Improving The Neonatal Transition In Infants With A Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$551,644.00
Summary
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia is a common congenital abnormality and occurs when the diaphragm fails to separate the abdominal and thoracic compartments before birth. This prevents the lung from growing properly and so at birth, the lung is unable to take over the role of gas exchange without considerable assistance. As a result, these infants are at high risk of death or significant disability and this application is focused on improving care and reducing morbidity in these infants.
Improving The Prediction And Detection Of Contributors To Term Stillbirth
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$570,358.00
Summary
Stillbirths are a global human tragedy, with 1 in 130 of all pregnancies in Australia ending in stillbirth. We propose to use ultrasound and blood markers to improve the detection of babies who are not growing well, a leading risk factor for stillbirth. Sleep position has also been associated with stillbirth, so we will study fetal heart rate responses during an overnight sleep study to see if breathing events overnight may be an important contributor to stillbirth in growth restricted fetuses.
Asking QUestions About Alcohol In Pregnancy (AQUA): Longitudinal Cohort Study Of The Effects Of Low And Moderate Doses Of Alcohol Exposure On The Fetus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,368,294.00
Summary
National alcohol guidelines advise women to have no alcohol in pregnancy. However, many find they are unexpectedly pregnant and have been drinking, leading to considerable anxiety. While evidence is clear that heavy drinking is bad for the unborn baby, no-one knows for sure if low or even moderate levels of alcohol in pregnancy are harmful. We will study this important public health problem, following a group of pregnant women through their pregnancy and until their child is two years.
Genetic Autopsy Of Perinatal Death: Diagnosis And Discovery By Genome Sequencing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$989,332.00
Summary
Stillbirth, miscarriage and genetic termination of pregnancy are common and traumatic events. Despite medical investigation, many of the causes of these events are unexplained. This project plans to employ the latest in whole genome sequencing and functional modelling to explain these occurrences as well as lead to an increase in knowledge of genetics and development.
Intergenerational Determinants Of Fetal Growth In Aboriginal Western Australians
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$399,179.00
Summary
We will study birth and disease records over 3 generations of Aboriginal families to investigate how a mother’s birth weight and her diseases in pregnancy influence both her reproductive health and her risk of chronic diseases (eg heart disease and diabetes) later in life. This world-first study will guide effective prevention of chronic disease in Aboriginal Australians; it may suggest that prevention needs to start with grand-mothers rather than in later generations.
Measuring Hypoxia Induced MRNA In Maternal Blood To Monitor Wellbeing Of Growth-restricted Fetuses
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$421,358.00
Summary
Severely growth restricted fetuses are at peril of stillbirth from low oxygenation. While ultrasound monitoring improves outcomes, babies are still lost. Better ways to monitor the health the unborn baby are needed. We have recently discovered fetuses’ starved of oxygen leak RNA into mother's blood. Thus, measuring RNA molecules in blood could be used to assess fetal health. We will examine whether measuring mRNA in maternal blood could be used to monitor wellbeing of growth-restricted fetuses.
Birth Weight, Adult Weight And Podocyte Depletion.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$796,252.00
Summary
A major role of our kidneys is to filter our blood. A key cell type in our kidney filters is an octopus-shaped cell known as the podocyte. If we are not born with enough podocytes, or if the filters grow too large after birth due for example to excessive weight gain, the podocytes cannot adequately filter the blood, and this can lead to kidney disease. We will measure podocyte endowment at birth, and assess the effects of weight gain and loss after birth on podocyte features and kidney health.
Preclinical Development Of TLR Signalling Inhibitors For Prevention Of Preterm Labour And Fetal Inflammatory Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$690,821.00
Summary
Preterm birth affects 8% of Australian births and is a major cause of infant and child health problems. Therapies to prevent or delay prematurity are urgently required. This study will investigate new drugs that suppress the triggers of preterm labour. We will evaluate drug effects in mice and human placental tissue, to demonstrate safety and fetal protection from inflammatory injury that occurs with prematurity. Successful completion of the study is expected to lead to clinical trials in women.
The Transmission Of Perinatal Maternal Mental Health To Preschool Emotional Disorders: Examining Pathways And Intervention Points In The MPEWS Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$970,795.00
Summary
While it is known that depression, anxiety and stress in pregnancy increase the risk for poorer child mental health, what is unknown is the key pathways and intervention points to prevent this transmission of risk. This study will examine potential mechanisms and intervention points through a selected cohort study: Mercy Pregnancy and Emotional Wellbeing Study. This study follows 500 women and their children from first trimester in pregnancy until the children are 3 years of age.
The Role Of Vitamin D In Placental Development And Pregnancy Success
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$723,235.00
Summary
Vitamin D deficiency affects about 1 billion people worldwide, including up to 80% of Australians depending on age, skin colour and sun exposure. Vitamin D deficiency has now been associated with a large number of common diseases of aging and with pregnancy complications. This proposal will use human pregnancy serum and placenta, as well as mouse gene knockout models, to determine the hitherto unknown roles of vitamin D in development of the placenta and health of mother and baby.