Neonatal Cranial Ultrasound: Safety, Knowledge And Practice Of Prolonged Or Repeated Exposure To Acoustic Waves
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$255,055.00
Summary
Ultrasound is routinely used for diagnosis of brain lesions amongst newborns. Animal studies have shown that ultrasound can sometimes be harmful to the brain. We currently have very little information on the characteristics of neonatal cranial scans. This project will investigate current knowledge of safety and training via a nationwide survey, analyse the elements of 'typical' scans and measure brain surface heating after ultrasound amongst neonates.
Understanding White Matter Injury In Term-born Children With Cerebral Palsy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$193,863.00
Summary
The type of brain injury in cerebral palsy varies. In some children the brain develops abnormally in early pregnancy; others have a stroke or suffer from lack of oxygen around the time of birth. Little is known about the group of children born at term who have damage to the brain’s white matter, a pattern more typical of premature birth. This project will explore brain imaging, potential risk factors, and clinical outcomes for these children to identify possible causes and prevention pathways.
The Burden Of Late Preterm Birth On Brain Development And 2 Year Outcomes – A Prospective, Longitudinal Cohort Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$838,690.00
Summary
80% of preterm babies are born from 32-36 weeks’ gestation, and are late preterm (LPT). LPT children have more learning problems, but why this occurs is unknown. This study aims to understand the effect of LPT birth on brain development. We will do brain scans at term and assess development at 2 years of age of 200 LPT and 200 full-term children. We expect LPT babies will have subtle alterations in brain development compared with term controls which will be associated with delayed development.
Executive Dysfunction And Brain Development In Very Preterm 13-year-olds - A Longitudinal MRI Study.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$738,656.00
Summary
An area of concern for very preterm children is executive function (i.e. skills used for problem solving), which is related to educational problems, behavioural issues and social difficulties. In very preterm children this study will 1) determine if executive function problems remain stable, worsen, or improve with age; 2) look for markers for these problems from infant brain scans; and 3) examine how executive function difficulties are related to brain re-organisation.
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.
Long-term Effect On Offspring Of Low To Moderate Or Binge Drinking During Pregnancy.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,688,992.00
Summary
Drinking during pregnancy is a major public health issue. The majority of pregnant women consume some alcohol during pregnancy or the peri-conception period, which is extremely concerning given the potential consequences associated with prenatal alcohol exposure. We will study the effects of low to moderate and binge drinking during pregnancy in early school-aged children by testing for subtle alterations in craniofacial shape, brain structure and function, and neurobehavioural functioning.