HEALTH RESEARCH GRANT PUTS PRETERM BIRTHS UNDER THE MICROSCOPE
Worldwide, preterm birth remains the leading cause of death and disability in children under five.
A project at the University of Western Australia investigating the causes of preterm births is among 32 initiatives funded as part of the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation’s latest round of Health Research grants.
Associate Professor Matt Payne, a Principal Research Fellow in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at UWA, is undertaking research into how the genital microbiomes of First Nations women can be used to predict the risk of preterm birth.
In Western Australia, approximately 3,000 infants are born preterm each year, with preterm birth twice as prevalent among First Nations women.
Associate Professor Payne is gathering data to develop improved diagnostic tests for predicting preterm birth, enabling better-targeted care and treatments aiming to reduce its impact.
While the project’s initial focus is on data collected from pregnant women, Associate Professor Payne and his colleagues are also planning to expand their research to incorporate a study into the microbiomes of male partners in a later stage of the project.
UWA Professor of Obstetrics, Professor John Newnham, said the research could significantly improve the outcomes for preterm babies.
“Preventing preterm birth using vaginal microbial biomarkers and new antimicrobial treatments has the potential to be a major advancement in obstetrics,” he said.
Recipients of the Foundation’s Health Research Grants are selected following a rigorous application and interview process overseen by the Foundation’s Health Research Advisory Panel.
Research and Partnerships Manager Dr Gervase Chaney said this process was designed to maximise the impact of the Foundation’s giving upon the health and wellbeing of children and families in Western Australia.
“The panel, comprising clinicians, scientists, and community representatives, ensures that each grant is awarded based on its potential impact, scientific merit, feasibility, consumer and community involvement, and alignment with the Foundation’s giving guidelines,” Dr Chaney said.
For a full list of Health Research grant recipients, visit Health Research Grant Recipients.
Published: January 2025