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Paediatrics research

Everything we have read on paediatrics. Each paper is summarised from the full article rather than its abstract, so the limitations are in there too, and the funding wherever the paper declares it.

2,466 PAPERS · PAGE 21 OF 50 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTSLPCase-Control2022Symptoms of Pediatric Feeding Disorders Among Individuals with 3q29 Deletion Syndrome: A Case-Control Study.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPChildren with 3q29 deletion syndrome report far more feeding problems than typically developing peers. Clinicians should screen for selective eating, refusal behaviors, and growth issues, as these symptoms persist across ages and are worse in those with global developmental delays.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Caregiver strain among North American parents of children from the Autism Treatment Network Registry Call-Back Study.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceCaregiver strain did not significantly decrease on average over two years, despite the authors' hypothesis. However, strain fluctuated for most families: it increased for nearly half and decreased for nearly half. Strain was lower when children's adaptive skills improved or behavior problems decreased.
• OTSLPCohort2022Children's Attention and Self-Regulatory Behavior Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPParents reported modest declines in children's attention, task engagement, and impulse control during the pandemic. Families facing four or more disruptions saw specific drops in waiting their turn. These changes were not linked to child demographics or pre-existing parent depression.
• PTOTSLPOther2021Exploring sensory phenotypes in autism spectrum disorder.Molecular autismParent reports grouped autistic participants into five sensory patterns. The broad sensory difference group had lower daily living and social scores, while the most typical group had higher scores. IQ and sex did not differ across the groups.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2021Canadian Resources for Siblings of Youth With Chronic Health Conditions to Inform and Support With Healthcare Management: A Qualitative Document Analysis.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesMost online resources for siblings of youth with chronic conditions offer general information, not practical healthcare management guidance. Siblings described learning care skills through trial and error, highlighting a critical gap in resources that support their role in navigating healthcare transitions and future planning.
• PTOTSLPOther2022The use of Multi-Sensory Environments with autistic children: Exploring the effect of having control of sensory changes.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic children showed fewer repetitive movements and better attention when they controlled sensory equipment versus when it changed automatically. However, anxiety, social interaction, positive affect and arousal did not differ between the two conditions.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Neurodevelopmental profile of HIVEP2-related disorder.Developmental medicine and child neurologyChildren with HIVEP2-related disorder had mild adaptive impairment on average, severe social behavior problems even without autism, and clinically significant emotional and behavioral difficulties.
• OTSurvey2022Emotional and Behavioral Problems in Youth with Autism: High Prevalence and Impact on Functioning.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPCaregivers reported that children with autism had more emotional and behavioral problems and more daily-life impairment than children with asthma or no condition. Behavior problems contributed to impairment about as much as autism symptoms.
• OTOther2022Regularity and Timing of Sleep Patterns and Behavioral Health Among Adolescents.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPLess regular sleep tracked with more rule-breaking and aggression on teen and parent reports, and poorer school, activity, and social functioning. Later sleep timing tracked with more self-reported anxiety, depression, or physical complaints. These are links, not proof of cause.
• OTSLPOther2022Sensory profile of children with Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD).CoDASCaregiver reports did not distinguish children with CAPD from children with typical auditory processing. A moderate visual sensory difference appeared, but the groups were not separated.
• PTOTCase-Control2021Characterizing Cycling Smoothness and Rhythm in Children With and Without Cerebral Palsy.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesChildren with cerebral palsy cycled with significantly less smoothness and rhythm than typically developing peers. New measures can quantify these movement quality deficits, helping therapists identify compensatory patterns and target specific motor control issues during recumbent cycling training.
• OTOther2022Evaluating commercially available wireless cardiovascular monitors for measuring and transmitting real-time physiological responses in children with autism.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchIn 55 children, two inexpensive heart-rate monitors stayed on and recorded usable data during rest and stress. They showed higher heart rate and lower variability under stress. This is device testing, not treatment evidence.
