Long Term Outcomes Of Infant Lung Function In Cystic Fibrosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$509,456.00
Summary
We have shown that babies with cystic fibrosis (CF) who are apparently well can still have lung problems. As lung disease is the major cause of death in CF we need ways to monitor the condition in babies, identify those at greatest risk of lung changes and predict which children should receive newer treatments. We have developed a unique program for the measurement of lung function in babies. We now aim to find out the long term consequences of lung function changes detected in infants with CF.
The Use Of Probiotics To Reduce The Incidence Of Sepsis In Premature Infants.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$808,733.00
Summary
Currently, premature infants are born without the normal immune defenses of infants born at the correct time because the protective factors that normally pass from the mother to the baby during the last few months of pregnancy have not had time to do so. In addition the tiny premature infants are at risk because they need the expertise of intensive care and are therefore separated from their parents and their parents' organisms which healthy term infants normally pick up from the birth canal and ....Currently, premature infants are born without the normal immune defenses of infants born at the correct time because the protective factors that normally pass from the mother to the baby during the last few months of pregnancy have not had time to do so. In addition the tiny premature infants are at risk because they need the expertise of intensive care and are therefore separated from their parents and their parents' organisms which healthy term infants normally pick up from the birth canal and their parents skin. The infants commonly develop infections from organisms living on their skin surfaces or inside their lungs, stomach or bowels. The babies are living in a hospital environment which they need to survive, but they may pick up particularly unhealthy organisms (pathogens) that produce toxins, which are difficult to treat even with antibiotics. These infections are so severe that one-fifth of the babies die, even in Australia where facilities for premature infants are excellent. Two recent studies overseas have shown that giving premature babies special preparations of certain probiotic organisms decreases the chance of babie developing infections. Probiotics are organisms that have health benefits. Probiotics tighten the spaces between cells to stop bacteria getting into the body, produce substances that kill other bacteria and promote the production of immunoglobulin A by the baby's own cells. Immunoglobulin A is a substance that lines the bowel wall and protects the baby from invasion by bacteria. This study will offer this probiotic product to very premature babies in a trial to see if it produces additional benefits for our babies in Victoria. Around five hundred babies will be given the product and five hundred will be given the placebo ( a harmless inert product which will look just like the real probiotic). Currently 23% of our babies get the serious infections and this study is powerful enough to see if we can reduce the number by one third.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.
Neurobehaviour Between Birth And 40 Weeks In Infants Born
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$832,215.00
Summary
Very preterm infants (born at <30 weeks’ gestation) are at risk of long term developmental problems with 50% having cognitive, motor or behavioural problems. This study will examine, for the first time, neurobehavioral development of very preterm infants from birth so that we can describe neurobehaviour for a given gestation from birth to term equivalent age, and explore how it relates to brain growth or injury and to neurodevelopmental outcome at two years’ corrected age.
Australasian Cerebral Palsy Clinical Trials Network (AusCP-CTN): Optimising Interventions And Effective Services For Children With Cerebral Palsy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,499,287.00
Summary
Cerebral Palsy (CP) is common and disability can be progressive so the heathcare burden is immense (0.14% GDP). Our Clinical trials network will improve early detection and develop new interventions to improve physical, cognitive and health outcomes for children with CP and their families. Recruitment from the national CP Register will address clinically important questions and test implementation of effective treatments. New Clinical Practice Guidelines will ensure translation internationally.
Understanding The Shared Determinants And Causal Pathways Of Early Life Infection, Inflammation And Atherosclerosis.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$632,803.00
Summary
Infection is the commonest reason for childhood hospitalisation, but it is unknown why infection is much more severe in some children. The long-term effects of infection on the development of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), the underlying cause of cardiovascular disease, is also unknown. This research investigates these important questions with the aim of developing better prediction and prevention of severe infection and reducing its impact on adult cardiovascular disease.
A Population-based Longitudinal Assessment Of Early Life Vitamin D And Risk Of Food Allergy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$466,086.00
Summary
There has been a dramatic and unexplained increase in food allergy over recent decades. The increase in food allergy may relate to a concordant increase in early vitamin D insufficiency, however this hypothesis has never been directly tested. This project will use existing/funded samples from two NHMRC funded studies to conduct a detailed investigation of (i) the determinant and predictors of early life vitamin D insufficiency; and (ii) the association of vitamin D insufficiency and food allergy ....There has been a dramatic and unexplained increase in food allergy over recent decades. The increase in food allergy may relate to a concordant increase in early vitamin D insufficiency, however this hypothesis has never been directly tested. This project will use existing/funded samples from two NHMRC funded studies to conduct a detailed investigation of (i) the determinant and predictors of early life vitamin D insufficiency; and (ii) the association of vitamin D insufficiency and food allergy.Read moreRead less