Reducing Morbidities In Preterm Growth Restricted Neonates.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$687,214.00
Summary
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a serious complication of pregnancy and occurs when fetal growth is abnormal, resulting in a fetus that is smaller than it should be for its given gestational age. IUGR babies are at much greater risk of many short and long-term adverse outcomes. This study investigates the role that adverse cardiovascular development plays in the progression of lung, heart and brain disease in preterm IUGR newborns.
Does Maladaptive Remodelling Of The Heart And Vasculature In Response To Preterm Birth Lead To Long-term Cardiovascular Risk?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$535,086.00
Summary
Being born prematurely is linked to the development of high blood pressure (a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease) later in life. In this project we will examine whether injury to the cells lining the cardiovascular system and/or structural changes in the wall of the arteries and the heart, as a result of being born early, lead to an elevation in blood pressure and heart dysfunction in adulthood.
Understanding The Causes Of Childhood Congenital Anomalies Of The Kidney And Urinary Tract
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$609,748.00
Summary
Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) is a common cause of renal failure in children. The majority of patients with CAKUT do not know the underlying cause of their renal anomalies. In this proposal we will characterise the developmental events that are perturbed in three mouse models of CAKUT and identify the causal gene responsible in each mouse model. We will translate this information to the clinic by screening patients with CAKUT for mutations in these newly identified ....Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) is a common cause of renal failure in children. The majority of patients with CAKUT do not know the underlying cause of their renal anomalies. In this proposal we will characterise the developmental events that are perturbed in three mouse models of CAKUT and identify the causal gene responsible in each mouse model. We will translate this information to the clinic by screening patients with CAKUT for mutations in these newly identified genes.Read moreRead less
Being Born Small Is Not Good For The Heart:early Detection Of Cardiovascular Risk
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$486,757.00
Summary
Intra uterine growth restriction(IUGR) is linked to adult onset of cardiovascular disease. However, little is known about the mechanism(s) which underlie this link or which babies are most at risk. This study aims to assess cardiovascular function in infants and children who were growth restricted. Early identification of cardiovascular dysfunction may aid in new opportunities for monitoring and therapeutic targets to ultimately reduce later onset of cardiovascular morbidity in this population.
Impact Of Sleep Disordered Breathing On Cardiovascular, Behavioural And Neurocognitive Function In Preschool Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,703.00
Summary
Studies in school age children have shown that disruption to normal sleep patterns resulting from sleep disordered breathing (SDB) has severe consequences for both the cardiovascular system and neurocognition. To date there have been limited investigations of the effects of SDB in pre-school children despite the knowledge that disruptions to breathing during sleep are maximal at this age and the central nervous system which is immature and developing at this time, is most vulnerable to injury.
Cardiovascular, Neurophysiological And Neurocognitive Assessments To Define Sleep Disordered Breathing In Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$324,008.00
Summary
Disruptions to breathing during sleep (snoring), known as sleep disordered breathing occurs in up to 27% of children and forms a continuum of symptoms ranging from mild to severe. It has previously been thought that only severe disruptions to breathing, as occurs in obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), were of clinical significance requiring intervention, however recent studies have shown that even snoring with no currently used signs of altered blood oxygenation levels or sleep disruption can have a ....Disruptions to breathing during sleep (snoring), known as sleep disordered breathing occurs in up to 27% of children and forms a continuum of symptoms ranging from mild to severe. It has previously been thought that only severe disruptions to breathing, as occurs in obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), were of clinical significance requiring intervention, however recent studies have shown that even snoring with no currently used signs of altered blood oxygenation levels or sleep disruption can have a significant impact on daytime functioning and school performance. It is also known that cardiovascular disease is a long-term consequence of untreated sleep disordered breathing in adults, however the long-term effects on the cardiovascular system in children are unknown. This study will examine both the neurocognitive and cardiovascular effects of a range of severities of sleep disordered breathing in children and will identify new more sensitive markers of sleep disruption in order to predict neurocognitive dysfunction. In order to address this most important issue, this project will combine the expertise of scientists and clinicians in the fields of paediatric sleep, cardiovascular control and neuropsychological assessment from Monash and Melbourne Universities, and the Monash Medical Centre and Royal Children's Hospital.Read moreRead less
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.
The Impact Of Developmental Haemostasis On The Pharmacokinetics And Pharmacodynamics Of Heparin In Children.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$283,676.00
Summary
Unfractionated Heparin (UFH) is the most commonly used anticoagulant (blood thinning drug) in children. Despite this, the clinical evidence, in terms of reported treatment failures and bleeding complications, suggests the drug is used suboptimally in children compared to adults.This likely relfects the lack of specific studies of UFH in children. This study will, for the first time, define the pharmacokinetics-dynamics of UFH in children, allowing age-specific protocols to be developed. Pharmaco ....Unfractionated Heparin (UFH) is the most commonly used anticoagulant (blood thinning drug) in children. Despite this, the clinical evidence, in terms of reported treatment failures and bleeding complications, suggests the drug is used suboptimally in children compared to adults.This likely relfects the lack of specific studies of UFH in children. This study will, for the first time, define the pharmacokinetics-dynamics of UFH in children, allowing age-specific protocols to be developed. Pharmacological modelling of this data will likely have implications for the use of other anticoagulants in children.Read moreRead less
Febrile Seizures Following Vaccination In Children: How Common Are They And What Is The Long Term Clinical Outcome?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$693,779.00
Summary
Seizures following vaccination cause concern for both parent and healthcare providers and in this important study we will measure the risk of febile seizures after vaccines and follow up children who have had a febrile seizure shortly after receiving a vaccine to assess their medical health and developmental outcome. In addition children will be tested to see if they carry one of the known genetic mutations that is asociated with the development of seizures as a potential cause for their seizure ....Seizures following vaccination cause concern for both parent and healthcare providers and in this important study we will measure the risk of febile seizures after vaccines and follow up children who have had a febrile seizure shortly after receiving a vaccine to assess their medical health and developmental outcome. In addition children will be tested to see if they carry one of the known genetic mutations that is asociated with the development of seizures as a potential cause for their seizure following vaccination.Read moreRead less
Developmental Changes In Cerebral Oxygenation After Term And Preterm Birth
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$445,306.00
Summary
Approximately 10% of all births are preterm and the numbers of infants surviving are increasing. We have previously found that infants born preterm have lower blood pressure over the first 6 months after term equivalent age than infants born at term. We will use new technology to examine how preterm birth affects brain oxygenation and how this is altered with gestational age, sleep states and sleeping position, to provide insights into their increased risk for SIDS.