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Pioneering new treatments for leukaemia in children with Down syndromeA team of world-leading scientists has secured $5 million in funding from the Leukaemia and Lymphoma Society to advance the fight against leukaemia in children with Down syndrome.
Research
Access to Oral Healthcare in Individuals With Rett Syndrome: A Qualitative Study of Parent PerspectivesIntellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are varied in their nature and presentation. Barriers to oral healthcare are reported in studies of general populations with IDD but these may not reflect the barriers experienced by individuals with rare disorders such as Rett syndrome.
Research
Comparing home polysomnography with transcutaneous CO2 monitoring to laboratory polysomnography in children with neuromuscular disordersClinical utility of home polysomnography in children with neuromuscular disorders is limited by lack of evidence that sleep-disordered breathing can be reliably identified and inability to diagnose hypoventilation because carbon dioxide is not measured.
Research
Co-design of the neurodevelopment assessment scaleNeurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) have high comorbidity rates and shared etiology. Nevertheless, NDD assessment is diagnosis-driven and focuses on symptom profiles of individual disorders, which hinders diagnosis and treatment. There is also no evidence-based, standardized transdiagnostic approach currently available to provide a full clinical picture of individuals with NDDs. The pressing need for transdiagnostic assessment led to the development of the Neurodevelopment Assessment Scale.
Research
Discovery of 42 genome-wide significant loci associated with dyslexiaReading and writing are crucial life skills but roughly one in ten children are affected by dyslexia, which can persist into adulthood. Family studies of dyslexia suggest heritability up to 70%, yet few convincing genetic markers have been found.
Research
Parental Experiences of Having a Child Diagnosed With Septo-Optic DysplasiaSepto-optic dysplasia (SOD) is a congenital disorder affecting 1 in 10,000 births, defined by the presence of at least two of a clinical triad, consisting of optic nerve hypoplasia, midline brain defects and pituitary hormone deficiency. Children with SOD may have vision impairment, hormonal deficiencies, developmental disorders, or epilepsy, but the clinical picture is highly variable. The complexity of SOD, its interplay with family factors, and the need for multiple specialty commitments can make the diagnosis period a challenging time for families.
Research
Can Respiratory Hospital Admissions in Children with Cerebral Palsy Be Reduced? A Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial (RESP-ACT)To investigate the feasibility of implementing recommendations of the consensus statement for the Prevention and Management of Respiratory Disease in children with severe cerebral palsy (CP) via RESPiratory hospital Admissions in children with cerebral palsy: a feasibility randomized Controlled Trial (RESP-ACT).
Research
A Multisite Randomized Controlled Trial of Hand Arm Bimanual Intensive Training Including Lower Extremity for Children with Bilateral Cerebral PalsyTo test the efficacy of Hand Arm Bimanual Intensive Therapy Including Lower Extremity (HABIT-ILE) to improve gross motor function, manual ability, goal performance, walking endurance, mobility, and self-care for children with bilateral cerebral palsy.
Research
A core outcome set to assess chronic pain interference and impact on emotional functioning for children and young people with cerebral palsyAim: To: (1) develop a core outcome set (COS) to assess chronic pain interference and impact on emotional functioning for children and young people with cerebral palsy (CP) with varying communication, cognitive, and functional abilities; (2) categorize the assessment tools according to reporting method or observer-reported outcome measures; and (3) categorize the content of tools in the COS according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).
Research
The application of population data linkage to capture sibling health outcomes among children and young adults with neurodevelopmental conditions. A scoping reviewSiblings of children with neurodevelopmental conditions have unique experiences and challenges related to their sibling role. Some develop mental health concerns as measured by self-reported surveys or parent report. Few data are available at the population level, owing to difficulties capturing wide-scale health data for siblings. Data linkage is a technique that can facilitate such research.