A follow-up study of babies in Northern Tasmania with a birthweight of 2000g or less, looking at outcomes and access to appropriate developmental surveillance ($20,000)
Dr Margaret Phelan, Paediatric Registrar based at the Launceston General Hospital, will undertake a 12 months’ research project, which is the first ever follow-up study of developmental disabilities in pre-school children born prematurely at the Launceston General Hospital.
The Queen Victoria Maternity Unit is the only one in the Northern Tasmanian Health area and has approximately 1700 births per year. The study aims to minimise health problems in tiny babies and improve their life expectancy and quality. Chief investigator Dr. Maggie Phelan feels there is a clear need in the community for evaluation of the current process of follow-up of these babies with a view to the possibility of establishing a specific follow-up programme for all low birth weight and premature infants, targeting intervention at those with greatest / multiple risk factors and/or abnormal neuro-developmental findings.
Tasmania's Clifford Craig Medical Research Trust was established in 1991.