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Dr Barbara Elizabeth Cormack

PhD, MHSc, Dip HSc, NZ Registered Dietitian

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Senior Research Fellow
In: Liggins Institute
Honorary Academic
In: Liggins Institute

Biography

Barbara Cormack has a PhD in Perinatal Science and MHSc with 1st class honours from the University of Auckland. She works clinically as a neonatal specialist dietitian and is Clinical Lead for the team of the paediatric dietitians at Starship Child Health, Auckland City Hospital, New Zealand.  

Research | Current

PhD topic: Does better early nutrition in preterm babies improve growth and neurodevelopment?

Supervisors: Professors Frank Bloomfield and Caroline Crowther

The ProVIDE Study

Protein IVN: Impact on Development

Does better early nutrition in preterm babies improve development?
The ProVIDE Study is a multicentre, two-arm, double-blind, placebo controlled randomised trial.

Chief Investigator: Professor Frank Bloomfield

Primary Investigator: Barbara Cormack

Aim: To determine in extremely low birthweight babies (birthweight < 1000g) whether an extra 1 g protein per day for the first 5 days after birth will improve survival free of neurodisability at age 2 years; (ii) improve body composition and (iii) prevent faltering growth at hospital discharge.

Intervention: All participants will receive normal neonatal intensive care and intravenous nutrition in accordance with established NICU guidelines in each centre. The control group will receive a 0.45% saline solution via the umbilical arterial catheter (UAC) according to current clinical practice. The intervention group will receive a UAC solution of 8.5% TrophAmine (an amino acid solution providing ~1 g to 2 g/Kg.d protein). 

Eligibility criteria: Babies born with a birthweight of less than 1000 g in whom a clinical decision to place an umbilical arterial catheter has been made and whose parents/caregivers have given written informed consent.

Number of participants required: 430

Date recruitment started: 29 May 2014

Date recruitment finished/planned: October 2018

Funding source: Health Research Council of New Zealand, Gravida: National Centre for Growth and Development, A+ Trust, Cure Kids, Lottery Grants Board and the Nurture Foundation.

Teaching | Current

2002 - present

Optimising Nutrition for Preterm Infants, Postgraduate Certificate in Paediatric Nutrition and Dietetics, Melbourne, Australia. Two 45-minute lectures as part of an annual 5-day postgraduate course for NZ and Australian Paediatric Dietitians run by the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.

2017 - present

Neonatal Nutrition Auckland University of Technology, Post Graduate Certificate or Post Graduate Diploma - Child Health. Neonatal Pathophysiology HEAL 850. A 60-minute lecture as part of a postgraduate course for neonatal nurses.

2013 - present

DIETETIC 708: Paediatrics – Neonatal and ICU, Master of Health Sciences in Nutrition and Dietetics students, University of Auckland. A 60-minute lecture as part of a postgraduate course for student dietitians.

2013 - present

DIETETIC 707: Nutrition Care Process: Identifying the nutrition issue/ PES Statements Workshop, Master of Health Sciences in Nutrition and Dietetics students, University of Auckland. This involves running a 90-minute workshop on the international system of nutrition diagnosis terminology and clinical documentation and for postgraduate student dietitians.

2010 - 2014

Neonatal Nutrition and Paediatric Cardiology and Nutrition, Masters of Dietetics students, Otago University. A 60-minute lecture as part of a postgraduate course for student dietitians.

2011- 2014

Dietitians Board - Dietitian Prescribing Training Course Coordinator and workshop lecturer for Dietitian Prescriber endorsement to scope of practice for NZ dietitians. This also involved developing and then teaching a one day prescribing training course for an endorsement to the scope of practice for NZ practising dietitians.

2002 - 2014

Paediatric Cardiology and Nutrition, Postgraduate Certificate in Paediatric Nutrition and Dietetics, Melbourne. A 60-minute lecture as part of an annual 5-day postgraduate course for NZ and Australian Paediatric Dietitians run by the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.

2002 - 2012

Paediatric Nutrition, Postgraduate Diploma of Dietetics students - tutorials 

2000 - 2012

Clinical placements teacher, Postgraduate Diploma of Dietetics students on clinical placement at Auckland City Hospital

2000 - present

Neonatal Nutrition, Neonatal Nursing Students Course, Auckland City Hospital. A 60-minute lecture as part of a course for neonatal nurses.

