WOMBAT Newsletter
    March 2010


Welcome to the March 2010 issue.

In this issue:

PSANZ CONGRESS

In March, the 14th Annual Congress of the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand will be held in Wellington, NZ.

The fundamental objective of PSANZ is to foster communication between health professionals, to advance the practice and understanding of Perinatology and the Annual Congress is the primary forum for this communication.

14th Perinatal Society of Australia & New Zealand (PSANZ) Congress
Dates: 28-31 March, 2010
Location: Wellington Conference Centre, 111 Wakefield Street, Wellington, NZ

For more information: http://psanz2010.eventplanners.com.au/

The Congress will incorporate numerous workshops and special interest group meetings.

WORKSHOPS AND SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS

1. 24th FETAL and NEONATAL PHYSIOLOGY WORKSHOP of AUSTRALIA and NEW ZEALAND

Dates: Friday 26th & Saturday 27th March 2010

For more information: see flyer

For registration, please go to : http://www.med.monash.edu.au/anatomy/workshops/fnwanz-2010.html

2. IMPACT NETWORK WORKSHOP

The IMPACT (Interdisciplinary Maternal Perinatal Australasian Clinical Trials) NETWORK, within the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand, is dedicated to the improvement of maternal and perinatal health by the promotion of appropriately designed randomised controlled trials (RCTs), and dissemination and application of their results.

Dates: Saturday 27th March and Sunday 28th March

For more information, please visit here: http://www.psanzimpact.org/meeting.html

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS: CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSION: 6 FEB. 2010

[ Download Registration Form ]

3.  COCHRANE PROTOCOL AND METHODS WORKSHOP AND WORK-IN

Date: Saturday 27th March 2010, morning

Come along and take part in this interactive workshop to learn about the main methods in developing a Cochrane protocol or review.

(for people wanting to start a Cochrane review or in the early stages of a review) 

Date: Sunday 28 March 2010, afternoon

This informal Cochrane Work-in provides a valuable opportunity for Cochrane authors to progress their Cochrane review titles, protocols, and reviews with the support of experienced reviewers. For further details please contact Philippa Middleton: philippa.middleton@adelaide.edu.au Phone + 61 8 8161 7612 Or Jann Foster: jann.foster@sydney.edu.au Phone 0414.502724

For more information, see flyer

4. PSANZ PERINATAL MORTALITY GROUP & ANZSA WORKSHOPS

"Antenatal fetal monitoring / Cultural diversity in bereavement care / Priority setting for stillbirth research"

Date: 27 March, 2010

"IMproving Perinatal Review Outcomes Via Education (IMPROVE) Program"

Using the SCORPIO methodology – a teaching approach based on Structured, Clinical, Objective-References, Problem-oriented, Integrated and Organised learning.

Date: 28 March, 2010

For further details, please contact: madeleine.elder@mater.org.au  or

http://www.stillbirthalliance.org.au/doc/PSANZ_PMG_& ANZSA_Flyer_2010.pdf 

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS: CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSION HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO: 1 MAR. 2010

[ Download Registration Form ]


5. RESUSCITATION SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP WORKSHOP

The Inaugural meeting of the PSANZ Resuscitation Special Interest Group is a lunchtime meeting at the PSANZ conference.

Date: 31 March, 2010

For further details, please contact Helen Liley at Helen.Liley@mater.org.au

For more information, see flyer

[ Download membership application form ]

WOMBAT news

A big thank-you to all those researchers who assisted in updating the WOMBAT 2010 Booklet. This booklet, now in its 4th edition, plays an important role in highlighting maternal and perinatal trials in Australia, including multicentre trials interested in finding new collaborating centres.

Details of currently recruiting or not yet recruiting Australian maternal and perinatal trials can be found in the booklet, on the WOMBAT Collaboration website and from the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry website.

RECENT PUBLICATIONS 

Australian Trial Protocols

Halford WK, Petch J, Creedy. Promoting a positive transition to parenthood: a randomised clinical trial of couple relationship education. Prev Sci 2010, 11:89-100

Johnston V, Walker N, Thomas DP, Glover M, Chang AB , Bullen C, Morris P, Brown N, Vander Hoorn S, Borland R, Segan C, Trenholme A, Mason T, Fenton D and Ellis K. A randomized controlled trial of a family-centred tobacco control program about environmental tobacco smoke to reduce respiratory illness in Indigenous infants. BMC Public Health 2010, 10:114doi:10.1186/1471-2458-10-114.

Publication of methodological interest

Taljaard M, McGowan J, Grimshaw JM, Brehaut JC, McRae A, Eccles MP, Donner A. Electronic search strategies to identify reports of cluster randomized trials in MEDLINE: low precision will improve with adherence to reporting standards BMC Medical Research Methodology 2010, 10:15.

COCHRANE NEWS

Here are the details of the new submissions for publication in The Cochrane Library, Issue 3, 2010The Cochrane Library, Issue 3, 2010

PREGNANCY and CHILDBIRTH GROUP

NEW REVIEWS

1. Intrapartum fetal scalp lactate sampling for fetal assessment in the presence of a non-reassuring fetal heart rate trace (East CE, Leader LR, Sheehan P, Henshall NE, Colditz PB).

