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Improving And Evaluating The Health Of Mothers And Babies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$320,848.00
Summary
This research program considers new ways to monitor an unborn baby’s health and to provide better care for childbearing women. Several projects will test the unborn baby’s well being. A new study will consider two forms of cooling treatments to help relieve pain following childbirth. Further research involves studies of the genetics of increased blood pressure in pregnant women and a structured way of looking at existing evidence to consider how well it delivers.
Metformin And Dietary Advice To Improve Insulin Sensitivity And Promote Gestational Restriction Of Weight In Pregnant Women Who Are Obese: The GRoW Randomised Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,710,437.00
Summary
Obesity is a significant health issue during pregnancy and childbirth associated with well documented risks. Women who are obese commence pregnancy in a state of increased insulin resistance, the altered metabolic and inflammatory environment providing an excess of nutrients, and a stimulus to fetal growth. The aims of the GRoW randomised trial are to evaluate the effects of metformin and dietary advice to improve insulin sensitivity in obese pregnant women on health outcomes.
Early Life Approaches To Obesity Prevention – The Role Of The In-utero Environment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$575,662.00
Summary
This proposal will comprehensively evaluate the role of maternal overweight and obesity, gestational weight gain, and the effects of antenatal dietary and lifestyle interventions on maternal, infant and childhood health outcomes. Over 50% of pregnant women are overweight or obese, with adverse outcomes for maternal and infant health, both immediately related to pregnancy, and in the longer term. Outcomes from this proposal will inform clinical guidelines and improve practice.
The Effects Of Dietary And Lifestyle Interventions Among Pregnant Women Who Are Overweight Or Obese On Longer-term Maternal And Early Childhood Outcomes: An Individual Participant Data (IPD) Meta-analysis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$287,317.00
Summary
Obesity affects 50% of pregnant women, and is associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes. In the longer-term, maternal obesity predicts high infant birth weight and future child obesity. We will combine and analyse randomised controlled trial data available world-wide through an individual participant data meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of antenatal dietary intervention among women who are overweight or obese on longer-term maternal and child health.
Fetal Lactate Measurement To Reduce Caesarean Sections During Labour: A Randomised Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$386,600.00
Summary
Caesarean section rates in Australia are well above the World Health Organization’s recommended level. Many babies appear unhealthy in labour, so they are born by caesarean. They are usually healthy at birth, meaning that the operation could have been avoided. In this study, half the babies who seem distressed will have a blood test for lactate and the other half will not. We will then determine whether having a lactate test makes a difference in the number women having caesarean births.
A Double Blind Randomised Placebo Controlled Trial Of Melatonin As An Adjuvant Agent In Induction Of Labour
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$384,566.00
Summary
Induction of labour, a common obstetric intervention fails in almost 40% of first time mothers. There is evidence to suggest that the endogenous hormone melatonin has important roles in the progress of labour. We will undertake a double-blind randomised placebo controlled trial of melatonin supplementation to improve the success of induction of labour in first time mothers. We will also assess the economic impact of melatonin supplementation at induction of labour.
The aim of this project is to determine whether or not turning a baby from the posterior position to the more common anterior position increases the chances of a normal birth. This involves performing an internal examination during labour and gently turning the baby as the mother pushes. At present, if the baby is in the posterior position (facing towards the front of the mother’s body) there is a higher risk of a caesarean, forceps or vacuum delivery.
Fetal Middle Cerebral Artery Doppler To Time Second And Subsequent Fetal Transfusions For Red Cell Alloimmunisation.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$449,585.00
Summary
Blood group incompatability between a mother and her unborn baby can result in the production of antibodies that can damage the baby's red blood cells, causing anaemia. Treatment involves a procedure to transfuse blood to the baby while in the mother's uterus, which often needs to be repeated several times during a pregnancy. This randomised trial will assess if an ultrasound examination can be used to time second or subsequent fetal transfusions, and the impact this has on infant health.
A Prospective, Open-label, Single-centre/multi-site, Randomized Clinical Trial Of A Novel Maternal Microbiological “screen & Treat” Program Compared With Normal Care For The Prevention Of Preterm Birth
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,708,561.00
Summary
In 2014, our team launched the world-unique Western Australian Preterm Birth (PTB) Prevention Initiative and reduced the rate of PTB state-wide by 8%. Our next step is to trial a “screen & treat” program to detect women in mid-pregnancy at high risk of infection-driven PTB and treat them with antimicrobial medications. The study will involve more than 6000 women and aims to lower the rate of spontaneous PTB rate by 30%, which if applied nationally, may prevent 4500 PTBs each year.
Prevention Of Pre-term Birth By Treatment Of Periodontal Disease During Pregnancy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$910,125.00
Summary
Premature birth is one of the major unsolved problems in human health and is the single greatest problem in reproduction. Decades of research that has focused on features of women's lives and their pregnancies have failed to impact on the frequency of this disorder. However, there now is exciting evidence that many cases of premature labour may result from inflammation arising from a source outside the uterus. The gums are considered a likely source of that inflammation. Inflammation of the gums ....Premature birth is one of the major unsolved problems in human health and is the single greatest problem in reproduction. Decades of research that has focused on features of women's lives and their pregnancies have failed to impact on the frequency of this disorder. However, there now is exciting evidence that many cases of premature labour may result from inflammation arising from a source outside the uterus. The gums are considered a likely source of that inflammation. Inflammation of the gums, or periodontal disease, is common and affects one in seven women of reproductive age in Australia. We have a good understanding of the potential mechanisms by which inflamed gums may cause problems in pregnancy by releasing chemicals into the blood stream. Many of these chemicals have powerful abilities to cause premature labour. Several studies have now shown that pregnant women with gum disease are more likely to deliver early. There has been one controlled study, published recently from Chile, which found that relatively simple treatment of gum disease reduced the rate of premature birth to one fifth that in the untreated group. This application is for funds to conduct a controlled study of treatment of gum disease in an Australian population aimed at reducing the rate of premature birth and other important complications of pregnancy. 5400 pregnant women will have a simple screening test of their gums and 1094 with gum disease will be invited to have treatment. Of these, half will be offered an oral health treatment program during mid- and late-pregnancy, while the other half will be offered similar treatment but after completion of the pregnancy. The treatments are straightforward, provided by hygienists under specialist supervision, and are suitable to be applied to the entire population of pregnant women if found to significantly reduce the rate of premature births.Read moreRead less