Sensory Exposure Of Neonates In Single-room Environments (SENSE)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$108,902.00
Summary
Preterm babies are often slower to reach developmental milestones than term babies. Extremely preterm babies spend a long time developing in the neonatal unit, which is suboptimal to the womb. Evidence suggests that open neonatal units are bright and loud and single rooms may be better for neonatal development. However, a recent study found poorer neurodevelopment with single rooms. This study aims to improve outcomes in single rooms through the application of a sound and language intervention.
Modern Chemical Exposures In Utero And In Infancy, And Their Impact Upon Early Neurodevelopmental Outcomes In The Barwon Infant Study, An Unselected Birth Cohort Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$138,353.00
Summary
I am a paediatric doctor interested in the effects of modern industrial chemicals on children’s development. Even in the womb babies are exposed to industrial chemicals and we know some, like lead, are harmful to developing brains. I am interested in other chemicals that are now suspected to affect development, including the polybrominated diphenyl esters (PBDEs), and I intend to investigate this as part of the Barwon Infant Study, which follows 1250 children from before birth to 3 years.