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Research Topics

Gender Diversity

Not all children or teenagers identify with the gender they were assigned at birth. As a result, some may choose to change their name, their clothes or their body. With considerably higher rates of depression, anxiety, self-harm and attempted suicide, the need for specialist mental health services has been recognised.

Glue Ear

Glue ear is when a child's middle ear fills with sticky fluid behind the ear drum. A common condition, glue ear usually goes undetected, as it's not an obvious condition from the outside.

Immunisation

Immunisation is the most effective way of protecting your child against a range of serious illnesses, including measles, hepatitis B and whooping cough. All vaccines used in Australia undergo stringent testing and ongoing monitoring.

Influenza

Influenza (commonly known as the flu) is caused by a highly contagious virus spread mainly through coughing and sneezing. An annual flu vaccination is the most effective way to prevent flu outbreaks.

Intellectual Disability

About 2 per cent of children are estimated to have an intellectual disability. The cause of the condition is unknown in at least 50 per cent of cases.

IVF

In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) is an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) in which an egg is fertilised by sperm outside the body.

Language Development

Language is one of the most remarkable developmental accomplishments of early childhood. Language connects us with others and is an essential tool for literacy, education, employment and lifelong learning.

Leukaemia

Leukaemia, also spelled leukemia, is a cancer that develops in the bone marrow and results in abnormal white blood cells. It is the most common cancer in children, accounting for almost a third of all childhood & teen cancers.

Measles

Measles is a highly contagious infectious disease that can cause severe, long-term complications in children.

Melanoma

Melanoma, also known as malignant melanoma, occurs when abnormal skin cells multiply rapidly in an uncontrolled way.

Meningitis

Meningitis is when the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord (meninges) become infected by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis.