Improving the outcome of premature infants- a randomised trial of preventive care at home

Funding Activity

Website
http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/284512

Funding Status
Closed

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Funded Activity Summary

The high rate of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes of very premature infants is of major concern. In Australia there are approximately 2600 very low birthweight (VLBW, birthweight <1500 g) or very premature (<30 weeks' gestational age) survivors per annum. A large proportion of these infants (40%-50%) will later develop motor incoordination, cognitive impairment, attention deficits or behavioural problems (up to 1300 new cases per year). There is little research to test the efficacy of early preventive care programs geared to changing the infant's environment (physical management, behavioural regulation, maternal factors). In the proposed study we aim to use a low cost preventive care program at home conducted by physiotherapists and psychologists that has been shown to have utility and efficacy in pilot work, with follow up until 2 years of age. In subsequent studies we would aim to follow this cohort to school age, to determine if there are any lasting benefits of early intervention accompanied by measures of brain growth and structural development using advanced imaging techniques. Any new health care program should result not only in improvements in health, but should be affordable to implement so an economic evaluation will also be undertaken. This study will also utilise novel and advanced MRI brain imaging techniques to understand the complex interaction between brain injury and altered brain development in these infants with the risk and the repsonse to this program of care. In this way the changes in brain connectivity, structure and biochemistry can be formally defined to undertsnad the pathway of any potential benefit from this program.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2004

End Date: 01-01-2007

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $633,375.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Paediatrics

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

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Other Keywords

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder | Cerebral development | Cerebral palsy | Developmental disability | Magnetic Resonance Imaging | Neurodevelopmental outcome | Periventricular leukomalacia | Prematurity | Preventive care | Very low birth weight infant

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