The Effect Of Adenotonsillectomy On Neurocognitive Functioning In Children With Upper Airway Obstruction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$185,850.00
Summary
Upper airway obstruction during sleep affects up to 3% of all children and is very frequently unrecognised. If severe it causes growth failure, developmental delay and heart failure. However, there is little information on the effects of less severe degrees of upper airway obstruction in children but recent work suggests that reduced academic performance may also be present in children with relatively mild degrees of upper airway obstruction. In particular, the areas most affected appear to be i ....Upper airway obstruction during sleep affects up to 3% of all children and is very frequently unrecognised. If severe it causes growth failure, developmental delay and heart failure. However, there is little information on the effects of less severe degrees of upper airway obstruction in children but recent work suggests that reduced academic performance may also be present in children with relatively mild degrees of upper airway obstruction. In particular, the areas most affected appear to be intelligence, memory, behaviour and attentional capacity . Currently it is unclear whether these deficits are due to sleep disruption or reduced nocturnal oxygen levels. The treatment of upper airway obstruction is the removal of adenoids and tonsils, however, it is unknown whether or not this improves the child's intellectual capacity. This study aims to be one of the first to critically evaluate the impact of upper airway obstruction during sleep on children's intelligence, memory, behaviour and attentional capacity, and the improvements wrought by the removal of the child's tonsils and adenoids.Read moreRead less
Maternal Gut Microbiome During Pregnancy Influences Offspring Atopy And Asthma.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$46,622.00
Summary
Allergic diseases such as food allergy and asthma have increased significantly as our exposure to bacteria has reduced. Many studies have explored exposure to bacteria in early life but few have examined the maternal bacteria we are exposed to while we develop in the womb. New studies indicate that we are exposed to many different components of our mothers gut bacteria and this might change our developing immune system and determine whether or not we get diseases like food allergy and asthma.
Investigation Of The Influence Preterm Birth On Lung Structure And Function In School Age Children.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$204,482.00
Summary
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remains the most significant chronic lung complication of premature birth. While some information on the long term respiratory outcomes in BPD exist there are no comprehensive studies linking lung structure, function and respiratory symptoms and relating these changes to neonatal history. Studies of this kind are essential to ensure future healthcare for these children can be planned accordingly.
Role Of Viruses In The Development Of Lung Disease In Cystic Fibrosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,223,186.00
Summary
This study will investigate how lung disease starts in babies with cystic fibrosis and the role of viral infections in this process. The new knowledge gained will help us move towards treatments that prevent or delay the start of lung disease, something not currently possible. We believe this new treatment paradigm will lead to improved quality and extent of life of those with cystic fibrosis.
The Identification Of Thoracic Targets For Prevention And Intervention In Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$316,449.00
Summary
The persistence of breathing problems from infancy to later life is a complication of premature birth with lifelong consequences. Breathing problems often occur together with lung disease, but prematurity can also affect heart and blood vessel development, and weakness of the main breathing muscle. We will find out how much the heart, lungs and diaphragm contribute to breathing problems in babies; helping us to better predict, diagnose and treat severe breathing problems in babies born preterm.
Lung, Heart And Respiratory Muscle Disease After Preterm Birth
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,328,858.00
Summary
Breathing problems persisting into infancy and later life is an important complication of premature birth with lifelong consequences. Breathing problems often occur together with lung disease, but prematurity can also affect heart and blood vessel development, and weakness of the main breathing muscle (the diaphragm). We will find out how much the heart and diaphragm contribute to breathing problems in babies, and will help us to better predict, diagnose and treat severe breathing problems.
Sleep Disordered Breathing And Neurocognitive Function In Children Post-adenotonsillectomy: Three Year Follow-up
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$266,536.00
Summary
Snoring is very common and affects at least 10% of children, or an estimated 0.25 million children in Australia. It is associated with deficits in a wide range of neurocognitive areas including intelligence, memory, reasoning, learning and behaviour. We have recently studied a group of 53 snoring children both before and six months after removal of their tonsils and adenoids, to treat suspected upper airway obstruction associated with their snoring. We found that prior to surgery, intelligence, ....Snoring is very common and affects at least 10% of children, or an estimated 0.25 million children in Australia. It is associated with deficits in a wide range of neurocognitive areas including intelligence, memory, reasoning, learning and behaviour. We have recently studied a group of 53 snoring children both before and six months after removal of their tonsils and adenoids, to treat suspected upper airway obstruction associated with their snoring. We found that prior to surgery, intelligence, memory, reasoning, language and behaviour were significantly reduced, by up to 10% compared to 53 non-snoring control children matched by age, gender, social class and area of residence. To our great surprise, at six months after surgery we found that although sleep and behaviour improves, intelligence, memory, reasoning and language development do not. We now wish to study these same children at 3 years after tonsils and adenoids removal, as we believe that if the deficits that we described at 6 months are still present, they are likely now to be permanent. Given the degree of deficit that we have found in snoring compared to non-snoring children, even 6 months after the snoring group of children have been treated, if still present at 3 years post-surgery then it is likely that these deficits will affect the children's future learning potential and academic success. In turn, this would suggest that early identification and treatment of sleep-related upper airway obstruction is critical in preventing long-term deficits in children's daytime functioning and behaviour.Read moreRead less
The Clinical Utility Of Small Airway Function Tests In Paediatric Respiratory Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$64,631.00
Summary
Respiratory disease is an important child health issue with long term implications into adulthood. The evaluation of small airways involvement in disease processes, using an accurate sensitive measures of function, such as forced oscillation technique and multiple breath washout, potentially facilitates not only early detection of disease, but instigation of earlier treatment, better assessment of response to treatment, and ultimately better outcome.
What Role Do Cerebral Hypoxia And Sleep Disruption Play In The Neurocognitive Effects Of Paediatric Sleep Disordered Breathing?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$558,957.00
Summary
Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) describes a spectrum of disorders caused by obstruction of the upper airway during sleep from simple primary snoring (PS) to obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Findings of our recently studies have provided strong evidence that all levels of SDB severity including PS are associated with neurocognitive and behavioural deficits. In this study we will investigate the mechanisms of which underpin these deficits.