Neonatal Research
Overview
The RBWH Neonatal Research Group includes individual clinicians and researchers from the Grantley Stable Neonatal Unit (GNSU) who work collaboratively with the Perinatal Research Centre. Members of the group represent a variety of research domains and expertise, with an overall aim to improve outcomes for babies and families through the cultivation of pioneering research, support for translation of research into practice, and innovation within clinical care. The group is inspired by the circumstances of babies and their families who require neonatal services, which drives consumer partnerships to answer important research questions. The group offers support and membership to novice and emerging researchers including nurses, medical trainees and students.
The Perinatal Research Centre‘s mission is to advance the health of mothers and babies by understanding and preventing pregnancy and birth complications.
Research Specific
To develop a strong research culture, the team promotes and advocates for dedicated time to conduct local and national studies. Over $2.7 million in grants and scholarships have been achieved in the last 10 years to facilitate research involving GSNU babies and families. This includes several grants and scholarships which supported post-graduate research qualifications for local clinicians, whom now mentor colleagues to undertake and participate in local research. Current studies, trials and collaborative projects are focused on:
- Donor milk research examining the effects of pasteurisation on milk components
- Effects of Infant Massage by the Mother on Neurodevelopmental Outcomes
- Hospital acquired complications related to neonatal vascular access devices
- Impact of Nutrition, Macronutrient intake, Growth and Body and Composition on neurodevelopmental outcomes
- Incubator humidity time periods for ELBW babies
- Micronutrient levels on neonates, mothers and the adherence on supplementation during discharge
- Micro sampling of blood specimens for neonates
- Neonatal Encephalopathy Brain Outcomes, MRI Biomarkers in term born infants for prediction of Cerebral Palsy
- Neuroplasticity to Improve Motor Performance in Infants with Cerebral Palsy
- Neuroprotective role of sulphate among preterm babies
- Prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress disorder symptoms of parents of infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
- Prevention of Adverse Outcomes of Neonatal Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy
- Rehabilitation for Congenital Hemiplegia
- Reference ranges for well term neonates overnight oximetry
- Skin injury prevalence and risk factors associated with mechanical force
- Standardisation of neonatal physiological parameters and development of neonatal early warning tools
- Stressors from Transfer and Retrieval Environmental including acceleration, vibration, light and sound
- Sedation for Neonates requiring life-saving Tracheal Intubation
Other key areas of focus include:
- Quality assurance on Infection control, Golden Hour, Volume Guarantee ventilation and Improving Mother’s own Milk supply for extreme prems and exclusive breastfeeding at discharge
- Neonatal Retrieval Service and improving outcomes during transport
- Factors that influence the prevalence of neonatal intraventricular haemorrhage
Research Teams
Divisions currently conducting research include:
- GSNU – RBWH Neonatal Research
- UQCCR- Perinatal Research Centre
Disciplines involved:
- Pharmacy
- Lactation
- Medical
- Nursing
- Physiotherapy
- Psychology
- Speech Pathology
- NeoRESQ (retrieval and transport)
- Infectious Disease
Collaborative partners:
- Griffith University
- University of Queensland
Research Publications
| Authors | Title | Journal | Year | Volume (issue); pages or DOI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flint A, August D, Lai M, Chawlad J, Ballarde E, Davies M. | Determining reference data for overnight oximetry in neonates: A pilot study. | Early Human Development | 2022 | v168 (doi.org/10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2022.105571) |
| Pienaar J, Davies MW. | Carbon dioxide levels when starting high frequency ventilation in neonates. | Open Journal of Pediatrics | 2022 | In press. |
| Flint A, August D, Lai M, Chawlad J, Ballarde E, Davies M. | Determining reference data for overnight oximetry in neonates: a pilot study. | Early Hum Dev | 2022 | In press. |
