Improving Community Approaches For Common Childhood Conditions.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$478,602.00
Summary
Melissa’s end goal is community-based strategies that effectively prevent or manage common childhood conditions, which she addresses via four distinct yet unified programs of research (language-literacy, hearing loss, obesity, and early mental health-behaviour). All four programs are guided by long-term strategic plans that include advocacy and translation as central tenets. A further focus is research capacity-building in these areas via her substantial doctoral-postdoctoral programs.
ProbioticTreatment Of Diarrhoeal Disease And Malnutrition In Top End Aboriginal Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$332,036.00
Summary
Aboriginal children in the Top End of Australia have high rates of hospital admission for diarrhoea and malnutrition. We have discovered that underlying small intestinal damage in these children is an important contributor to the high complication rates and longer lengths of stay in hospital compared to non-Aboriginal children. This research proposes to continue our work on small intestinal damage by using two non-invasive tests of gut function, namely a sugar absorption test and novel breath te ....Aboriginal children in the Top End of Australia have high rates of hospital admission for diarrhoea and malnutrition. We have discovered that underlying small intestinal damage in these children is an important contributor to the high complication rates and longer lengths of stay in hospital compared to non-Aboriginal children. This research proposes to continue our work on small intestinal damage by using two non-invasive tests of gut function, namely a sugar absorption test and novel breath test. The sugar permeability test involves the children drinking a solution of the two sugars lactulose and rhamnose, and measuring their absorption into the blood 90 minutes later using a sophisticated measuring instrument called HPLC, which can measure minuscule amounts of sugars and is set up at Royal Darwin Hospital. The breath test involves children drinking another sugar solution with a special non-radioactive marker called a stable isotope of carbon, and measuring changes in the amount of this marker in carbon dioxide from the breath at timed periods after drinking the sugar solution. The breath is analysed in Adelaide using another sophisticated instrument. These tests are being used to measure abnormal sugar absorption due to intestinal damage, which is particularly common in Aboriginal children during the weaning period of 4-18 months. Our hypothesis is that treatment with 'healthy germs' (probiotics) like those in certain yoghourts will colonise the gut, stimulate immunity and reduce the presence of 'nasty germs' (pathogenic bacteria) in the intestines of Aboriginal children which contribute to the need for their hospitalisation with diarrhoea and malnutrition. If this hypothesis is correct, then this research will provide the best kind of evidence for reducing the need for hospital treatment by treating all cases of diarrhoea with these probiotics and possibly even decreasing the gut damage of children in the weaning period by including probiotics in their dietsRead moreRead less
A COMMUNITY BASED STRENGTH TRAINING PROGRAM TO IMPROVE WORK TASK PERFORMANCE IN YOUNG ADULTS WITH DOWN SYNDROME
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$180,649.00
Summary
This study will compare the outcomes of a 10 week twice a week community-based weight training program for young adults with Down syndrome with an art program. It will establish if a student-led exercise program can improve their performance of work tasks and their activity levels. Should the program prove beneficial, we aim to achieve the long-term outcome of exercise being implemented as a sustainable, inclusive recreation option for this group.
A Randomised Controlled Trial Of A Community-based Weight Management Intervention In Obese Adolescents
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$79,534.00
Summary
This research will explore various aspects of managing overweight and obesity in adolescence, including a review of previous studies. The central focus will be participants' weight, health and behavioral outcomes in a randomised controlled trial of a community-based weight management program for 13-16 year olds. A focus group study will be conducted to increase understanding of parent-adolescent communication regarding overweight and the decision to seek treatment.
Should Very Premature Babies Receive A Placental Transfusion At Birth? A Randomised Controlled Trial.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,875,774.00
Summary
Premature babies under 30 weeks gestation are up to a hundred times more likely than full term babies to die or survive with major disability, often from brain damage due to poor blood flow after birth. This randomised study will find out if giving them more placental blood at birth, by means of a delay in clamping the umbilical cord, then milking it, reduces anemia, blood transfusions, brain damage, infection, death and disability. The results may benefit millions of premature babies worldwide.
Prophylactic Antibiotics To Prevent Recurrent Lower Respiratory Tract Infections In Children With Neurological Impairment (PARROT) Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,210,224.00
Summary
We plan a randomised controlled trial to determine if 12 months of a type of antibiotics (compared to placebo) reduces hospitalisations in children with neurological impairment. Currently this group of children are recurrently hospitalised and some doctors use long term antibiotics but there is no high level evidence for this practice. The study will be undertaken in the UK and Australia and involve 474 children. The study will lead to better clinical care and inform guidelines.
Improving Child Health Outcomes In Common, High Burden Conditions.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$279,895.00
Summary
As medical advances over the past 50 years have helped to reduce traditional childhood illnesses such as infections, behavioural, developmental and mental health problems have increased. These problems affect at least 1 in 5 Australian children yet the vast majority of problems go undetected and untreated. I propose to develop, trial and disseminate evidence-based approaches to common child health problems including mental health and sleep problems.
Otitis Media, Hearing Loss And School Readiness Of Indigenous Children Followed From Birth In Two Randomised Controlled Trials Of Novel Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Schedules (VOICES. Vaccines To Prevent Otitis Media In Children Entering School)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,317,169.00
Summary
Educational and health outcomes of Indigenous children are extremely poor, particularly in remote areas. High rates of ear disease, particularly “runny ears” and “glue ear”, and hearing loss throughout early childhood contribute to developmental delay. Vaccines to prevent ear disease could be used more effectively. This project is evaluating a novel combination schedule of two different licenced vaccine formulations to maximise protection and improve ear health, hearing and school readiness.
Australasian Cerebral Palsy Clinical Trials Network (AusCP-CTN): Optimising Interventions And Effective Services For Children With Cerebral Palsy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,499,287.00
Summary
Cerebral Palsy (CP) is common and disability can be progressive so the heathcare burden is immense (0.14% GDP). Our Clinical trials network will improve early detection and develop new interventions to improve physical, cognitive and health outcomes for children with CP and their families. Recruitment from the national CP Register will address clinically important questions and test implementation of effective treatments. New Clinical Practice Guidelines will ensure translation internationally.