Front of mind – Developmental Regression

Developmental regression experts, Professor Katrina Williams and Dr Kirsten Furley assisted in the preparation of this article for The Australian Parenting Website. raisingchildren.net.au.

The article explains in simple terms how developmental regression is defined and identified.

Read the article.

Triple Unveiling

Professor Katrina Williams, Head of the Department of Paediatrics, showed her versatility yet again by providing tasty morsels at an exciting triple unveiling in early August.

The paediatrics video (8:53min) Then and Now was launched to high praise. Unfortunately, the star of the show Emeritus Professor Arthur Clark was unable to attend due to illness. Everyone who met Arthur during the filming was touched by his intelligence and humility.

Katrina also unveiled photographic portraits of former Heads of Department of Paediatrics, Professors Richard Doherty and Nick Freezer. Humility must be on the menu at Paediatrics. Both gentlemen graciously accepted accolades while sharing the credit. Nick’s family was in attendance thanks to his wife’s ability in controlling the diary.  

Nick trained as a paediatric respiratory and sleep medicine physician and is Professor and Head of Paediatrics at Monash University. Nick is also the Medical Director of the Women's and Children's Program for Monash Health, Medical Director of Monash Children's, and practises as a respiratory physician. Nick’s most well-known research is in the dangers of corticosteroid use in children, especially children aged under six.

Richard trained in paediatrics and in paediatric infectious diseases and is an honorary consultant physician in Paediatric Infectious Diseases at Monash Children’s Hospital and a Professor in the Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University. Richard has been instrumental in finessing workplace standards and training of young doctors.

Congratulations to everyone involved. It’s refreshing to have an event that’s totally a good news story.

YouTube video (8:53min) Paediatrics at Monash Univeristy - then and now

Department of Paediatrics video shoot

First day of filming for the ‘Then and Now’ video for the Department of Paediatrics took place in April. Here are Dr Kirsten Furley and Associate Professor Atul Malhotra talking with Professor Emeritus Arthur Clark, the first Head of Paediatrics at Monash. Professor Clark was very impressed with the advances in technology and the focus on family involvement in contemporary paediatric care. 

The video will be out in June!

Gala goes off!

The Monash Children’s Hospital gala was a roaring success last Friday night.

Guests were treated to excellent food and entertainment and responded with outstanding generosity and enthusiasm. The over $1.2 million dollars raised will make a positive difference in the lives of premature babies and their families.

RACP grant helps Monash doctor join team working to save lives of mothers and babies in India

Dr Pramod Pharande

Congratulations to Monash Children’s Hospital neonatologist, Dr Pramod Pharande on receiving the Eric Burnard Fellowship for his project, "Evaluation of an inter-professional obstetric and neonatal emergency simulation program in India".

The Sweet Dreams Trial - results submitted for presentation at the American Academy of Paediatric National Conference

Dr Maurizio Pacilli, Principal Investigator

Effects of preoperative carbohydrate drink on postoperative recovery after day-surgery in children: a randomised double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (The Sweet Dreams Trial)

Skin-to-skin “kangaroo care” shows important benefits for premature babies

Professor Arvind Sehgal

A world-first study led by Monash University has demonstrated significant benefits to a premature baby’s heart and brain function when held by the parent in skin-to-skin contact.

Parent-infant skin-to-skin care (SSC) or kangaroo care, started in the late 1970s in Columbia when incubators to keep babies warm were not available. It is now widely recognised as a beneficial component of holistic care provided for pre-term infants.

Precise antibiotic dosage found to reduce postoperative complications in common surgical procedure

Mr Ram Nataraja

New research led by Mr Ram Nataraja from the Department of Paediatrics has demonstrated the precise antibiotic post-operative dosage which can significantly reduce wound infection rates amongst children who undergo a simple appendicectomy.

Monash researchers evaluate world-first study involving stem cells for premature babies with chronic lung disease

Monash researchers with one of the
infants involved in the study.

Monash University researchers have assessed the long-term outcomes of their world-first study that used placental stem cells in premature babies with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia, a form of chronic lung disease.

Using simulation to improve outcomes for babies in Myanmar

A Monash University researcher has used simulation to teach local Myanmar surgeons how to treat a common yet life-threatening condition affecting babies.

Medicine graduate Patrick Walker a passionate advocate for child health

Dr Patrick Walker with the
Nigerian oximetry team

Getting your research published, especially in a prominent journal, is never an easy feat. So when medicine graduate Patrick Walker found out his research had been accepted for publication in the Fetal and Neonatal edition of Archives of Disease in Childhood, the achievement was an incredible reward for 12-months of hard work.

Monash neonatologist to chair at the DOHaD World Congress

Dr Arvind Sehgal, Neonatologist and Head, Cardiovascular Research at Monash Children’s Hospital and Professor of Pediatrics, Monash University has been invited to chair at the DOHaD World Congress which will be held in Melbourne, Australia in October 2019.

Dr Edward Giles awarded Kenneth Rainin Foundation Innovator Award

Congratulations to Dr Edward Giles from the Department of Paediatrics who has been awarded the Kenneth Rainin Foundation Innovator Award. Dr Giles was selected by the Foundation's Board of Directors for his research project 'Novel bacteria as therapeutic candidates in Inflammatory Bowel Disease'.

Blood vessels like a 70 year old: Scientists find cause of fetal growth restriction

Around 5 percent of babies born in Australia are just a third of the size they should be and suffer lifelong health complications as part of a condition known as fetal growth restriction (FGR).

FGR means their growth slows or stops during pregnancy, often due to problems with the placenta, but the exact cause is a mystery. If severe, the baby is delivered prematurely, increasing the risk of death or health problems.

Now, Monash University research has found the answer lies in the blood vessels of the placenta and newborn.