PREBO

Chief Investigators: Colditz P, Boyd R, Malhotra A, Rose S, Boashash B, Ditchfield M, Fahey M, Pannek K, Moldrich R.

Funding: NHMRC Project grant (2015-2021) $1,645,141

Rationale: Prematurity is the cause of ≈40% CP; and 10-15% of infants born <30wks will develop CP, however most are not diagnosed until 12-24 months, limiting access to early intervention. The PREBO study is an extension of the PPREMO study conducted in Queensland.

Design: Prospective cohort study of 272 preterm infants and 40 healthy, term controls.

Aims: Examine the relationship between early brain structure on MRI and function (GMs, neurological/neurobehavioral) at 30-32wks and TEA to predict outcome at 3, 12 and 24 months. We have undertaken early MRI in 272 preterm infants and 2 year F/U continues.

Update: We have undertaken earlier MRI at 30 and 40 weeks PMA in n=120/300 preterm infants to determine the best combination of clinical, imaging and EEG markers for early detection of mild, moderate or severe CP.

New knowledge: Early findings show relationships between clinical tools and MRI at 30 wks. Early MRI predicts motor/cognition at 24 mths.

Project weblink at the Perinatal Research Centre, UQ

Project weblink at the Queensland Cerebral Palsy and Rehabilitation Research Centre, UQ

Project members

Professor Roslyn Boyd

Scientific Director, Queensland Cerebral Palsy and Rehabilitation Research Centre
Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland

Professor Paul Colditz

Director of the Perinatal Research Centre
The University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research

Professor Stephen Rose

Senior Principal Research Scientist Leader; Probing Biosystems Future Science Platform
CSIRO, The University of Queensland

Associate Professor Michael Fahey

Director of Neurogenetics, Monash Paediatrics
Monash University
Head of Child Neurology
Monash Children’s Hospital