Hospital Admission, Cerebral Palsy, Intellectual Disability And Birth Defects In Assisted Conception Infants.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$115,110.00
Summary
We have recently completed a study examining the prevalence of birth defects in assisted conception infants born in Western Australia from 1993-1997. Contrary to reassuring claims by other researchers in this area, we found that assisted conception infants have a two-fold increased risk of being diagnosed with a major birth defect by one year of age. We now propose to examine other long-term health outcomes in these children. This study involves record linkage between the WA Reproductive Technol ....We have recently completed a study examining the prevalence of birth defects in assisted conception infants born in Western Australia from 1993-1997. Contrary to reassuring claims by other researchers in this area, we found that assisted conception infants have a two-fold increased risk of being diagnosed with a major birth defect by one year of age. We now propose to examine other long-term health outcomes in these children. This study involves record linkage between the WA Reproductive Technology Register and four other population-based databases. The prevalence of cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, hospital admission and birth defects in assisted conception children born in WA between 1993 and 2001 will be compared to that seen in all other Western Australian children born over the same time period. The collection of information on risks associated with assisted conception treatment is vital to allow adequate counselling of couples considering fertility treatment. Cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, birth defects and hospital admission are all serious adverse health outcomes and, despite the introduction of IVF to most Western countries twenty years ago, there are limited data in the literature concerning the occurrence of these conditions in assisted conception infants. Quantifying the contribution of assisted conception treatment to neonatal, infant and childhood morbidity and mortality is also important for the planning of health service provision. Although assisted conception births represent only a small proportion of total births in Australia, these infants may require a disproportionate level of health care services, such as neonatal intensive care treatment due to complications associated with preterm or multiple birth. The wide application of assisted conception treatment in Australia and the increased number of pregnancies achieved by these means reinforce the urgent need for valid data on the health of children born after these procedures.Read moreRead less
A Population-based Study Of Progression And Risk Factors For Age-related Maculopathy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$776,022.00
Summary
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive disease, commencing with the less severe age-related maculopathy (ARM), that ultimately can lead to the loss of fine central vision and personal independence. People with advanced AMD generally retain some mobility if their peripheral vision is maintained, but they are unable to perform tasks such as reading, hobbies or recognising people's faces. Unfortunately, the available treatment for AMD, macular laser photocoagulation, benefits only ....Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive disease, commencing with the less severe age-related maculopathy (ARM), that ultimately can lead to the loss of fine central vision and personal independence. People with advanced AMD generally retain some mobility if their peripheral vision is maintained, but they are unable to perform tasks such as reading, hobbies or recognising people's faces. Unfortunately, the available treatment for AMD, macular laser photocoagulation, benefits only a minority of people with this disease. Until safe and effective treatments for AMD can be developed, identification of major risk factors for the development and progression of AMD is essential to determine if interventions aimed at primary prevention can be initiated. This project will expand on the initial findings of the Visual Impairment Project (VIP), a population-based study of age-related eye disease in a cohort of more than 5000 Victorians aged 40 years and older. Data from the VIP have shown that AMD is the most important ophthalmologic public health problem, particularly since AMD is the major cause of vision impairment in Australia and has the least available treatment options. This study will follow individuals who were identified in the VIP with ARM-AMD to determine the natural history and risk factors associated with the longer term progression of AMD. Particular emphasis will be on determining the role of cardiovascular disease risk factors in AMD progression.Read moreRead less
Metabolic Syndrome, Inflammation And Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease In Busselton
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$351,300.00
Summary
The metabolic syndrome is a clustering of obesity, insulin resistance, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. It could affect up to 30% of the population and often leads to diabetes and heart disease. Fatty liver disease is a chronic liver condition that often has no symptoms but can lead to serious liver damage. It could affect up to 25% of the population and is common even in people who drink very little alcohol. The rising prevalence of obesity in Australia suggests that the metabolic synd ....The metabolic syndrome is a clustering of obesity, insulin resistance, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. It could affect up to 30% of the population and often leads to diabetes and heart disease. Fatty liver disease is a chronic liver condition that often has no symptoms but can lead to serious liver damage. It could affect up to 25% of the population and is common even in people who drink very little alcohol. The rising prevalence of obesity in Australia suggests that the metabolic syndrome and fatty liver disease may be on the increase and therefore so too could diabetes and heart disease which already consume significant health resources. Using the unique health data collection of the Busselton Health Study in Western Australia, this project will help to determine how common these conditions are in Australia and lead to a better understanding of the nature and causes of these conditions including the possible role of chronic inflammation. This important information will be used to provide opportunities for better risk assessment, disease prevention, and earlier intervention.Read moreRead less
The starting point for this project is the recent finding that women who experience miscarriages or terminations of pregnancy before theuir first birth have an increased risk of having a preterm (premature) infant. These findings have prompted a re-evaluation of the relationship between the number of pregnancies a women has had and the likely outcome in later pregnancies. It will take into account the stage at which prior pregnancies ended, what the outcomes of the pregnancies were (birth, healt ....The starting point for this project is the recent finding that women who experience miscarriages or terminations of pregnancy before theuir first birth have an increased risk of having a preterm (premature) infant. These findings have prompted a re-evaluation of the relationship between the number of pregnancies a women has had and the likely outcome in later pregnancies. It will take into account the stage at which prior pregnancies ended, what the outcomes of the pregnancies were (birth, health baby, death, baby with a birth defect, termination, miscarriage etc), as well as factors such as maternal age, in relation to the risks in subsequent pregnancies. The expected outcomes and significance of the study are: * new evidence about factors causing adverse outcomes of pregnancy; * better information on the risk of recuurence of common birth defects; * more precise information on risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes for users and planners of maternity services.Read moreRead less