Neonatal Infection and Inflammation

Reducing neonatal inflammation for healthier babies

Preterm birth contributes to approximately 75 per cent of all early-life illness and deaths worldwide; much of which is associated with prematurity-related infection and inflammatory conditions.

Early-life inflammation is intrinsic in both immediate morbidity as well as long-term disease, including impaired neurodevelopment.

Newborn sepsis (a bloodstream infection) and necrotising enterocolitis (an inflammatory condition of the gut) trigger systemic inflammation the risk of disease or death.

Our infection and inflammation discipline focuses on:

Deciphering how the newborn immune system works
Preventing infection and inflammation
Early diagnosis of infection
Reducing the use of empiric antibiotics
Improving disability-free survival

Current projects

Our discipline is currently recruiting PhD, master’s or honours students for the following projects. If you are interested in getting involved, contact UWA Medical School’s Professor Karen Simmer.

Pentoxifylline to PROTECT the preterm brain

PROTECT is an international multi-centre randomised controlled trial evaluating the effect of
reducing long-term disability with intravenous pentoxifylline versus placebo in babies with sepsis or necrotising enterocolitis who are born less than 29 weeks gestation.

In the PROTECT trial, we aim to improve survival without adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes caused by systemic inflammation. Pentoxifylline has effects, including lowering levels of mediators critical for inflammatory brain injury, and has shown promising results in pilot studies.

Find out more.

sPLA2 Trial

Neonatal late-onset sepsis (LOS) is extremely common in very preterm babies. However, diagnosis is difficult due to non-specific clinical signs that overlap with other neonatal conditions. We are testing plasma protein sPLA2-IIA for use as a new rapid and accurate laboratory diagnostic for neonatal sepsis.

Our ongoing studies have shown sPLA2-IIA is a leading candidate biomarker to significantly improve LOS diagnosis. Earlier diagnosis of LOS will enable clinicians to appropriately target therapy and limit antibiotic exposure in very preterm babies. Our target population is babies born less than 29 weeks gestation with suspected late onset sepsis or NEC.

Exploring changes in breast milk composition as markers of mastitis in mothers of preterm infants

The breast milk and mastitis study aims to measure the key ion compositions in breast milk of preterm mothers to determine the efficacy of bedside testing for mastitis, as well as examining the rate of occurrence and causative organisms responsible for mastitis. Our target population is mothers of babies born between 29 and 34 weeks gestation.

NEWS

Fighting for the most vulnerable lives

For UWA professor Karen Simmer, it has been immensely rewarding seeing so many children thrive today who were once so small and whose prospects of survival hung precariously in the balance.

Biomedical Sciences E-Learning Suites

The interactive suites offer students practical diagnostic experience and an environment that mimics the consultative nature of a working laboratory.

Pathology museum

Our unique collection is used to educate medical, nursing and science undergraduates, and assists in training specialist pathologists to improve their understanding of mechanisms of disease and diagnostic pathology.

CTEC

CTEC combines an interactive hospital environment with expert clinical educators to offer training to junior doctors and senior consultants in a way that supplements traditional clinical-based training.

J. Robin Warren Library

A vibrant learning space for students, graduates and the community. Available 24x7 for UWA students.

Centre for Aboriginal Medical and Dental Health (CAMDH)

CAMDH supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aspiring to graduate as doctors, dentists, podiatrists and become leaders in the field of Aboriginal Health

UWA Health Campus

The UWA Health Campus provides cutting-edge specialist teaching and learning facilities for students, professionals and patients.

Biomedical Sciences E-Learning Suites

The interactive suites offer students practical diagnostic experience and an environment that mimics the consultative nature of a working laboratory.

Pathology museum

CTEC

J. Robin Warren Library

A vibrant learning space for students, graduates and the community. Available 24x7 for UWA students.

Centre for Aboriginal Medical and Dental Health (CAMDH)

CAMDH supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aspiring to graduate as doctors, dentists, podiatrists and become leaders in the field of Aboriginal Health

UWA Health Campus

The UWA Health Campus provides cutting-edge specialist teaching and learning facilities for students, professionals and patients.

Biomedical Sciences E-Learning Suites

The interactive suites offer students practical diagnostic experience and an environment that mimics the consultative nature of a working laboratory.

Pathology museum

Related research disciplines

Neonatal cardiorespiratory physiology

Cardiovascular

Understanding the factors contributing to poor lung and heart function in premature babies and finding better ways to prevent heart and lung disease.

Child and Adolescent Development and Health

Mental health

This research focuses on early influences on child and adolescent health which significantly impact health and development throughout life.

Microbiome and metabolome of pregnancy and early life

Translating discovery to health, Immunity

This research area uses microbiome techniques to identify microbial risk profiles as a predictive strategy. Some evidence suggests vaginal delivery is responsible for seeding the neonate with bacteria that colonise the infant’s gut and allow normal development of the gut microbiome, metabolome and immune system.

Neonatal cardiorespiratory physiology

Cardiovascular

Understanding the factors contributing to poor lung and heart function in premature babies and finding better ways to prevent heart and lung disease.

Child and Adolescent Development and Health

Mental health

This research focuses on early influences on child and adolescent health which significantly impact health and development throughout life.

Microbiome and metabolome of pregnancy and early life

Translating discovery to health, Immunity

Neonatal cardiorespiratory physiology

Cardiovascular

Understanding the factors contributing to poor lung and heart function in premature babies and finding better ways to prevent heart and lung disease.

Child and Adolescent Development and Health

Mental health

This research focuses on early influences on child and adolescent health which significantly impact health and development throughout life.

Phone

Get in touch

+61 8 6458 1262

Email

Send an enquiry

karen.simmer@uwa.edu.au

The University of Western Australia

The University of Western Australia

Neonatal Infection and Inflammation

Reducing neonatal inflammation for healthier babies