Repeated Prenatal Corticosteroids: Effects On Childhood Development, Behaviour, Growth And Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$265,900.00
Summary
Infants born preterm are at high risk of needing help with their breathing to survive. Corticosteroids given to the mother prior to preterm birth can substantially reduce these risks, although the beneficial effects of these drugs only seem to last seven days. Because of this there has been a tendancy to repeat the dose of prenatal steroids after seven days in women who remain at continued risk of very preterm birth. There has been no formal assessment of whether or not repeating the dose of pre ....Infants born preterm are at high risk of needing help with their breathing to survive. Corticosteroids given to the mother prior to preterm birth can substantially reduce these risks, although the beneficial effects of these drugs only seem to last seven days. Because of this there has been a tendancy to repeat the dose of prenatal steroids after seven days in women who remain at continued risk of very preterm birth. There has been no formal assessment of whether or not repeating the dose of prenatal corticosteroids is beneficial or harmful. In this clinical trial we will test what effect, if any, repeat doses of corticosteroids given to women who remain at risk of preterm birth, have on children at the age of two years Women are eligible for the trial if at of less than 32 weeks of pregnancy, they have received corticosteroids seven or more days ago, and they are considered to be at continued risk of preterm birth. Women are randomised to one of the two treatment groups. Half the women will receive a weekly intramuscular injection of corticosteroids up to the time of birth or 32 weeks gestation, whichever is earlier, whilst the risk of very preterm birth remains. The other half of the women will receive a saline placebo injection. Chance will decide which treatment the women receives. In this study all children who survive to 2 years corrected age will be assessed to see if they have any problems with their health, growth and development. In particular we will assess how well they can walk, talk, understand, see and hear. The trial will be able to assess whether repeat doses of prenatal corticosteroids are helpful or not for infants at risk of being born very preterm by comparing the short term effects on infant health after birth and whilst in hospital with the effects on the child's later health, growth and development. An economic assessment of repeat doses of prenatal corticosteroids will be made in these children.Read moreRead less
A significant proportion of Australian children are at health risk due to environmental metal exposure. It is suspected that exposure to metals during the prenatal period can result in permanent impairment. Human studies are, however, limited by lack of biomarkers that accurately measure exposure at specific times of intrauterine development. We are proposing to develop a novel method that utilizes human primary teeth to provide a direct measure of metal exposure during foetal development.
Disrupted Neurosteroid Synthesis Mediates The Adverse Effects Of Prenatal Stress
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$695,973.00
Summary
Maternal anxiety and related stress in pregnancy influences the fetus causing developmental changes that adversely affect the offspring leading to behavioural problems in childhood. However, mechanisms which transfer maternal changes to the fetus are unclear. We propose that disruption of the fetal-placental neurosteroid system is a major link. We will identify the deficits in this system caused by maternal stress and then examine therapies to reverse these disruptions.
Early Life Influences On Child And Adolescent Mental Health Problems
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$299,564.00
Summary
Many children experience mental health problems such as depression and anxiety, causing emotional pain for families and a huge economic cost for society. I aim to prevent these problems before they start. By identifying influences in a pregnant woman’s environment that might lead to mental health problems in her child, such as stress, fertility problems and environmental dangers, we can target these influences early and build positive mental health for children right from the very start of life.
Coronary artery disease usually presents with chest pain resulting from cardiac muscle being starved of blood and oxygen due to narrowings in the coronary arteries supplying the heart muscle (myocardial ischaemia). The common test to detect this state is the electrocardiogram or ECG which often shows changes known as ST segment shifts. This project follows earlier work and will explain why the ST changes occur and also will determine how to maximize the information from the ECG so that clinician ....Coronary artery disease usually presents with chest pain resulting from cardiac muscle being starved of blood and oxygen due to narrowings in the coronary arteries supplying the heart muscle (myocardial ischaemia). The common test to detect this state is the electrocardiogram or ECG which often shows changes known as ST segment shifts. This project follows earlier work and will explain why the ST changes occur and also will determine how to maximize the information from the ECG so that clinicians are better able to predict the site, size and timing of the ischaemia from the ECG. The proposal will use detailed measurement of the electric field around the ischaemic region to build up the three dimensional electric field from which the explanation as to why the body surface patterns occur will be gleaned by computer modelling. This project will extend the field measurement back into the myocardium using intramyocardial electrodes with a spacing of 2 mm. This project will result in better analysis of the ECG in patients with chest pain, better practice in selecting patients for admission or early treatment and could result in substantial savings to the health system from reduced admissions, more appropriate investigation and treatment. A better diagnosis on one patient daily in Austarlia alone would be expected to save one million dollars in the year.Read moreRead less
Improving Communication And Informed Decision Making In Prenatal Screening And Diagnostic Testing Among Women And Couples With Lower Education And Literacy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$329,115.00
Summary
It is widely accepted that women and couples should be given balanced information to help them make informed choices about undergoing tests to screen for, and diagnose, genetic conditions such as Down syndrome. Current information, however, requires high reading levels and is not suitable for low literacy groups. This research aims to develop and evaluate information to support women and couples with lower education and literacy in making informed choices about prenatal screening and testing.
Is Developmental Vitamin D Deficiency Associated With Autism-related Phenotypes: A Birth Cohort Study.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$348,285.00
Summary
There is evidence that low vitamin D before birth may increase the risk of autism. This study will examine this hypothesis based on a Dutch birth cohort. If there is a link between vitami D and autism, then this can be readily addressed with prenatal supplements.