| Davies MW (on behalf of Cochrane Clinical Answers Editors). | How do short feeding intervals compare with long feeding intervals for bolus feedings in very preterm infants? | Cochrane Clinical Answers | 2022 | DOI: 10.1002/cca.3874. |
| O’Connor KL, Davies MW, Koorts P, Cartwright DW, Whitfield K | Gentamicin dosing in neonates with normal renal function: trough and peak levels | Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet | 2021 | |
| Hosking F, Griffin A, Davies MW | Weight gain in the first week of life and its association with morbidity and mortality in extremely low birthweight (ELBW) infants | Early Hum Dev | 2021 | 2021;160:105421 |
| O’Connor KL, Davies MW | Ventilation settings in preterm neonates with ventilator-dependant, evolving bronchopulmonary dysplasia | Early Hum Dev | 2021 | 2021;159:105417 |
| McIntyre C, August D, Cobbald L, Lack G, Takashima M, Foxcroft K, Marsh N, Smith P, New K, Koorts P, Irwin A | Neonatal vascular access practice and complications an observational study of 1,375 catheter days | Journal of Perinatal and Neonatal Nursing, Accepted March | 2021 | |
| August DL, Chapple L, Flint A, Macey J, NG L, and New K | Facilitating neonatal MARSI evidence into practice: Investigating multimedia resources with Australian Neonatal Nurses – a participatory action research project | Journal of Neonatal Nursing | 2020 | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnn.2020.12.001 |
| Paliwoda M, Bogossian F, Davies M, Ballard E, New K. | Physiological vital sign differences between well newborns greater than 34 weeks gestation: A pilot study | Journal of Neonatal Nursing | 2020 | 26(4):226-231. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnn.2020.02.002 |
| Berhkhout A, Kapoor V, Heney CI, Jones C, Clark J, Vaska V, Lai M, Nourse C. | Herpes Simplex virus infection in infants: 13 year evaluation (2005-2017) of laboratory confirmed cases in Queensland, Australia. | Pediatri. Infect. Dis. J.. | 2020 | |
| Gilmour D, Davies MW, Duong KM, Gilmour IJ. | NeoSTRESS: Study of Transfer and Retrieval Environmental StressorS upon neonates via a smartphone application – Sound. | J Paediatr Child Health | 2020 | 56(9):1396-1401 |
| August DL, Kandasamy Y, Ray R, Lindsay D, and New K. | Fresh perspectives on hospital acquired neonatal skin injury prevalence from a multicentre study: length of stay, acuity and incomplete course of antenatal steroids | Journal of Perinatal and Neonatal Nursing | 2020 | in press |
| Antoine J, Davies M, and Inglis G | Bacterial colonisation of endotracheal tube (ETT) in infants less than 32 weeks gestation | Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health | 2020 | 56:1607-1612. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpc.15046 |
| August DL, Hitchcock I, Tangney J, Ray R, Kandasamy Y, and New K. | Graduated colour tape measure: Development and demonstration in a case series of neonatal skin injuries. | Journal of Tissue Viability | 2019 | 10.1016/j.jtv.2019.04.004. E |
| August DL, van der Vis K, and New K. | Conceptualising skin development diagrammatically from foetal and neonatal scientific evidence | Journal of Neonatal Nursing | 2019 | 25(6)311-314 |
| Gilmour D, Duong KM, Gilmour IJ. Davies M | NeoSTRESS: Study of Transfer and Retrieval Environmental StressorS Upon Neonates via a Smartphone Application | Air Medical Journal | 2019 | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amj.2019.07.015 |
| Eley V, Sekar R, Chin A, Donovan T, Krepska A, Lawrence M, Bell S, McGrath S, Robinson A, Webb L, Marquart L. | Increased maternal abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness and body mass index are associated with increased cesarean delivery: A prospective cohort study. Scand. 2019 Feb;98(2):196-204. doi: 10.1111/aogs.13486. Epub 2018 Nov 15 | Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand | 2019 | doi: 10.1111/aogs.13486. Epub 2018 Nov 15 |
| Eley VA, Chin A, Sekar R, Donovan T, Krepska A, Lawrence M, Bell S, Ralfe K, McGrath S, Webb L, Robinson A, van Zundert A, Marquart L. | Increasing body mass index and abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness are associated with increased skin-to-epidural space distance in pregnant women. | Int J Obstet Anesth. | 2019 | 10.1016/j.ijoa.2018.10.005 |
| Al-Theyab NA, Donovan TJ, Eiby YA, Colditz PB, Lingwood BE. | Fat trajectory after birth in very preterm infants mimics healthy term infants | Pediatric Obesity, | 2019 | doi:10.1111/ijpo.12472 |
