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Atopy-related immune profiles are subject to genetic influence as evaluated using school-aged twin pairs

The interaction of genetic and environmental contributions to immunological traits and their association with atopic disease remain unclear. Flow cytometry and in vitro cytokine responses were used to characterize immune profiles from 93 school-aged twin pairs. Using an established twin pair analytical strategy, the genetic and environmental influences on immunological traits were evaluated, along with their association with atopy. Our findings suggest strong genetic influence on several traits, particularly B cell abundance. In contrast, cytokine responses from in vitro stimulations appeared mainly shaped by environmental exposures.

Influences of bilingual input on English vocabulary size and academic outcomes: a large-scale longitudinal study following children in Australia from five to ten years

Research from large population-based studies investigating the language and academic outcomes for bilingual children is rare. The current study aimed to investigate the influence of dual language exposure on (i) English vocabulary outcomes at 5 years (126 bilinguals, 1675 monolinguals), and 10 years (vocabulary: 92 bilinguals, 1413 monolinguals:), and (ii) academic outcomes at 10 years (107 bilinguals, 1746 monolinguals).

Children's views on outdoor advertising of unhealthy food and beverages near schools

Children are often exposed to unhealthy outdoor food advertisements during the school commute. This exposure can have negative public health consequences given childhood weight gain has been linked to the marketing of energy-dense and nutrient-poor foods. This study aimed to explore schoolchildren's lived experiences and attitudes towards outdoor advertising surrounding their schools. 

Can lung disease be averted by focusing on early-life inequities?

Shannon Simpson BMedSci (hons), PhD Head, Strong Beginnings Research, Co-head Foundations of Lung Disease 08 6319 1631 Shannon.simpson@thekids.org.au

RSV: an update on prevention and management

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cause of respiratory tract infections in infants and young children, and adults over 60 years of age. Infants born prematurely, adults aged over 75 years, individuals with medical conditions such as chronic cardiac or respiratory disease, or obesity, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are at increased risk of severe RSV disease. 

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.

Which emerging autism features at 12 months of age are associated with later parent-child interaction?

Parent-child interactions (PCI) in infants with an elevated likelihood (EL) of autism start to diverge from other infants toward the end of the first year. This divergence is often attributed to emerging features of autism impacting infant social interactions in ways that become increasingly amplified. The aim was to identify which, if any, 12-month autism features were associated with later PCI qualities.

“Stop, pause and take a break”: a mixed methods study of the longer-term outcomes of digital emotional wellbeing training for perinatal women

Maternal psychological distress is related to poorer physical and mental health as well as child developmental problems. Interventions that optimise maternal mental health and wellbeing during the "first 1,000 days" of life should have wide-reaching benefits for the mother and her child.

Phage therapy could be key to conquering persistent bacterial lung infections in children

Persistent bacterial lung infections in children lead to significant morbidity and mortality due to antibiotic resistance. In this paper, we describe how phage therapy has shown remarkable efficacy in preclinical and clinical studies, demonstrating significant therapeutic benefits through various administration routes. 

Parental experiences of using continuous glucose monitoring in their young children with early-stage type 1 diabetes: a qualitative interview study

To explore parents' experiences of using continuous glucose monitoring in their young children with early-stage type 1 diabetes, being followed in the Australian Environmental Determinants of Islet Autoimmunity (ENDIA) study.