Maternal Anxiety In Pregnancy And Infant Bio-behavioural Regulation: Testing The Fetal Programming Hypothesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$577,896.00
Summary
Recent research shows that maternal anxiety in pregnancy is associated with emotional and behaviour problems in childhood. This project examines the impact of anxiety during pregnancy on infant capacity to regulate behaviour, sleep and physiological response to stress and also considers possible genetic contributions. Findings address the earliest origins of mood and behaviour disorders in children and will inform evidence-based interventions during the perinatal period.
Early Regular Egg Exposure During Infancy To Prevent Egg Allergy: A Randomised Controlled Trial.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,304,911.00
Summary
Food allergies are common and result in a significant burden to families and the health care system. One approach to prevent food allergies may be to introduce specific foods earlier than currently recommended. The study will compare early regular introduction of egg from 4-6 months compared to the more common practice of egg avoidance until 10 months of age. If successful at reducing egg allergy, this approach will have a significant impact on reducing the burden of allergic disease.
Hospital Admission, Cerebral Palsy, Intellectual Disability And Birth Defects In Assisted Conception Infants.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$115,110.00
Summary
We have recently completed a study examining the prevalence of birth defects in assisted conception infants born in Western Australia from 1993-1997. Contrary to reassuring claims by other researchers in this area, we found that assisted conception infants have a two-fold increased risk of being diagnosed with a major birth defect by one year of age. We now propose to examine other long-term health outcomes in these children. This study involves record linkage between the WA Reproductive Technol ....We have recently completed a study examining the prevalence of birth defects in assisted conception infants born in Western Australia from 1993-1997. Contrary to reassuring claims by other researchers in this area, we found that assisted conception infants have a two-fold increased risk of being diagnosed with a major birth defect by one year of age. We now propose to examine other long-term health outcomes in these children. This study involves record linkage between the WA Reproductive Technology Register and four other population-based databases. The prevalence of cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, hospital admission and birth defects in assisted conception children born in WA between 1993 and 2001 will be compared to that seen in all other Western Australian children born over the same time period. The collection of information on risks associated with assisted conception treatment is vital to allow adequate counselling of couples considering fertility treatment. Cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, birth defects and hospital admission are all serious adverse health outcomes and, despite the introduction of IVF to most Western countries twenty years ago, there are limited data in the literature concerning the occurrence of these conditions in assisted conception infants. Quantifying the contribution of assisted conception treatment to neonatal, infant and childhood morbidity and mortality is also important for the planning of health service provision. Although assisted conception births represent only a small proportion of total births in Australia, these infants may require a disproportionate level of health care services, such as neonatal intensive care treatment due to complications associated with preterm or multiple birth. The wide application of assisted conception treatment in Australia and the increased number of pregnancies achieved by these means reinforce the urgent need for valid data on the health of children born after these procedures.Read moreRead less
Studies On The Effects Of RSV Infection During Infancy On Aeroallergen-specific T-cell Immunity And Lung Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$130,475.00
Summary
Many infants who develop transient severe wheezing in association with respiratory infections, go on to develop asthma which can persist throughout childhood and some times into adult life. It is not known whether the respiratory infections are a direct cause of later asthma, or whether they simply function as flag which identifies children who have a genetic predisposition to wheeze e.g. because they have abnormally narrow airways. This project will compare the effects of respiratory infection ....Many infants who develop transient severe wheezing in association with respiratory infections, go on to develop asthma which can persist throughout childhood and some times into adult life. It is not known whether the respiratory infections are a direct cause of later asthma, or whether they simply function as flag which identifies children who have a genetic predisposition to wheeze e.g. because they have abnormally narrow airways. This project will compare the effects of respiratory infection in infants with the RSV virus, who contract the disease at different ages, and who have varying levels of genetic risk for respiratory allergies. In particular, it will examine the possibility that in certain cases, infection of genetically susceptible individuals during early infancy will boost the development of allergies to airborne environmental allergens (such as house dust mite) which are known to trigger asthma attacks in older children and adults.Read moreRead less
Motor Functioning In Autism And Asperger's Disorder: Furthering Current Neurobehavioural And Clinical Definitions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$354,932.00
Summary
While it is well known that autism and Asperger's disorder are associated with social, communicative, and behavioural symptoms, it is less well known that affected individuals also have considerable movement and coordination difficulties. For example, these children often have problems with hand writing, walking, hopping, skipping, catching, and running. These skills are very important for success at school; for example, if children are unable to participate in school sports they often feel isol ....While it is well known that autism and Asperger's disorder are associated with social, communicative, and behavioural symptoms, it is less well known that affected individuals also have considerable movement and coordination difficulties. For example, these children often have problems with hand writing, walking, hopping, skipping, catching, and running. These skills are very important for success at school; for example, if children are unable to participate in school sports they often feel isolated and rejected from the peer group. Also, hand writing problems have a significant impact on children's academic performance. Our previous research has suggested that there may be particular patterns of motor problems that characterise individuals with autism and Asperger's disorder. Our proposed research aims to use the kinds of 3D motion analysis technology used in the movie industry to capture exactly how people affected by these conditions move and respond to the environment. This study will enable us to highlight particular parts of the brain-motor circuitry that are affected by these disorders and will also enable us to more clearly distinguish how autism is different from Asperger's disorder. Ultimately, it is hoped that our motor investigations will lead to improved assessment and interventions for these disorders.Read moreRead less
A Multi-site RCT Comparing Spinal And General Anaesthesia On Neurodevelopmental Outcome And Apnoea In Infants
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$512,072.00
Summary
5% of Australian children have surgery when they are infants. Recent studies have shown that surgery in babies is associated with poorer neurological outcomes. The reason for this is unclear but animal experiments suggest it may be due to some anaesthetic agents. This trial will determine if the anaesthetic is the cause of the problem. 660 babies who need surgery will be randomised to receive a general or local anaesthetic, and then followed for 5 years.
