Utilising the power of laboratory and clinical expertise to improve the lives of children.

Infants and children have a lower incidence of bleeding and blood clotting events than adults. By understanding the balance between bleeding and clotting in healthy children we can improve the quality of care delivered to sick children and develop strategies to prevent thrombosis in children and adults. 

Our group explores Developmental Haemostasis (how the blood’s clotting system matures with age). There are age-associated alterations in levels of coagulation proteins and their function. We are the only team in Australia and one of three teams in the world performing this type of research. They established the only age-specific reference ranges for coagulation proteins in an Australian population that has adopted inpatient care nationally and internationally.

The researchers’ novel approach has shown:

  • differences in the concentration, structure and function of coagulation proteins with age
  • differences in the platelet phenotype and function in children compared to adults
  • differences in blood clot formation, and structure in children compared to adults
  • concept of “ageing of the plasma proteome”
  • pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and monitoring strategies for currently used and novel anticoagulants in children.

We have also led international clinical guidelines and position papers for the International Society for Thrombosis and Haemostasis.

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