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Research

Neonatal skin: barrier, immunity and infection prevention in the NICU

The neonatal skin is central to early survival and immune development. Far from being a passive mechanical barrier, it integrates physical, chemical, and microbial defences that together protect the infant in the immediate postnatal period. In preterm infants, structural immaturity, reduced antimicrobial capacity, and altered microbial colonisation confer heightened vulnerability to infection and inflammation.

Research

Medication Use in Type 1 Diabetes and the Association with Socioeconomic Disadvantage: Analysis of a National Linked Dataset

To explore trends in the receipt of commonly prescribed medications (beyond insulin) in people with type 1 diabetes in Australia, including polypharmacy, and to investigate socioeconomic disparities across these trends.

Research

Extreme weather events, home damage, and the eroding locus of control

The catastrophic consequences of natural disasters on social and economic systems are extensively documented, yet their influence on individuals' sense of control over their life outcomes remains unexplored. This study pioneers an investigation into the causal effects of natural disaster-related home damage on the locus of control. 

Research

A Scoping Review of Methodologies Exploring Diet and Health Outcomes in Lactating Women: What Has Been Done and Where to Next?

Developing dietary guidelines for lactating women presents significant challenges, due to limited evidence being available on their specific nutrient needs and the biological impacts of various dietary dimensions. Current dietary recommendations often rely on data from nonlactating women, leading to potential inaccuracies.

Research

Bridging the gap: unveiling key links between autism and anxiety symptoms in autistic children and youth using a network analysis in pooled data from four countries

Autistic children experience significantly higher rates of anxiety compared to nonautistic children. The precise relations between autism characteristics and anxiety symptoms remain unclear in this population. Previous work has explored associations at the domain level, which involve examining broad categories or clusters of symptoms, rather than the relationships between specific symptoms and/or individual characteristics. We addressed this gap by taking a network approach to understand the shared structure of autism characteristics and anxiety symptoms.

Research

Scalability and scaling-up strategy of a physical activity policy intervention in Australian childcare centres

There is an urgent need for scalable interventions to promote physical activity in early childhood. An early childhood education and care physical activity policy intervention with implementation support strategies (Play Active) has been proposed for scale-up in Australia. 

Research

Corrigendum to “Developmental trajectories of socio-emotional outcomes of children and young people in out-of-home care – Insights from data of Pathways of Care Longitudinal Study (POCLS)”

Yalemzewod Assefa Gelaw PhD, MPH, BSc Honorary Research Associate Yalemzewod.Gelaw@thekids.org.au Honorary Research Associate Dr Yalemzewod Gelaw

Research

Content Validation of the Communication Inventory Disability–Observer Reported CID-OR

CDKL5 deficiency disorder is a rare and severe developmental and epileptic encephalopathy that has profound effects on communication. It is essential that communication be measured accurately for upcoming gene therapy trials. The Communication Inventory Disability-Observer Reported was developed from a framework of communication derived from parent/caregiver interview data in consultation with disability and communication experts, and after reviewing concepts in existing measures.

Research

A pilot implementation study of a chronic pain core outcome set and decision tree for children and young people with cerebral palsy

This study aimed to (i) develop a decision tree to guide clinicians to use a core outcome set (COS) of chronic pain assessment tools specific to children and young people with cerebral palsy and (ii) pilot test the implementation of the decision tree and core set in clinical practice.

Research

Koolungar (Children) Moorditj (Strong) Healthy Skin Project Part II: Skin Health in Urban-Living Australian Aboriginal Children

Although essential for overall health and wellbeing, little is known about skin health in urban-living Australian Aboriginal children. This co-designed, research-service project aimed to describe skin health and document skin disease frequency in urban-living Aboriginal children and young people in Western Australia and investigate housing associations for skin infections.