FETAL ORIGIN OF ADULT DISEASE? A POPULATION-BASED STUDY OF THE OFFSPRING OF WOMEN WITH SEVERE MENTAL DISORDERS
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$442,875.00
Summary
Fetal origin of adult disease is a currently influential paradigm in epidemiological research into common diseases (ischaemic heart disease, hypertension, diabetes) and behaviour problems (suicide, criminal offending). It postulates an early pathophysiological programming of outcomes that become manifest in adult life. In the proposed research we aim to examine key aspects of this model by conducting a population-based study on the developmental outcomes, antecedent and concomitant risk factors, ....Fetal origin of adult disease is a currently influential paradigm in epidemiological research into common diseases (ischaemic heart disease, hypertension, diabetes) and behaviour problems (suicide, criminal offending). It postulates an early pathophysiological programming of outcomes that become manifest in adult life. In the proposed research we aim to examine key aspects of this model by conducting a population-based study on the developmental outcomes, antecedent and concomitant risk factors, and a spectrum of neuropsychiatric morbidity in all children (N-5150) born in Western Australia in 1980-2001 to women diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder or unipolar depression, as compared to children (N-504,553) born to women without a diagnosed psychiatric illness. The study will be based on record linkage, utilising the unique resource of multiple, comprehensive population databases in Western Australia. Specifically, this research will identify the range of developmental outcomes and morbidity in four consecutive birth cohorts (1980-84; 1985-89; 1990-94; and 1995-2001) of children at high genetic and environmental risk and examine their relationship to specific risk factors, including familial genetic load, obstetric complications, severity of maternal illness, and psychosocial adversity. The study will be the first of its kind and its findings will inform aetiological research into the major mental disorders, as well as clinical and public health practice. It will provide novel data on fundamental issues, such as the interaction between genetic risk and environmental factors in the causation of schizophrenia, as well as on the extent to which the risk of developing severe mental illness is immutably embedded in its fetal origin, or is modifiable by subsequent mitigating factors and appropriate intervention.Read moreRead less
Pathogenesis Of Rett Syndrome: Molecular Genetics And Animal Models
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$437,310.00
Summary
Rett syndrome (RS) is a devastating progressive genetic disorder affecting motor and intellectual development, and occurs almost exclusively in females. It is characterised by normal development for the first 6-12 months of life, followed by developmental regression with the loss of learned purposeful hand function, loss of acquired speech and communicative abilities, sometimes leading to the incorrect diagnosis of autism. It may be the most common cause of progressive mental retardation in girl ....Rett syndrome (RS) is a devastating progressive genetic disorder affecting motor and intellectual development, and occurs almost exclusively in females. It is characterised by normal development for the first 6-12 months of life, followed by developmental regression with the loss of learned purposeful hand function, loss of acquired speech and communicative abilities, sometimes leading to the incorrect diagnosis of autism. It may be the most common cause of progressive mental retardation in girls, with an estimated prevalence in Australia of 1 per 10,000 females under the age of twelve years. Mutations in a gene called MECP2 appears to be the cause of RS in up to 80% of affected girls and women. Now that the gene responsible for many cases of RS has been found, there are many new questions. Do all girls with RS have mutations in the MECP2 gene? Will knowing the exact mutation in the MECP2 gene be of help in predicting how severe the disorder will be in individual patients? Why is it that the brain appears to be primarily affected? Which other genes might play a role in the symptoms seen in RS? Could it be possible to develop specific treatments for RS? This research will address a number of important issues. Firstly, our genetic studies of RS subjects will result in early diagnosis, which is often delayed until after a child turns 5 years of age. Secondly, we are developing mouse models of the human disease, which will put us in a much better position in beginning to understand the biological basis of RS. Early diagnosis may enable the initiation of early treatment strategies in the short term, with the long-term goal of developing specific therapies that may potentially cure the disorder. Finally it will enable accurate genetic counselling for both the immediate and extended family members.Read moreRead less