Investigating the effects of melatonin on fetal growth restriction

Nicole Alers, with son Felix, in Maastricht in the Netherlands.

Congratulations to Nicole Alers on the completion of her PhD, which examined fetal growth restriction and protecting the fetal brain.

Nicole's thesis focused on preclinical and clinical studies showing the benefits of melatonin, a strong antioxidant, in the prevention of antenatal brain injury in fetal growth restriction. 

She completed her PhD under the supervision of Associate Professor Suzie Miller, Professor Graham Jenkin and Professor Euan Wallace in The Ritchie Centre (Hudson Institute and Monash University).

Fetal growth restriction is a relatively common complication of pregnancy and is associated with poor neonatal outcomes and even poor health outcomes later in adulthood. 

Children that were growth restricted in utero are at an increased risk of brain damage, including cerebral palsy, and neurodevelopmental delays. It is thought that harmful mechanisms that could lead to fetal brain injury arise before birth. Increased oxidative stress is one of the damaging pathways that leads to brain injury in fetal growth restriction. 

While finishing her PhD, Nicole started specialising to become an obstetrician-gynaecologist back in the Netherlands where she is originally from. She has also recently given birth to a son, Felix.

"I am now in my third year of training and am hoping to bring my scientific and clinical skills together and aid in translation research. I have a 8 month old son Felix who has made me realise even more how valuable a healthy start to life is," Nicole said.