The Skin Testing for Atopic eczema Risk (STAR) study
Are you having a baby?
Would you like to help researchers at The University of Sheffield and The University of Manchester understand how our skin develops from birth and identify early risk factors for developing eczema?
What are we trying to find out?
Following birth our skin takes a number of years to mature before it gives us the protection we need from our environment. Without adequate protection our bodies are exposed to irritants, allergens and bacteria that cause a range of skin problems including eczema. We would like to look carefully at the skin of a group of 150 babies during their first year of life to see how it matures, and identify whether we can predict early on which babies are most at risk of developing eczema. The early identification of these high-risk babies opens up the opportunity to stop them from developing eczema in the first place.
Why have I been invited?
You are being invited to join because you will shortly become, or have just become, a mother who lives in the local Sheffield community.
What will happen if I take part?
During the first 12 months following birth we will perform harmless procedures on your baby's skin. The first of these will be conducted on the maternity ward before you go home. The same procedures will be performed at your home at 4 weeks and around 12 months after your baby's birth. We will arrange a convenient time with you during the day for us to visit you.
We will arrange to call you approximately 6 months following your baby's birth to ask questions about you and how you have cared for your baby's skin in general.
In addition to this we will ask you to keep a daily diary (first month) and a weekly diary (months 2-6) on how you care for your baby's skin and whether you observe any skin problems, such as red rashes.
Will I need to change the way I look after my babies skin?
No. We simply want to look at how your baby's skin develops following birth normally. This means that you can decide how you care for your baby's skin.
Who is organising and funding the research?
This study is organised by researchers at The University of Sheffield and The University of Manchester and is funded by the Leo Foundation. The study has been reviewed and given a favourable opinion by North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee (Ref: 16/NW/0848), and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (Ref: STH 19479).
What next?
To find out more contact us at:
Telephone: 0114 2268514
Email: starstudy@sheffield.ac.uk