Investigating The Relationship Between Depression, Anxiety And Nausea And Vomiting During Pregnancy: Causation Or Shared Liability?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,874.00
Summary
Recent studies showing women who experience severe Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy (NVP) have higher rates of Anxiety and Depression prior to pregnancy have revived earlier hypotheses that NVP may have a psychogenic component. We hypothesize that Anxiety and Depression do not play a causal role in NVP but rather, the relationship is due to shared risk from genetic effects that influence both traits. We will test this hypothesis using genetic and epidemiological approaches.
Vaginal Microbial Biomarkers For The Prevention Of Preterm Birth
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$579,763.00
Summary
Preterm birth is the leading cause of death and disability in children under 5 years of age. Bacterial infection triggers most preterm births but conventional antibiotic therapies are unsuccessful as a preventative treatment. We have a powerful new treatment, solithromycin, that should eradicate these infections, but to date, we are unable to identify women who would qualify for treatment. This study aims to use vaginal microbiological characteristics to identify early in pregnancy those women
A Practice Change Intervention To Increase The Provision Of Antenatal Care Addressing Maternal Alcohol Consumption During Pregnancy: A Stepped-wedge Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$766,349.00
Summary
Alcohol consumption during pregnancy contributes to a range of adverse outcomes for the child. Despite guidelines recommending no alcohol use in pregnancy, less than half of all health professionals routinely raise the topic with pregnant women and pregnant women continue to consume alcohol. This study aims to determine if a practice change intervention can increase best-practice care for alcohol consumption in pregnancy.
A Prospective, Open-label, Single-centre/multi-site, Randomized Clinical Trial Of A Novel Maternal Microbiological “screen & Treat” Program Compared With Normal Care For The Prevention Of Preterm Birth
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,708,561.00
Summary
In 2014, our team launched the world-unique Western Australian Preterm Birth (PTB) Prevention Initiative and reduced the rate of PTB state-wide by 8%. Our next step is to trial a “screen & treat” program to detect women in mid-pregnancy at high risk of infection-driven PTB and treat them with antimicrobial medications. The study will involve more than 6000 women and aims to lower the rate of spontaneous PTB rate by 30%, which if applied nationally, may prevent 4500 PTBs each year.
A Randomised Controlled Trial Of Iodine Supplementation In Pregnancy To Enhance Neurodevelopment In Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,032,008.00
Summary
The mild iodine deficiency common among people living in South Eastern Australia is of sufficient concern for the government to order that all bread be fortified with low dose iodine. This fortification falls well short of the amount health workers think is required by pregnant women and this could prove harmful to their children. This trial will determine if a daily iodine tablet taken during pregnancy improves the development of children.
Poorly-controlled gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) can have negative outcomes for mother and baby. Nutrition counselling is the first line strategy to manage GDM and can prevent the need for insulin. No Australian GDM nutrition practice guidelines (NPGs) exist, but better outcomes have been shown in America following a evidence-based schedule of dietary counselling. This project will investigate implementation of American NPGs in an Australian setting, using the latest nutrition advice.
Investigating Causes Of Stillbirths: A Prospective Cohort Study Examining Use And Effectiveness Of A Comprehensive Investigation Protocol
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$567,508.00
Summary
The effects of stillbirth on women and their families are often devastating and long term. Many stillbirths are not appropriately investigated, resulting in lack of accurate data on causes with one-third classified as unexplained. A major driver for suboptimal investigation is the lack of research to guide which tests should be done. This study aims to accurately identify causes of death in 984 comprehensively investigated stillbirths and determine which tests are needed, with consideration of c ....The effects of stillbirth on women and their families are often devastating and long term. Many stillbirths are not appropriately investigated, resulting in lack of accurate data on causes with one-third classified as unexplained. A major driver for suboptimal investigation is the lack of research to guide which tests should be done. This study aims to accurately identify causes of death in 984 comprehensively investigated stillbirths and determine which tests are needed, with consideration of costs and value.Read moreRead less
Exploring The Impact Of Blood Transfusion On Maternity Outcomes And Healthcare Utilisation: Informing The Use Of Blood And Blood Products In The Obstetric Setting
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$492,479.00
Summary
Around 1 in 10 women suffer excessive bleeding after childbirth, 15% of whom will have a blood transfusion. New guidelines for obstetric blood management will be released in 2015. This research will investigate obstetric transfusion practices before and after guideline implementation. Research aims include identifying variation in treatment of women at risk of and experiencing transfusion, addressing knowledge gaps in guidelines and investigating emerging issues in obstetric transfusion medicine