An Exploration Of Cerebral Palsy Aetiology: Assisted Reproductive Technology And Congenital Anomalies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$89,420.00
Summary
Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common physical disability of childhood, describing a group of permanent disorders of movement caused by damage to the developing brain. The causes of CP are poorly understood for most people. This study will explore and quantify the impact of two known risk factors on CP: assisted reproductive technology and congenital anomalies. When these causes of CP are better understood, possibilities for prevention of this disability can be sought.
Professor Elizabeth Elliott AM is an international leader in rare disease research, as Director of the Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit and investigator on The Lililwan project in Fitzroy Valley's remote Aboriginal communities, WA. This will establish prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD); diagnose and manage affected children and support their carers; and provide data to inform service needs for FASD and prevention policy for alcohol use pregnancy.
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.
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.
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.
Improving Respiratory Transition And Outcomes Of Newborn Infants
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$262,251.00
Summary
Effective mask ventilation is the most important intervention at birth that can reduce mortality and disability in term and preterm infants. I will develop strategies to help clinicians improve their resuscitation skills. I will also study new ways to better support babies’ transition after birth, to improve their short and long term outcomes. The results of this research will change the way newly born babies are cared for around the world.