{"id":57561,"date":"2023-07-05T15:21:06","date_gmt":"2023-07-05T05:21:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hudsonorgau.wpengine.com\/?post_type=hdsn_news_post&p=57561"},"modified":"2024-03-13T16:25:28","modified_gmt":"2024-03-13T05:25:28","slug":"protect-me-trial-ronicks-story","status":"publish","type":"hdsn_news_post","link":"https:\/\/hudson.org.au\/news\/protect-me-trial-ronicks-story\/","title":{"rendered":"PROTECT Me Trial | Ronick\u2019s story"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Professor Suzanne Miller<\/a> and her team\u2019s PROTECT Me Trial<\/a> is providing hope to parents of our most vulnerable babies like Ronick.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Hannah,
L-R: Hannah, Professor Suzanne Miller holding baby Ronick, Nav<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

A leader in the field of fetal and neonatal physiology and brain injury, Prof Miller is working to prevent and treat the neurodevelopmental disorders that can have lifelong effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cThe developing brain is fascinating. The fetal brain is exquisitely sensitive to the in-utero environment. We are still learning how compromise during pregnancy affects the baby\u2019s brain development and long-term neurological outcomes.\u201d Professor Suzanne Miller<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

World-first PROTECT Me Trial<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of her projects is the world-first PROTECT Me Trial, using melatonin to combat the effects of fetal growth restriction (FGR)<\/a> \u2013 a major cause of cardiovascular disease, lung and brain injury in the newborn – as well as contributing to the ongoing development of cerebral palsy, autism, learning and other behavioural dysfunctions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cMy research goal is to see fewer children with cerebral palsy<\/a> or learning disabilities because of new preventions and treatments my team has developed for neonatal brain injury.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Ronick\u2019s story<\/h2>\n

When doctors told Hannah after her 28-week scan that her baby\u2019s growth was well behind schedule, she was understandably concerned \u2013 especially in light of previous miscarriages.<\/p>\n

\"Baby<\/a>
L-R: Mum Hannah and baby Ronick<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

So, when staff at her Monash Health obstetric check-up asked if she would like to take part in the PROTECT Me Trial, she and husband Nav did not hesitate.<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe in science. I trust the doctors and midwives, so I decided to join the trial as soon as I knew there was an issue with my baby\u2019s growth,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Every week, she returned for a scan with an instruction to \u201cpack your bags because you may need an emergency C-section at any time\u201d.<\/p>\n

Baby Ronick waited another seven weeks to come into the world. He weighed 1.88kg (small, but still much more than expected) and gave a good healthy cry when he arrived.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were so relieved to have a healthy baby!\u201d Hannah said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Ronick’s progress will be monitored, like the other 335 babies in the trial, and once they have reached their second birthday, the effectiveness of melatonin treatment will be assessed.<\/p>\n

Hannah and Nav are proud to have played their part in advancing medical science.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n\n\n\n

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Diseases we research<\/p>\n

\n Fetal growth restriction (FGR) | Learn more<\/span>\n \n <\/polygon>\n <\/svg>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n\n\n

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