http://hdl.handle.net/2440/70991 Wed, 22 May 2013 05:35:42 GMT 2013-05-22T05:35:42Z http://hdl.handle.net/2440/71207 Title: Cytomegalovirus and Epstein–Barr virus may be associated with some cases of cerebral palsy Author: McMichael, Gai Lisette; MacLennan, Alastair Harvey; Gibson, Catherine Sue; Alvino, Emily Renee; Goldwater, Paul Nathan; Haan, Eric Albert; Dekker, Gustaaf Albert Abstract: Objective: Intrauterine infection is a risk factor for cerebral palsy. Previous work reported a high frequency of viral DNA in newborn screening cards from cerebral palsy cases and controls possibly due to contamination. Methods: Retrospective case-control study using improved methodologies to minimize contamination during PCR-based detection of viral DNA sequences. Newborn screening cards of 339 Caucasian children with cerebral palsy and 594 controls were examined. Viruses tested were herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2 (HSV1 and 2), varicella zoster virus (VZV), Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), human herpes viruses 6, 7 and 8 (HHV6, HHV7 and HHV8), and parvovirus B19. Genotyping was performed on DNA extracted from dried blood spots. Results: CMV and EBV were detected in 5 (1.5%) and 3 (0.9%) of 339 cases, respectively, but not in controls (p  = 0.047 and 0.006). Frequencies of detection of the other viruses examined were similar for cases and controls. DNA from at least one of the nine viruses tested was found in 4.4% of cases and 3.1% of controls [OR 1.4 95% CI (0.71–2.76)]. Conclusion: Evidence of congenital viral infection was uncommon in cases of cerebral palsy and controls. However, CMV and EBV were significantly associated with cerebral palsy. Sat, 31 Dec 2011 13:30:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2440/71207 2011-12-31T13:30:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2440/71206 Title: Risk management in cerebral palsy Author: MacLennan, Alastair Harvey Abstract: A protocol to reduce inappropriate recrimination if cerebral palsy ensues when perinatal asphyxia is suspected after birth Fri, 31 Dec 1999 13:30:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2440/71206 1999-12-31T13:30:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2440/70835 Title: Fetal and maternal candidate single nucleotide polymorphism associations with Cerebral Palsy: a case-control study Author: O’Callaghan, Michael E.; MacLennan, Alastair Harvey; Gibson, Catherine Sue; McMichael, Gai Lisette; Haan, Eric Albert; Broadbent, Jessica Louise; Goldwater, Paul Nathan; Painter, Jodie N.; Montgomery, Grant W.; Dekker, Gustaaf Albert Sat, 31 Dec 2011 13:30:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2440/70835 2011-12-31T13:30:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2440/69902 Title: A 'no-fault' cerebral palsy pension scheme would benefit all Australians Author: MacLennan, Alastair Harvey Abstract: The Australian Federal Productivity Commission is proposing two new schemes to better support those with major disability. The main National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will provide long-term care and support for the disabled. A smaller scheme, the National Injury Insurance Scheme (NIIS), will provide ‘no-fault ‘support for those following an accident or ‘medical injury’. It is proposed that cerebral palsy (CP) is part of the NIIS. While this brings quicker and more equitable benefits to CP families, the scheme labels CP as a ‘medical accident’ and infers preventability. Obstetricians will fund much of the system. Despite being labelled a ‘no-fault’ system, maternity staff can still be litigated for extensive ‘head of damages’, eg loss of earning capacity. An additional option is for federal/state legislation to introduce a true ‘no-fault’ lifetime pension specifically for all children on CP registers. This pension would be graded by degree of disability and dependent on waiving civil litigation. Savings in medico-legal costs and potentially a 7% reduction in caesarean delivery would cover the estimated annual cost of $50 000 per annum indexed life pension for severe CP cases and the total annual cost of AUD $93 million for Australia. This pension and the NDIS would help cover the needs of children with CP without recourse to prolonged litigation and without detriment to the maternity services of Australia, caused by defensive obstetrics and maternity hospital closure because of CP litigation. Fri, 31 Dec 2010 13:30:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2440/69902 2010-12-31T13:30:00Z