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Sir Graham Liggins | |
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Born | Graham Collingwood Liggins 24 June 1926 Thames, New Zealand |
Died | 24 August 2010 | (aged 84)
Known for | Obstetrics |
Sir Graham Collingwood "Mont" Liggins CBE FRS FRSNZ[1] (24 June 1926 – 24 August 2010) was a New Zealand medical scientist. A specialist in obstetrical research, he is best known for his pioneering use of hormone injections (antenatal steroids) in 1972[2] to accelerate the lung growth of premature babies. This made it possible for many preterm babies with lung problems to survive.
Liggins was educated at the University of Auckland obtaining a PhD in 1969. His doctoral thesis was titled The Role of the foetal adrenal glands in the mechanism of initiation of parturition in the ewe.[3] He carried out research into the reduction of death rates of premature babies at National Women's Hospital in Auckland.[4]
In the 1983 Queen's Birthday Honours, Liggins was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to medical research.[5] He was made a Knight Bachelor, also for services to medical research, in the 1991 Queen's Birthday Honours.[6][7][8]
The Liggins Institute was named in his honour.
Liggins died on 24 August 2010, aged 84, following a long illness.[1][9]