Skip to content
The Kids Research Institute Australia logo
Donate

Discover . Prevent . Cure .

Search

Research

Discovery of 42 genome-wide significant loci associated with dyslexia

Reading 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

Associations between genotype, phenotype and behaviours measured by the Rett syndrome behaviour questionnaire in Rett syndrome

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder with developmental impairments, comorbidities, and abnormal behaviours such as hand stereotypies and emotional features. The Rett Syndrome Behaviour Questionnaire (RSBQ) was developed to describe the behavioural and emotional features of RTT.

Research

Neurodevelopmental impairment in children with Robin sequence: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Estimate the global prevalence of neurodevelopmental impairment in children with Robin sequence (RS) at one year or more of age.

Research

Burden of illness in Rett syndrome: initial evaluation of a disorder-specific caregiver survey

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a severe X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder associated with multiple neurologic impairments. Previous studies have shown challenges to the quality of life of individuals with RTT and their caregivers. However, instruments applied to quantify disease burden have not adequately captured the impact of these impairments on affected individuals and their families. Consequently, an international collaboration of stakeholders aimed at evaluating Burden of Illness in RTT was organized.

Research

Measurement properties and feasibility of chronic pain assessment tools for use with children and young people with cerebral palsy

Chronic pain assessment tools exist for children, but may not be valid, reliable, and feasible for populations with functional, cognitive or communication limitations, for example, cerebral palsy (CP). This study aimed to (i) identify chronic pain assessment tools used with children and young people and rate their measurement properties; (ii) develop a CP specific feasibility rating tool to assess the feasibility of tools in CP; and (iii) categorise tools according to reporting method.

Research

Hospitalizations Following Complex Hip Surgery in Children with Intellectual Disability: A Self-Controlled Case Series Analysis

To evaluate the associations between complex hip surgery and subsequent hospitalizations in children with intellectual disability, including a subset of children with cerebral palsy.

Research

Measuring the Burden of Epilepsy Hospitalizations in CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder

Information on the hospital service use among individuals with CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder, an ultrarare developmental epileptic encephalopathy, is limited, evidence of which could assist with service planning. Therefore, using baseline and longitudinal data on 379 genetically verified individuals in the International CDKL5 Disorder Database, we aimed to investigate rates of seizure-related and other hospitalizations and associated length of stay in this cohort.

News & Events

The Kids researchers finalists in Premier’s Science Awards

Three outstanding The Kids Research Institute Australia researchers have been named finalists in the 2016 Premier's Science Awards

Research

Efficacy of cannabinoids in neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders among children and adolescents: a systematic review

A better understanding of the endocannabinoid system and a relaxation in regulatory control of cannabis globally has increased interest in the medicinal use of cannabinoid-based products (CBP). We provide a systematic review of the rationale and current clinical trial evidence for CBP in the treatment of neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders in children and adolescents.

Research

Psychosocial wellbeing, parental concerns, and familial impact of children with developmental coordination disorder

Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental condition impacting motor skill acquisition and competence. While previous studies have identified adverse psychosocial outcomes in DCD, they are limited by small or population-screened, community-based samples.