Media Releases - Research 1999

November

More Children Needed For Nasal-Drop Vaccine Trial

As many as one in four children under the age of five may experience a significant infection due to the parainfluenza virus each year - resulting in fever, runny nose, cold symptoms, ear infections, croup or bronchitis.

The Women's and Children's Hospital is continuing a vaccine study for children aged six months to 18 months to help develop an effective vaccine against this virus in young children.

October

New Evidence About the Causes of Cerebral Palsy

A ground-breaking new report has overturned old assumptions about the causes of Cerebral Palsy, opening the way for early diagnosis and a potential treatment of the incurable and debilitating condition.

The report has been published by an International Task Force on Cerebral Palsy causation, led by Australian and New Zealand researchers and clinicians.

The task force has conducted a two-year investigation of all the available research on Cerebral Palsy and has decided to publish a statement of consensus on the cause of the condition.

Identification of Gene for Short Stature and Early Onset Osteoarthritis

At least two in one million men suffer from a form of early onset osteoarthritis which strikes in young adulthood and may be severe enough to warrant hip replacement by the time they reach their early thirties.

Senior researchers, Drs Agi Gedeon and Josef Gecz from the Department of Cytogenetics and Molecular Genetics at the Women's and Children's Hospital, have recently identified the gene which is associated with this progressive skeletal disorder.

This discovery was published recently in the Nature Genetics - the mostly highly cited primary science journal.

August

Leaky Guts Caused by Excessive Training!

If our gut is leaky, then our health will be compromised - and South Australian scientists have found that athletes in training may not be as healthy as they think.

It is known that as many as 83% of endurance athletes report some type of gastrointestinal upset or problem.

Dr Ross Butler, Chief Medical Scientist and Ms Emma Southcott, PhD student in the Department of Gastroenterology at the Women's and Children's Hospital, have shown that athletes in training have more permeable (leaky) intestines than healthy, moderately-exercising adults.

July

Early Newborn Screening provides Improved Detection of Inherited Disorders

South Australian families will benefit from an 'Expanded Neonatal Screening Program' which was launched this week at the Women's and Children's Hospital by the Hon. Dean Brown, Minister for Human Services.

April

WCH Breakthrough in Epilepsy

Scientists at the Women's and Children's Hospital are at the forefront of research into the genetic causes of epilepsy and have found a mutation in a sodium channel gene which has caused a Tasmanian family to suffer epileptic atttacks.

The discovery of this gene has immediate benefits for this family and will increase our understanding of epilepsy in general.

March

Adelaide Researchers Launch New Way Ahead in Healing

Adelaide researchers are set to launch international clinical trials of a simple cows milk by-product that promises to revolutionise the healing of chronic wounds and ulcers.

The exciting therapeutic potential of whey - a by-product of cheese-making for the speedy healing of wounds and ulcers, will be put to trial this year at hospitals in Australia and Europe, with the product manufactured at a new $500,000 plant in Adelaide.

February

Nasal Drop Parainfluenza Vaccine Now Available for Infants and Children

Parainfluenza virus can cause common colds, fever, sore throat, runny nose or more serious illnesses such as croup, ear infections, bronchitis and wheezing. A vaccine research team at the Women's and Children's Hospital is inviting children aged 6 to 18 months of age to participate in a vaccine study with a nasal-drop parainfluenza vaccine.

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