The PARROT Trial

PARROT is a clinical trial looking to find out whether a 12 month treatment with an antibiotic called azithromycin can reduce how often children with Neurological Impairment (NI) have to stay in hospital with chest infections.

Info for participants

Video section

Patient information animation

You have been directed to this website as your child (or relative) might be eligible to take part in this trial.

Please take time to watch the following animation carefully and ask a member of your child’s clinical team if there is anything that is not clear, or if you would like more information.

Background

There are large numbers of children with neurological impairment (NI) including conditions such as cerebral palsy. Many are prone to chest infections which can lead to long stays in hospital, possible complications and even premature death.

Despite the impact on children, their families and health services, there is very little information on how best to prevent these severe infections. Some doctors prescribe long-term antibiotics but we don’t really know whether this treatment makes any difference to the numbers of chest infections children suffer from, or whether these antibiotics can cause long term harm.

About the Trial

We are looking for 500 children and young people aged 3-17 years, with NI who are at risk of chest infections to take part.

The trial is taking place in the UK and Australia and each patient will be involved for a maximum of 20 months.

Aims of the PARROT Trial

This trial aims to find out whether 12-month’s treatment with an antibiotic called azithromycin affects:

Hospital Visits

How often children with NI have to stay in hospital with chest infections

Infections

Number and severity of chest infections

GP and A&E visits

Number of GP visits and A&E attendances with chest infections

Prescriptions

Number of courses of extra antibiotics prescribed

Quality of life

Quality of life of child and parent; quality/amount of parent sleep; time off school

Treating bugs

Whether we are still able to treat the bugs grown from the children with standard antibiotics

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