Five projects at The University of Western Australia that aim to improve long-term health outcomes for children by preventing preterm birth, improving leukaemia diagnosis and treatment, enhancing paediatric surgery safety and supporting the physical and mental wellbeing have been announced as Channel 7 Telethon Trust beneficiaries.
Professor Wendy Erber, a haematologist from the School of Biomedical Sciences, and her team will use the funds to develop a new test to identify children at high risk of leukaemia.
"Leukaemia is the most common cancer in children and approximately 10 per cent are unlikely to survive due to a fatal rare subtype that is difficult to diagnose, Professor Erber said.
"We aim to develop a test for high-risk children which could dramatically improve early diagnosis and personalised treatment for rare subtypes of leukaemia."
Associate Professor Matt Payne, principal research fellow in obstetrics and gynaecology from the Medical School, will lead research to predict and prevent preterm birth using microbial genomics.
"We want to better understand why vaginal bacteria cause preterm birth in some women but not others," Associate Professor Payne said.
"Our research will look at the role of bacteria for potential interventions, such as probiotics, which could lead to breakthroughs in preventing early births, reduce neonatal mortality and disabilities."
Associate Professor Rebbeca Glauert, from the School of Population and Global Health, was funded to continue recruiting the third generation of participants for the Raine Study — the world's longest-running pregnancy cohort study.
"Over the past two years Raine Study has enhanced the depth and breadth of its dataset by recruiting almost 1000 third-generation participants and continues to recruit, to investigate long-term causes of health and disease," Associate Professor Glauert said.
"The new participants will boost the data available to researchers to help discover intergenerational influences on genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors associated with disease, mental health, development, and wellbeing."
Dr Nazim Khan, a statistician from School of Physics, Maths and Computing and The Kids Research Institute Australia, will develop a decision tool increasing anaesthesia safety for WA children.
"This support tool will incorporate patient, environmental and socioeconomic factors," Dr Khan said.
"We aim to reduce the risk of anaesthesia-related complications and prevent respiratory events during surgery, safeguarding children's health during critical procedures."
Associate Professor Bonnie Furzer, an exercise physiologist from the School of Human Sciences, was funded to continue delivering exercise for children in partnership with not-for-profit Thriving in Motion.
"The program provides tailored and positive exercise experiences to young people impacted by physical and/or mental health conditions that limit their ability to participate in community or school sport," Associate Professor Furzer.
"This is the 15th year that our program has been working to build strong, happy and healthy young people through exercise boosted by Telethon support."
