Yield of Ultrasound for the Next Generation (YOUNG) - Heart and Brain Interactions in Children

Advances in treatment have improved the survival of preterm infants and newborns with congenital heart defects and other diseases. This has however created a rapidly growing group of survivors at risk of long-term injury on their heart and brain function. Techniques that can detect the impact of disease on heart and brain function could help to optimize the treatments, and thereby reduce the risk of sequela. The YOUNG-INTPART project aim to develop a highly innovative network for non-invasive pediatric imaging technology targeting these most vulnerable children. We will focus on ultrasound applications for monitoring brain perfusion in infants and for imaging cardiovascular function in children. The ultrasound group at NTNU has for many years been an international leader in cardiovascular ultrasound technology development, working in close collaboration with St. Olavs hospital and Norwegian industry. Over the last years, the Trondheim group has closely worked with the clinical team at SickKids and the University of Toronto to develop and clinically validate novel ultrasound technology for children. SickKids is one of the worlds leading pediatric health-care institutions that engages in a variety of initiatives to improve child health around the world. The University of Toronto is the largest Canadian University and is ranked within the top-20 in different international academic rankings. The YOUNG-INTPART network aims to further expand and formalize the existing partnership between our institutions into a hub for world-class innovation, clinical research, and education. This will be achieved through shared research PhD students and organization of joint courses and workshops to improve the international visibility and develop teaching and training programs at masters and PhD-level. Our long-term goal is in line with the United Nations sustainable development goal number 3 ?Good health and well-being?.

Advances in treatment have improved the survival of preterm infants and newborns with congenital heart defects and other diseases. This has however created a rapidly growing group of survivors affected with the impact of events in early life on their heart and brain function. To improve long-term outcomes techniques that can detect the impact of disease on heart and brain function could help to optimize treatments. Through our partnership between NTNU and The Hospital for Sick Children (Sick Kids) in Toronto, we want to develop a highly innovative network for non-invasive pediatric imaging technology targeting the most vulnerable population of children. The ultrasound group at NTNU has for many years been an international leader in cardiovascular ultrasound technology development, working in close collaboration with St. Olav’s hospital and Norwegian industry. It is hosting CIUS, the second center of innovation. Over the last years, the Trondheim group has closely worked with the clinical team at SickKids and the University of Toronto to develop and clinically validate novel ultrasound technology for children. SickKids is one of the world’s leading pediatric health-care institutions. As part of their mission of “Healthier Children. A Better World” it engages in a variety of initiatives to improve child health around the world. The University of Toronto is the largest Canadian University and is ranked within the top-20 in different international academic rankings. The YOUNG-INTPART network aims to further expand and formalize the existing partnership between our institutions into a hub for world-class innovation, clinical research and education. This will be achieved through shared research PhD students; organization of joint courses and workshops improving our international visibility and develop teaching and training programs at masters and PhD-level. Our long-term goal is in line with UN’s sustainable development goal number 3 “Good health and well-being”.