Julia Charlton

Overview: I conduct research in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit on the impact on the brain for babies born with birth defects such as heart, lung or bowel problems. I am interested to work out the best way for doctors, nurses and allied health staff to protect the growing brain from potential harm from essential medications that are used to prevent and treat pain and distress while receiving surgery and intensive care.
Publications: Intellectual Functioning of Children With Isolated PRS, PRS-Plus, and Syndromic PRS
Cleft Palate Craniofacial Journal
DOI: 10.1177/10556656221115596
2024
Small for gestational age at preterm birth identifies adverse neonatal outcomes more reliably than antenatal suspicion of fetal growth restriction
Journal of Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine
DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2023.2279017
2023
Functional Measures on Pedi are Associated with Bsid-3 Scales at 2 Years, Following Neonatal Surgery
SSRN
DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.4294860
2022
Impact of Comorbid Prematurity and Congenital Anomalies: A Review
Frontiers in Physiology
Gunn-Charlton, J.K.
DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.880891
2022
Estimation of neonatal body fat percentage predicts neonatal hypothermia better than birthweight centile
The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine
DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2022.2032634
2022
Cognitive, academic, and behavioral functioning in school-aged children born with esophageal atresia
Journal of Pediatric Surgery
Alice C. Burnett and Julia K. Gunn-Charlton and Stephanie Malarbi and Esther Hutchinson and Tiong Yang Tan and Warwick J. Teague and Sebastian K. King and Rod W. Hunt
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2021.01.014
10/2021
Commentary on "Motor Developmental Delay After Cardiac Surgery in Children With a Critical Congenital Heart Defect: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-analysis"
Pediatric Physical Therapy
DOI: 10.1097/PEP.0000000000000839
2021
Neonatal neuroimaging after repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia and long-term neurodevelopmental outcome
World Journal of Pediatric Surgery
Julia Kate Gunn-Charlton and Alice C Burnett and Stephanie Malarbi and Margaret M Moran and Esther A Hutchinson and Susan Greaves and Rod W Hunt
DOI: 10.1136/wjps-2019-000037
08/2019
Associations of Neonatal Noncardiac Surgery with Brain Structure and Neurodevelopment: A Prospective Case-Control Study
The Journal of Pediatrics
DOI: 10.1016/J.JPEDS.2019.05.050
2019
Outcome of vein of Galen malformation presenting in the neonatal period
Archives of Disease in Childhood
DOI: 10.1136/ARCHDISCHILD-2018-316495
2019
Surgery and magnetic resonance imaging increase the risk of hypothermia in infants
Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health
Joel M Don Paul and Elizabeth J Perkins and Prue M Pereira-Fantini and Asha Suka and Olivia Farrell and Julia K Gunn and Anushi E Rajapaksa and David G Tingay
DOI: 10.1111/jpc.13824
04/2018
Cognition and behaviour in children with congenital abdominal wall defects
Early Human Development
DOI: 10.1016/J.EARLHUMDEV.2017.11.002
2018
Amplitude-Integrated Electroencephalography Following Infant Cardiac Surgery: a Window to the Brain or a Crystal Ball?
The Journal of Pediatrics
Julia K. Gunn and Rodney W. Hunt
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2016.07.043
11/2016
Relationship between Social-Emotional and Neurodevelopment of 2-Year-Old Children with Congenital Heart Disease
Congenital Heart Disease
DOI: 10.1111/CHD.12320
2016
Perioperative risk factors for impaired neurodevelopment after cardiac surgery in early infancy
Archives of Disease in Childhood
DOI: 10.1136/ARCHDISCHILD-2015-309449
2016
NEUROIMAGING AFTER REPAIR OF CONGENITAL DIAPHRAGMATIC HERNIA IDENTIFIES CHILDREN AT RISK OF MEDIUM-TERM BUT NOT LONG-TERM NEURODEVELOPMENTAL IMPAIRMENT
European Journal of Pediatrics
2016
Subdural Hemorrhage and Hypoxia in Infants With Congenital Heart Disease
Pediatrics
DOI: 10.1542/PEDS.2013-3903
2014
TWO YEAR NEURODEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME FOLLOWING NEONATAL REPAIR OF CONGENITAL DIAPHRAGMATIC HERNIA
Intensive Care Medicine
2013
New White Matter Brain Injury After Infant Heart Surgery Is Associated With Diagnostic Group and the Use of Circulatory Arrest
Circulation
DOI: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.112.001089
2013
Usefulness of Routine Head Ultrasound Scans Before Surgery for Congenital Heart Disease
Pediatrics
DOI: 10.1542/PEDS.2012-3734
2013
TWO YEAR NEURODEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME FOLLOWING NEONATAL REPAIR OF OESOPHAGEAL ATRESIA
Intensive Care Medicine
2013
Amplitude-Integrated Electroencephalography and Brain Injury in Infants Undergoing Norwood-Type Operations
The Annals of Thoracic Surgery
DOI: 10.1016/J.ATHORACSUR.2011.08.014
2012
Perioperative amplitude-integrated EEG and neurodevelopment in infants with congenital heart disease
Intensive Care Medicine
DOI: 10.1007/S00134-012-2608-Y
2012
A Systematic Review of Motor and Cognitive Outcomes After Early Surgery for Congenital Heart Disease
Pediatrics
DOI: 10.1542/PEDS.2009-1959
2010
Pre-Operative Brain Injury in Newborn Infants With Transposition of the Great Arteries Occurs at Rates Similar to Other Complex Congenital Heart Disease and Is Not Related to Balloon Atrial Septostomy
JACC: Journal of the American College of Cardiology
DOI: 10.1016/J.JACC.2009.01.061
2009
Pre-Operative Brain Injury in Newborn Infants with Transposition of the Great Arteries Occurs at Similar Rates to other Complex Congenital Heart Disease, and is not Related to Balloon Atrial Septostomy
Circulation
2008
Research: Current Projects
I am building a new research program exploring a balanced approach to pain and sedation management in the NICU with the goal of optimizing brain development. Previous research has taught us that exposure to pain and distress in the newborn period can have long-term impacts on brain development, such than non-pharmacologic and medication strategies are an essential part of the everyday care of sick neonates in intensive care. Emerging research also suggests that the pharmacologic agents we use routinely are themselves potentially injurious to the developing brain. I am building a translational program which aims to integrate the skills of scientists, nurses, occupational therapists, brain imaging experts, pharmacists and doctors to define pathways of best practice care for vulnerable neonates, specifically targeting medications with the most potential for effect without harm.

