Characterization Of Cellular Inflammatory Responses Underlying Acute Viral Bronchiolitis In Infants
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$583,224.00
Summary
This project seeks to characterize the inflammatory mechanisms triggered during severe respiratory virus infections that result in hospitalization of infants. These are associated with later development of asthma. We aim to identify new molecular targets for anti-inflammatory drug development, with the long term goals of improving treatment for acute disease, and prevention of subsequent asthma.
A Prospective Study Of The Development Of Innate Immunity In Preterm Infants And Susceptibility To Neonatal Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$377,773.00
Summary
Life-threatening infection is extremely common in preterm infants, affecting at least 25% of those born before 28 weeks. Infection results in huge human and economic costs. There is currently no way of predicting which preterm infants will develop infection. This project will enrol preterm infants at birth and track the development of their protective immune system over the period of greatest vulnerability. This will lead to development of targeted treatement for those at greatest risk.
Towards Improved Respiratory Outcomes In Preterm Infants Through Rapid And Effective Aerosalisation Of Medication To The Lung
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Babies born premature are greatest at risk from increasingly common respiratory illnesses. It is possible that delivering a medication by aerosol will be the most effective method of treatment. For premature babies that need breathing support, inhaled medication could improve care. For highly infectious respiratory illnesses such as RSV, with no vaccines available, we need to protect babies very early in life. I will use an established lamb model to test fast medication delivery to the lungs.
The Role Of Emerging Gastrointestinal Viruses In The First Two Years Of Life: A Birth Cohort Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$392,534.00
Summary
Gastro illnesses are common and potentially serious early in life. We are aiming to find out more about these illnesses by following ~140 children from birth to their second birthday, with parents collecting a dirty nappy swab every week. Our laboratory will test these samples for a wide range of known and new gastro viruses, and we will also be looking for, as yet, undiscovered viruses. This information will allow us to document the burden of these illnesses in young children and their families ....Gastro illnesses are common and potentially serious early in life. We are aiming to find out more about these illnesses by following ~140 children from birth to their second birthday, with parents collecting a dirty nappy swab every week. Our laboratory will test these samples for a wide range of known and new gastro viruses, and we will also be looking for, as yet, undiscovered viruses. This information will allow us to document the burden of these illnesses in young children and their families.Read moreRead less
We are an international team committed to clinical trials to improve survival without disability in newborn babies. We plan a randomised trial to confirm if bovine lactoferrin, an inexpensive dairy protein, reduces death or major morbidity and increases total breast milk intake in 1,500 very low birthweight babies in neonatal intensive care units
Genetic And Environmental Factors And Early Lung Problems Can Be Related To Allergy And Poor Lung Development In Preschool Age Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$122,032.00
Summary
This important new collaboration between the Murdoch ChildrenÍs Research Institute and Barwon Health explores the impact of early lung development on longer term respiratory health. It utilises a newly validated, accurate and safe technique to measure lung function in young babies and children. Data on environmental factors and lung function will help us explore the risk factors for the development of allergy, asthma and lung infections in early life.
High Flow Cannula Therapy In Bronchiolitis, A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,283,342.00
Summary
Bronchiolitis is the leading cause of paediatric hospitalisation in Australia. Despite multiple research studies the outcome has not changed. Our recent studies supported by other international studies have shown that the use of high flow nasal cannula oxygen may reduce the severity and prevent progression of the disease. We aim to investigate if HFNC in regional hospitals can reduce the number of infants transferred to specialist children’s hospitals and reduce the socio-economic burden.
Is There Cytomegalovirus In Mothers Breastmilk And Does It Cause Infection In Very Premature Babies?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$235,970.00
Summary
The hypothesis behind this study is that some very premature infants become infected with cytomegalovirus (CMV) from their mother's breast milk. This proposal is for a study of 200 CMV antibody positive mothers who are expressing breast milk for their very premature infants. We believe this is likely to be about 50% of all mothers. It has been well established that some full term infants are infected with CMV from their mother's breastmilk. The question now is do very premature infants with poor ....The hypothesis behind this study is that some very premature infants become infected with cytomegalovirus (CMV) from their mother's breast milk. This proposal is for a study of 200 CMV antibody positive mothers who are expressing breast milk for their very premature infants. We believe this is likely to be about 50% of all mothers. It has been well established that some full term infants are infected with CMV from their mother's breastmilk. The question now is do very premature infants with poor immunity develop serious infections from cytomegalovirus. This project has the overall aim of determining what proportion of very premature infants become ill with CMV excreted in their mother's breast milk, and then determining the nature and severity of those illnesses. It will also define how many mothers of premature infants are excreting CMV in their breast milk, the time this starts after birth, the viral load transmitted to the infant, the age after birth when the infants first become infected, the proportion who become ill with the infection, the details of the diseases and whether freezing breast milk kills the CMV.Read moreRead less