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.
Should Very Premature Babies Receive A Placental Transfusion At Birth? A Randomised Controlled Trial.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,875,774.00
Summary
Premature babies under 30 weeks gestation are up to a hundred times more likely than full term babies to die or survive with major disability, often from brain damage due to poor blood flow after birth. This randomised study will find out if giving them more placental blood at birth, by means of a delay in clamping the umbilical cord, then milking it, reduces anemia, blood transfusions, brain damage, infection, death and disability. The results may benefit millions of premature babies worldwide.
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.
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.
Characterization Of Cellular Inflammatory Responses Underlying Acute Viral Bronchiolitis In Infants
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$583,224.00
Summary
This project seeks to characterize the inflammatory mechanisms triggered during severe respiratory virus infections that result in hospitalization of infants. These are associated with later development of asthma. We aim to identify new molecular targets for anti-inflammatory drug development, with the long term goals of improving treatment for acute disease, and prevention of subsequent asthma.
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.
The Effect Of Probiotics On The Neurodevelopmental Outcomes Of Preterm Infants
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,068,804.00
Summary
Premature infants are at increased risk of abnormal development, meaning problems with their ability to walk, talk, think, hear and see. Giving premature babies ‘good bacteria’ (probiotics) may help them survive, but little is known about how probiotics affect long-term development. This is the first large study to assess the development of children who were involved in a trial of probiotics following their premature birth.
Comparing Pneumococcal Vaccines In A High Risk Population: A Randomised Controlled Trial Of Immunogenicity, Safety And Impact On Carriage Of Pneumococcal Conjugate And Polysaccharide Vaccines In Infants In Papua New Guinea
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,042,670.00
Summary
Pneumococcal disease is a major cause of pneumonia and meningitis in infants in developing countries in particular resulting in an estimated 800,000 deaths each year. This project will study how well pneumococcal vaccines perform in 260 high-risk infants in Papua New Guinea. We will examine how well the vaccines stimulate protective immunity and reduce babies carrying the pneumococcal bacteria in their nose and how long this immunity lasts for. The study will inform global immunisation policy.
High Flow Cannula Therapy In Bronchiolitis, A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,283,342.00
Summary
Bronchiolitis is the leading cause of paediatric hospitalisation in Australia. Despite multiple research studies the outcome has not changed. Our recent studies supported by other international studies have shown that the use of high flow nasal cannula oxygen may reduce the severity and prevent progression of the disease. We aim to investigate if HFNC in regional hospitals can reduce the number of infants transferred to specialist children’s hospitals and reduce the socio-economic burden.