| Davies MW, Pearson C. | (2019) Coroner's report on the death of a baby from complications of herpes simplex virus type 1 infection | Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health | 2019 | 10.1111/jpc.14350 |
| Sharpe J, Davies MW. | Does earlier arrival of the retrieval team improve short-term outcomes in outborn extremely premature infants? | J Paediatr Child Health | 2018 | 54(11):1234-1241. |
| Flint A, Davies MW | The use of overnight oximetry in neonates: a literature review | J Paediatr Child Health | 2018 | 54(7):720-727. |
| Paliwoda M, New K, Bogossian F, Davies M. | Physiological vital sign ranges in newborns from 34 weeks gestation: A systematic review. | Int J Nurs Stud | 2018 | 77:81-90. |
| Roberts C, Khanna P, Rigby L, Llewellyn A, Gustavs J, Bartle E, Newton L, Newcombe J, Davies M, Thistlethwaite J, Lynam J. | Utility of selection methods for specialist medical training: A BEME (best evidence medical education) systematic review: BEME guide no. 45. | Medical Teacher | 2018 | 40(1):3-19. |
| Tshamala D, Pelecanos A, Davies MW. | Factors associated with infants receiving their mother’s own breast milk, on discharge from hospital, in a unit where pasteurised donor human milk is available. | J Paediatr Child Health | 2018 | 54(9):1016-1022. |
| Yu T, Donovan T, Armfield N, Gole G. | The high cost of screening regional and remote infants for Retinopathy of Prematurity | Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology | 2018 | 46:645-651. |
| Hoellering AB, Tshamala D, Davies MW. | Study of movement of umbilical venous catheters over time | J Paediatr Child Health | 2018 | 54(12):1329-1335. |
| Davies MW (on behalf of Cochrane Clinical Answers Editors) | In preterm or low birth weight infants, does early use of erythropoietin (EPO) help to improve outcomes? | Cochrane Clinical Answers 2018. | 2018 | DOI: 10.1002/cca.2002. |
| Davies MW (on behalf of Cochrane Clinical Answers Editors). | How does volume-targeted ventilation compare with traditional pressure-limited ventilation for neonates? | Cochrane Clinical Answers | 2018 | 10.1002/cca.1943 |
| Humphrey MD, Foxcroft KF, Callaway LK. | Obstetric risk score - revalidated for triaging high-risk pregnancies in rural areas. | Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol | 2017 | 57(1):63-7 |
| Kalanjati VP, Wixey JA, Miller SM, Colditz PB, Bjorkman ST. | GABAA receptor expression and white matter disruption in intrauterine growth restricted piglets | Int J Dev Neurosci. | 2017 | 59:1-9. |
| Davies MW (on behalf of Cochrane Clinical Answers Editors). | How does nasal intermittent positive-pressure ventilation (NIPPV) compare with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) in neonates after extubation? | Cochrane Clinical Answers [online]. | 2017 | DOI: 10.1002/cca.1703. |
| Morong JJ, Martin JK, Ware RS, Colditz PB, Robichaux AG, 3rd | Comparison of In-Hospital Maternal Mortality Between Hospital Systems in Queensland, Australia and Louisiana, United States | Ochsner J | 2017 | 17(3):243-9 |
| Ratnasingham A, Eiby YA, Dekker Nitert M, Donovan T, Lingwood BE | Review: Is rapid fat accumulation in early life associated with adverse later health outcomes? | Placenta | 2017 | 54:125-30 |
| Davies MW (on behalf of Cochrane Clinical Answers Editors). | What are the benefits and harms of inositol for preterm infants with or at risk for respiratory distress syndrome? | Cochrane Clinical Answers [online] | 2017 | 10.1002/cca.1550. |
| Davies MW (on behalf of Cochrane Clinical Answers Editors). | What are the effects of antibiotics in neonates with meconium aspiration syndrome? | Cochrane Clinical Answers [online] | 2017 | DOI: 10.1002/cca.1770. |
| Finnigan S, Colditz PB. | Predominant slow EEG activity in healthy neonates: Transient thalamo-cortical dysrhythmia? | Clin Neurophysiol | 2017 | 128(1):233-4. |
| Finnigan S, Colditz PB. | What is the optimal frequency range for quantifying slow EEG activity in neonates? Insights from power spectra. | Clin Neurophysiol | 2017 | 129(1):143-4. |
| George JM, Fiori S, Fripp J, Pannek K, Bursle J, Moldrich RX, Colditz PB, et al. | Validation of an MRI Brain Injury and Growth Scoring System in Very Preterm Infants Scanned at 29- to 35-Week Postmenstrual Age. | AJNR Am J Neuroradiol | 2017 | 38(7):1435-42. |
| George JM, Pannek K, Rose SE, Ware RS, Colditz PB, Boyd RN. | Diagnostic accuracy of early magnetic resonance imaging to determine motor outcomes in infants born preterm: a systematic review and meta-analysis | Dev Med Child Neurol | 2017 | |
