WOMBAT Newsletter
    May 2009


Welcome to the May 2009 issue.

In this issue:

WOMBAT WORKSHOPS

**Brisbane (August) and Sydney (November)**

WOMBAT Protocol Workshop
August 6-7 2009, 9.30am – 5.00pm Mater Hospital, Brisbane

Aim
To develop a protocol for a clinical trial in maternal and perinatal health.

Objectives
1. participants will write a protocol document which covers all the fundamental aspects of trial design and methodology
2. at the end of the course participants will have the knowledge and resources to complete the protocol on their own
3. participants will have the opportunity to work with other researchers and clinicians who are involved in or intending to carry out a clinical trial in maternal or perinatal healthcare

Workshop Leader
Professor Caroline Crowther – The University of Adelaide

Confirmed faculty – to date
A/Prof Vicki Flenady – Mater Health Services
Ms Philippa Middleton – The University of Adelaide
Dr Georgie Stamp – The University of Adelaide
Dr Rebecca Tooher - The University of Adelaide

Earn CPD points
Approved for 16 CPD points from the RANZCOG
Approved by the Australian College of Midwives for 11 MidPlus CPD points
Eligible for CPD points for RACP

Cost: TBC

For more information or to register contact
Rebecca Tooher 08 8161 7660 email:rebecca.tooher@adelaide.edu.au 
or visit our website: www.wombatcollaboration.net 

Data Monitoring Committees: An Interactive Workshop
13 November 2009, 9.30-4.00 (location to be announced), Sydney

Aim
To build capacity in the maternal and perinatal research community and knowledge of data monitoring and relevant committees.

Workshop Leader
Professor Caroline Crowther – The University of Adelaide

Other faculty to be announced.

For more information or to register:
Contact WOMBAT Education Officer Rebecca Tooher on 08 8161 7660 or email rebecca.tooher@adelaide.edu.au 
Alternatively, visit our website: www.wombatcollaboration.net

ALL TRIALS REQUIRING COLLABORATING CENTRES

A*STEROID: Australasian Antenatal Study to Evaluate the Role Of Intramuscular Dexamethasone versus betamethasone prior to preterm birth to increase survival free of neurosensory disability: a randomised controlled trial

If you would like more information on becoming involved in this trial visit the WOMBAT maternal and perinatal trials page or email pat.ashwood@adelaide.edu.au  

APTS: Australian Placental Transfusion Study

If you would like more information on becoming involved in this trial visit the WOMBAT maternal and perinatal trials page or email lsebastian@ctc.usyd.edu.au  

A study of Aminophylline for infants less than 12 months of age with bronchiolitis, requiring admission to intensive care

If you would like more information on becoming involved in this trial visit the WOMBAT maternal and perinatal trials page or email carmel.delzoppo@rch.org.au  

BOOST II: Benefits of Oxygen Saturation Targeting Study

If you would like more information on becoming involved in this trial visit the perinatal trials page or email boost2@ctc.usyd.edu.au 

Cervical occlusion in women with cervical insufficiency

If you would like more information on becoming involved in this trial visit the WOMBAT maternal and perinatal trials page or email deemccormack@hotmail.com or visit the trial homepage: www.cervicalocclusion.com  

CHIPS Trial: Control of Hypertension in Pregnancy Study

If you would like more information on becoming involved in this trial visit the WOMBAT maternal and perinatal trials page or http://www.utoronto.ca/cmicr/chips/ or contact Jennifer Menzies at chips@cw.bc.ca   

(Recruitment can now start! Thanks to those who came to the talk or expressed an interest at PSANZ.)  

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) weaning trial

If you would like more information on becoming involved in this trial visit the WOMBAT maternal and perinatal trials page or email david.todd@act.gov.au or Margaret.broom@act.gov.au  

DETECT: Ductal Echocardiographic Targeting and Early Closure Trial

If you would like more information on becoming involved in this trial visit the WOMBAT maternal and perinatal trials page or email mkluckow@med.usyd.edu.au  

Fetal Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA) Doppler to time second and subsequent transfusions for women with red cell alloimmunisation: a randomised trial

If you would like more information on becoming involved in this trial visit the WOMBAT maternal and perinatal trials page or email Jodie.dodd@adelaide.edu.au  