2007 - 2012

Infant Formula - Hot Topics and New Developments. Regular in-service education lectures for midwives and nurses, Auckland City Hospital 

2002 - 2016

Neonatal Nutrition, Massey University, Neonatal Science and Clinical Care of the Neonate 2 paper, Auckland. A 60-minute lecture as part of a postgraduate course for neonatal nurses.

2002 - 2014

Neonatal Nutrition, Neonatal Requirements and Supplements, Regular in-service education lectures, Paediatric registrars, Starship Child Health, Auckland City Hospital

2002 - present

Neonatal Nutrition, Regular in-service education lectures, neonatal nurses, Auckland City Hospital 

2002 - 2013

Paediatric Cardiology and Nutrition, Regular in-service education lectures, Paediatric nurses, Starship Child Health, Auckland City Hospital

2008 - 2013

Nutrition for Infants and Children with Congenital Heart Disease, Post Graduate Nurses 730 Cardiac Specialty Paper, School of Nursing, Auckland University

2008 - 2013

Post-surgical Chylothorax, Post Graduate Nurses 730 Cardiac Specialty Paper, School of Nursing, Auckland University. A 60-minute lecture as part of a course for paediatric cardiology nurses.

2008 - 2012

Surgery and Nutrition in Newborn Intensive Care, Nurses Study Day, Auckland City Hospital and Starship Children’s Health. A 60-minute lecture as part of a course for neonatal nurses.

Postgraduate supervision

Thesis supervision - completed theses co-supervised

 

2018 Nicole Hill, Master of Health Science in Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Auckland, Growth and clinical outcome in very low birthweight infants after the introduction of a multicomponent lipid emulsion.

2015 Victoria Arliss, Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics, Massey University, Parental reporting of the feeding practices of infants in New Zealand: an observational study.

2014 Jenny Vitali, Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics, Massey University, Feeding practices and growth of preterm infants discharged from the NICU at Auckland City Hospital until 12 months corrected age.

2013 Briar Emmett, Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics, Massey University, Vitamin D Status of Preterm Infants at 4 Months Post Hospital Discharge.

2013 Charlotte Moor, Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics, Massey University, Iron Status of Preterm Infants after Hospital Discharge.

2001-2009 Co-supervision of 1 University of Auckland and 2 Otago University student practicums

Distinctions/Honours

SIGNIFICANT DISTINCTIONS / AWARDS:

2021

John Funder Best Student Publication Award

2018

Winner - Chief of Health Professions Research Award, Auckland District Health Board

2016

Neige Todhunter Award, Dietitians NZ

2016

PSANZ New Investigator Award Best Oral Presentation in Allied Health

2016

PSANZ Best Poster in Allied Health

2016

PSANZ Nutrition Research Award

2015

Allied Health/Technical Best Poster Award, Auckland District Health Board

2015

Best Poster Award - Starship Foundation

2013

Allied Health Award - Research Award, Auckland District Health Board

2012

Dietitians NZ Award of Excellence

Responsibilities

Clinical Lead - Paediatrics Dietitians, Starship Child Health

ProVIDe Study Coordinator

Areas of expertise

Nutritional care of preterm infants 

Committees/Professional groups/Services

2015 - present

Australasian Neonatal Dietitians Network (ANDiN) Steering Committee member

2006 - 13

New Zealand Dietitians Board member (member of Registration and Assessment, Education and Accreditation and Continuing Competence subcommittees)  

2011

Accreditation Review Team member, NZ Dietitians Board review of the
Post-Graduate Diploma (Dietetics) at Otago University 

2007 - 13

Review Committee member - Registration Competency Requirements for NZ Dietitians

2009 - 13

Convenor, Working Group on Prescribing Rights for NZ Dietitians

2010 - 12

Pfizer Australasia Paediatric Advisory Board member 

2006 - 13

Nutricia Australasia Paediatric Advisory Board member 

2007 - present

Nestle Nutrition Institute Oceania Paediatric Advisory Board member 

2001 - present

Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand member

2000 - present

NZ Dietetic Association Paediatric Special Interest Group member

2000 - present

Auckland District Health Boards Paediatric Dietitians Group member

1990 - 93

Convenor, New Zealand Dietetic Association Position Paper Sub-committee

1988 - present

Dietitians NZ National and Auckland Branch member

Selected publications and creative works (Research Outputs)

