PiggyBankKids

Changing lives for babies and children.

Dr Elizabeth Pilley

Elizabeth began her PhD studies in November 2008 looking at “The Effect of Antenatal Infection and Postnatal Variable Oxygen Levels on the Developing White Matter of a Model of Prematurity”. Studies following the development of children born prematurely have identified a high incidence of cognitive impairment despite advances in neonata medicine. To decrease the incidence of neurological problems in these infants it is crucial to develop a full understanding of the pathology involved in its development. This project stems from evidence linking chorioamnionitis to the development of brain injury in premature infants.

Thirty percent of preterm births are thought to be associated with chorioamnionitis, a substantial proportion of the preterm population. We are extending our study to include another factor that has also been identified as damaging to the developing brain of premature infants – high fluctuating levels of oxygen (hyperoxia). The use of oxygen is essential in infants with lung problems related to their prematurity without which there would be a steep increase in mortality. However, emerging evidence has shown that high levels may be causing a similar pathology to that associated with chorioamnionitis; both insults may cause a synergistic detrimental effect on the developing brain of these infants. The project depends on developing an animal model of prematurity to determine the effect of inflammation and fluctuating levels of hyperoxia both individually and in combination on the developing white matter of a premature brain.

Elizabeth has spent the past year acquiring essential laboratory skills from initial planning, through practical procedures, to interpretation of results.


Literature reviews

‘The effect of hyperoxia and hypoxia on the white matter of a premature infant’.
‘The effect of infection and inflammation on the white matter of a premature infant’.

Courses attended:

  • Animal Licence and Handlig
  • Computer skillsThesis writing
  • Endnote
  • Presentation skillsEffective writing skills
  • Statistics for clinical researcher
  • Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development
  • Presentations/teaching:

Presentations/teaching:

  • Evidence-based medicine Neonatal Teaching – March 2009.
  • 1st Year Out of Programme assessment, NES Glasgow, September 2009.
  • Statistics teaching – February 2009, June 2009, July 2009, October 2009.
  • Child Life and Health Research in Progress Meeting, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh – October 2009.
  • Journal Club Presentations – March 2009, November 2009.
  • Research in Progress, Neonatal Unit Meeting – December 2009.
  • Jennifer Brown Laboratory Presentation Meeting – December 2009.


Share