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Mid-childhood outcomes of children born at risk of neonatal hypoglycaemia

Year:
2017
Duration:
40 months
Approved budget:
$1,198,902.52
Researchers:
Professor Jane Harding
Health issue:
Metabolic and endocrine (excl. diabetes and bone)
Proposal type:
Project
Lay summary
Low blood glucose levels (hypoglycaemia) in newborns can cause brain damage, but the full effects may not be detectable in very young children. We plan to assess educational performance, behaviour, health and specific skills required for successful learning at school age in a unique, well-established cohort of children born at risk of hypoglycaemia, to determine the relationship between glucose levels in newborns and their learning and development at 9-10 years. A subgroup will also undergo brain scanning to relate changes in brain structure after newborn hypoglycaemia to function. If we are able to clarify the relationship between low glucose levels in the newborn and children’s function at school age, this would be predictive of their later achievements and potentially have major implications for management of the large number of babies born at risk of neonatal hypoglycaemia.