Genetic And Environmental Factors And Early Lung Problems Can Be Related To Allergy And Poor Lung Development In Preschool Age Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$122,032.00
Summary
This important new collaboration between the Murdoch ChildrenÍs Research Institute and Barwon Health explores the impact of early lung development on longer term respiratory health. It utilises a newly validated, accurate and safe technique to measure lung function in young babies and children. Data on environmental factors and lung function will help us explore the risk factors for the development of allergy, asthma and lung infections in early life.
Improving Respiratory Transition And Outcomes Of Newborn Infants
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$262,251.00
Summary
Effective mask ventilation is the most important intervention at birth that can reduce mortality and disability in term and preterm infants. I will develop strategies to help clinicians improve their resuscitation skills. I will also study new ways to better support babies’ transition after birth, to improve their short and long term outcomes. The results of this research will change the way newly born babies are cared for around the world.
Non-invasive Methods Of Measuring Work Of Breathing In Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$41,267.00
Summary
Sleep-disordered breathing such as obstructive sleep apnoea, is currently diagnosed if a child stops breathing more than once per hour. For children with asthma or cystic fibrosis, who may not stop breathing during the night, how hard their breathing muscles work can have a significant impact on their health. A non-invasive method of measuring respiratory effort, and incorporating this measurement into how sleep-disordered breathing is diagnosed, can revolutionize how sleep-disordered breathing ....Sleep-disordered breathing such as obstructive sleep apnoea, is currently diagnosed if a child stops breathing more than once per hour. For children with asthma or cystic fibrosis, who may not stop breathing during the night, how hard their breathing muscles work can have a significant impact on their health. A non-invasive method of measuring respiratory effort, and incorporating this measurement into how sleep-disordered breathing is diagnosed, can revolutionize how sleep-disordered breathing in children are managed world-wide.Read moreRead less
I am an orthopaedic surgeon and clinician-scientist based at Sydney’s largest children’s hospital. My goal is to improve treatments for children with traumatic injuries and bone deformity. I have worked in bone research for over 20 years. My current research interests are finding new treatments for drug-resistant bacterial infections, treating genetic bone disease, and developing new medical devices to help children’s bones grow straight.
A Subphenotyping Approach To Identifying Genes Responsible For Isolated Clefts Of The Lip And Palate.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$679,707.00
Summary
Clefts of the lip and palate are the most common birth defects involving the face. The genes responsible for these conditions have been difficult to find in the past. We have identified a method through which the chances of finding these genes is greatly increased. Detailed measurements of a number of facial features in cleft patients and unaffected first-degree relatives will provide a much clearer picture of those at higher risk of being affected by this debilitating disorder.
Defining Regional Lung Mechanics To Improve Lung Protective Ventilation Strategies In Newborn Infants
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$287,321.00
Summary
Over 3000 newly born infants require mechanical ventilation in Australia every year. The majority are very premature infants. About 30% of ventilated infants develop serious ventilator induced lung injury. Minimising such lung injury with improved techniques of ventilation which can protect the lung from injury will reduce the considerable short and long term health burden of this population.
Acute Respiratory Illness In Indigenous And Non-Indigenous Australian Children And The Pathways To Chronic Lung Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$415,218.00
Summary
Dr Kerry-Ann O'Grady aims to establish a comprehensive research program addressing acute and chronic respiratory infections in Australian children in urban, rural and remote areas. Drawing on national and international collaborations, Dr O'Grady will undertake a range of epidemiological and clinical studies that will address burden, risk, pathways to chronic lung disease and novel interventions aimed at improving lung health.
Investigation Of The Influence Preterm Birth On Lung Structure And Function In School Age Children.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$204,482.00
Summary
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remains the most significant chronic lung complication of premature birth. While some information on the long term respiratory outcomes in BPD exist there are no comprehensive studies linking lung structure, function and respiratory symptoms and relating these changes to neonatal history. Studies of this kind are essential to ensure future healthcare for these children can be planned accordingly.
Investigation Into Host Susceptibility And Immune Responses In Young Children With Acute Wheezing Due To Human Rhinovirus Group C Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$682,711.00
Summary
We recently made the surprising discovery that a new viral group, human rhinovirus group C (HRV-C), causes the majority of acute asthma in children. We also found that it causes half of the acute wheezing attacks in younger children, and is the only respiratory virus associated with allergy. So, HRV-C may be the key to the relationship between allergy and asthma. The planned project will focus on whether young children who wheeze with HRV-C have related defects in their immune system.