Improving The Quantity, Quality, Relevance And Conduct Of Clinical Trials Of Medicines In Children.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$102,576.00
Summary
I am a specialist clinical trials pharmacist focussed on the challenges associated with the conduct of medicinal trials in children. My intention is to collect evidence to determine the best strategies for improving the quantity, quality and relevance of clinical trials in children. This will help to ensure safe and effective age-appropriate drug therapies for children and improve the health outcomes of our children.
In Vitro And In Vivo Assessment Of The Funhaler -an Innovative Therapeutic Device For Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$472,750.00
Summary
Aerosol therapy is the most effective form of treatment for children with respiratory diseases such as asthma. While optimising aerosol delivery systems has an important role in increasing the efficacy of asthma therapy, ensuring patient compliance is often the most difficult part of the clinician's role, particularly in the paediatric age group. An innovative small volume spacer device (Funhaler) developed by a West Australian company (InfaMed, Ltd) may help overcome this problem. The Funhaler ....Aerosol therapy is the most effective form of treatment for children with respiratory diseases such as asthma. While optimising aerosol delivery systems has an important role in increasing the efficacy of asthma therapy, ensuring patient compliance is often the most difficult part of the clinician's role, particularly in the paediatric age group. An innovative small volume spacer device (Funhaler) developed by a West Australian company (InfaMed, Ltd) may help overcome this problem. The Funhaler incorporates a spinning toy attached to the outside of the spacer. The toy is activated when the patient breathes through the spacer. The device has been designed to encourage children to co-operate when their asthma therapy is being delivered. The Funhaler is currently in the late development stage. We propose, firstly, to carry out in vitro assessments of drug delivery from the Funhaler compared to the two most widely available small volume spacers: the Aerochamber Plus (Trudell, Canada) and the Breath-A-Tech (Scott-Dibben, Australia). These assessments will be carried out to meet the standards of regulatory bodies worldwide (including the FDA). Secondly, we propose to perform extensive in vivo studie: filter studies to assess drug delivery to the patient; deposition studies to measure drug deposition in the lungs; and a pilot clinical trial to assess the efficacy of the device during medium to long-term use in children aged 2-8 years.Read moreRead less
Invasive Staphylococcus Aureus Disease In Children; Epidemiology, Treatment And Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$124,676.00
Summary
This project will involve a systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCT) on the treatment Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (SAB) as well as a local WA retrospective review to quantify disease burden, trends and outcome. A prospective 2-year multicentre Australian review will then identify variables that can predict complicated and uncomplicated SAB. This information will then be used to design a RCT protocol on risk-stratified treatment approaches for SAB in paediatrics.
What Is The Profile, Burden And Consequences Of Cerebral Palsy (CP) Due To Congenital Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infection?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$87,130.00
Summary
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a virus that can be transmitted from mother to the unborn child. It is a potentially preventable cause of cerebral palsy (CP). The incidence of CP due to CMV remains unclear in Australia as screening for CMV is not routinely performed in the newborn. Our preliminary data suggests that severe CP is strongly associated with CMV. Here we will use link recorded data and test CMV in newborn screening cards to determine the burden and profile of CP due to congenital CMV in Aus ....Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a virus that can be transmitted from mother to the unborn child. It is a potentially preventable cause of cerebral palsy (CP). The incidence of CP due to CMV remains unclear in Australia as screening for CMV is not routinely performed in the newborn. Our preliminary data suggests that severe CP is strongly associated with CMV. Here we will use link recorded data and test CMV in newborn screening cards to determine the burden and profile of CP due to congenital CMV in Australia.Read moreRead less
Febrile Seizures Following Vaccination In Children: How Common Are They And What Is The Long Term Clinical Outcome?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$693,779.00
Summary
Seizures following vaccination cause concern for both parent and healthcare providers and in this important study we will measure the risk of febile seizures after vaccines and follow up children who have had a febrile seizure shortly after receiving a vaccine to assess their medical health and developmental outcome. In addition children will be tested to see if they carry one of the known genetic mutations that is asociated with the development of seizures as a potential cause for their seizure ....Seizures following vaccination cause concern for both parent and healthcare providers and in this important study we will measure the risk of febile seizures after vaccines and follow up children who have had a febrile seizure shortly after receiving a vaccine to assess their medical health and developmental outcome. In addition children will be tested to see if they carry one of the known genetic mutations that is asociated with the development of seizures as a potential cause for their seizure following vaccination.Read moreRead less
Understanding White Matter Injury In Term-born Children With Cerebral Palsy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$193,863.00
Summary
The type of brain injury in cerebral palsy varies. In some children the brain develops abnormally in early pregnancy; others have a stroke or suffer from lack of oxygen around the time of birth. Little is known about the group of children born at term who have damage to the brain’s white matter, a pattern more typical of premature birth. This project will explore brain imaging, potential risk factors, and clinical outcomes for these children to identify possible causes and prevention pathways.
An Exploration Of Cerebral Palsy Aetiology: Assisted Reproductive Technology And Congenital Anomalies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$89,420.00
Summary
Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common physical disability of childhood, describing a group of permanent disorders of movement caused by damage to the developing brain. The causes of CP are poorly understood for most people. This study will explore and quantify the impact of two known risk factors on CP: assisted reproductive technology and congenital anomalies. When these causes of CP are better understood, possibilities for prevention of this disability can be sought.
Acute Respiratory Illness In Indigenous And Non-Indigenous Australian Children And The Pathways To Chronic Lung Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$415,218.00
Summary
Dr Kerry-Ann O'Grady aims to establish a comprehensive research program addressing acute and chronic respiratory infections in Australian children in urban, rural and remote areas. Drawing on national and international collaborations, Dr O'Grady will undertake a range of epidemiological and clinical studies that will address burden, risk, pathways to chronic lung disease and novel interventions aimed at improving lung health.
Does Gastrostomy Improve The Lives Of Children With Severe Disability And Their Families?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,101.00
Summary
Around 750 Australian children are born each year with severe intellectual disability. Problems may include feeding difficulties and frequent hospitalisations. Feeding via a gastrostomy tube into the stomach can be used. We will conduct a data linkage study in NSW and WA, and collect additional data in WA to investigate patterns of gastrostomy use and its safety, effectiveness and costs. Our findings will help the management of poor feeding in intellectual disability.
Improving Health Outcomes For Disadvantaged Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$585,269.00
Summary
I am a paediatrician researcher dedicated to improving health and quality of life for ill and disadvantaged children. The focus of my Fellowship will be research in three areas: rare childhood diseases, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, and vaccine-preventable disease, with attention to diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Alignment of my research and clinical work and my experience in evidence-based medicine will facilitate adoption of my research into clinical care and health policy.