Congratulations A/Prof Gillian Nixon and Prof Rosemary Horne for obtaining Jack Brockhoff Foundation funding

A/Prof Gillian Nixon and Prof Rosemary Horne were successful in obtaining funding of $30,000 for their project "Optimising daytime functioning in children with Down Syndrome through the early identification of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea" from the Jack Brockhoff Foundation.

Prof Rosemary Horne

A/Prof Gillian Nixon

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is extremely common in children with Down Syndrome, but the condition is not normally investigated or treated as part of clinical care.  OSA can have a significant impact on the learning, behaviour, cardiovascular system and quality of life of developing children, but its effects are yet to be studied in children with Down Syndrome.

This study will provide a better understanding of the effects of OSA on the day-to-day lives of children with Down Syndrome, especially adaptive functioning (skills of daily living).  The early detection and appropriate treatment of OSA in children with Down Syndrome would help to maximise their potential and minimize cardiovascular problems in children with this condition.