Megha Sharma, M.D. Neonatologist

Megha Sharma, MD, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Division of Neonatology whose research is focused on improving outcomes for critically ill newborns through high-impact clinical and translational research. She completed her neonatology fellowship at Children’s Wisconsin, where she trained in pulmonary vascular biology in the laboratory of Dr. Konduri, studying impaired cardiopulmonary adaptation in fetal lambs with pulmonary hypertension.
Dr. Sharma’s research evolved from basic science to patient-oriented clinical investigation, with a focus on implementation science, neonatal respiratory care, and improving the quality and safety of neonatal intensive care. She was selected for the Translational Research Institute’s Implementation Science Scholars Program, where she led a de-implementation study to improve laboratory stewardship in premature infants.
She serves as site principal investigator for multiple multicenter clinical trials, including the NHLBI-funded PIVOTAL trial, the NoNO study, and the OHB-607 (IGF-BP3) study. Dr. Sharma earned both a Master’s degree in Clinical Research and a PhD in Clinical and Translational Science. Her current NIH-funded research investigates the clinical impact of pulse oximeter inaccuracy in critically ill and premature infants, particularly across varying skin pigmentation.
Dr. Sharma has received numerous competitive research awards, including the Marion B. Lyon New Scientist Development Award, an NCATS K12 Mentored Research Career Development Award, an NCATS Clinical and Translational Science Pilot Award, and an NHLBI K23 Career Development Award supporting her work to improve the accuracy and equity of pulse oximetry in neonatal care. Dr. Sharma has led several investigator-initiated research projects and published as first author in leading journals, including JCI Insight, American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology, Pediatrics, and The Journal of Pediatrics.

Selected Publications

• Diamond S, Spray B, Qasim A, Mourani PM, Agarwal A, Angtuaco M, Shukla A, Hall RW, Sharma M. Novel echocardiographic markers for the assessment of pulmonary hypertension in infants. J Perinatol. 2026 Jun 29; ():. doi: 10.1038/s41372-026-02748-0 PMID: 42374147.
  View in Pubmed: 42374147
• Sharma M, Akangire G, Hillman NH, Manimtim WM, Attard MI, Sampath V. Defining endotypes of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants to improve precision-based therapies. JCI Insight. 2025 Oct 22; 10(20):. doi: 10.1172/jci.insight.193975 PMID: 41122965.
  View in Pubmed: 41122965
• Krinock DJ, Akmyradov C, Walker SC, Sharma M, Wolf LL, Dassinger MS. Optimal timing of gastrostomy tube placement in neonates requiring tracheostomy. J Perinatol. 2026 Jul; 46(7):1283-1289. doi: 10.1038/s41372-026-02573-5 PMID: 41639586.
  View in Pubmed: 41639586
• Sharma M, Diamond SE, Chancellor J, Chung S, Brown AW, Hester DM, James LP, Schootman M, Mourani PM, Courtney SE. Partial waiver of consent to overcome translational science barriers in neonatal clinical research. J Clin Transl Sci. 2025; 9(1):e202. doi: 10.1017/cts.2025.10122 PMID: 40994669.
  View in Pubmed: 40994669
• Sharma M, Brown AW, Chung S, Sexton KW, Schootman M, Mourani PM. Race Is an Incomplete Surrogate for Skin Pigmentation in Neonates, with Potential Relevance for Pulse Oximetry. J Pediatr. 2025 Nov; 286():114720. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2025.114720 PMID: 40651554.
  View in Pubmed: 40651554
• Sharma M, Pickhardt AJ, McClanahan M, Tong L, Evans MS. Objective Assessment and Quantification of Skin Color and Melanin in Neonates and Infants: A State-Of-The-Art Review. Pediatr Dermatol. 2025 May-Jun; 42(3):447-456. doi: 10.1111/pde.15902 PMID: 40051289.
  View in Pubmed: 40051289
• Sharma M, Bowman E, Zheng F, Spencer HJ, Shukri SA, Gates K, Williams M, Peeples S, Hall RW, Schootman M, Landes SJ, Curran GM. Reducing Iatrogenic Blood Losses in Premature Infants. Pediatrics. 2024 Oct 1; 154(4):. doi: 10.1542/peds.2024-065921 PMID: 39290188.
  View in Pubmed: 39290188
• McArthur E, Murthy K, Zaniletti I, Sharma M, Lagatta J, Ball M, Porta N, Grover T, Levy P, Padula M, Hamrick S, Vyas-Read S, CHNC Severe BPD and Cardiology Focus Groups. Neonatal Risk Factors for Pulmonary Vein Stenosis in Infants Born Preterm with Severe Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia. J Pediatr. 2024 Dec; 275():114252. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2024.114252 PMID: 39181320.
  View in Pubmed: 39181320
• Dalby ST, Courtney SE, Sharma M, Angtuaco MJ. Transcatheter patent ductus arteriosus closure in premature infants requiring high-frequency ventilation. Cardiol Young. 2024 May; 34(5):1166-1168. doi: 10.1017/S1047951124000702 PMID: 38602097.
  View in Pubmed: 38602097

UAMS Research Profile

Each UAMS faculty member has a research profile page that includes biographical and contact information, a list of their most recent grant activity and a list of their PubMed publications.

View Dr. Sharma's research profile