Extracellular Acidosis And PH-modulating Drugs As Novel Therapies For Neuroprotection In Hypoxia/ischemia In The Newborn
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$452,310.00
Summary
Approximately 4 out of every 1000 babies suffer severe perinatal asphyxia (a period of a shortage of oxygen) during the birth process which carries with it a high risk of brain damage or death. Those babies surviving with a severe disability cost Australia $500,000,000 per annum in lifelong costs. With currently available methods, the presence of asphyxia is difficult to detect and hence prevention is often not possible. At present, there are no effective medications to treat asphyxia-related br ....Approximately 4 out of every 1000 babies suffer severe perinatal asphyxia (a period of a shortage of oxygen) during the birth process which carries with it a high risk of brain damage or death. Those babies surviving with a severe disability cost Australia $500,000,000 per annum in lifelong costs. With currently available methods, the presence of asphyxia is difficult to detect and hence prevention is often not possible. At present, there are no effective medications to treat asphyxia-related brain damage in babies. This study brings together a multi-disciplinary team driven by the clinical need to develop suitable strategies for neuroprotection in the developing brain. We will investigate the neuroprotective properties of the clinically relevant factor of acidosis and determine how acidosis influences neuroprotectant drugs. In the future, it is envisaged that this study will lead to rationally-based clinical trials aimed at improving neurodevelopmental outcomes for babies who suffer asphyxia and for infants who are victims of near-drowning or head trauma.Read moreRead less
Enhancing The Neuroprotective Benefit Of Hypothermia With Melatonin In The Asphyxiated Neonate
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$785,331.00
Summary
During labour, asphyxic episodes which cause a severe reduction in oxygen supply can become prolonged and result in perinatal brain injury, termed Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy, which may underlie cerebral palsy. Presently, newborn infants with suspected encephalopathy are cooled, which modestly protects the brain against cellular injury. We propose that the administration of melatonin to the newborn, in addition to cooling, will decrease the post-asphyxic formation of oxygen free radicals, th ....During labour, asphyxic episodes which cause a severe reduction in oxygen supply can become prolonged and result in perinatal brain injury, termed Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy, which may underlie cerebral palsy. Presently, newborn infants with suspected encephalopathy are cooled, which modestly protects the brain against cellular injury. We propose that the administration of melatonin to the newborn, in addition to cooling, will decrease the post-asphyxic formation of oxygen free radicals, thereby reducing the progression of brain damage.Read moreRead less
Aberrant Brain Development In High Risk Newborns: Relationship With Long Term Developmental Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$185,932.00
Summary
Brain development and long term outcomes are altered in high-risk babies. This research looks at the developmental outcomes of 3 high-risk baby groups i.e. late preterm babies (born 4-8 weeks premature), babies with seizures, and preterm babies who have received probiotics in the newborn nursery. In addition, how their brain development may be different compared with healthy term babies will be studies using advanced magnetic resonance imaging.
I am a neonatologist interested in improving the outcomes of graduates of neonatal intensive care units. Currently the focus of my research is stabilisation immediately following birth and my research portfolio ranges from bench-top and animal studies thr
Neurodevelopmental Outcomes After Novel Interventions In Newborn Infants
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$188,226.00
Summary
Children who were sick in the newborn period or born preterm are at increased risk of abnormal development, particularly problems with their ability to walk, think and learn. This research will assess how new treatments affect sick newborns’ later development. For example, giving preterm babies healthy germs, or probiotics, decreases a serious bowel infection, called necrotising enterocolitis or NEC. This research will find out if they also help preterm brain development when the children are 2 ....Children who were sick in the newborn period or born preterm are at increased risk of abnormal development, particularly problems with their ability to walk, think and learn. This research will assess how new treatments affect sick newborns’ later development. For example, giving preterm babies healthy germs, or probiotics, decreases a serious bowel infection, called necrotising enterocolitis or NEC. This research will find out if they also help preterm brain development when the children are 2 years old.Read moreRead less
Improving The Long-term Quality Of Life For Preterm Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$638,517.00
Summary
My vision is to improve the long-term quality of life of preterm children (<37 weeks’ gestation), with a specific focus on those born very preterm (VP; <32 weeks’ gestation). To achieve this goal my research has two broad and related aims: 1) Determine the neurological and socio-environmental mechanisms leading to impairments in preterm children; and 2) Develop and assess the efficacy of perinatal and early intervention programs for preterm children.
Premature babies often need assistance to breathe but this can injure the lung and lead to abnormal lung development and long-term lung disease. We have recently identified 3 factors that we believe are fundamental to initiating this abnormal lung development. We will demonstrate that these 3 factors mediate abnormal lung development following lung injury at birth. This information can then be used to reduce the incidence and severity of chronic lung disease of the newborn.
Early Identification Of Infants Who Will Benefit From Neural Rescue Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$206,320.00
Summary
Lack of oxygen supply before, during or immediately after birth can lead to severe disability or death. This occurs in about 1 in every 500 births and is one of the most important but unsolved problems in pediatrics. The costs (financial and other) to both the individuals involved, and the community in general, is very high. However the outlook for those affected by this condition is improving. Recent research has focused on the development of neural rescue therapies, which may decrease the exte ....Lack of oxygen supply before, during or immediately after birth can lead to severe disability or death. This occurs in about 1 in every 500 births and is one of the most important but unsolved problems in pediatrics. The costs (financial and other) to both the individuals involved, and the community in general, is very high. However the outlook for those affected by this condition is improving. Recent research has focused on the development of neural rescue therapies, which may decrease the extent of disabilities suffered by these children. The same treatments may also be helpful in children following near drowning and head trauma. Neural rescue therapies must be applied less than 24 hours following the event which has caused the reduction in oxygen supply. Thus, before these treatments can be tested, it is necessary to find a way to quickly tell which babies may benefit from the treatments. This study will trial a new method which is inexpensive and can be used without moving the baby away from its incubator. This technique involves a new application of an established technology to detect the redistribution of water within the brain one of the earliest signs of impending brain cell death. The research team consists of medical personnel from the intensive care nurseries of both the Royal Women's Hospital and the Mater Mother s Hospital, as well as scientific staff experienced in the use of this technology. If this technique is effective, it will enable babies to receive maximum benefit from new treatments and reduce long-term difficulties suffered by these children and their families.Read moreRead less
Monitoring Oxygen Saturation And Heart Rate In The Early Post Natal Period
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$344,150.00
Summary
In recent years experts have suggested that even a brief exposure to high oxygen concentrations during delivery room (DR) resuscitation is harmful. This has led to a change in our national DR resuscitation guidelines which now advise that 21% oxygen should be considered rather than 100% oxygen for infants of all gestational ages. I aim to develop evidence based guidelines for the use of pulse oximetry in the DR and early post natal period.
Does Placental Transfusion Prevent Death And Disability In Very Preterm Infants? Childhood Follow Up In The NHMRC Australian Placental Transfusion Study.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$889,406.00
Summary
A million babies are born before 30 weeks gestation worldwide each year. Many die or face a lifetime of disability. Enhancing placental transfusion in these infants by deferred clamping of the umbilical cord (DCC) is a simple procedure that may reduce mortality and major disability in childhood. The Australian Placental Transfusion Study (APTS), the largest ever RCT of deferred clamping, will follow up 1200 children born preterm to evaluate if DCC has childhood benefits at 2 years age.