The Australian stillbirth rate has remained unchanged for 20 year. Current approaches to identify fetuses at risk of stillbirth is unsuccessful. Women who had stillborn commonly reported on abnormal baby movements prior to the loss. Unfortunately, there are no robust way to assess fetal movements. This project aims to develop a low-cost, lightweight, soft, conformal and non-intrusive wearable fetal movement monitor AI system to understand and reduce stillbirth nationally and globally.
In Australia, over 2000 families suffer the tragedy of stillbirth each year. By building on our achievements of the first Stillbirth CRE rapidly translating new research into maternity care, we will reduce stillbirth rates by 20%, and reduce inequities in stillbirth rates by Australia by 2025. We also anticipate a reduction in adverse neonatal outcomes. When stillbirth or neonatal death does occur, our research aims to ensure that all women and families receive optimal care.
Optimising Future Human Health By Optimising Birth Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$876,005.00
Summary
Laureate Professor Smith received an AM for his research on human pregnancy and contributions to Indigenous maternal health. His research has dramatically expanded in the last 5 years to include stillbirth, viral infections during pregnancy, early detection of renal disease, the development of targeted nanoparticles for delivery of therapeutics to the uterus, and data-linkage to test the impact of antenatal care. His research seeks to optimise the health of pregnant women and their children.
Better Data To Inform Interventions To Reduce The Risk Of Stillbirth In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$75,830.00
Summary
Stillbirth is a devastating experience for parents and families. Paucity of high quality data on causes and contributing factors is a major barrier to the development of research priorities and interventions to prevent stillbirths and improve the quality of care. This research will be a connected body of work that aims to better describe the epidemiology of stillbirth in Australia, contribute to the classification of stillbirths and determine the needs of parents in relation to autopsy consent.
Stillbirth is a global public health problem. In Australia, almost 3,000 stillbirths occur each year and death places a significant psychological burden on parents, families and caregivers. The community impacts through social and economic costs are also substantial. Many stillbirths are preventable with known and novel interventions. Through a CRE dedicated to stillbirth, we aim to strengthen our collaborations locally and internationally, and reduce stillbirth, and improve care for parents.
Pathways To Avoidable And Unexplained Deaths In The Early Lifecourse
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,108,086.00
Summary
There continues to be unacceptable numbers of avoidable deaths in early life in Australia, particularity among disadvantaged groups. This project will use novel, large-scale population data to identify and quantify the impact of risks to early life mortality and preventable pathways. This new knowledge will inform new strategies to prevent stillbirth and child deaths for the benefit of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and other populations.
Is Placental Aging The Key To Understanding, Predicting And Preventing Stillbirth?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$473,861.00
Summary
Stillbirth occurs in 35 times as many pregnancies as sudden infant death but the causes are unknown. This project will help to develop tests that can predict the risk of stillbirth so that the obstetrician can deliver the baby before it dies. The investigators hypothesise that stillbirth is due to aging of the placenta and that markers of the aging placenta can be detected in the mother’s blood. The project brings together experts in the placenta, aging and obstetric care of high risk pregnancy.
In Australia, over 2,000 families every year have a stillborn child. Each of these deaths places a heavy psychological and financial burden on parents and families and the wider community. Progress in preventing these deaths has been very slow and despite the impact of this loss, the care provided for parents following a stillbirth is often inadequate. I am leading a national research program to reduce stillbirth and improve care for parents when their child is stillborn.
Translating New Therapeutics And Diagnostics For Major Pregnancy Complications
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$481,156.00
Summary
My research is focussed on tackling major complications of pregnancy that are a threat to the lives of both mother’s and babies. We are developing new drug treatments for ectopic pregnancy (a dangerous condition where the pregnancy implants in the Fallopian tube), and preeclampsia (a condition where toxins leak out of the placenta into mum's blood, and can seriously injure many of mum's major organs). We are also generating a blood test that may help women avoid the tragedy of a stillbirth.
The Impact Of Maternal Nutrition And Depression On Infant Morbidity, Growth And Development In Vulnerable Populations.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$133,351.00
Summary
Malarial infection in pregnant women can lead to serious consequences for the baby including death, low birth weight and bacterial infection. Babies born in the community are more likely to die than babies born in hospital, therefore improving basic medical care for babies at the community level should be an important priority. We aim to evaluate the causes of death and severe illness in newborn infants in Papua New Guinea, and to determine community based strategies to improve these outcomes.