The Neonatal Research Program consists of 38 projects and covers; neonatal infection, infant pain response, neonatal lung disease and respiratory care, strategies for improving training in neonatal resuscitation, newborn feeding, support and education for parents, and neonatal hypoglycemia. With the arrival of Dr David Knight in mid May, projects relating to patent ductus arteriosus in premature infants are also anticipated. Helen Liley is a Neonatologist in the Division of Neonatology at MMH. Diane Karamujic is a Clinical Research Coordinator and neonatal nurse who will work closely with Helen Liley in supporting researchers in the Neonatal Program.
Every year more than 8,000 babies are born at Mater Mothers' Hospital. While most have a healthy start, others struggle with their fragile grip on life for days - sometimes even months. Prematurity causes substantial perinatal mortality and morbidity, and neonatal intensive and special care practices need to undergo constant audit and refinement to ensure the best possible short and long term health outcomes. At the time of premature birth, every organ system in the infant is either unready to support extra-uterine life, or is prone to injury, or both. Term infants can also encounter problems with the changes that need to occur in the function of every organ system in the body during the transition from intrauterine to extrauterine life. The neonatal research program focuses improving care of babies who due to prematurity, congenital anomalies or other causes have short or longer term problems with the adaptation to air breathing, to feeding by mouth and sustaining a normal blood glucose, and in avoiding serious systemic infection. The effect of the intrauterine milieu on infant responses, and methods of improving training of staff and support of and communication with parents are also important foci.
Over 1,400 premature and seriously ill babies spend anywhere from a couple of days to a few months in Mater Mothers' Intensive and Special Care Nurseries every year. In addition 100 critically ill babies are retrieved from areas throughout Queensland and Northern New South Wales and brought to Mater Mothers' Hospital in Brisbane for specialised medical and nursing care. Our highly specialised team of doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals work around the clock to provide the very best care to sick and preterm babies and their families.
Program Head
David Knight
Research Teams