Good nutrition is a vital element in a healthy start to life. Determining the correct foods to ensure that pregnant women meet both their needs as well as those of their new baby can be very confusing. Do I need to take iron supplements? How can I ensure I get enough iodine? This project will develop new methods for evaluating the effects of nutrients and to pass that information on to health practitioners so that Australian mothers will be in no doubt about the best diet for them and their chil ....Good nutrition is a vital element in a healthy start to life. Determining the correct foods to ensure that pregnant women meet both their needs as well as those of their new baby can be very confusing. Do I need to take iron supplements? How can I ensure I get enough iodine? This project will develop new methods for evaluating the effects of nutrients and to pass that information on to health practitioners so that Australian mothers will be in no doubt about the best diet for them and their children.Read moreRead less
Primary Prevention Of Infant Food Allergy: A Randomised Controlled Trial Of Postnatal Vitamin D Supplementation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,723,793.00
Summary
Low vitamin D has been linked to a range of health conditions but, unlike many countries, Australia does not recommend supplementing infants with vitamin D. Good quality research on the effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation to prevent disease is lacking. Our trial of 2330 infants examines whether a daily dose of vitamin D prevents the development of food allergy. Vitamin D is safe and low cost. Infant supplementation may be the first simple strategy to reduce this common childhood condition
Centre Of Research Excellence (CRE) In Newborn Medicine
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,622,320.00
Summary
Problems around birth are common and can have long-term implications, including into adulthood. Our goal is to improve health outcomes for all newborn babies and their families by determining factors that enhance outcome and assessing the benefits and consequences of new treatments for mothers and babies. We are world leaders in this field and are dedicated to training the next generation of health professionals in the care of newborn babies, in Australia and the rest of the world.
Evaluating Neonatal And Child Health Interventions For Evidence Based Planning And Practice In Low Resourced Countries
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$410,512.00
Summary
The overall aim is to develop a neonatal and child health research programme responding to the various needs of resource poor country governments and provide an evidence base for public and clinical interventions and health programming. One neonatal study is outlined evaluating alternative phototherapy treatment for neonatal jaundice.
Impact Of Parental Alcohol, Tobacco And Other Substance Use On Infant Development And Family Functioning
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,996,525.00
Summary
The current study will be the first large-scale Australian birth cohort study to comprehensively examine the effects of substance use in pregnant women and their partners during the prenatal period on infant developement and family functioning. Dramatically improved knowledge of these effects will provide evidence-based direction to the development of public health policy and community interventions that aim to improve the health and wellbeing of Australian children and families.
Long Term Impact Of A Community-based Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial Of Peer Counselling To Improve Infant Feeding On Growth & Cognitive Function Of Children Up To 5 Years In Urban Bangladesh
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$851,345.00
Summary
Bangladesh still faces high levels of inappropriate infant feeding leading to child undernutrition and delayed development. Effective programs are urgently needed to help reduce undernutrition and improve child development. This study in poor urban communities in Dhaka, Bangladesh will see if long-term counseling provided by local women to mothers about appropriate infant feeding can improve child’s nutritional status, growth and cognitive function in their children at 5 years.
Metformin And Dietary Advice To Improve Insulin Sensitivity And Promote Gestational Restriction Of Weight In Pregnant Women Who Are Obese: The GRoW Randomised Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,710,437.00
Summary
Obesity is a significant health issue during pregnancy and childbirth associated with well documented risks. Women who are obese commence pregnancy in a state of increased insulin resistance, the altered metabolic and inflammatory environment providing an excess of nutrients, and a stimulus to fetal growth. The aims of the GRoW randomised trial are to evaluate the effects of metformin and dietary advice to improve insulin sensitivity in obese pregnant women on health outcomes.
Early Life Approaches To Obesity Prevention – The Role Of The In-utero Environment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$575,662.00
Summary
This proposal will comprehensively evaluate the role of maternal overweight and obesity, gestational weight gain, and the effects of antenatal dietary and lifestyle interventions on maternal, infant and childhood health outcomes. Over 50% of pregnant women are overweight or obese, with adverse outcomes for maternal and infant health, both immediately related to pregnancy, and in the longer term. Outcomes from this proposal will inform clinical guidelines and improve practice.
Which Oxygen Saturation Level Should We Use For Very Premature Infants? A Randomised Controlled Trial.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,215,600.00
Summary
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a serious complication of premature birth, and is a major cause of preventable blindness. Babies who are born before 28 weeks gestation are at greatest risk for developing severe ROP. Oxygen is one of the most common therapies used daily to care for premature babies, but high oxygen levels are one of multiple factors that can disrupt normal eye development and contribute to ROP. The current dilemma is that doctors and nurses do not know what level of oxygenati ....Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a serious complication of premature birth, and is a major cause of preventable blindness. Babies who are born before 28 weeks gestation are at greatest risk for developing severe ROP. Oxygen is one of the most common therapies used daily to care for premature babies, but high oxygen levels are one of multiple factors that can disrupt normal eye development and contribute to ROP. The current dilemma is that doctors and nurses do not know what level of oxygenation is both safe and most effective for these babies. Whilst higher oxygen levels may increase ROP and other respiratory problems, it is possible that lower oxygen levels may affect other long-term outcomes. Because there is no definitive evidence regarding appropriate oxygenation, a wide spectrum of opinion and practice currently exist. Australia is conducting The Benefits of Oxygen Saturation Targeting Trial (BOOST II), a research study to solve this dilemma. BOOST II is a randomised, double blind, clinical trial, which will study the effects of using two ranges of oxygen saturation, 85-89% versus a higher range 91-95% for infants born before 28 weeks gestation. Both of these oxygen level ranges are currently used in normal practice. Patient safety will be monitored closely, and each infant will have their development, vision and health assessed by specialists at 18-24 months of age (plus the number of weeks premature), to see whether there is difference in survival free of major disability between the two groups. 1200 Australian infants will participate. This study will answer important questions about the benefits and risks of higher versus lower oxygen levels, and will improve the care of thousands of Australian children and millions more worldwide.Read moreRead less
Retinal Photography To Assess Early Kidney Development In Indigenous Babies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$888,098.00
Summary
The objective of this study is to identify infants who are at high risk off subsequent kidney failure . To achieve this objective, we plan to carry out comparison of kidney growth and function between Aboriginal and and non-Aboriginal infants from birth until they are 2 years old. We also hope to determine if changes in the blood vessels in these infants' eyes correspond to changes in the growing kidney- we are trying to determine if the eyes are the windows to the growing kidneys.