GAS Study: A multi-site randomised controlled trial comparing bupivacaine (regional) anaesthesia versus sevoflurane (general) anaesthesia for effects on neurodevelopmental outcome and apnoea in infants scheduled for unilateral or bilateral inguinal hernia repair

If you would like more information on becoming involved in this trial visit the WOMBAT maternal and perinatal trials page or email suzette.sheppard@mcri.edu.au  

IDEAL: Investigation of dietary advice and lifestyle for women with borderline gestational diabetes

If you would like more information on becoming involved in this trial visit the WOMBAT maternal and perinatal trials page or email ideal@adelaide.edu.au  

MANGO: Midwives @ New Group practice Options A randomised controlled trial of case load midwifery

If you would like more information on becoming involved in this trial visit the WOMBAT maternal and perinatal trials page or email sally.tracy@sesiahs.health.nsw.gov.au  

PLUTO: Percutaneous Shunting for lower-urinary tract obstruction

If you would like more information on becoming involved in this trial visit the WOMBAT maternal and perinatal trials page  www.pluto.bham.ac.uk   or email Prof Mark Kilby at m.d.kilby@bham.ac.uk   

POINT: A randomised, placebo-controlled pilot trial on the safety and efficacy of pentoxifylline, as a secondary prophylaxis, in the treatment of necrotising enterocolitis in preterm neonates

If you would like more information on becoming involved in this trial visit the WOMBAT maternal and perinatal trials page or email sanjay.patole@health.wa.gov.au  

PPROMT Trial: Preterm Pre-Labour Rupture of Membranes Close to Term Trial

If you would like more information on becoming involved in this trial visit the perinatal trials page or email ppromt@med.usyd.edu.au   

Premie Start: Improving neurobehavioural development in preterm infants: a randomised controlled trial of a neonatal intervention

If you would like more information on becoming involved in this trial visit the WOMBAT maternal and perinatal trials page or email christopher.holt@austin.org.au  

PROGRESS Trial: Progesterone after previous preterm birth for the prevention of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome

If you would like more information on becoming involved in this trial visit the WOMBAT maternal and perinatal trials page or email progress@adelaide.edu.au  

ProPrem: The use of probiotics to reduce the incidence of sepsis in premature infants

If you would like more information on becoming involved in this trial visit the WOMBAT maternal and perinatal trials page or email proprem.study@thewomens.org.au  

TBS: Twin Birth Study

If you would like more information on becoming involved in this trial visit the WOMBAT maternal and perinatal trials page or www.utoronto.ca/miru/tbs or email tbs@sw.ca  

TIPPS: Thrombophilia In Pregnancy Prophylaxis Study: a muticentre, multinational randomised controlled trial of prophylactic low molecular weight heparin in high-risk pregnant thrombophilic women

If you would like more information on becoming involved in this trial visit the WOMBAT maternal and perinatal trials page or http://www.healthypregnancy.ca or email amclement@ohri.ca  

TWINS: Timing of Birth at Term – a randomised controlled trial

If you would like more information on becoming involved in this trial visit the WOMBAT maternal and perinatal trials page or http://www.health.adelaide.edu.au/og/research/mpctu.html or email twins@adelaide.edu.au

ABSTRACTS FROM RECENT PSANZ CONGRESS

Below is a list of the oral and poster presentations of RCTs in progress or findings from RCTs recently completed, from the 13th Annual PSANZ Congress, 19-22 April 2009.  

Broom M, Chauhan M, Meskell S, Cameron K, Wright A, Cameron C, Padernia A, Rochefort M, Jardine L, Stewart A, Ramikrishnan S, Shabolt B, Todd D. A multi-centre RCT comparing CPAP weaning methods in neonates <30 weeks gestation. PSANZ Darwin 2009 abstract P016/Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health 45 (2009);A74-A125 

Dawson JA, Kamlin COF, tePas AB, Donath SM, O’Donnell CPF, Davis PG, Morley CJ. Neopuff or laerdal self-inflating <29 weeks gestation at birth?: a randomised controlled trial. PSANZ Darwin 2009 abstract A151/Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health 45 (2009);A10-A71 

Dawson J, O’Connell L, Kamlin O, O’Donnell C, Davis P, Morley C. Stylet for orotracheal intubation in newborn infants (Stint Study) – a randomised controlled trial. PSANZ Darwin 2009 abstract A020/Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health 45 (2009);A10-A71 