• PTOTSLPOther2022Executive functions and adaptive behaviour in individuals with Down syndrome.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDRParents reported that children with Down syndrome struggle most with working memory, not emotional control. In school-age children, these executive function difficulties were strongly linked to poorer daily living and social skills, suggesting therapy should target these cognitive processes directly.
• OTCohort2022Family resources and school performance: an analysis of associated factors in middle school adolescents.CoDASAge and grade were linked to home resources in 124 middle-school students from a private school, but school performance was not significantly linked to the total Home Environment Resources Scale; having books at home showed a weak positive link.
• PTOTSLPOther2021Evaluating a Therapeutic Powered Mobility Camp for Children with Severe Cerebral Palsy.Canadian journal of occupational therapy. Revue canadienne d'ergotherapieChildren with severe cerebral palsy improved powered mobility skills after a three-week camp, with gains maintained at follow-up. Participants achieved personal functional goals, such as driving to friends or moving around the school, and reported enjoying driving independently.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2022ICF Core Sets for the assessment of functioning of adults with cerebral palsy.Developmental medicine and child neurologyExperts created a checklist of 33 essential categories to assess functioning in adults with cerebral palsy. This brief set highlights mobility, self-care, pain, and environmental factors like support services, aiming to standardise care for this growing population.
• OTPilot2021Teachers' Perceptions of Handwriting Legibility Versus the German Systematic Screening for Motoric-Handwriting Difficulties (SEMS).OTJR : occupation, participation and healthThe SEMS screening test matched teacher opinions for Grade 2 students but missed problems in Grade 4s. It works for young children copying short texts but fails to catch older students whose handwriting breaks down during complex class tasks.
• PTOTQualitative2021The Experience of Locomotor Training From the Perspectives of Therapists and Parents of Children With Cerebral Palsy.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesParents and therapists described 6 weeks of intensive locomotor training as manageable and meaningful. Families valued the short duration and peer support. Reported improvements extended beyond walking to include better sleep, mood, and respiratory function, which were key motivators for participation.
• PTOTSLPRCT2021Early visual training and environmental adaptation for infants with visual impairment.Developmental medicine and child neurologyInfants with visual impairment who received intensive visual training improved in eye control and hand-eye coordination compared to those who received only routine care. Both groups improved in visual acuity. The training required at least three sessions per week for six months.
• PTOTSLPOther2021An Inclusive Early Childhood Intervention Program for Children With Disabilities: Possible Effects on Children and Nursery Teachers.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesChildren with disabilities in inclusive nursery schools showed improved development and fewer emotional and peer problems after teachers used a structured behavioral support program for six months. Teachers reported higher confidence and lower state anxiety. No control group was used, so natural maturation cannot be ruled out.
• OTPilot2022Gut mobilization improves behavioral symptoms and modulates urinary p-cresol in chronically constipated autistic children: A prospective study.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchTreating chronic constipation with daily PEG lowered hyperactivity, anxiety, and social deficits in autistic children. Gut mobilization improved behavior across all participants, though the study lacked a control group and blinding.
• OTSLPOther2022Toward better characterization of restricted and unusual interests in youth with autism.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceParents of autistic youth described restricted interests most often as sensory, vehicle, character, or media-related. Male sex, intellectual disability, and more severe social-communication difficulties were linked to having at least one such interest.
• OTPilot2022Promoting Routines of Exploration and Play during Mealtime: Estimated Effects and Identified Barriers.Occupational therapy in health careChildren with sensory food aversion accepted more bites of targeted foods after Mealtime PREP, a bundled parent-coaching mealtime programme, and risk of nutritional problems fell.
