NE

Nicholas Embleton

Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, University of Newcastle, University of East Anglia

Research areas: Nursing · Nutrition and Dietetics · Infant Nutrition and Health · Infant Development and Preterm Care · Neonatal and Maternal Infections

ORCID iD 0000-0003-3750-5566
Follow

About

Dr Nicholas Embleton Bsc MBBS MD FRCPCH is Consultant Neonatal Paediatrician, and Honorary Clinical Professor of Neonatal Medicine, Newcastle upon Tyne UK, having completed paediatric and neonatal training in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK and Vancouver, Canada. His doctoral thesis was on ‘Protein Requirements in Preterm Infants’. Dr Embleton helps lead a broad portfolio of research coordinated by the Newcastle Neonatal Nutrition & NEC (N4) research group based in Newcastle (www.neonatalresearch.net).

Nutrition, gut function, multiomics & metabolic outcome

Studies included large-scale NIHR nutrition trials www.npeu.ox.ac.uk/elfin and /sift, and studies looking at immune development, and mechanistic microbiomic and metabolomic studies (MAGPIE). Recent trials include: the impact of exclusive human milk diets (Embleton et al. JAMA 2023); feeding in late and moderately preterm infants (Kakaroukas et al. Ped Res 2024); preterm infant feed fortification in neonates using human-milk derived products (Berrington et al. 2024).

Professor Embleton coordinates the Newcastle Preterm Birth Growth study that has tracked the growth and metabolic outcomes of children who were born preterm into late adolescence, including measures of insulin sensitivity and body composition, along with epigenetic correlates. Current trials include the Developmental outcomes of feed supplementation in neonates using DHA/Choline/UMP (DOLFIN); the role of donor human milk on NICUs (Hummingbird trial) and postnatal wards (SWIFT trial).

Qualitative work with parents

Professor Embleton also leads a series of qualitative studies exploring the experiences of parents (and the staff who cared for them) who suffered baby loss, recently completing a project with staff and parents where one of a twin pair dies. This led to the creation of a bespoke educational film based website - the BUTTERFLY PROJECT www.neonatalbutterflyproject.org. Active studies include exploring childhood experiences in families where a baby from a multiple pregnancy died, and involve >200 families worldwide.

Movement analysis, AI, video assessment

We work with a range of scientists exploring the potential of video assessment to determine comfort levels in preterm infants (PEACOCK), and studies to predict later cerebral palsy and developmental outcome (Marcroft et al.)

Activities & output

Associate Editor Journal of Paediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition (JPGN), Previous Associate Editor Pediatric Research, Previous member of the ESPGHAN Committee of Nutrition, Co-Founder of the African Neonatal Nutrition Network, Co-founder of the UK based Neonatal Nutrition Network (N3), Medical Advisory Panel for multiple parent-led advocacy organisations, Invited expert for WHO working groups on Kangaroo Mother Care, Member of British Association of Perinatal Medicine (BAPM) working group on donor human milk.

Employment

Education

  • University of Newcastle Doctor of Medicine MD (commendation)
    1998 - 2002
  • University of Newcastle Medicine MBBS (hons)
    1984 - 1990
  • University of East Anglia Environmental Studies & Computer Science BSc (joint hons)
    1981 - 1984

Projects & Funding

  • Investigating the clinical and cost-effectiveness of a nutrient enriched diet for babies with a brain injury: The Dolphin Randomised controlled trial National Institute for Health Research
    2021 - 2027
  • A feasibility and pilot trial of enteral probiotic administration in preterm infants admitted to a neonatal unit in Nigeria Medical Research Council
    2019 - 2021
  • Improving the survival, growth and developmental of low birth weight newborns through better nutrition Medical Research Council
    2018 - 2019
  • PReterm Enteroids to determine the Mechanism of Necrotising EnteroColitis European Commission
    2018 - 2020
  • Feeding late and moderately preterm infants (FLAMINGO) Danone Nutricia Early Life Nutrition
    2017 - 2023
  • Interactions between diet and gut microbes in preterm infants (INDIGO) Prolacta Biosciences US
    2016 - 2022
  • Mechanisms Affecting the Gut of Preterm Infants in Enteral feeding trials (MAGPIE) NIHR Evaluation, Trials and Studies Coordinating Centre
    2016 - 2019
  • A multi-centre randomised placebo-controlled trial of prophylactic enteral supplementation with bovine lactoferrin to prevent late-onset invasive infection in very preterm or very low birth weight infants. NIHR Evaluation Trials and Studies Coordinating Centre
    2013 - 2018
  • Speed of Increasing milk Feeds Trial (SIFT) NIHR Evaluation Trials and Studies Coordinating Centre
    2013 - 2018

Publications (241)