As of 29 October 2020 there will be no automatic updating of 'selected publications and creative works' from Research Outputs. Please continue to keep your Research Outputs profile up to date.
  • Cormack, B. E., Jiang, Y., Harding, J. E., Crowther, C. A., Lynn, A., Nair, A., ... Webster, D. (2020). Plasma ammonia concentrations in extremely low birthweight infants in the first week after birth: secondary analysis from the ProVIDe randomized clinical trial. Pediatric research, 88 (2), 250-256. 10.1038/s41390-019-0730-z
    Other University of Auckland co-authors: Jane Harding, Frank Bloomfield, Caroline Crowther
  • Li, Y., Shen, R. L., Ayede, A. I., Berrington, J., Bloomfield, F. H., Busari, O. O., ... Greisen, G. (2020). Early Use of Antibiotics Is Associated with a Lower Incidence of Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Preterm, Very Low Birth Weight Infants: The NEOMUNE-NeoNutriNet Cohort Study. The Journal of pediatrics10.1016/j.jpeds.2020.06.032
    Other University of Auckland co-authors: Frank Bloomfield
  • Cormack, B. E., Jiang, Y., Harding, J. E., Crowther, C. A., Bloomfield, F. H., & ProVIDe Trial Group (2020). Neonatal Refeeding Syndrome and Clinical Outcome in Extremely Low-Birth-Weight Babies: Secondary Cohort Analysis From the ProVIDe Trial. JPEN. Journal of parenteral and enteral nutrition10.1002/jpen.1934
    Other University of Auckland co-authors: Frank Bloomfield, Jane Harding, Caroline Crowther
  • Fenton, T. R., Cormack, B., Goldberg, D., Nasser, R., Alshaikh, B., Eliasziw, M., ... Bloomfield, F. (2020). "Extrauterine growth restriction" and "postnatal growth failure" are misnomers for preterm infants. Journal of perinatology : official journal of the California Perinatal Association, 40 (5), 704-714. 10.1038/s41372-020-0658-5
    Other University of Auckland co-authors: Frank Bloomfield
  • Tottman, A. C., Bloomfield, F. H., Cormack, B. E., Harding, J. E., Taylor, J., & Alsweiler, J. M. (2020). Sex-specific relationships between early nutrition and neurodevelopment in preterm infants. Pediatric research, 87 (5), 872-878. 10.1038/s41390-019-0695-y
    URL: http://hdl.handle.net/2292/49933
    Other University of Auckland co-authors: Anna Tottman, Frank Bloomfield, Jane Harding, Jane Alsweiler
  • Cormack, B. E., Jiang, Y., Harding, J. E., Crowther, C. A., & Bloomfield, F. H. (2020). Relationships between Neonatal Nutrition and Growth to 36 Weeks' Corrected Age in ELBW Babies-Secondary Cohort Analysis from the Provide Trial. Nutrients, 12 (3).10.3390/nu12030760
    Other University of Auckland co-authors: Jane Harding, Frank Bloomfield, Caroline Crowther
  • Oliver, C., Watson, C., Crowley, E., Gilroy, M., Page, D., Weber, K., ... Cormack, B. (2019). Vitamin and Mineral Supplementation Practices in Preterm Infants: A Survey of Australian and New Zealand Neonatal Intensive and Special Care Units. Nutrients, 12 (1).10.3390/nu12010051
  • Cormack, B., Oliver, C., Farrent, S., Young, J., Coster, K., Gilroy, M., ... Australasian Neonatal Dietitians Network (ANDiN) (2019). Neonatal dietitian resourcing and roles in New Zealand and Australia: A survey of current practice. Nutrition & dietetics: the journal of the Dietitians Association of Australia10.1111/1747-0080.12592

Identifiers

Contact details

Alternative contact

Neonatal/Paediatric Dietitian
Clinical Lead - Paediatric Dietitians, Office 2, Level 8. Room 81.038 Support Building, Auckland City Hospital, Private Bag 920 24, Auckland, New Zealand
Tel +64 9 307 4949 Ext 23351 Mobile 021 915158  

Primary office location

M&HS BUILDING 503 - Bldg 503
Level 2, Room 201
85 PARK RD
GRAFTON
AUCKLAND 1023
New Zealand

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