JOHN SUSA

Ph.D., Brigham Young University, 1973. Associate Professor of Pediatrics (Research). Director of the Pediatric Metabolic Research Laboratory, RI Hosp., and Director of Family Support, The University Affiliated Program of RI for Persons with Developmental Disabilities.

RI Hospital

Phone: 444-5540

Effects of Diabetes and Fetal Growth and Metabolism: The effects of chronic in utero hyperinsulinemia on fetal growth and metabolism are being studied using the fetal rhesus monkey. Current studies are focusing on the long term consequencess of chronic fetal hyperinsulinemia.. We are determining if the impaired insulin secretion found in fetuses, neonates and young animals continues into adulthood. Of particular interest is whether maternal insulin secretion during pregnancy is attenuated in animals that had been exposed to exogenously produced hyperinsulinemia during in utero life. The offspring of some animals exposed to exogenously produced hyperinsulinemia during in utero life. The offspring of some animals exposed to this exogenously produced hyperinsulinemia weigh more than expected. The cause of this macrosomia is unknown and under investigation. Mothers with Developmental Disabilities: Most of the available literature focusing on parents with mental retardation is anecdotal in nature. Empirical studies focusing on numbers of families with one or two parents with developmental disabilities ae still lacking. Although several studies have recently been published that focus on parenting training needs of families headed by parents with mental retardation, empirical needs assessment studies on significant samples of these families are generally lacking. No wuch information is available about the numbers of such families in Rhode Island or about their needs as a group. Families of Children Assisted by Medical tEchnology: Families with children assisted by medical technology, who are receiving support to maintain their children at home are participating in a family-centered needs assessment. The assessment is designed to determine current services, family satisfaction with those services, and unmet needs. The survey seeks to gather information about all major family-life domains of those families with children living at home. The assessment indentifies the support needs of these families including in-home care, therapy services, transportation, and education. The impact of the unique needs of these families on housing accommodations, financial matters, and family dynamics is also of interest.

Publication: Susa, J. B., et al, 1993. Presistence of impaired insulin secretion in infant rhesus monkeys that had been hyperinsulinemic in utero. J. Clin Endo Metab 75:265-269.

JB Susa, 1994. The use of exogenously produced chronic fetal hyperinsulinemia in non human primates to separate the effects of abnormal substrate from hormone levels on the fetopathy of the infant of diabetic pregnancies: in Lessions from Animal Diabetes. Vo. V., E. Shafrir (ed), Smith-Gordon Ltd., London, pp 129-140.