Adolescent Rural Cohort Study Hormones, Health, Education, Environments And Relationships
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,016,983.00
Summary
Adolescence is a time of major physical, emotional and social change, often characterised by risk taking and experimentation. Behaviours and decisions taken at this time of life will shape future health. This rural cohort study will for the first time will study the influence of pubertal hormones on behaviours, mental and physical health and general well being in adolescents.
Early School-Age Outcomes After Exposure To Repeat Prenatal Corticosteroids - A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,083,964.00
Summary
AIMS OF THE RESEARCH We have recently concluded a large clinical trial in Australia and New Zealand of repeat dose of antenatal corticosteroids given to women who were likely to deliver their baby too early (before 34 weeks of pregnancy). We have been able to show that repeat doses of corticosteroids before birth significantly reduces the risk of the baby developing respiratory difficulties after birth from 41.4% to 32.8%. However, we are not sure if this potentially important improvement will t ....AIMS OF THE RESEARCH We have recently concluded a large clinical trial in Australia and New Zealand of repeat dose of antenatal corticosteroids given to women who were likely to deliver their baby too early (before 34 weeks of pregnancy). We have been able to show that repeat doses of corticosteroids before birth significantly reduces the risk of the baby developing respiratory difficulties after birth from 41.4% to 32.8%. However, we are not sure if this potentially important improvement will translate into better outcomes for the children as they grow older and reach school-age. As there are many examples of treatments given around the time of birth that have been shown to have some short-term benefits, but substantial long-term harms, we must be as certain as we can be that any advance in one small area of health is not counterbalanced by disadvantages in other health areas. This is particularly important to find out for repeat antenatal corticosteroids given the earlier conflicting reports from non-randomised studies. We plan to assess the 1085 survivors from our earlier clinical trial of repeat dose of prenatal corticosteroids when they are of early school age. We will assess their movement and other important areas of their brain function, as well as their school progress, blood pressure, lung function and general health and growth. EXPECTED OUTCOMES OF THE RESEARCH If we find important improvements in health outcomes at school-age in children exposed to repeat corticosteroids, without any substantial couterbalancing adverse effects, repeat steroids will be recommended standard therapy in women who are likely to give birth to their baby very early. This will lead to a reduction in the burden of ill health.Read moreRead less
The Effect Of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea And Its Treatment On Exercise Capacity On Obese Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$60,787.00
Summary
The aim of the study is to explore the effect of sleep apnoea and its treatment on obese children aged between 7 - 13 years. The project will study the effect of sleep apnoea and its recommended treatment on: 1. lung and cardiovascular function 2. blood markers (including cholesterol and insulin), and 3. quality of life in obese children. It is hoped this study will show treatment reverses any negative outcomes caused by sleep apnoea in obese children.
Acute respiratory illness and cough in children accounts for a substantial proportion of childhood morbidity and associated costs. This project aims to identify how many children develop a chronic cough after acute respiratory infection, what the risk factors are, how it affects everyday life and how much it costs families and society. This information will help inform health policy and guidelines to facilitate early detection of chronic lung disease and reduce the burden of coughing illness in ....Acute respiratory illness and cough in children accounts for a substantial proportion of childhood morbidity and associated costs. This project aims to identify how many children develop a chronic cough after acute respiratory infection, what the risk factors are, how it affects everyday life and how much it costs families and society. This information will help inform health policy and guidelines to facilitate early detection of chronic lung disease and reduce the burden of coughing illness in children.Read moreRead less
The Impact Of Sleep Disturbance On Daytime Functioning, Mood And Quality Of Life In Children And Adolescents With Cystic Fibrosis.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$62,146.00
Summary
Cystic fibrosis(CF) is the most common inherited chronic disease affecting Australian children. In adults with CF sleep complaints are common and associated with depression and reduced quality of life(QOL). There is a paucity of international data however regarding sleep in children with CF and assessment of paediatric sleep problems in CF is not routine. The aim of this study is to determine sleep patterns in children with CF and to examine the relationship between sleep quality, QOL and mood.
Impact Of A Sleep Intervention In ADHD: Translational Randomised Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,020,595.00
Summary
Up to 50% of children with ADHD experience sleep problems which worsen their ADHD symptoms, behaviour, quality of life and day to day functioning. In a previous trial, we showed that treating sleep problems in children with ADHD improves these outcomes. We now want to know if these benefits can be replicated when general paediatrcians and psychologists deliver the same sleep intervention in community settings.
