STAMP Study

The STAMP study is investigating how early brain development and newborn feeding strategies influence health, learning and development in children born preterm.

By following children into the early school years, STAMP aims to improve understanding of which babies are most at risk of later challenges at school age.

STAMP stands for ‘School-age Tracking and Assessment of Moderate-to-late Preterms’.

It is the school-age follow up of two earlier studies:

• DIAMOND, which examined different approaches to nutritional support for preterm babies learning to breastfeed.
• MoPED, which investigated whether early changes in brain development are linked to later developmental outcomes.

Children who took part in either DIAMOND or MoPED are invited to participate in STAMP

Most preterm babies are born between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. These babies are called moderate-to-late preterm.

Although many children born in this gestational age range do well, they are on average at higher risk of learning, behavioural, and growth challenges than children born at full term. However, we do not know why this happens or which children are at greatest risk.

The STAMP Study focuses on how children born moderate-late-preterm are developing once they reach school age (approximately 6-8 years).

By combining information about early life factors, brain development, health, and learning, the STAMP study aims to improve the understanding of:

• How early brain development relates to later learning and wellbeing.
• Which early feeding strategies are associated with better outcomes.
• Which children may benefit from additional monitoring or support.

The STAMP study has been specifically designed for 6–8-year-old children. Participation may include one or more of the following components:

• Health and wellbeing assessment
• Parent questionnaire
• Teacher questionnaire
• An MRI (brain scan) for some children

Families can choose which parts of the study they wish to take part in.

The health and developmental assessment takes around 2 hours, allowing for breaks, and involves a combination of game-like activities alongside simple measurements such as height, weight and blood pressure. Assessments are completed at the Liggins Institute Clinical Research Unit in Grafton, the child’s school/kura, or at home.

MRI – Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Some children in the study will be offered an MRI, which also takes around 90 minutes, including breaks. This is done at the Centre for Advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging, in the same building as the Clinical Research Unit.

Before the MRI, families can visit a child-friendly practice scanner that allows children and their whānau to:

• See what an MRI machine looks like
• Hear the MRI sounds
• Practice lying down in a scanner
• Ask questions about the MRI

This preparation helps children and their whānau feel comfortable and confident about their MRI scan. During the MRI, children can watch a movie, listen to music, or enjoy an audiobook, and staff check in regularly via intercom.

Families/whānau can choose to do the developmental assessment and MRI on the same day or on different days close together, depending on what works best for them. We provide free undercover parking for visits at the University.

This study is not likely to be of immediate benefit to the family/whānau and their child. Instead, the information we gather is likely to benefit future babies born preterm.

Families are provided with information about their child’s growth and development, which many find reassuring. If any areas of concern are identified, these are discussed with the family/whānau, and guidance on further support can be provided. With permission, relevant information can be shared with the child’s teacher or family doctor.

MRI Scans are considered safe and low risk. Most MRI scans will be completely normal. However, there is a very small chance that we may find something unexpected on the scan that would not otherwise have been known about. If this happens, we will explain the findings to the whānau and the child’s doctor and arrange any follow-up that may be needed.

For general enquiries, please email us at: liggins.Follow-up@auckland.ac.nz

For more information about the practice MRI, see: https://www.camri.co.nz/mock-scanner

If you would like a copy of the Participant Information Sheets or consent information, you can contact our team at the email address above. If you require translated materials, please let us know, and we can provide them.

This trial has been approved by the Southern Health and Disability Ethics Committee (Reference: 2025 FULL 22465)