WOMBAT Newsletter
    October 2009


Welcome to the October 2009 issue.

In this issue:

WOMBAT WORKSHOPS

IMproving Perinatal Review and Outcomes Via Education IMPROVE Program

Provided by the Australian and New Zealand Stillbirth Alliance (www.stillbirthalliance.org.au) In collaboration with the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand - Perinatal Mortality Group (www.psanzpnmsig.org)

November 8th 2009, 13:00-17:00
Level 7, Antenatal Clinics
Mater Mothers’ Hospital
Raymond Terrace, South Brisbane

For more information: madeleine.elder@mater.org.au
 

Independent Data Monitoring Committees: An Interactive Workshop

Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney
13 November 2009  09.30-16.00

If you are a researcher, trial coordinator, statistician, methodologist, interact with DMCs, or a member of a DMC

This interactive workshop is for you!

(Please book ASAP: Limited number of places available)

Workshop faculty:
Professor Caroline Crowther - The University of Adelaide
Professor Val Gebski - NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney
Dr Lisa Askie - NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney
Ms Philippa Middleton - The University of Adelaide
Professor Jonathan Morris - Royal North Shore Hospital, University of Sydney
Associate Professor David Osborn - Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, University of Sydney
Professor Christine Roberts, University of Sydney
Professor William Tarnow-Mordi - University of Sydney
Dr Georgie Stamp - The University of Adelaide
Associate Professor Vicki Flenady - University of Queensland

For more information or to register, contact: Dr Georgie Stamp, WOMBAT National Coordinator.
Email:  georgie.stamp@adelaide.edu.au  
Phone: 08 8313 1427
 

Probiotics for Prevention of All Case Mortality and Necrotising Enterocolitis in Preterm Infants: One Day Workshop

Loewenthal Auditorium, Westmead
Education & Conference Centre, Level 2,
Westmead Hospital, Sydney
20th November 2009, 08.30-16.30

Contact: eileenm@westgate.wh.usyd.edu.au
 

Magnesium Sulphate for Neuroprotection of the Neonate – developing clinical practice guidelines.

Women’s & Children’s Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia
Norwich seminar room, Norwich Centre, 77 King William RD (across the road from the Women's and Children's Hospital).
Saturday 12th December 2009, 09.00 – 16.30

Cost: $120
Aim: National meeting to produce evidence-based guidelines on antenatal use of  magnesium sulphate for infant neuroprotection.

Workshop Faculty:
Caroline Crowther – The University of Adelaide
Lex Doyle – University of Melbourne
Philippa Middleton - The University of Adelaide

For more information: tanya.bubner@adelaide.edu.au

NEW TRIAL

Father Infant Feeding Initiative: Increasing breastfeeding initiation and duration via education and social support for fathers. ACTRN12609000667213

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 WOMBAT maternal and 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   

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

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 WOMBAT maternal and perinatal trials page or email ppromt@med.usyd.edu.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

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

TRIALS WITH THE COORDINATING BASE OVERSEAS

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   

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 or visit http//www.pluto.bham.ac.uk or email Prof Mark Kilby at m.d.kilby@bham.ac.uk

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

The WOMAN (World Maternal Antifibrinolytic Trial) Tranexamic Acid for the Treatment of Postpartum Haemorrhage: An International Randomised, Double Blind, Placebo Controlled Trial. ISRCTRN76912190
thewomantrial@Lshtm.ac.uk  or http://www.trialscoordinatingcentre.lshtm.ac.uk/

WOMBAT NEWS

Attention Australian Cochrane Neonatal Reviewers

Any Cochrane reviewers out there, anywhere in Australia, who need to update their Neonatal Cochrane Review and would like some assistance please contact Jann Foster j.foster@usyd.edu.au or 0414.502724. We would especially like to to assist you if you have multiple reviews due or overdue for updating. We can also help with literature searching and updating your review to the current Revman 5.0 format. Presently there around 35% of reviews due or overdue to be updated.

It is essential that reviews are kept up to date to maintain currency of the recommendations for clinical practice. This is one very important aspect that separates Cochrane systematic reviews from other forms of reviews.