Dickinson JE, Doherty DA. Optimisation of placental management in second trimester medical pregnancy termination. PSANZ Darwin 2009 abstract A134/Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health 45 (2009);A10-A71 

Doyle LW, Spittle AJ, Eeles A, Ferretti C, Orton J, Anderson PJ, Boyd RN, Reddihough D, Inder TE. A randomised controlled trial of preventative care at home over the first year of life on cognitive and motor outcome for preterm infants at 2 years. PSANZ Darwin 2009 abstract A124/Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health 45 (2009);A10-A71 

Hartz D, Morris J, Tracy S, Richard K, Buchanan S. A randomised controlled trial comparing rectal diclofenac with oral diclofenac and oral or rectal paracetamol in primaparous women after childbirth. PSANZ Darwin 2009: abstract A192/Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health 45 (2009);A10-A71 

Jefferies K, Shub A, Walker S, Hiscock R, Permezel R. Reducing excessive weight gain in pregnancy: a randomised controlled trial. PSANZ Darwin 2009 abstract A189/Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health 45 (2009);A10-A71 

Kong YS, Singh S, Tiong YL, Woo D, Cheung F, Courtot JE, Cheong JLY, Jolley D, Kotsanas D, Medhurst AM. A randomised controlled trial to compare the effect of 80% and 70% incubator humidity on the body temperature of infants born at 28 weeks gestation or less. PSANZ Darwin 2009 abstract A059/Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health 45 (2009);A10-A71 

Miller J. Collins CT, Gibson RA, McPhee AJ, Morris S, Stanford T, Makrides M. The effect of increasing the protein content of human milk fortifier on growth in preterm infants <31 weeks’ gestation: a randomised controlled trial. PSANZ Darwin 2009 abstract A035/Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health 45 (2009);A10-A71 

Morris J, Roberts CL, Levett K, Crowther C. Immediate delivery vs expectant care in women with preterm prelabour rupture of membranes close to term (PPROMT) – a randomised controlled trial. PSANZ Darwin 2009: abstract P074/Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health 45 (2009);A74-A125 

Newnham JP, Newnham IA, Ball CM, Wright M, Pennell CE, Swain J, Doherty DA. Treatment of periodontal disease in pregnancy and preterm birth (The Smile Study). PSANZ Darwin 2009 abstract PL26/Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health 45 (2009);A10-A71 

See KC, Oei J, Clark R, Lui K for the TO2RPIDO Multinational Study Group. Feasibility of a randomised trial of targeted oxygen for the resuscitation of premature infants and their developmental outcome (TO2RPIDO). PSANZ Darwin 2009 abstract A017/Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health 45 (2009);A10-A71 

Smith CA, Crowther CA, Collins CT, Coyle ME. Acupuncture to induce labour: Findings from a randomised controlled trial. PSANZ Darwin 2009 abstract A190/Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health 45 (2009);A10-A71

RCTS IN PLANNING PRESENTED AT PSANZ OR IMPACT MEETING

The following studies (trials in the planning stages) were presented during the recent PSANZ Congress or the IMPACT Meeting 18-19 April 2009, in Darwin. 

Carseldine W, Phipps H, Zawada S, De Vries B, Campbell N. Does occipito-posterior position in the second stage of labour increase the operative delivery rate? (The OP Study). PSANZ Darwin 2009 abstract A141/Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health 45 (2009);A10-A71 

Forster D, McEgan K, Moorhead A, Ford R, Walker S, Opie G, McNamara C. Diabetes and antenatal milk expressing (DAME): a pilot project to inform the development of a randomised controlled trial. PSANZ Darwin 2009 abstract A188/Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health 45 (2009);A10-A71 

McLachlan H, Forster D, Savage T, Yelland J, Farrell T, Gold L, Rayner J. An individualised, flexible approach to postnatal care: a pilot project to inform the development of a randomised controlled trial (RCT). PSANZ Darwin 2009 abstract A187/Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health 45 (2009);A10-A71 

Mockler JC, Wallace EM. The use of oxytocin at elective caesarean section: an Australian and New Zealand survey of practice. PSANZ Darwin 2009 abstract A148/Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health 45 (2009);A10-A71 

Morris J. CiPS – Candida in pregnancy study – Treatment of candidiasis to prevent preterm birth. 

