PhD defence
Survival of the Littlest: Improving Preterm Outcomes through Metabolomics and Microsampling
- M.U. Thangavelu
- Date
- Thursday 26 February 2026
- Time
- Address
-
Academy Building
Rapenburg 73
2311 GJ Leiden
Supervisor(s)
- Prof.dr. T. Hankemeier
- Prof.dr. I. Reiss
- dr. B. Wouters
Summary
Preterm birth remains one of the biggest challenges in newborn care. Doctors often have to make urgent treatment decisions, sometimes before a clear diagnosis can be confirmed. When premature birth is suspected, or when a preterm baby shows signs of possible infection, medicines such as corticosteroids and antibiotics are commonly given as a precaution. While these treatments can save lives, unnecessary exposure may also affect a child’s long-term development.
This research set out to make diagnosis more precise by studying the biological processes that lead to preterm birth and infection in premature infants. Using advanced analytical techniques, small signaling molecules related to inflammation were measured in urine from pregnant women at risk of early delivery and in blood from preterm babies with suspected infection. The results revealed distinct molecular patterns linked to different causes of premature birth and to infection-related inflammation after birth.
Further, since only very small blood volumes can safely be collected from these vulnerable infants, the study also evaluated new microsampling techniques that can provide reliable biochemical data from just a few drops of blood.
By combining new biological knowledge with practical sampling innovation, this work contributes to safer clinical research and more personalized treatment strategies. Ultimately, improving diagnostic accuracy may help reduce unnecessary medication use and support healthier long-term outcomes for children born too soon.
PhD dissertations
Approximately one week after the defence, PhD dissertations by Leiden PhD students are available digitally through the Leiden Repository, that offers free access to these PhD dissertations. Please note that in some cases a dissertation may be under embargo temporarily and access to its full-text version will only be granted later.
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