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Global, regional, and national burden of meningitis, its risk factors, and aetiologies, 1990–2023: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023

Meningitis remains the leading infectious cause of neurological disabilities globally, disproportionately affecting children younger than 5 years and populations in the African meningitis belt. Whereas previous global estimates focused on ten pathogen categories, this study presents the most comprehensive analysis to date, assessing the meningitis burden attributable to 17 causative pathogens based on the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2023 framework.

Children's Anxiety in the Perioperative Environment: A Qualitative Exploration With Children, Parents and Staff at a Tertiary Paediatric Hospital

Perioperative anxiety is a common and distressing aspect of anaesthesia for many children, resulting in management challenges at the time of anaesthesia and potential physical and psychological adverse outcomes. We conducted this qualitative phenomenological study to explore the perspectives of children, parents and staff on perioperative anxiety in our institution. Planned recruitment was 20 each of children who had undergone elective anaesthesia, their parents and staff. 

Clinical decision rules for diagnosis of Streptococcus pyogenes sore throat in Fiji: a prospective diagnostic accuracy study

Acute rheumatic fever is an immune-mediated condition triggered by Streptococcus pyogenes sore throat and possibly skin infection, with a substantial burden in resource-limited settings. Clinical decision rules (CDRs) are commonly used to guide antibiotic treatment of sore throat based on signs and symptoms, but their diagnostic accuracy varies by study and setting. This work aimed to assess the accuracy of multiple CDRs in Fiji to diagnose S. pyogenes sore throat.

Characterising commensal and pathogenic staphylococcal interactions with neonatal and adult blood

The abundant skin commensal, Staphylococcus epidermidis, is the leading cause of late-onset sepsis (LOS) in preterm infants but rarely causes infections in term infants and adults. Staphylococcal virulence mechanisms and the role of the preterm immune responses in driving these life-threatening infections remain poorly understood.

Association Between First-Trimester Medication Exposure in Pregnancy and Congenital Anomalies: A Scoping Review of Cohorts, Exposure, Trimester and Congenital Anomaly Definitions

The risk of congenital anomalies following first-trimester medication exposure is an important indicator of medication safety during pregnancy. Retrospective cohort studies using routinely collected data are commonly used to assess this risk, yet methodological inconsistencies-such as how cohorts, exposures, timings and outcomes are defined-can compromise reproducibility and validity. This scoping review examined the methodologies used in retrospective cohort studies assessing the association between first-trimester prenatal medication exposure and congenital anomalies.

Six cases of ENPP1 pathogenic variants causing autosomal recessive hypophosphatemic rickets type 2 and generalized arterial calcification of infancy

Autosomal recessive hypophosphatemic rickets type 2 (ARHR2) and generalized arterial calcification of infancy (GACI) occur secondary to biallelic ectonucleotide pyrophosphate/phosphodiesterase 1 (ENPP1) loss-of-function pathogenic variants. GACI is a life-threatening condition, often presenting in the neonatal period with heart failure and hypertension, caused by calcification of the media in large- and medium-sized arteries.

What is it like living with X-linked hypophosphatemia?: results from an Australian consumer survey

X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) is a rare, X-linked dominant condition with a high burden of both physical and psychosocial disease. This study aimed to describe the experience and burden of disease for children and adults living with XLH in Australia by inviting affected individuals and their carers to complete an online questionnaire. Of the 46 responses, half were completed by a person with XLH, and half by carers. Thirty percent were male, 33% were aged less than 18 yr.

Factors Associated With Rare Pediatric Cancer Trial Enrollment: A Report From the Children's Oncology Group Rare Tumors Committee

Over 90% of US children with cancer are treated at Children's Oncology Group (COG) centers, which seek to maximize enrollment in therapeutic and biobanking studies. Rare cancers have demonstrated lower than expected COG enrollment. We evaluated trends in COG rare cancer enrollment compared to US incidence from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registries, examining the impact of COG therapeutic trials and Project:EveryChild, a cancer biobank/registry.

Neurodiversity (in)Justice: Learnings for Australia from international approaches to supporting neurodivergent people in justice facilities

Citation: Passmore H. Neurodiversity (in)Justice: Learnings for Australia from international approaches to supporting neurodivergent people in

The United Nations convention on rare diseases—A framework for research prioritization

Citation: Junaid M, Downs J, Groza T, Lassmann T, Baker S, et al. The United Nations convention on rare diseases—A framework for research