O’Grady KA, Krause V, Lambert S, Booy R, Nolan T, McVernon J, Lee K, Andrews R. FluMum: Maternal influenza vaccination: Improving uptake and evaluating the persistence of immune response at delivery. 

RECENT PUBLICATIONS

Dahlen HG, Homer CSE, Cooke M, Upton AM, Nunn RA, Brodrick BS. “Soothing the ring of fire”: Australian women’s and midwives experiences of using perineal warm packs in the second stage of labour. Midwifery (2009) 25, e39-e48.    

Svensson J, Barclay L, Cooke M. Randomised-controlled trial of two antenatal education programmes. Midwifery (2009) 25, 114-125.   

WOMBAT news

WOMBAT booklets available

Now available in PDF format are the most recent versions of two WOMBAT produced booklets:

1. Australasian randomised trials in maternal and perinatal health: Studies currently recruiting or yet to recruit as at March 2009

[ Download Booklet ]

2. Research Gaps from Cochrane Reviews April 2009

[ Download Booklet ]

Information in the booklets is limited to annual updating each March/April.
For more up-to-date information on individual trials we suggest searching the database under the trial name on the Perinatal Trials page.

NEW DATA MONITORING COMMITTEES REGISTER

WOMBAT has developed a register of people interested in being a data monitoring committee member.
If you would like to join the register, would like mentoring in this role or more information contact Georgie Stamp (WOMBAT National Coordinator). Email: georgie.stamp@adelaide.edu.au or visit Data Monitoring Committees page.

NSW COCHRANE Neonatal AUTHORS

If you are a Cochrane Neonatal co-review author from NSW whose review is due, or overdue for an update, and would be willing to take on another co-review author to help, Jann Foster has health professionals who would like to be involved with a Cochrane Review who could assist you with your update.

Jann Foster can be contacted at: j.foster@bigpond.net.au 

CONFERENCES RELEVANT TO MATERNAL AND PERINATAL HEALTH

NATIONAL CONFERENCES

The Australian Lactation Consultant Association (ALCA) National Conference:
Breastfeeding: A Key Public Health Issue
September 4th - 6th 2009, Canberra ACT, Australia.
For more information visit http://alca.asn.au/

Australian College of Midwives 16th Biennial Conference: "Women & Midwives - A Brilliant Blend"
Held from 22nd-25th September 2009, Adelaide Convention Centre
For more information: http://www.midwives.org.au and click on Events

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES AND EVENTS

International normal birth research conference in Grange over Sands
June 10-12th 2009.
For further information, contact:
Soo Downe. Email: sdowne@UCLAN.AC.UK

Women & Birth: Politics, Power and Practice
Worcester, England
14th & 15th July 2009
http://www.worcester.ac.uk/midwiferyconference/
Final Abstract Submission Date: Friday 6th February 2009

XIX FIGO World Congress of Gynaecology and Obstetrics
4-9 October 2009, Cape Town, South Africa
First Announcement is now available on the Congress website: www.figo2009.org.za/announcements/First%20Announcement%20Final%201.pdf

The 9th World Congress of Perinatal Medicine in Berlin, Germany
October 24-28, 2009.
For further information: www.wcpm9.org
The organizers of the World Congress of Perinatal Medicine at Berlin look forward to papers submitted by midwives within the regular process of "Call for Abstracts" Please feel free to inform your colleagues of the opportunity to submit abstracts at wcpm9.

6th World Congress on Developmental Origins of Health and Disease
November 19-22, 2009
Santiago, Chile
For more information: http://www.mrc.soton.ac.uk/dohad/index.asp?page=71

2010 International Conferences

7th International Conference of Neonatal Nursing 2010.
Durban, South Africa
24 – 27 October 2010
For more information: http://www.coinnurses.org/coinn_conf/2010_int_neonatal.htm

16th International Congress of the International Society of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Venice, Italy 28-31 Oct 2010.
For more information: http://www.ispog2010.com

Further Information

For more information on WOMBAT initiatives, please contact the WOMBAT Collaboration national co-ordinator:
georgie.stamp@adelaide.edu.au

The WOMBAT Collaboration is funded through a NHMRC enabling grant.