WOMBAT booklets available

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

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

[ Download Booklet ]

  • Research Gaps from Cochrane Reviews April 2009  

[ Download Booklet ]

For up-to-date information on individual trials we suggest searching the database under the trial name.

WOMBAT WEBSITE

Recently, there has been some discussion about updating the Wombat Website and adding new features. We are open to suggestions as the website is a dynamic resource that should meet the needs of researchers and clinicians. If your contact details need updating or if you have any recommendations for improvements, please contact: glenda.hawley@mater.org.au 

RECENT PUBLICATIONS

Jefferies K, Shub A, Walker S, Hiscock R, Permezel M. Reducing excessive weight gain in pregnancy: a randomised controlled trial. MJA 2009;191:8:429-433

CONFERENCES RELEVANT TO MATERNAL AND PERINATAL HEALTH

2009 NATIONAL CONFERENCES

Australia and New Zealand 6th Health Services & Policy Research Conference "Health Services Research – Reforming, Responding, Rewarding"
November 25-27 2009
Brisbane, QLD
For more information: http://www.healthservicesconference.com.au/registration.html 
 

"Environmentally Influenced Cardiovascular Disease: From Fetus to the Adult" - HBPRCA Workshop Day
Provided by the High Blood Pressure Research Council of Australia, Annual Scientific Meeting, 2009
December 1st 2009
Sydney, NSW
Keynote speaker:
Professor Kevin Grove, USA
Professor Joseph Proietto, The University of Melbourne
A/Prof Alta Schutte, South Africa
For more information: hbprca@meetingsfirst.com.au
Ph: (03) 9739 7697
Fax: (03) 9739 7076
 

2009 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES

Society of Obstetric Medicine of Australia and New Zealand (SOMANZ)
2009 Annual Scientific Meeting
October 30 – November 1 2009
Auckland, New Zealand.
For more information: http://www.somanz.org/annual.htm 
or email sneylon@racp.edu.au


Women’s Hospitals Australasia WHA Conference
9-11 November 2009
Sebel & Citigate
King George Square Brisbane.
For more information: www.wcha2009.com 
Contact Conference Manager on: estevens@arinex.com.au


Children's Hospitals Australasia CHA Conference
11-13 November 2009
Sebel & Citigate
King George Square Brisbane.
For more information: www.wcha2009.com 
Contact Conference Manager on: estevens@arinex.com.au


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 Conferences

Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) 2010 Annual Scientific Meeting
21-24 March 2010
Adelaide, SA
For more information: http://www.ranzcog2010asm.com.au/  

14th Perinatal Society of Australia & New Zealand (PSANZ) Congress
28-31 March 2010
Wellington, NZ
*Submission of Abstracts close 30th October 2009*
For more information: http://www.psanz.com.au/default.aspx   
3rd Biennial Breathing New Life into Maternity Care: multidisciplinary conference
 (Australian College of Midwives in conjunction with Royal Australian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine)
1-4 July 2010
Alice Springs, NT
*Submission of Abstracts close 2nd November 2009 *
For more information: www.breathingnewlife.remark.com.au  

ISA (International Stillbirth Alliance) and ISPID (International Society for the Study and Prevention of Infant Death) Joint Conference - Precious lives: global collaboration in stillbirth and infant death
8-10 October, 2010
Sydney, Australia
For more information: www.isaispid2010.com    

2010 International Conferences

"Quality in Midwifery: Good practice in care and education"

February 25-26, 2010
 Gent, Belgium
For more information: http://project.arteveldehs.be/leerstoelfg/index.asp  
 

International Forum on Quality and Safety in Health Care

April 20-23 2010
Nice, France
Abstracts close 21 Sept 2009
For more information: http://internationalforum.bmj.com/  
 

7th International Conference of Neonatal Nursing 2010

October 24–27 2010
 Durban, South Africa
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

October 28-31 2010
 Venice, Italy
For more information: http://www.ispog2010.com  

FURTHER INFORMATION

For more information on WOMBAT initiatives, please contact the WOMBAT Collaboration national coordinator, Dr Georgie Stamp: georgie.stamp@adelaide.edu.au 

The WOMBAT Collaboration is funded through a NHMRC enabling grant.

If you would prefer to stop receiving WOMBAT newsletter, please send your email with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject line to unsubscribe@wombatcollaboration.net.