Grants

Australian NHMRC Ideas Grant (Co-investigator): Designing novel blood and MRI-based predictive tools to understand disease mechanisms, improve recovery and guide targeted interventions following neonatal arterial ischaemic stroke
Australian MRFF Grant (Associate investigator): CHD LIFE and family-centred care models supporting long-term neurodevelopment
Australian MRFF Grant (Associate investigator): Targeted surveillance of developmental delay and impairments for young children born very preterm

Research Group Members

Lindsay Richter, Research Manager

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Congratulations CIHR Spring 2024 Project Grant recipients

Congratulations to the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR) and Women’s Health Research Institute (WHRI) investigators and their teams who were awarded $5 million in funding through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Spring 2024 Project Grant competition.

Continue reading Congratulations CIHR Spring 2024 Project Grant recipients

National study on the social and economic costs of eating disorders in children and youth during COVID-19 a 'vast underestimate'

A new pan-Canadian analysis showed a sharp increase in the cost of eating disorders in children and youth, comparing the periods before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study resulted from a collaboration between more than 40 health-care and academic partners, including BC Children's Hospital Research Institute.

Continue reading National study on the social and economic costs of eating disorders in children and youth during COVID-19 a 'vast underestimate'

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2023 Outstanding Achievement Awards and the Clinical & Translational Research Seed Grant

BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute is pleased to congratulate the recipients of the 2023 Outstanding Achievement Awards and the Clinical & Translational Research Seed Grant. These programs, generously funded by the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, play a pivotal role in acknowledging and nurturing excellence within our research community.

Continue reading Congratulations to the recipients of the 2023 Outstanding Achievement Awards and the Clinical & Translational Research Seed Grant

First-of-its-kind research unveils Autistic individuals' perspectives on genetic testing

For the first time, Autistic individuals have been asked to share with researchers what they think and feel about genetic testing in the context of autism. Previous research has instead focused on the thoughts, feelings, and opinions of Autistic individuals' parents, caregivers, and health-care providers.

Continue reading First-of-its-kind research unveils Autistic individuals' perspectives on genetic testing

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