Towards Improved Respiratory Outcomes In Preterm Infants Through Rapid And Effective Aerosalisation Of Medication To The Lung
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Babies born premature are greatest at risk from increasingly common respiratory illnesses. It is possible that delivering a medication by aerosol will be the most effective method of treatment. For premature babies that need breathing support, inhaled medication could improve care. For highly infectious respiratory illnesses such as RSV, with no vaccines available, we need to protect babies very early in life. I will use an established lamb model to test fast medication delivery to the lungs.
Improving The Fetal To Neonatal Transition In Compromised Newborns; Towards Better Outcomes For Babies Born Too Soon Or With Under-developed Lungs
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
The birth of a compromised infant affects 13 million pregnancies worldwide annually and is the greatest cause of neonatal death, disability and chronic disease. I will identify mechanisms to greatly improve the fetal to neonatal transition in premature babies and babies with under-developed lungs. This research is urgently required to provide the necessary evidence to target interventions in the delivery room to reduce the short- and long-term burden of disease in compromised newborns.
Innate Immunity And Neonatal Infections In Preterm Infants
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$302,123.00
Summary
In Australia, over 20,000 babies are born prematurely every year. Over 430 of these babies will die in the neonatal period, while another 15,000 will suffer neonatal and/or lifelong morbidity. Forty seven percent of these neonatal deaths will be due to neonatal infections. This research aims to prevent such devastating loss through characterising aberrant innate immune responses associated with the development of neonatal infection and identifying factors that lead to this outcome.
Preventing Preterm Birth, And Preventing Diabetes In And Beyond Pregnancy - Influence Of Maternal Diets
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$322,982.00
Summary
Better nutrition for women in and beyond pregnancy Both preterm birth and gestational diabetes can cause long term health problems for mothers and children. Healthier food choices by women may help to reduce babies being born too soon, and may also reduce the chances that women will develop type 2 diabetes later in life. However changing diet habits is not easy and so we need to find effective ways for women to make these changes, especially while they are pregnant.
The Identification Of Thoracic Targets For Prevention And Intervention In Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$316,449.00
Summary
The persistence of breathing problems from infancy to later life is a complication of premature birth with lifelong consequences. Breathing problems often occur together with lung disease, but prematurity can also affect heart and blood vessel development, and weakness of the main breathing muscle. We will find out how much the heart, lungs and diaphragm contribute to breathing problems in babies; helping us to better predict, diagnose and treat severe breathing problems in babies born preterm.
Neuro-protection In The Preterm Brain - A New Role For Dopamine Therapy?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$183,975.00
Summary
Brain injury in premature babies leads to long term adverse outcome. Preliminary data show that dopamine improves brain oxygen. Our study will define effects of dopamine in preventing injury in the immature brain, using animal studies. In immature lambs receiving dopamine, we will test the protective effect of dopamine on brain oxygenation during hypoxia. Outcome will be measured by examining cell injury on lamb brain slices.
Breathing Easier: Optimising Non-Invasive Ventilation Of Preterm Infants
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$266,623.00
Summary
Every year in Australia more than 6000 premature babies need breathing support after birth. My research focuses on improving the application of ‘non-invasive’ breathing supports for premature babies. These therapies can avoid the baby needing to be connected to a mechanical breathing machine, thus reducing the risk of damage to the baby’s fragile lungs. My vision is to better understand the way non-invasive breathing supports work, and to provide world-first evidence for their use.
The kidneys of infants born preterm continue to develop after birth. However, preterm infants are exposed to high oxygen levels which may impact on ongoing development. In a rodent model of oxygen exposure, the blood vessels of the kidney and the numbers of stem cells will be assessed; additionally, further stem cells will be administered in order to try and prevent any impairment. It is expected that the findings of this study will help to explain the effects of preterm birth on the kidney.
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.