Search the site

Airway smooth muscle thickness and contraction are enhanced by intra-amniotic lipopolysaccharide in an ovine model of premature birth

Abnormalities of the airway smooth muscle (ASM) layer in asthma may develop before birth. We hypothesize that antenatal inflammation causes physiological abnormalities of the ASM that predisposes asthma. This study determined the short-term effects of antenatal inflammation on the developing ASM.

Are preterm birth and intra-uterine growth restriction more common in Western Australian children of immigrant backgrounds? A population based data linkage study

Our findings illustrate the vulnerabilities of children born to foreign women from low and middle-income countries

Fine particulate matter and risk of preterm birth and pre-labor rupture of membranes in Perth, Western Australia 1997-2007: A longitudinal study

A recent longitudinal study reported an association between fine particulate (PM2.5) exposure and preterm birth (PTB) in a US cohort.

Development of prognostic model for preterm birth using machine learning in a population-based cohort of Western Australia births between 1980 and 2015

Preterm birth is a global public health problem with a significant burden on the individuals affected. The study aimed to extend current research on preterm birth prognostic model development by developing and internally validating models using machine learning classification algorithms and population-based routinely collected data in Western Australia.

Early mortality among aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women who had a preterm birth in Western Australia: A population-based cohort study

Having a preterm (<37 weeks' gestation) birth may increase a woman's risk of early mortality. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have higher preterm birth and mortality rates compared with other Australian women.

The development and refinement of a sensitive bedside test to continually measure the severity of BPD and lung development in preterm infants

Graham Jane Shannon Hall Pillow Simpson BAppSci PhD CRFS FANZSRS FThorSoc FERS BMedSci (Dist) MBBS, PhD (Dist) FRACP BMedSci (hons), PhD Honorary

Inhaled corticosteroids to improve lung function in children (aged 6–12 years) who were born very preterm (PICSI): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Despite the substantial burden of lung disease throughout childhood in children who were born very preterm, there are no evidence-based interventions to improve lung health beyond the neonatal period. We tested the hypothesis that inhaled corticosteroid improves lung function in this population.

Understanding the relative contributions of the lung, respiratory muscles and the blood vessels to severity of chronic lung disease in very preterm infants (PIFCO Follow-up)

Graham Ingrid Shannon Hall Laing Simpson BAppSci PhD CRFS FANZSRS FThorSoc FERS BSc PhD BMedSci (hons), PhD Honorary Research Associate Head,

Respiratory and chest wall mechanics in very preterm infants

Data on static compliance of the chest wall (Ccw) in preterm infants are scarce. We characterized the static compliance of the lung and Ccw to determine their relative contribution to static compliance of the respiratory system in very preterm infants at 36 wk postmenstrual age. We also aimed to investigate how these compliances were influenced by the presence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and impacted breathing variables.

New evidence on the importance of birth spacing

Research from The Kids Research Institute Australia shows that a short time interval between pregnancies may be less of a risk factor for preterm birth and low birth weight