2. Paracetamol/acetaminophen (single administration) for perineal pain in the early postpartum period (Chou D, Abalos E, Gyte GML, Gülmezoglu AM).

3. Planned early birth versus expectant management for women with preterm prelabour rupture of membranes prior to 37 weeks' gestation for improving pregnancy outcome (Buchanan SL, Crowther CA, Levett KM, Middleton P, Morris J).

4. Vaginal preparation with antiseptic solution before cesarean section for preventing postoperative infections (Haas DM, Morgan AL Darei S, Contreras K)

5.. Cesarean delivery for the prevention of anal incontinence (Nelson RL, Furner SE, Westercamp M, Farquhar C).


UPDATED REVIEWS

1. Effects of restricted caffeine intake by mother on fetal, neonatal and pregnancy outcome (Jahanfar S, Sharifah H).

2. Energy and protein intake in pregnancy (Kramer MS, Kakuma R).

3. Homeopathy for induction of labour (Smith CC).

4. Progestogen for treating threatened miscarriage (Wahabi HA, Abed Althagafi NF, Elawad M, Al Zeidan RA).

NEW PROTOCOL

1. Admission tests other than cardiotocography for fetal assessment during labour (Khunpradit S, Lumbiganon P, Laopaiboon M).


NEONATAL GROUP

UPDATED REVIEWS

1. Albumin infusion for low serum albumin in preterm newborn infants (Jardine LA, Jenkins-Marsh S, Davies MW).

2. Ad libitum or demand/semi-demand feeding versus scheduled interval feeding for preterm infants (McCormick FM, Tosh K, McGuire W).

3. Antithrombin for respiratory distress syndrome in preterm infants (Bassler D, Millar D, Schmidt B).

4. Double wall versus single wall incubator for reducing heat loss in very low birth weight infants in incubators (Laroia N, Phelps D, Roy J).

5. Physical activity programs for promoting bone mineralization and growth in preterm infants (Schulzke SM, Trachsel D, Patole SK).

NEW TRIALS

HIPERSPACE (Vic). ACTRN12610000166077
Comparing the failure rate of high-flow nasal cannulae (HFNC) versus nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) as post-extubation respiratory support in premature infants with gestational age of 24 to 32 weeks. Not yet recruiting.

The CPAP Study (Vic). ACTNR12610000167066
In very preterm infants who are being extubated to nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), does a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) recruitment manoeuvre post extubation improve global and regional end-expiratory lung volume, thoracoabdominal asynchrony and work of breathing when compared to no recruitment manoeuvre? Currently recruiting.

ARRIVaL (Qld). Awaiting ACTRN
For women undergoing an induction of labour (> 37 weeks gestation) with PGE2, does administration of a single or multiple dosage of PGE2 reduce time interval between induction and birth? Currently recruiting.

Bakri (Qld). Awaiting ACTRN
For women undergoing a caesarean birth for placenta praevia, does prophylactic use of a Bakri balloon result in less blood loss and related morbidity when compared routine intra-and post-operative? Currently recruiting.

SWITCh (Qld). ACTRN12609000964213
Is administration of the single needle sterile water injection technique no worse (or non-inferior) to the routinely used 4 injection sterile water injection method in reducing continuous lower back pain experienced during labour? Currently recruiting.

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/
 

CONFERENCES RELEVANT TO MATERNAL AND PERINATAL HEALTH

2010 CONFERENCES

Breastfeeding: Nurture & Nourish
The 2010 seminar series for health professionals, ABA members and volunteers and anyone with an interest in breastfeeding http://www.lrc.asn.au/2010seminars/

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/  

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)
1-3 July 2010
Alice Springs, NT
For more information: www.breathingnewlife.remark.com.au

Canadian Association of Midwives’ Annual conference: the Place of Birth

6-8 October 2010

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

For more information: http://www.canadianmidwives.org/

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS: CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSION: 31st March 2010

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 

14th Perinatal Society of Australia & New Zealand (PSANZ) Congress (see above)
28-31 March 2010
Wellington, NZ
For more information: http://psanz2010.eventplanners.com.au/

International Forum on Quality and Safety in Health Care
April 20-23 2010
Nice, France
For more information: http://internationalforum.bmj.com/ 

Women Deliver 2010 "at a glance"
June 7-9 2010
Washington DC, USA
For more information: http://www.womendeliver.org/conference2010/index.htm

5th Normal Birth Conference 2010
The biannual normal birth research conference will now be held annually. Every other year it will be held at Grange over Sands in the UK, as usual, and in the alternate years it will be held in other countries.
July 20-23 2010
Vancouver British Columbia, Canada
For more information: http://www.acnm.org/documents/2010NormalLabourBirthConferenceCallforAbstracts.pdf

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 

2011 CONFERENCES 

International Confederation of Midwives 29th Triennial Congress
June 19-23 June 2011
Durban, South Africa
For more information: http://www.midwives2011.org
 *Calling for abstracts*

FURTHER INFORMATION

For more information on WOMBAT initiatives, please contact:

Philippa Middleton: philippa.middleton@adelaide.edu.au

The WOMBAT Collaboration is funded through a NHMRC enabling grant.

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