Improving Community Approaches For Common Childhood Conditions.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$478,602.00
Summary
Melissa’s end goal is community-based strategies that effectively prevent or manage common childhood conditions, which she addresses via four distinct yet unified programs of research (language-literacy, hearing loss, obesity, and early mental health-behaviour). All four programs are guided by long-term strategic plans that include advocacy and translation as central tenets. A further focus is research capacity-building in these areas via her substantial doctoral-postdoctoral programs.
ProbioticTreatment Of Diarrhoeal Disease And Malnutrition In Top End Aboriginal Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$332,036.00
Summary
Aboriginal children in the Top End of Australia have high rates of hospital admission for diarrhoea and malnutrition. We have discovered that underlying small intestinal damage in these children is an important contributor to the high complication rates and longer lengths of stay in hospital compared to non-Aboriginal children. This research proposes to continue our work on small intestinal damage by using two non-invasive tests of gut function, namely a sugar absorption test and novel breath te ....Aboriginal children in the Top End of Australia have high rates of hospital admission for diarrhoea and malnutrition. We have discovered that underlying small intestinal damage in these children is an important contributor to the high complication rates and longer lengths of stay in hospital compared to non-Aboriginal children. This research proposes to continue our work on small intestinal damage by using two non-invasive tests of gut function, namely a sugar absorption test and novel breath test. The sugar permeability test involves the children drinking a solution of the two sugars lactulose and rhamnose, and measuring their absorption into the blood 90 minutes later using a sophisticated measuring instrument called HPLC, which can measure minuscule amounts of sugars and is set up at Royal Darwin Hospital. The breath test involves children drinking another sugar solution with a special non-radioactive marker called a stable isotope of carbon, and measuring changes in the amount of this marker in carbon dioxide from the breath at timed periods after drinking the sugar solution. The breath is analysed in Adelaide using another sophisticated instrument. These tests are being used to measure abnormal sugar absorption due to intestinal damage, which is particularly common in Aboriginal children during the weaning period of 4-18 months. Our hypothesis is that treatment with 'healthy germs' (probiotics) like those in certain yoghourts will colonise the gut, stimulate immunity and reduce the presence of 'nasty germs' (pathogenic bacteria) in the intestines of Aboriginal children which contribute to the need for their hospitalisation with diarrhoea and malnutrition. If this hypothesis is correct, then this research will provide the best kind of evidence for reducing the need for hospital treatment by treating all cases of diarrhoea with these probiotics and possibly even decreasing the gut damage of children in the weaning period by including probiotics in their dietsRead moreRead less
Rapid Ferric Carboxymaltose Infusion (Ferinject) For Iron Deficiency Anaemia In Aboriginal Children: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,236,421.00
Summary
The “Rapid Iron Infusion Project” will assess whether an intravenous infusion of ferric carboxymaltose (Ferinject) given over 15 minutes in children prior to their discharge from hospital will reduce the risk of ongoing anaemia. The potential benefits of iron infusion include higher haemoglobin levels, fewer painful iron injections over the next 6-9 months, better adherence to recommended treatment, and less use of primary health care resources.
A COMMUNITY BASED STRENGTH TRAINING PROGRAM TO IMPROVE WORK TASK PERFORMANCE IN YOUNG ADULTS WITH DOWN SYNDROME
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$180,649.00
Summary
This study will compare the outcomes of a 10 week twice a week community-based weight training program for young adults with Down syndrome with an art program. It will establish if a student-led exercise program can improve their performance of work tasks and their activity levels. Should the program prove beneficial, we aim to achieve the long-term outcome of exercise being implemented as a sustainable, inclusive recreation option for this group.
Child Health At Two Years Corrected Age After Antenatal Exposure To Dexamethasone Or Betamethasone; A Randomised Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,777,593.00
Summary
Both dexamethasone or betamethasone, given to women at risk of preterm birth substantially improve neonatal and child health. There are conflicting reports as to whether dexamethasone is better than betamethasone? This randomised trial will assess this. If dexamethasone is more beneficial, there will be fewer deaths and fewer disabled children. This will be of great importance for the care of women at risk of preterm birth, their children and health services in Australia and internationally.
Does Antenatal Magnesium Sulphate Given To Women At Risk Of Preterm Birth Between 30 And 34 Weeks' Gestation Reduce The Risk Of Death Or Cerebral Palsy In Their Children? - A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,978,760.00
Summary
Antenatal magnesium sulphate is recommended prior to preterm birth at less than 30 weeks’ gestation. Whether there are benefits at later gestations is uncertain. This study is assessing whether magnesium sulphate given to women at risk of very preterm birth between 30 to 34 weeks’ gestation increases the chance of their baby surviving without cerebral palsy.
Vaginal Progesterone For The Prevention Of Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome - A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$935,107.00
Summary
Respiratory distress syndrome is a significant problem for babies born preterm. For these babies, a significant number will require support for their breathing. These babies are also at increased risk of dying, and in survivors, there is a risk of long-term disability. It is uncertain if giving vaginal progesterone therapy during pregnancy to women who have had a previous preterm birth can reduce these risks.
Vaginal Progesterone For The Prevention Of Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome - A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,243,111.00
Summary
Respiratory Distress Syndrome is a significant problem for babies born very preterm (at less than 34 weeks of pregnancy). For these babies, over 90% will require support for their breathing. These babies are also at increased risk of dying, and in survivors, there is a risk of long-term disability. It is uncertain if giving vaginal progesterone therapy during pregnancy to women who have had a previous preterm birth can reduce these risks. This randomised controlled trial will assess the use of v ....Respiratory Distress Syndrome is a significant problem for babies born very preterm (at less than 34 weeks of pregnancy). For these babies, over 90% will require support for their breathing. These babies are also at increased risk of dying, and in survivors, there is a risk of long-term disability. It is uncertain if giving vaginal progesterone therapy during pregnancy to women who have had a previous preterm birth can reduce these risks. This randomised controlled trial will assess the use of vaginal progesterone therapy for women at risk of preterm birth as a means of reducing the risk of neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome and improving the outcomes of their babies.Read moreRead less
A Randomised Controlled Trial Of A Community-based Weight Management Intervention In Obese Adolescents
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$79,534.00
Summary
This research will explore various aspects of managing overweight and obesity in adolescence, including a review of previous studies. The central focus will be participants' weight, health and behavioral outcomes in a randomised controlled trial of a community-based weight management program for 13-16 year olds. A focus group study will be conducted to increase understanding of parent-adolescent communication regarding overweight and the decision to seek treatment.
Prophylactic Antibiotics To Prevent Recurrent Lower Respiratory Tract Infections In Children With Neurological Impairment (PARROT) Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,210,224.00
Summary
We plan a randomised controlled trial to determine if 12 months of a type of antibiotics (compared to placebo) reduces hospitalisations in children with neurological impairment. Currently this group of children are recurrently hospitalised and some doctors use long term antibiotics but there is no high level evidence for this practice. The study will be undertaken in the UK and Australia and involve 474 children. The study will lead to better clinical care and inform guidelines.