Health-Related Quality Of Life In Intractable Paediatric Epilepsy: Using A New Measure To Improve Management
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$252,940.00
Summary
Until recently there was no adequate measure to assess the quality of life of children with epilepsy. Our Australian centre was the first to develop, validate and publish such an instrument; the Quality of Life in Childhood Epilepsy Questionnaire (QOLCE). We now aim to collect more data using the QOLCE to gain further understanding of the effects of epilepsy and its treatment on the quality of life of children. We will determine if surgery in children stops seizures and improves quality of life. ....Until recently there was no adequate measure to assess the quality of life of children with epilepsy. Our Australian centre was the first to develop, validate and publish such an instrument; the Quality of Life in Childhood Epilepsy Questionnaire (QOLCE). We now aim to collect more data using the QOLCE to gain further understanding of the effects of epilepsy and its treatment on the quality of life of children. We will determine if surgery in children stops seizures and improves quality of life. We also aim to find out if children with different types of epilepsies have unique quality of life issues. Finally, we aim to determine if the quality of a child's life depends on how well they are thinking and learning or how often they are having seizures. We will conduct this study in children with difficult epilepsy recruited from three major children's hospitals (Sydney Children's Hospital, the Children's Hospital, Westmead, Miami Children's Hospital, Florida USA) using a well designed methodology. Each child will have their particular type of epilepsy characterised using video and brain wave analysis. Each parent and older child will receive a quality of life package including the QOLCE to assess life function. In addition, all children will have an assessment of their thinking and learning by a child psychologist. At the completion of this project we will have established whether surgical treatment in children with epilepsy stops seizures and improves quality of life. This will allow clinicians and parents to better understand the effects of surgical treatment in this population. In addition, we will determine if problems in quality of life are associated with specific types of epilepsy. This information can be used to counsel families and tailor interventions and treatments. Finally, we will know whether a child's quality of life is determined by problems with thinking and learning and-or seizures.Read moreRead less
A Randomised Control Trial Of Medical Treatment Versus The Placement Of The Lap Band In Severely Obese Adolescents.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$481,905.00
Summary
There has been a substantial rise in the number of overweight and obese adolescents in our community. While prevention of obesity is the ultimate goal, effective stratagies for the management of obese adolescents must be sought. Unfortunately there are few studies that have focused on this problem in adolescents and success has been very limited. Modern obesity surgery is the only reliable method of achieving and sustaining major weight loss in severely obese (body mass index > 35 kg-m2) adul ....There has been a substantial rise in the number of overweight and obese adolescents in our community. While prevention of obesity is the ultimate goal, effective stratagies for the management of obese adolescents must be sought. Unfortunately there are few studies that have focused on this problem in adolescents and success has been very limited. Modern obesity surgery is the only reliable method of achieving and sustaining major weight loss in severely obese (body mass index > 35 kg-m2) adults and there are now several small studies that demonstrate its effectiveness in adolescents. Modern obesity surgery involving the keyhole placement of an adjustable band around the very upper part of the stomach has proven to be safe and effective and requires one 24 hr stay in hospital. In this collaborative study, involving the Monash University Centre for Obesity Research and Education and the Royal Children's Hospital, we propose to formally test, for the first time, the effectiveness of a weight loss program that includes adjustable band surgery, and compare this with a comprehensive best care behavioral program, over a period of 2-years in severely obese adolescents. We estimate that suitable subjects will come from the top 1% for body mass index in our community. After thorough assessment 50 suitable candidates with ages ranging from 14 to 18 years will be randomly allocated to one of the two treatment programs. The intensity of each program will be similar. A broad range of measues including: weight, health status, physical disability, psychological status, body image and quality of life, will be performed before and at completion of the 2-year programs. In addition we will compare the complications, compliance and cost of the two programs. This study will help us assess and compare the effectiveness of the 2 programs and provide vital information regarding the role of modern keyhole obesity surgery for the management of severely obese adolescents.Read moreRead less
RCT Of The Intragastric Balloon And Lifestyle Intervention Versus Lifestyle Intervention Alone In Obese Adolescents
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$598,976.00
Summary
For the first time in adolescents, Perth researchers will trial placement of a fluid-filled silicone balloon in the stomach. It will be used in conjunction with a lifestyle intervention, and so is expected to increase weight loss. The balloons are safe, effective at adult weight loss and an alternative to invasive surgery. Adolscent obesity rates are rising and treatment options are limited. The non-surgical balloon may be the alternative for adolescents who would previously had to have surgery.