research

paediatric intensive care

summary

The Paediatric Intensive Care research team has a number of research studies underway, which all focus on improving the outcomes for critically ill children. The main research areas that we are particularly interested in relate to cardiac disease, acquired brain injury, and intensive care outcomes. Our research studies are carried out in the Intensive Care Unit at The Royal Children's Hospital, and in the laboratories at the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute.

group leader(s)

Professor Warwick Butt
Paediatric Intensive Care Unit
Royal Children's Hospital
Flemington Road
Parkville
Victoria 3052

T + 61 3 9345 5224
E warwick.butt@rch.org.au

group leader biography

current research projects

Project 1: The HITBIC study: A multi-centre prospective randomised controlled trial of early prolonged hypothermia therapy in children with traumatic brain injury

The role of hypothermia as a neuroprotective strategy after traumatic brain injury is still unclear. The HITBIC study is a multi-centre study across all Australasian paediatric intensive care units. The study aims to determine whether a period of 72 hours' hypothermia, instituted within six hours of injury, improves the survival or functional outcome of children with traumatic brain injury. The study involves early randomisation of patients either to receive hypothermia, or normothermia (controls), with MRI scans and neuropsychological evaluation occurring six months after hospital discharge.

team members

  • John Clark - BMedSci(Hons) (Monash-PubHlth&PrvMed)
  • Carmel Delzoppo - RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
  • Song Lou - VISITING ACADEMIC
  • Jim Tibballs - HONORARY RESEARCH FELLOW

publications

  • Yung M., Slater A., Festa M., Williams G., Erickson S., Pettila V., Alexander J., Howe BD., Shekerdemian LS. Pandemic H1N1 in Children Requiring Intensive Care in Australia and New Zealand During Winter 2009. PEDIATRICS 127 (1) (2011) PubMed

competitive funding

Victorian Neurotrauma Initiative 2008

collaborations & affiliations

Paediatric Study Group, Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society
Clinical Trials Group, Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society
Paediatric Brain Injury Consortium