newborn. Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine 2006, 11(3), 207-213.
• Graham R, Mason K, Embleton N, Rankin J, Robson S. Parent and health professional experiences of treatment withdrawal from sick neonates. Newcastle upon Tyne: Newcastle University, 2009.
• Turcot V, Groom A, McConnell JC, Pearce MS, Potter C, Embleton ND, Swan DC, Relton CL. Bioinformatic selection of putative epigenetically regulated loci associated with obesity using gene expression data. Gene 2012, 499(1), 99-107.
• Berrington JE, Hearn RI, Bythell M, Wright C, Embleton ND. Deaths in Preterm Infants: Changing Pathology Over 2 Decades. Journal of Pediatrics 2012, 160(1), 49-U94.
• Relton CL, Groom A, StPourcain B, Sayers AE, Swan DC, Embleton ND, Pearce MS, Ring SM, Northstone K, Tobias JH, Trakalo J, Ness AR, Shaheen SO, Davey-Smith G. DNA methylation patterns in cord blood DNA and body size in childhood. PLoS One 2012, 7(3), e31821.
• Klingenberg C, Embleton ND, Jacobs SE, O'Connell LAF, Kuschel CA. Enteral feeding practices in very preterm infants: an international survey. Archives of Disease in Childhood: Fetal and Neonatal Edition 2012, 97(1), F56-F61.
• Groom A, Potter C, Swan DC, Fatemifar G, Evans DM, Ring SM, Turcot V, Pearce MS, Embleton ND, Smith GD, Mathers JC, Relton CL. Postnatal Growth and DNA Methylation Are Associated With Differential Gene Expression of the TACSTD2 Gene and Childhood Fat Mass. Diabetes 2012, 61(2), 391-400.
• Relton CL, Groom A, St Pourcain B, Sayers AE, Swan DC, Embleton ND, Pearce MS, Ring SM, Northstone K, Tobias JH, Ness AR, Shaheen SO, Smith GD. DNA Methylation Patterns in Cord Blood DNA Predict Body Size in Childhood. In: Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease: 7th World Congress on Developmental Origins of Health and Disease. 2011, Portland, Oregon, USA: Cambridge University Press.
• Groom A, Potter K, Turcot V, Pearce MS, Embleton ND, Relton CL. Postnatal Growth Is Associated with DNA Methylation and Childhood Adiposity: Using Genetic Variation to Infer the Direction of Causation. In: Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease: 7th World Congress on Developmental Origins of Health and Disease. 2011, Portland, Oregon, USA: Cambridge University Press.
• Glinianaia SV, Embleton ND, Rankin J. Quality of life in children and adults with congenital gastro-intestinal anomalies: a systematic review. In: Archives of Disease in Childhood Fetal & Neonatal Edition: Perinatal Medicine. 2011, Harrogate: BMJ Group.
• Bhopal S, Mann KD, Embleton N, Korada M, Cheetham TD, Pearce MS. The Influence of Early Growth on Bone Mineral Density at Age 9-14 Years in Children Born Preterm. In: Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease: 7th World Congress on Developmental Origins of Health and Disease. 2011, Portland, Oregon, USA: Cambridge University Press.
• Groom A, Elliott HR, Embleton ND, Relton CL. Epigenetics and child health: basic principles. Archives of Disease in Childhood 2010, (epub ahead of print).
• Cooke RJ, Embleton ND, Griffin IJ, Wells JC, McCormick KP. Feeding preterm infants after hospital discharge: Growth and development at 18 months of age. Pediatric Research 2001, 49(5), 719-722.
• Embleton ND, Deshpande SA, Scott D, Wright C, Milligan DWA. Foot length, an accurate predictor of nasotracheal tube length in neonates. Archives of Disease in Childhood Fetal & Neonatal Edition 2001, 85(1), F60-F64.