$3 million awarded for pediatric research in COVID-19 recovery, obesity, computer automation, and more
New studies, led by experts from McMaster Pediatrics and colleagues across Canada, have cumulatively received over $3 million from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).
“We’re incredibly proud of our researchers and excited about these studies,” said, Dr. Angelo Mikrogianakis, Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at McMaster University and Chief of Pediatrics for McMaster Children’s Hospital. “Our vision is to create a brighter path for every child and their family, and this research is helping to do just that”.
COVID-19 Impact and Recovery
The COVID-19 pandemic has an inordinately negative impact on children and families from racialized communities, including South Asian families. Dr. Gita Wahi co-leads this multi-year study following the experiences of South Asian children and families living in one of Canada’s COVID-19 hotspots. The study strives to better understand the range of mental health and behavioural changes among South Asian children in Canada. Insights will be leveraged to develop equitable and community-led strategies to support families recover from the pandemic.
CIHR Award: $149,914 over 1 year
Children with disabilities have been uniquely affected by measures established to reduce the spread of COVID-19. During the pandemic, services, therapies, and supports were largely suspended resulting in a decline in health and well-being. Dr. Olaf Kraus de Camargo co-leads this study that will engage children and families to better understand this impact and develop resources to support families recover from the pandemic.
CIHR Award: $149,914 over 1 year
Dr. Olaf Kraus de Camargo is also investigating the experiences of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities. This research strives to better understand inequities in health services that may have been exasperated during COVID-19 and what children and families will need to recover in a post-pandemic future. Lessons learned will inform how health services are planned and delivered going forward.
CIHR Award: $403,776 over 2 years
Dr. Ronald Barr, with colleagues from McGill University, is co-leading a study investigating the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on children with cancer in Canada. The study will seek to understand how disruptions to the healthcare system and public directives to stay home during the pandemic may have impacted cancer diagnoses, survival rates, and treatment patterns. The study will confirm whether public health policies designed to protect cancer services during the pandemic were successful.
CIHR Award: $143,721 over 1-year
Computer Automation
Can a computer program make sure that the sickest patients will be first in line to see their doctor? Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Dr . Vladimir Belstotsky, and computer scientist, Dr. Douglas Down from McMaster’s Faculty of Engineering, have teamed up to design software to assess medical clinics and calculate how many urgent appointments are needed. Clinics across the Hamilton Health Sciences network will use this program beginning in the summer of 2022. Under the direction of the McMaster Industry Liaison Office (MILO), the funding will support market research to expand uptake of the software.
NSERC Award: $14,341 over 1 year
Obesity and Child Health
In North America, over 5,000 children are diagnosed with brain tumours every year. Thankfully, progress in cancer care has dramatically increased the number of survivors of childhood brain tumours. Unfortunately, after beating cancer, many survivors are experiencing chronic health conditions, including obesity which can lead to cardiovascular disease and diabetes. These conditions can dramatically impact quality of life and even shorten lifespans. Drs. Constantine Samaan and Lehana Thabane, is leading a pilot trial to investigate the use of Metformin medication within this population to help them live healthier and longer lives.
CIHR Award: $480,000 over 2 years
Dr. Nikil Pai and researchers from McMaster Children’s Hospital’s Children’s Exercise and Nutrition Centre (CENC) will investigate if a safe, low-cost, dietary fiber drink is effective in treating children with obesity who experience a form of liver disease. The study, involving 60 children between 8-17 years of age, will help determine if this approach can help reverse this serious liver condition affecting a growing number of children across Canada and around the world.
CIHR Award: $707,625 over 5 years
Acute Kidney Injury
Co-lead, Dr. Rahul Chanchlani, with doctors, nurses, researchers, and patients from the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, are working together to better understand if children with acute kidney injury (AKI) experience long term health issues. Data from five provinces will be studied to understand barriers to care as well as family perspectives on the long-term effects of this condition. This study will help shape treatment guidelines so that kidney complications in children with AKI are treated early.
CIHR Award: $1,074,825 over 6 years
Exercise as Medicine
With no cure and no recommended treatments, Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), a prevalent genetic disease that often presents as muscle weakness and poor mobility, leaves patients and families with few options. Dr. Mark Tarnopolsky, McMaster Children’s Hospital Foundation Chair in Neuromuscular and Neurometabolic Disease, and Josh Nederveen will investigate whether exercise, one of the best-known ways to reverse muscle weakness, will benefit patients with DM1.
CIHR Award: $497,249 over 3 years
Transition to Adult Care
Dr. Olaf Kraus de Camargo is leading a multi-national study, with partners in Germany and Italy, to better understand the experience of teenagers with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy as they transition from pediatric to adult care. The study will compare the perspectives of patients and healthcare organizations regarding effective guidelines to support this transition period which is often difficult due to loss of body function during adolescence. With improved understanding, researchers will develop policy recommendations to enhance the wellbeing of patients transitioning to adult care in Canada and around the world.
CIHR Award: $300,000 over 3 years
Additional Funding: German Federal Ministry of Research and Education (Germany) $443,220 and Mistero della Salute (Italy): $369, 352
Research Report Card
Dr. Gita Wahi is a co-investigator on a study that uses data from Canada’s hospitals to establish priority themes for new research. The study will focus on identifying conditions that most heavily burden the nation’s healthcare systems and perceived inequities in care delivery. The study will compare provincial experiences and the results will assist healthcare leaders to allocate research resources based on the greatest need. The goal of this study is to help optimize healthcare systems and improve care for hospitalized children.
CIHR Award: $100,000 over 1 year
To explore opportunities to collaborate in child health research at McMaster, connect with Dr. Katherine Morrison, Associate Chair of Research, Department of Pediatrics (morriso@mcmaster.ca).