| Goasdoue K, Miller SM, Colditz PB, Bjorkman ST. | Review: The blood-brain barrier; protecting the developing fetal brain. | Placenta. 2017;54:111-6. | 2017 | 54:111-6. |
| Miller SM, Kalanjati VP, Colditz PB, Bjorkman ST. | Developmental Changes in Expression of GABAA Receptor Subunits alpha1, alpha2, and alpha3 in the Pig Brain. | Dev Neurosci. | 2017 | 39(5):375-85. |
| Ratnassingham A, Eiby Y, Dekker M, Donovan T, Lingwood B. | Is rapid fat accumulation in early life associated with adverse later health outcomes? | Placenta | 2017 | 54:125-130. |
| Tarnow-Mordi W, Morris J, Kirby A, Robledo K, Askie L, Brown R, Colditz PB, et al. | Delayed versus Immediate Cord Clamping in Preterm Infants. | N Engl J Med | 2017 | |
| Wixey JA, Chand KK, Colditz PB, Bjorkman ST. | Review: Neuroinflammation in intrauterine growth restriction. | Placenta | 2017 | 54:117-24. |
| Wixey JA, Colditz PB, Bjorkman ST. | Targeting inflammation to reduce brain injury in growth restricted newborns: A potential treatment? | Neural Regen Res | 2017 | 12(11):1804-1806. |
| Wood K, Mantzioris E, Lingwood B, Couper J, Makrides M, Gibson RA, et al. | The effect of maternal DHA supplementation on body fat mass in children at 7 years: follow-up of the DOMInO randomized controlled trial. | Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids | 2017 | |
| Awal MA, Lai MM, Azemi G, Boashash B, Colditz PB. | EEG background features that predict outcome in term neonates with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy: A structured review | Clin Neurophysiol | 2016 | 127(1):285-96. |
| Caesar R, Boyd RN, Colditz P, Cioni G, Ware RS, Salthouse K, et al. | Early prediction of typical outcome and mild developmental delay for prioritisation of service delivery for very preterm and very low birthweight infants: a study protocol. | BMJ open | 2016 | 6(7):e010726. |
| Davies MW (on behalf of Cochrane Clinical Answers Editors). | Can antibiotic lock prevent catheter-related infections in neonates? | Cochrane Clinical Answers [online] | 2016 | DOI: 10.1002/cca.1193. |
| Davies MW (on behalf of Cochrane Clinical Answers Editors). | How does synchronized mechanical ventilation compare with conventional or high-frequency ventilation in newborn infants? | Cochrane Clinical Answers [online] | 2016 | 2016. DOI: 10.1002/cca.1468. |
| Eiby YA, Shrimpton NY, Wright IM, Lumbers ER, Colditz PB, Duncombe GJ, et al. | Inotropes do not increase cardiac output or cerebral blood flow in preterm piglets. | Pediatr Res | 2016 | 80(6):870-9. |
| Evans T, Boyd R, Colditz P, Sanders M, Whittingham K. | Baby triple P for parents of a very preterm infant: a case study. | Journal of Child and Family Studies | 2016 | |
| Evans T, Boyd RN, Colditz P, Sanders M, Whittingham K. | Mother-Very Preterm Infant Relationship Quality: RCT of Baby Triple P. | Journal of Child and Family Studies | 2016 | 26(1):284-95. |
| Flint A, New K, Davies MW. | Cup feeding versus other forms of supplemental enteral feeding for newborn infants unable to fully breastfeed | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | 2016 | DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005092.pub3. |
| Gilmour D, Davies MW, Herbert AR. | Adequacy of palliative care in a single tertiary neonatal unit | J Paediatr Child Health | 2016 | 53(2):136-144 |
| Gomes FP, Shaw PN, Whitfield K, Koorts P, McConachy H, Hewavitharana AK. | Effect of pasteurisation on the concentrations of vitamin D compounds in donor breast milk. | International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition | 2016 | 67 1: 16-19 |
| Johnston T, Sekar R, Endo T, Moffitt T, Peterson L, Nestor I, et al. | Has the Prevalence of Neural Tube Defects Decreased in Babies Born to Indigenous Mothers in Queensland? | Australian & New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology | 2016 | 1900-01-01 08:36:00 |
| Lai MM, D’Acunto G, Guzzetta A et al. | PREMM: Preterm early massage by the mother: Protocol of a randomised controlled trial of massage therapy in very preterm infants. | BMC Pediatrics | 2016 | 16(1):146 |
| Miller SM, Sullivan SM, Ireland Z, Chand KK, Colditz PB, Bjorkman ST. | Neonatal seizures are associated with redistribution and loss of GABAA alpha-subunits in the hypoxic-ischaemic pig | J Neurochem | 2016 | 139(3):471-84. |
