New Zealand-led research that's hoping to improve the care of up to a third of all babies born - has received a funding boost from the U.S.

The University of Auckland research is investigating whether sugar gel could help the third of all babies who suffer from low blood pressure and potentially prevent brain damage in infancy.

And it's received a $2.8 million boost from the American National Institute of Health.

Professor Jane Harding is leading the study and told Larry Williams it is unusual to be funded directly by them.

"That signals that the NIH thinks that this is an important study not just for New Zealand but for mothers and babies all over the world, including America."
Harding says the boost means they can finish the study within five years.

"Without that support we would be struggling to finish the study and we would not be able to follow them up as they grow up."

LISTEN ABOVE AS JANE HARDING SPEAKS TO LARRY WILLIAMS