The clinical trial of sildenafil (Viagra) for use in pregnancy features at no. 2 on the Science Media Centre’s top 10 picks for the most significant science stories of 2013. The clinical trial is the culmination of more than 15 years research by Gravida Director, Prof Phil Baker, and this NZ trial, led by Dr Katie Groom, along with a number of international trials will investigate the use of sildenafil in pregnant women whose babies have been diagnosed with intrauterine growth restriction. More details here
In addition, at no. 6, was the Sugar Babies research – using dextrose gel to treat low blood sugars in newborns, led by University of Auckland and Gravida researcher Professor Jane Harding. This story relates to a trial held in 2008-10, for which results were recently published in the Lancet, one of the top medical journals in the world. The study has since been extended, with funding from Cure Kids, the Health Research Council of NZ and Gravida to enable a series of related, ongoing trials that have widened the potential clinical applications of the dextrose gel. More details here