| Murphy VE, Jensen ME, Mattes J, Hensley MJ, Giles WB, Peek MJ, et al | The Breathing for Life Trial: a randomised controlled trial of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO)-based management of asthma during pregnancy and its impact on perinatal outcomes and infant and childhood respiratory health. | BMC Pregnancy Childbirth | 2016 | _16:111 |
| Paliwoda M, New K, Bogossian F. | Neonatal Early Warning Tools for recognising and responding to clinical deterioration in neonates cared for in the maternity setting: A retrospective case-control study | International Journal of Nursing Studies | 2016 | DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2016.06.006 |
| Taufek NM, Cartwright D, Davies M, Hewavitharana AK, Koorts P, McConachy H, Shaw PN, Sumner R, Whitfield K | The effect of pasteurization on trace elements in donor breast milk | J Perinatol | 2016 | 36:897-900 |
| Taufek NM, Cartwright D, Davies M, Hewavitharana AK, Koorts P, Shaw PN, Sumner R, Lee E, Whitfield K. | The simultaneous analysis of eight essential trace elements in human milk by ICP-MS | Food Analytical Methods | 2016 | 9(7):2068–2075. |
| Awal MA, Lai MM, Azemi G, Boashash B, Colditz PB. | EEG background features that predict outcome in term neonates with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy: A structured review | Clin Neurophysiol | 2015 | |
| Colditz MJ, Lai MM, Cartwright DW, Colditz PB | Subgaleal haemorrhage in the newborn: A call for early diagnosis and aggressive management | J Paediatr Child Health | 2015 | 51(2):140-6 |
| Colditz P, Sanders MR, Boyd R, Pritchard M, Gray P, O'Callaghan MJ, et al. | Prem Baby Triple P: a randomised controlled trial of enhanced parenting capacity to improve developmental outcomes in preterm infants | BMC Pediatr | 2015 | 15(1):331. |
| Collins CT, Gibson RA, Anderson PJ, McPhee AJ, Sullivan TR, Gould JF, et al | Neurodevelopmental outcomes at 7 years' corrected age in preterm infants who were fed high-dose docosahexaenoic acid to term equivalent: a follow-up of a randomised controlled trial | BMJ open | 2015 | 5(3):e007314. |
| Davies MW (on behalf of Cochrane Clinical Answers Editors) | How does maternal postpartum vitamin A supplementation affect infant morbidity and mortality? | Cochrane Clinical Answers [online] | 2015 | DOI: 10.1002/cca.630. |
| Davies MW (on behalf of Cochrane Clinical Answers Editors) | In infants up to six months of age, how does vitamin A supplementation affect morbidity and mortality? | Cochrane Clinical Answers [online] | 2015 | DOI: 10.1002/cca.629. |
| Davies MW (on behalf of Cochrane Clinical Answers Editors) | In preterm infants, is there randomized controlled trial evidence to support the use of salbutamol for preventing chronic lung disease? | Cochrane Clinical Answers [online] | 2015 | DOI: 10.1002/cca.687. |
| East CE, Leader LR, Sheehan P, Henshall NE, Colditz PB, Lau R | Intrapartum fetal scalp lactate sampling for fetal assessment in the presence of a non-reassuring fetal heart rate trace | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | 2015 | Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;5:CD006174. |
| George JM, Boyd RN, Colditz PB et al. | PPREMO: A prospective cohort study of preterm infant brain structure and function to predict neurodevelopmental outcome | BMC Pediatrics | 2015 | 15(1):123 |
| Gomes FP, Shaw PN, Whitfield K, Hewavitharana AK. | Simultaneous quantitative analysis of eight vitamin D analogues in milk using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry | Analytica Chimica Acta | 2015 | 891 211-220. |
| Manley BJ, Doyle LW, Davies MW, Davis, PG. | Fifty years in neonatology | J Paediatr Child Health | 2015 | 51(1):118-121. |
| Stacey SR, Coombes I, Cardiff L, Wainwright C, Whitfield KM. | Using the general level framework to guide training and development needs of pharmacists working in paediatrics. | Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research | 2015 | 45 3: 322-330 |
| Stacey SR, Coombes I, Wainwright C, Cardiff L, Whitfield K. | What does advanced practice mean to Australian paediatric pharmacists? A focus group study | Int J Pharm Pract | 2015 | 23(2):141-9 |
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Contact Us
Deanne August
Neonatal Research Coordinator
Tel: +61 7 36468918
gsnuresearch
@health.qld.gov.au
Deanne.August
@health.qld.gov.au
Katie Foxcroft RN RM MAppSc(Research)
Clinical Research Manager & Adjunct Fellow UQ Centre for Clinical Research, RBWH
Tel: +61 7 3646 2121
Katie.Foxcroft
@heath.qld.gov.au