Improving Primary Care For Aboriginal Mothers And Babies In The Kimberley Region Of Western Australia: A Population And Region Based Cluster Randomised Trial Driven By Local Health Service Providers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,043,581.00
Summary
Over 50% of remote area Aboriginal mothers and 60% of breastfed infants have micronutrient malnutrition and other severe morbidities. A population based trial of a new locally driven model to improve the quality of maternal primary care will be undertaken. The primary outcome measure is improved iron deficiency anaemia in infants aged 6 months. The results will be used to develop improved primary care models and to improve health outcomes for all Aboriginal mothers and infants.
A Randomised Trial Of DHA In Pregnancy To Prevent Postnatal Depressive Symptoms And Enhance Neurodevelopment In Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,649,000.00
Summary
Postnatal depression strikes 12-17% of women in the year after giving birth. Postnatal depression can result in emotional, behavioural and developmental problems in children. Although there are many complex psychological and social factors involved, supplementing the diet with an omega-3 fat called DHA has been shown to alleviate the symptoms of depression. Enriching diets with DHA has also been associated with improvements in visual and neural abilities of young infants. Normally, DHA is obtain ....Postnatal depression strikes 12-17% of women in the year after giving birth. Postnatal depression can result in emotional, behavioural and developmental problems in children. Although there are many complex psychological and social factors involved, supplementing the diet with an omega-3 fat called DHA has been shown to alleviate the symptoms of depression. Enriching diets with DHA has also been associated with improvements in visual and neural abilities of young infants. Normally, DHA is obtained through the mother's diet and is then passed onto the developing baby whilst in the womb. However, the amount of DHA that is delivered to the baby in pregnancy is high, and in most cases is far higher than most Australian mothers get in their diets. In this study we will test whether supplementing the diets of pregnant women with DHA results in women suffering less depressive symptoms and children with better development scores. If our study is successful, it will result in a simple and effective way to prevent postnatal depression and improve the developmental outcome of the children.Read moreRead less
Vascular Endothelial Dysfunction In Prenatal Life Predisposes To Hypertension In Adult Life
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$190,007.00
Summary
An intact endothelial lining in the vascular system is important for the normal development and functioning of the cardiovascular system. Nitric oxide is a substance produced by the endothelium which acts on smooth muscle cells to cause relaxation. Recently, nitric oxide has been shown to play an important role in development of the cardiovascular system. This proposal aims to study the impact a dysfunctional endothelial lining, in particular a reduction in nitric oxide synthesis, has on develop ....An intact endothelial lining in the vascular system is important for the normal development and functioning of the cardiovascular system. Nitric oxide is a substance produced by the endothelium which acts on smooth muscle cells to cause relaxation. Recently, nitric oxide has been shown to play an important role in development of the cardiovascular system. This proposal aims to study the impact a dysfunctional endothelial lining, in particular a reduction in nitric oxide synthesis, has on development and control of the cardiovascular system. It is known that a reduction in nitric oxide synthesis, results in an increase in arterial blood pressure and an alteration in development of the smooth muscle cells of vessels. Studies in human populations have shown that individuals of low birth-weight, which is indicative of poor intrauterine development, are predisposed to developing cardiovascular diseases as adults. This study will investigate the impact reduced nitric oxide synthesis in the fetal period has on adult blood pressure. This study will investigate the mechanisms-factors which contribute to altered control and-or structure of heart and blood vessels in the fetus, newborn and adult after inhibition of the nitric oxide synthesis. The major outcomes of this proposal are that a disruption in nitric oxide synthesis during fetal life predisposes the individual to elevated blood pressure in adult life and an increased probability to becoming hypertensive if they are fatter or have a high salt intake.Read moreRead less
Vitamin D Deprivation In Early Life: Programming Of Vascular Function In Adulthood
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$440,250.00
Summary
It is becoming increasing evident that appropriate nutrition in fetal-early life is important in programming the cardiovascular system of the offspring, influencing its function throughout life. Maternal deficiency in vitamin D is a recently-identified concern world-wide, including in Australian women. We have recently found that vitamin D deficiency in pregnant rats results in marked hypertension in the offspring, when only 7 weeks of age. This is associated with impaired endothelium-dependent ....It is becoming increasing evident that appropriate nutrition in fetal-early life is important in programming the cardiovascular system of the offspring, influencing its function throughout life. Maternal deficiency in vitamin D is a recently-identified concern world-wide, including in Australian women. We have recently found that vitamin D deficiency in pregnant rats results in marked hypertension in the offspring, when only 7 weeks of age. This is associated with impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilator function, increased smooth muscle tone and increased constriction to nerve stimulation. A combination of intracellular electrophysiological techniques and tension recordings will be used to investigate detailed mechanisms in arteries isolated from key vascular beds. In vivo studies will probe the role of vitamin D deficiency in the control of regional blood flow control, and its influence on the underlying regulatory mechanisms responsible for the cardiovascular dysfunction that we have observed. We will test whether the cardiovascular dysfunction in the offspring following vitamin D deficiency is reversible upon repletion, or is programmed and thus not reversible with repletion. Our early results suggest that the deleterious effects are not reversible. From this study we aim to be in a position of greater confidence from which to inform women as to the importance for their baby of ensuring adequate vitamin D repletion during pregnancy, to minimise risk of later cardiovascular disease.Read moreRead less
A Scalable Insomnia Program During The Pregnancy And Postpartum Periods: An Effectiveness-Implementation Hybrid Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$877,335.00
Summary
Persistent sleep problems are common during pregnancy/postpartum periods and have significant consequences. Cognitive behavioural interventions are efficacious for improving sleep but are not currently available in perinatal care. This study examines the effectiveness, cost- effectiveness, and implementation potential of an innovative nonpharmacological intervention for better maternal sleep and wellbeing, with high potential for sustainable integration with routine perinatal care.
Postpartum Depression: Action Towards Causes And Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$570,699.00
Summary
We will recruit women into a large international study to identify genetic variants that increase risk of perinatal depression using a mobile app. Women who screen positive will be asked to provide a spit sample for DNA.