Research is a key component to the advancement of women’s and newborn health. However, less than 6% of Canada’s national health research funding is dedicated to studying the unique health needs of women. This is a stunning disparity that leaves critical gaps in both the understanding and advancement of women’s health.
Research is the catalyst for care and BC Women’s Health Foundation is dedicated to fueling the research that leads to new discoveries that improve healthcare for women and babies in British Columbia. This blogs series introduces you to some of the dedicated medical experts who have devoted themselves to filling knowledge gaps and advancing care for patients.
Dr. Thiviya Selvanathan is a neurologist at BC Women’s NICU specializing in neonatal neurology. In this role, she cares for babies with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), a condition that occurs when a baby’s brain is deprived of oxygen and blood flow around the time of birth. Babies with HIE may appear drowsy, have trouble feeding and even experience seizures.
At BC Women’s NICU, Dr. Selvanathan is leading research that could revolutionize how doctors predict outcomes for these babies, helping families better understand what to expect in the months and years ahead.
Right now, predicting how a baby with HIE will develop is difficult. “Most of the time, we have to tell parents, ‘We’ll have to wait and see,’ which isn’t satisfying for them, or for me as a doctor,” said Dr. Selvanathan.
Her research focuses on using advanced MRI technology to see how brain injuries impact development over time. By following these babies as they grow, her goal is to create a better prediction tool, one that helps doctors:
- Identify which areas of the brain are most affected
- Provide clearer answers about potential long-term challenges
- Start early neurodevelopmental interventions when needed
“The short-term goal is to ensure these babies stay connected to our team for long-term care. But the bigger picture? We want to give families more certainty—and more hope.”
Breakthroughs in neonatal care wouldn’t be possible without donor support. Dr. Selvanathan emphasizes the need for specialized research funding, from supporting research teams to accessing cutting-edge technology like an MRI scanner in the NICU. “An in-unit MRI would be so valuable, both from a research perspective and for clinical care,” she says.
By supporting NICU research, you’re helping ensure that every baby has the best chance at a healthy future.
Please support the critical work of some of our most dedicated and passionate medical researchers. Your donation can help advance new breakthroughs, test new theories, collect and analyze critical data, and put BC at the forefront of innovation in research, which translates to the highest level of care to patient care for moms, newborns and families across our province.