Maternal Exposure To Air Pollution And Perinatal Outcomes In Victoria, Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$99,841.00
Summary
In 2014, the Hazelwood open cut brown coal mine in the Latrobe Valley, Victoria caught fire. The Hazelwood Mine Fire resulted in nearby towns being covered in plumes of smoke and ash over a period of six weeks. Little is understood about the health effects following exposure to smoke events of this nature and duration. This proposal will specifically explore the impact of the smoke event resulting from the fire on birth outcomes, such as preterm birth and birth weight.
A Record Linkage Study Of The Relationship Between Intra-uterine Growth, Birth Weight And Childhood Acute Leukaemia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$126,000.00
Summary
Little is known about the causes of childhood leukaemia and cancer, and this has been the subject of intense study over many years. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) and Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) are the most common types of childhood cancers. The early age of onset of diagnosis of cancer-leukaemia in childhood has focused attention on factors related to pregnancy. Many studies have investigated the relationship between birth weight and risk of leukaemia. Some studies have reported finding ....Little is known about the causes of childhood leukaemia and cancer, and this has been the subject of intense study over many years. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) and Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) are the most common types of childhood cancers. The early age of onset of diagnosis of cancer-leukaemia in childhood has focused attention on factors related to pregnancy. Many studies have investigated the relationship between birth weight and risk of leukaemia. Some studies have reported finding an increasing risk of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia with increasing birth weight, but not all studies have reported this relationship. The relationship between birth weight and Acute Myeloid Leukaemia has been even less well described. Many previous studies have not taken account of important factors when analysing the results. This study will use an existing pool of routinely recorded health information, thus ensuring accurate information on birth weight and factors such as maternal height and age and the length of the pregnancy. We will also have complete and accurate information on childhood cancer in Western Australia. Our results will contribute to knowledge about the causes of childhood leukaemia and the biological pathways involved in its development. If growth-related factors do prove to be integrally involved in the aetiology of childhood leukaemia, then the rapidly increasing prevalence of juvenile diabetes, overweight and obesity in Australia and other developed countries could have even more serious implications for the health of our children. It is important that we investigate this question as soon as possible.Read moreRead less
Potential For Creatine Or Melatonin As Dietary Supplements In Pregnancy To Prevent Perinatal Brain Damage
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$483,217.00
Summary
Brain damage in the newborn - particularly in prematurely born infants - remains a significant health problem. At present there are very few treatments that can be used to minimize damage when it becomes apparent in the newborn, and none that can be used PROSPECTIVELYduring pregnancy to protect the developing brain from damage. The most likely cause of damage to the fetal brain during pregnancy or at birth is global ASPHYXIA, either by itself or in association with other problems of pregnancy su ....Brain damage in the newborn - particularly in prematurely born infants - remains a significant health problem. At present there are very few treatments that can be used to minimize damage when it becomes apparent in the newborn, and none that can be used PROSPECTIVELYduring pregnancy to protect the developing brain from damage. The most likely cause of damage to the fetal brain during pregnancy or at birth is global ASPHYXIA, either by itself or in association with other problems of pregnancy such as infection, preterm birth, or fetal growth retardation. In this project we propose that providing extra amounts of the dietary constituent creatine, or of the hormone melatonin, to the pregnant animal in late gestation, will provide NEUROPROTECTION to the developing brain in the face of an asphyxial challenge that otherwise causes damage. We will use pregnant sheep to investigate the effects of asphyxia in utero on the fetal brain using techniques that allow us to monitor metabolic changes within the brain in real time. In addition, we will use the pregnant Spiny Mouse to investigate the effects of birth asphyxia on the postnatal brain structure and behavioral development. We will study groups of animals fed a normal diet, and compare then to animals that receive additional amounts of creatine or melatonin. We expect to determine if either of these treatments have the potential to protect the developing brain from asphyxial damage, and to recommend if similar treatments could be used in pregnant women where the obstetrician suspects the baby's brain is at risk of damage.Read moreRead less
Roles Of PTHrP And Calcium In Mammary Function In Perinatal Growth Restriction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$376,320.00
Summary
Babies that are born small have significant problems around the time of birth and may have limited catch-up growth. A recently discovered protein known as PTHrP influences the nutrition of the growing newborn through breast milk. Because of its potential importance to small babies we intend to study this protein during and after pregnancy in rats and their pups. New treatments may emerge from the knowledge gained from these studies that may improve the growth and health of infants.
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
I am a perinatal physiologist who specializes in determining the factors that cause fetal and neonatal brain damage, and in devising treatments to prevent this for application in pregnant women and the neonate.