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Health Consequences For Mother And Baby Of Substantial Pre-conception Weight Loss In Obese Women
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$93,418.00
Summary
Obesity (BMI >30kg/m2) is now very common in women of child-bearing age.There is strong evidence that maternal obesity increases the rate of pregnancy complications, and affects the growth and well-being of the fetus in-utero. This project aims to determine how substantial pre-conception weight loss, achieved using a Very Low Energy Diet (VLED), impacts maternal and neonatal health outcomes.
There is a link between maternal lipids and newborn weight as well as other adverse pregnancy outcomes. Maternal lipids _ serum level, dietary intake and change in maternal lipids during pregnancy may be important in determining not only immediate pregnancy and newborn outcomes but also longer term problems for mother and child. As yet, we do not know whether altering maternal lipids will change outcomes or how to influence lipid levels in practice or how best to approach this.
Targeted Nanoparticle Delivery Of Agents To The Placenta To Treat Preeclampsia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$128,224.00
Summary
Preeclampsia, one of the most serious complications of pregnancy, affects around 3-8% of all pregnancies. Sadly, there is no treatment. We have developed a new technique to deliver treatments only to the placenta, sparing the mother and baby from side effects. We will test whether this technique can treat the source of preeclampsia, the placenta, in mouse models and human tissue samples in the laboratory. This work may offer possibilities of new treatments to other pregnancy complications.
HtrA4-induced Endothelial Dysfunction In Early-onset Preeclampsia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$86,073.00
Summary
Preeclampsia (PE), a life-threatening disorder of pregnancy, is characterized by a sudden increase in blood pressure in association with wide-spread endothelial dysfunction. Placenta-derived factors are believed to cause PE development. Our recent studies have identified that HtrA4, a placenta-specific serine protease may contribute to endothelial dysfunction. This study will investigate the mechanisms of HtrA4-induced endothelial dysfunction.
Maternal Ophthalmic Artery Doppler Waveform Analysis In The Assessment And Management Of Pre-eclampsia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$94,758.00
Summary
Pre-eclampsia is the commonest serious medical problem in pregnancy. Mothers who have this condition are at risk of seizures, stroke and other neurological problems, which can cause death or long-term morbidity. Treatments for pre-eclampsia aim to prevent these problems. Through ultrasound imaging of a blood vessel at the back of the eye, this study will provide new insights into how these treatments change the brain's blood supply in mothers with pre-eclampsia.
Blood Pressure Effects On Placental Growth And Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$133,357.00
Summary
Diseases causing high blood pressure in pregnancy or preeclampsia are a major cause of complications in mother and infant. At present, the only treatment is delivery of the baby who may be premature or too small. Why preeclampsia develops is incompletely understood and the long term consequences of this disease for the mother includes doubling of the future risk of heart and kidney disease. This research will look at the placenta or afterbirth at a molecular level to better understand why this d ....Diseases causing high blood pressure in pregnancy or preeclampsia are a major cause of complications in mother and infant. At present, the only treatment is delivery of the baby who may be premature or too small. Why preeclampsia develops is incompletely understood and the long term consequences of this disease for the mother includes doubling of the future risk of heart and kidney disease. This research will look at the placenta or afterbirth at a molecular level to better understand why this disease occurs.Read moreRead less
Diabetes And Cardiovascular Risk Among Indigenous Women After Pregnancy Complicated By Hyperglycaemia.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$128,224.00
Summary
Indigenous Australian women are at high risk of having GDM which increases the risk of developing both GDM in future pregnancies and T2DM. We want to clarify these risks and whether there are differences between Indigenous and non-Indigenous women. Ideally, we can intervene to prevent this cycle of disease as diabetes in pregnancy has long term poor health outcomes for both mothers and their offspring.
The Cardiovascular Toll Of Pre-eclampsia: Determining Impacts On The Maternal, Fetal And Placental Vasculature.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$128,224.00
Summary
Pre-eclampsia is a common condition of pregnancy that causes a rise in blood pressure, protein in the urine and damage to other organs. It can cause significant harm to the mother and baby. In the long term, mums who have had pre-eclampsia are at a higher risk of developing heart problems. We want to explore how the heart changes in a pregnancy complicated by pre-eclampsia, and see if these changes can help us predict pregnancy risk and long term outcomes.
Understanding Current And Future Opportunities To Promote Healthy Maternal Weight During Pregnancy And The Postpartum Period
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$75,620.00
Summary
The PhD will document clinical management of maternal weight gain during and post pregnancy, across a range of antenatal care providers and deliver a nine month pilot intervention study for first time mothers, aimed at reducing post pregnancy weight retention and promoting healthy nutrition and physical activity behaviours. Findings from this PhD will inform important future development of healthy weight interventions across the reproductive years.
So Like Your Mum! Is The Health Of Mothers In Far North Queensland Reflected In The Nutrition And Growth Of Their Children In Early Life?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$96,631.00
Summary
The health, nutrition and growth of a baby reflect the health and nutrition status of its mother. We will link routine health service information for Indigenous mothers with information on the growth, haemoglobin and health of their young children to identify key factors in a mother’s pregnancy and before, influencing the future health and development of their babies. This study will shape interventions to improve the health of mothers, and thus improve the health of their children through life.