We are an international team committed to clinical trials to improve survival without disability in newborn babies. We plan a randomised trial to confirm if bovine lactoferrin, an inexpensive dairy protein, reduces death or major morbidity and increases total breast milk intake in 1,500 very low birthweight babies in neonatal intensive care units
A Randomised Controlled Trial Of Enhanced Parenting Capacity To Improve Developmental Outcomes In Preterm Infants
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,045,141.00
Summary
In Australia there are 2, 600 very preterm survivors each year. 50% will have education/behavioural difficulties and 10% major disability. We aim to optimise the development of infants born very preterm through a tailored Positive Parenting Program. We predict reductions in child behavioural and emotional problems at 2 years corrected age.
Retinal Photography To Assess Early Kidney Development In Indigenous Babies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$888,098.00
Summary
The objective of this study is to identify infants who are at high risk off subsequent kidney failure . To achieve this objective, we plan to carry out comparison of kidney growth and function between Aboriginal and and non-Aboriginal infants from birth until they are 2 years old. We also hope to determine if changes in the blood vessels in these infants' eyes correspond to changes in the growing kidney- we are trying to determine if the eyes are the windows to the growing kidneys.
A Pre-clinical Trial Of Early Blood Transfusion For Improving Cerebral Oxygen Delivery In Very Preterm Neonates
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$970,603.00
Summary
Long-term disability is common in babies born prematurely. This may be due to insufficient delivery of oxygen to the brain, but currently there is no treatment that increases oxygen delivery to the brain. We will determine if blood transfusion is more effective than current treatments given to prevent brain injury in preterm babies. Transfusion has two benefits. It will increase the amount of blood going to the brain. It will also increase the amount of oxygen carried by the blood.
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia – A Regenerative Medicine Approach
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$480,406.00
Summary
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia is a major leading cause of morbidity and mortality in premature babies. There is no cure. We have previously shown that amnion epithelial cells can reduce the extent of lung damage during early stages of lung development. We aim to understand how amnion cells can promote repair by interacting with existing cell types in order to restore normal lung structure and function. The outcomes from this study will help design clinical trials and develop new therapies.
Motor problems, ranging from clumsiness to cerebral palsy, are one of the most common adverse outcomes in children born early. This study will investigate the motor development of children born <30 weeks’ gestation compared with peers born at term from birth to 5 years. We will determine whether early clinical evaluations or neuroimaging in the newborn period can predict later motor impairment at 5 years to be able to identify those who will benefit most from early intervention.
Being Born Small Is Not Good For The Heart:early Detection Of Cardiovascular Risk
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$486,757.00
Summary
Intra uterine growth restriction(IUGR) is linked to adult onset of cardiovascular disease. However, little is known about the mechanism(s) which underlie this link or which babies are most at risk. This study aims to assess cardiovascular function in infants and children who were growth restricted. Early identification of cardiovascular dysfunction may aid in new opportunities for monitoring and therapeutic targets to ultimately reduce later onset of cardiovascular morbidity in this population.
Human Amnion Epithelial Cell Therapy For Bronchopulmonary Dyspliasa
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,048,035.00
Summary
Preterm infants, especially those born very early, commonly develop a type of chronic lung disease called bronchopulmonary displasia (BPD). There is currently no cure or means of preventing BPD. Cells from the amniotic membrane that surrounds the developing baby before birth show promise as a treatment, or perhaps even a way of preventing, BPD. This project will use a preterm lamb model of BPD to assess the ability of amnion cells to treat or prevent the disease.
Premature babies often need assistance to breathe but this can injure the lung and lead to abnormal lung development and long-term lung disease. We have recently identified 3 factors that we believe are fundamental to initiating this abnormal lung development. We will demonstrate that these 3 factors mediate abnormal lung development following lung injury at birth. This information can then be used to reduce the incidence and severity of chronic lung disease of the newborn.
Docosahexaenoic Acid For The Reduction Of Bronchopulomonary Dysplasia In Preterm Infants Born At Less Than 29 Weeks Gestational Age: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,929,854.00
Summary
A major challenge in the care of very preterm babies, is dealing with the fact that the baby has very immature lungs. They are prone to an inflammatory condition known as BPD (broncho-pulmonary dysplasia) that prevents an infant from breathing, much like asthma in older children. This can result in poor health outcomes for life. Our study will test the effect of the omega 3 fat known as DHA in reducing this inflammation in the lung and result in better outcomes for the baby.