Perinatal Exposure To Household And Environmental Toxins And The Risk Of Asthma And Allergic Disease Up To 25 Years
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$291,078.00
Summary
Perinatal exposure to household and environmental toxins may increase asthma and allergic disease risk. Adverse exposures in this critical developmental window may have a marked and prolonged effect on health. A birth cohort of high-allergy risk children will be used to investigate the effect of common chemical exposures on the risk of asthma and allergic disease up to 25 years. This evidence could be used to inform guidelines on common household chemical exposures
Contribution Of Systemic Inflammatory Response To Brain Injury In Growth Restricted Newborns
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$363,388.00
Summary
Growth restriction during pregnancy can damage the baby’s brain and result in poor outcomes such as learning and attention difficulties and cerebral palsy. Currently there is no treatment available to prevent brain injury in these babies. This study will explore the role of inflammation and brain injury in the growth restricted baby. We will also examine whether a readily available and safe anti-inflammatory treatment can reduce or prevent brain injury following growth restriction.
Perinatal Stress Leads To Neurosteroid Deficits And Adverse Behavioural Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,198,042.00
Summary
This grant will examine the effect of psychosocial stress experienced after birth on the production and regulation of steroid hormones in the brain of newborn animals. The work will investigate how stress changes the levels these brain steroids and sensitivity to them and if these effects are remain into adulthood. The studies will then determine if these changes lead to adolescent behaviour disorders. The effectiveness of steroid therapies in treating these disorders will also be determined.
Pathways To Avoidable And Unexplained Deaths In The Early Lifecourse
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,108,086.00
Summary
There continues to be unacceptable numbers of avoidable deaths in early life in Australia, particularity among disadvantaged groups. This project will use novel, large-scale population data to identify and quantify the impact of risks to early life mortality and preventable pathways. This new knowledge will inform new strategies to prevent stillbirth and child deaths for the benefit of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and other populations.
Evaluation Of Novel Antenatal Biomarkers For The Detection Of Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes: A Record Linkage Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$580,997.00
Summary
Although most pregnancies are associated with the birth of a healthy baby to a healthy mother, adverse pregnancy outcomes such as fetal growth restriction, stillbirth and preeclampsia continue to impose a heavy burden on families and the community. We will use a novel application of health record linkage to investigate maternal serum biomarkers for predicting adverse pregnancy outcomes. Intervention studies and preventative strategies will be developed for highly predictive biomarkers.
Identifying Strategies To Improve Perinatal Outcomes After Assisted Conception
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$724,799.00
Summary
Around 20% of young women express concern with being able to conceive, 16% experience clinical infertility, and ~8% use invasive therapies for which there can be limited safety data. We, and others, have reported adverse events for mother and child after infertility treatment, including neonatal death and birth defects. This project will provide urgently needed, robust evidence to guide patient and clinical decision making so as to optimise health of mother and baby.
The Relationship Between Maternal And Infant Dietary Intake Of Fermentable Fibre, Gut Microbiota, Short Chain Fatty Acids And Allergic Disease And Asthma: A Population-derived Birth Cohort Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$871,700.00
Summary
The proposed study will involve the Barwon Infant Study (BIS) cohort of 1074 infants to provide the first systematic investigation of the hypotheses that the epidemic of allergic disease and asthma in many parts of the world relates to the paucity of fermentable fibre in the modern diet, and that the protective effect of fermentable fibre is mediated by changes in the organisms that colonise the gut and the metabolites that they produce.
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.
Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a devastating, common developmental brain disorder once assumed to be due to lack of oxygen at birth. Using our unique Biobank with DNA and clinical data from families with a CP child, we are examining the genetic origins of CP and how genes and risk factors in pregnancy contribute. We will use computer modelling and testing in animals and brain cells, to understand causes of CP and devise predictive, preventative and therapeutic strategies.
The Impact Of Cleaner Cookstoves To Reduce Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes In Low Resource Settings
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,043,188.00
Summary
Around the world each year household air pollution causes 4.3 million deaths. Mothers, babies and children, who spend the most time at home are extremely vulnerable. The impact on pregnant women has not been accurately measured despite it being known to be as dangerous as smoking. The best method to reduce household air pollution is to use stoves that reduce emissions. We will conduct a large trial of cleaner cooking stoves and measure the impact on pregnant women.