Role Of Viruses In The Development Of Lung Disease In Cystic Fibrosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,223,186.00
Summary
This study will investigate how lung disease starts in babies with cystic fibrosis and the role of viral infections in this process. The new knowledge gained will help us move towards treatments that prevent or delay the start of lung disease, something not currently possible. We believe this new treatment paradigm will lead to improved quality and extent of life of those with cystic fibrosis.
Imaging Lung Aeration And Lung Motion Following Very Premature Birth
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$517,631.00
Summary
Using a synchrotron as an X-ray source, we will image the lungs as they aerate at birth and optimise ventilation strategies that improve lung aeration while minimising the risk of ventilation-induced lung injury.
Respiratory failure at birth is a major cause of death and disease in newborn infants. At birth the airways must be cleared of liquid to allow the inhalation of air, but, little is known about the process of lung aeration, because it has not been possible to observe or measure it. We have developed imaging and analytical techniques to observed and measure lung aeration. We will determine ventilation procedures that promote uniform lung aeration and minimise lung injury in ventilated infants.
Long Term Outcomes Following Early Infection And Inflammation In Cystic Fibrosis Lung Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$75,006.00
Summary
This study involves the long-term follow up of birth cohort of 98 infants with cystic fibrosis, with the objectives of assessing the impact of lower airway infection and inflammation in infancy and early childhood on the development of CF lung disease over 20-25 years, and of describing the development of the lower airway microbiota in early CF lung disease and its relationship to clinical outcomes.
The Centre For Research In Childhood Early Respiratory Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,621,023.00
Summary
The Centre for Research in Childhood Early Respiratory Disease is dedicated to the prevention of lung disease in young children with chronic respiratory disease. We aim to better understand the process of lung disease to identify predictors of disease and to treat it better. We will investigate the psychosocial effects of early interventions to better manage families. We will facilitate collaborations to provide best practice guidance and will train the next generation of doctors and researchers
Postnatal Dexamethasone In Tiny Babies: Does It Do More Good Than Harm?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$394,688.00
Summary
The survival rate for tiny or very premature babies has improved dramatically in recent times, from below 10% in the 1960s to greater than 70% in the 1990s. However, some of these babies require prolonged periods of help with breathing and oxygen treatment to survive, and many develop a form of chronic lung disease in the newborn period. A powerful group of drugs, known as corticosteroids, have been used to treat or prevent this chronic lung disease in newborn babies, with some success in shorte ....The survival rate for tiny or very premature babies has improved dramatically in recent times, from below 10% in the 1960s to greater than 70% in the 1990s. However, some of these babies require prolonged periods of help with breathing and oxygen treatment to survive, and many develop a form of chronic lung disease in the newborn period. A powerful group of drugs, known as corticosteroids, have been used to treat or prevent this chronic lung disease in newborn babies, with some success in shortening the time that the babies need help with breathing. However, corticosteroids have the potential to cause long-term harm to the developing baby's brain, and may cause lifelong problems with thinking, walking, talking, seeing or hearing. We want to test in a clinical trial if corticosteroids, specifically dexamethasone, can reduce the need for help with breathing and the rate of chronic lung disease without causing long-term problems to the developing baby's brain. Babies who are very tiny (born weighing less than 1000 g), or born very early (born before 28 weeks of pregnancy, or more than 12 weeks premature) will be eligible for this study if they still need help with their breathing after one week of age from a machine called a respirator, and their doctor considers that corticosteroids might be helpful to the baby's breathing. Some babies will receive dexamethasone and other babies will be treated with a harmless placebo - chance will decide which treatment the baby receives. All other aspects of the babies' care will continue as normally. Children who survive to 2 years of age will be assessed fully to determine if they have any problems with their health, including problems with their thinking, walking, talking, seeing or hearing. We will determine if dexamethasone is helpful or not for very tiny or very premature babies who have breathing problems after the first week of life. We will also measure the economic impact of dexamethasone treatment in these babies.Read moreRead less
SCHOOL-AGE OUTCOME FOR VERY TINY/PRETERM CHILDREN BORN IN VICTORIA IN 1991-92
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$252,956.00
Summary
The survival rate for tiny or very premature babies has improved dramatically in recent times, from below 10% in the 1960s to greater than 70% in the 1990s. Several new treatments have helped to improve their survival rate, but some have the potential to cause long-term harm to the developing baby's brain or lung, and may cause lifelong problems with thinking, walking, talking, seeing, hearing, growth or breathing. Babies who are very tiny (born weighing less than 1000 g), or born very early (bo ....The survival rate for tiny or very premature babies has improved dramatically in recent times, from below 10% in the 1960s to greater than 70% in the 1990s. Several new treatments have helped to improve their survival rate, but some have the potential to cause long-term harm to the developing baby's brain or lung, and may cause lifelong problems with thinking, walking, talking, seeing, hearing, growth or breathing. Babies who are very tiny (born weighing less than 1000 g), or born very early (born before 28 weeks of pregnancy, or more than 12 weeks premature) will be assessed long term (to 8-9 years of age), as broadly as possible, and in comparison with normal birthweight (NBW, birthweight >2499 g) children. Outcomes will encompass academic progress and behaviour, brain function, general health, growth, and respiratory health. We will compare the outcomes for very tiny-preterm children who were treated with several of these new therapies with those who were not so treated. We will assess whether alternative measures of long term outcome that assess the quality of life are applicable to very tiny-preterm children. If so, these measures could be used much more widely, since they are cheaper and less time-consuming.Read moreRead less
A POPULATION-BASED COHORT INVESTIGATION OF LUNG FUNCTION IN RELATION TO EARLY LIFE LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT ILLNESS AND AEROALLERGN SENSITISATION
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$456,013.00
Summary
Infancy appears to be the critical developmental window during which important alterations in lung structure and function develop. In this study we will assess how early lung function evolves in relation to potential insults such as lower respiratory tract infections and allergic inflammation. These are the mechanisms by which asthma is thought to develop. We will use exciting new lung function tests to evaluate lung function abnormalities associated with peripheral dysfunction characteristic of ....Infancy appears to be the critical developmental window during which important alterations in lung structure and function develop. In this study we will assess how early lung function evolves in relation to potential insults such as lower respiratory tract infections and allergic inflammation. These are the mechanisms by which asthma is thought to develop. We will use exciting new lung function tests to evaluate lung function abnormalities associated with peripheral dysfunction characteristic of chronic airway disease such as asthma.Read moreRead less