Karen M. Puopolo, MD, PhD
| Department | Newborn Medicine |
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| Hospital Title | Assistant in Medicine | |
| Academic Title | Assistant Professor of Pediatrics | |
| Phone | 617-732-8406 | |
| Fax | 617- 278-6983 | |
| Karen Puopolo | ||
| Location | Brigham and Women’s Hospital |
Research Overview
Our current research focuses on the epidemiology of neonatal early- and late-onset sepsis.
The goals of our clinical research are (a) to model risk factors for early- and late-onset infection in term and low-birth weight infants, and (b) to optimize interpretation of complete blood counts, the most commonly employed diagnostic test for neonatal infection. The use of accurate predictive models of early and late-onset sepsis risk, combined with proper interpretation of the CBC, could have substantial benefits for the care of individual infants, may contribute to more responsible use of antimicrobial agents, and could decrease healthcare costs associated with neonatal sepsis evaluations.
The goal of our current basic research is to determine the microbiological factors mediating methicillin-resistant and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus colonization and infection in the neonatal intensive care unit. We hope to use this information to devise clinical strategies to decrease the burden of Staphylococcal infections among very-low birth weight infants by preventing colonization; eradicating colonization; and interrupting the transition to systemic infection.
About Karen Puopolo
I am an Attending Physician in Newborn Medicine at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Children’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts; an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School; and a Principal Investigator at the Channing Laboratory of the Brigham and Women’s Hospital. I received my undergraduate degree in physics from Yale University, and went on to obtain my M.D., as well as a Ph.D. in molecular physiology, from the Tufts University School of Medicine. I completed a pediatric residency and neonatology fellowship at Children’s Hospital, Boston. My laboratory conducts basic scientific investigation in the field of bacterial genetics, with a focus on the neonatal pathogens Group B Streptococccus and Staphylococcus aureus. In addition, I conduct clinical research on the microbiology and epidemiology of infections among both term and premature infants. I am a member of the Society for Pediatric Research, and recipient of the Merton Bernfield Award in Mentoring (2007), as well as a Partners in Excellence Award (2011).
Key Publications
- Puopolo KM, Draper D, Wi S, Newman TB, Zupancic J, Lieberman E, Smith M, Escobar GJ. “Estimating the Probability of Neonatal Early-Onset Infection Based on Maternal Risk Factors.”Pediatrics.2011:128(5):e1155-63.
- Puopolo KMand Eichenwald EC. “No Change in Ampicillin-Resistant, Neonatal Early Onset Sepsis over 18 Years.” Pediatrics 2010;125(5):e1031-8.
- Gregory ML, Eichenwald EC, Puopolo KM. “Seven-Year Seven Year Experience with a Surveillance Program to Reduce Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Colonization in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.” Pediatrics 2009; May;123(5):e790-6
