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Research
Neonatal skin: barrier, immunity and infection prevention in the NICUThe neonatal skin is central to early survival and immune development. Far from being a passive mechanical barrier, it integrates physical, chemical, and microbial defences that together protect the infant in the immediate postnatal period. In preterm infants, structural immaturity, reduced antimicrobial capacity, and altered microbial colonisation confer heightened vulnerability to infection and inflammation.
Research
Autistic and autism community perspectives on infant and family support in the first two years of life: Findings from a community consultation surveyMost support programmes for Autistic children are available only after they are diagnosed. Research suggests that parenting supports may be helpful for parents and their infants, when provided in the first 2 years of life - before a formal diagnosis is given, but when information suggests an infant is more likely to be Autistic. However, we do not know how acceptable these types of supports might be to the Autistic and autism communities.
Research
‘Feeling like you can't do anything because you don't know where to start’—Parents' Perspectives of Barriers and Facilitators to Accessing Early Detection for Children at Risk of CPEarly detection of cerebral palsy (CP) risk is possible from 12 weeks corrected gestational age (CGA) using standardised assessments; however, up to half of children at risk are not referred early, missing out on early intervention. We investigated the barriers and facilitators to accessing early intervention from the perspective of parents of children who did not receive services by 6 months CGA.
News & Events
Broome kids get their hands dirty with real-life scienceThe Kids Research Institute Australia is bringing science to the Kimberley, with a series of free activities for children and families in Broome in the leadup to National Science Week.
Research
Cochlear implantation in children under 12 months of age: surgical outcomes and considerations—a Western Australian perspectiveThe introduction of universal newborn hearing screening has allowed for early identification and diagnosis of children with severe-profound hearing loss. This study aims to provide the first Western Australian perspective on the surgical feasibility and safety of cochlear implantation before 12 months of age.
Research
Profile of the PLAY spaces & environments for children’s physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep (PLAYCE) cohort study, Western AustraliaChildhood is a critical period for the development of movement behaviours such as physical activity, sleep and sedentary behaviour. The PLAYCE Cohort was established to investigate how movement behaviours change over early to middle childhood, across key behaviour settings and relationships with health and development. An overview of the PLAYCE cohort, summary of key findings to date, and future research opportunities are presented.
Research
How outreach facilitates family engagement with universal early childhood health and education services in Tasmania, Australia: An ethnographic studyThis paper presents qualitative findings focusing on the scope and role of outreach in supporting family engagement in the Tasmanian early childhood services
Research
Measuring early child development in low and middle income countries: Investigating the validity of the early Human Capability IndexInclusion of early child development in the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda raises issues of how this goal should be monitored, particularly in low resource settings. The aim of this paper was to explore the validity of the early Human Capability Index (eHCI); a population measure designed to capture the holistic development of children aged 3-5 years. Convergent, divergent, discriminant and concurrent validity were examined by exploring the associations between eHCI domains and child (sex, age, stunting status, preschool attendance) and family (maternal education, home learning environment) characteristics. Analyses were repeated using data from seven low and middle income countries.
News & Events
How to tell if your baby is meeting their social and developmental milestonesPaediatrician and researcher Dr Lana Bell shares some important milestones for social development to look out for in the first year of life.
News & Events
Life skills for every childColab’s new Bright Tomorrows parent app is helping families across Australia give their young children the best developmental start in life.