Why do hormones influence a premmie baby's survival?

National Babies Day - 21 October 2005

HMRI Mothers and Babies researchers are investigating the influence particular hormones have on premature babies and the impact this has on the babies' adaptation to life outside the womb.

Premature babies are born before 36 weeks into pregnancy, and are at a higher risk of developing lung and heart complications.

Dr Michael Stark* is aiming to establish how the sex of the premature baby affects its adaptation to life outside the womb. Understanding why certain hormones in the mother and baby affect the severity of illness found between premature boys and girls, will also be investigated.

"Unfortunately babies born prematurely are much more likely to experience problems as a direct result of being born early. Previous work suggests that baby boys fair worse than girls do once they're born", Dr Stark said.

"We know that low blood pressure is associated with more problems in the immediate newborn period and it appears that it could be related to a particular hormone called cortisol that is found in both mother and child."

"Our studies have shown that this hormone is dealt with differently by the mother's placenta depending on whether she is having a girl or a boy. This research aims to understand why this happens."

Dr Stark, working under the supervision of Dr Vicki Clifton* and Dr Ian Wright*, said that this research will improve health outcomes for premature babies, so they can grow into healthy adults.

Dr Stark recently presented preliminary data at the 32nd Annual Meeting of the Fetal and Neonatal Physiological Society in Adelaide, which demonstrates a sex-specific effect in peripheral blood flow in new born infants. Researchers observed a difference in the control of blood flow between males and females. By studying these differences, researchers hope to unlock the reason why preterm male babies are not fairing as well as preterm female babies.

Media contact: Dr Michael Stark, Dr Ian Wright and a parent of a preterm baby are available for media interviews on Friday 21 October until 1pm. For more information please call Kristy Bryant, HMRI Communication Officer, 4921 4841.

* Dr Michael Stark is a Clinical Research Fellow in the Kaleidoscope Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and a HMRI researcher with the University of Newcastle's Mothers and Babies Research Centre.
* Dr Vicki Clifton is the NHMRC RD Wright Fellow and a HMRI researcher with the University of Newcastle's Mothers and Babies Research Centre.
* Dr Ian Wright is a HMRI researcher with the University of Newcastle's Mothers and Babies Research Centre, a Staff Specialist in Neonatal Medicine, Kaleidoscope Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the John Hunter Children's Hospital, & Conjoint Senior Lecturer in Paediatrics and Child Health at the University of Newcastle.