I am a physiologist working in the area of paediatric sleep and its disorders to elucidate mechanisms involved in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, the consequences of preterm birth for later development of cardiovascular compromise and the consequences of sleep disordered breathing in children for disturbance of the cardiovascular system.
We have shown that premature birth leads to abnormalities in kidney structure and function. This project will determine in human infants, whether premature birth when combined with poor growth in the womb leads to an increase in these kidney abnormalities. Using animal studies we will examine specific factors which may adversely impact on kidney growth before and after premature birth. The findings are very relevant to the long-term kidney health of indigenous Australians.