The certificate for CQHCWC's award-winning medical project. [Photo/WeChat account of CQHCWC]

A medical project completed by a research group from Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children (CQHCWC) recently won a third-place prize in the first Medical Science and Technology Award set up by Chongqing Medical Association. 

The award ceremony was held on Oct 28 as the association celebrated its 80th anniversary on the same day.

Led by Zhong Xiaoyun, the director of CQHCWC's Neonatal Department, the research group completed the project on the formation and application of nutrition management for extremely preterm infants within a corrected age of 1 year old.

Nutrition management is one of the core technologies to improve premature infants' survival rate and quality of life. The entire first year of life for premature infants is the critical period for nutrition management.

Zhong's group began the study in 2008, conducting research on enteral and parenteral nutrition management modes for extremely preterm infants within a corrected age of 1 year old, as well as endocrine and metabolic factors of different catch-up growth modes.

Through more than 10 years of research, the group's study results have significantly contributed to the increased survival rate of extremely premature infants in Chongqing.

Also, 13 related scientific research projects have been completed, 18 scientific research papers have been published and five national and municipal nutrition-related training classes have been conducted. The popularization and application of the study results in Chongqing, Sichuan, Guizhou and other places have resulted in significant social and economic benefits.

CQHCWC is building a perinatal medical center that meets Germany's first-level standards to further improve the survival rate and quality of premature infants' lives. The center will significantly enhance clinical diagnosis and treatment of neonates -- especially extremely premature infants suffering from diseases, and decrease neonatal mortality.