• PTOTCase Report2021Case Report: Perspective of a Caregiver on Functional Outcomes Following Bilateral Lateral Pectoral Nerve Cryoneurotomy to Treat Spasticity in a Pediatric Patient With Cerebral Palsy.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesIn one non-verbal teenager with severe cerebral palsy, freezing the nerves to the chest muscles improved shoulder movement and made dressing, bathing, and wheelchair transfers easier for his caregiver.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Sex differences in age of diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder: Preliminary evidence from Uganda.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchIn Ugandan clinics, girls were diagnosed with autism at an average of 7.75 years, compared to 6.60 years for boys. This delay suggests clinicians should screen girls more aggressively for social communication differences, as cultural expectations may mask their symptoms.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022A novel magnetic resonance imaging-based scoring system to predict outcome in neonates born preterm with intraventricular haemorrhage.Developmental medicine and child neurologyA new MRI scoring system predicted cognitive and motor outcomes better than standard ultrasound grading in preterm infants with brain bleeds. Higher MRI scores and lower gestational age independently signaled worse development, offering clinicians a more precise tool for prognosis.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2022Risk and protective factors of quality of life for children with autism spectrum disorder and their families during the COVID-19 lockdown. An Italian study.Research in developmental disabilitiesChildren with ASD who played at a table with parents or did physical activity had better quality of life. Worsening overall autism symptoms lowered quality of life for both children and parents. Telehealth showed a non-significant trend toward protecting children's quality of life.
• PTOTSLPOther2022Odour detection in children and young people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDChildren and young people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities behaved differently to odours than to the odourless solvent: they aligned their head to the stick, sniffed, moved toward it, and rejected it more often.
• OTCohort2021Investigating the Effectiveness of Using a Situated Simulation-Based Program to Improve Occupational Therapy Students' Interactions and Observation Skills with Children.Occupational therapy internationalFourth-year OT students who completed a simulation program with standardized child patients scored significantly higher on post-course quizzes than those who did not. However, pass rates on the practical exam were low, suggesting video training alone was insufficient for developing communication and interaction skills.
• OTSLPNarrative Review2021Child Maltreatment and the Child Welfare System as Environmental Factors in the International Classification of Functioning.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesChild welfare involvement and maltreatment history are environmental factors that disrupt adolescent functioning. Clinicians should assess for dating violence, substance use, and sleep problems in these youth, recognizing that trauma symptoms often mediate these risks.
• PTOTSLPOther2022Feasibility and Reliability of a Novel Game-Based Test of Neurological Function in Youth: The Equilibrium Test Battery.International journal of sports physical therapyAdolescents completed this game-based neurological test independently, but scores varied widely between days. Reliability was poor to moderate, meaning single scores are not stable enough for clinical decisions. Practice effects were prominent early on.
• OTQualitative2021Identifying Occupational Therapy Research Priorities in Trinidad and Tobago: A Group Concept Mapping Study.Occupational therapy internationalOccupational therapists and students in Trinidad and Tobago prioritized research into public health sector roles and school-based services. They viewed these areas as most important but less feasible than practitioner development, which was rated highly feasible but least important.
• OTSLPQualitative2022Who gets coached? A qualitative inquiry into community clinicians' decisions to use caregiver coaching.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceClinicians reported deciding against caregiver coaching for families facing poverty, competing priorities, or cultural barriers. They often attributed these decisions to family deficits rather than systemic constraints, potentially widening disparities in access to evidence-based early intervention.
• PTOTSLPCase Report2022High-Risk Preterm Infant Born to a Mother With COVID-19: A Case Report.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesA preterm infant born to a mother with COVID-19 tested negative after birth and had age-appropriate motor skills, but language and self-care lagged. This describes one child's course, not evidence that any intervention worked.
• PTOTSLPOther2022Adaptation and validation of two autism-related measures of skills and quality of life in Ethiopia.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceThe Amharic versions of the ATEC and PedsQL Family Impact Module reliably distinguish children with neurodevelopmental disorders from those with physical health conditions. They are suitable for monitoring change in low-resource settings, though they do not yet track clinical severity.
• OTCohort2022Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and child behaviour problems in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.Child: care, health and developmentIn South African children, more adverse childhood experiences were associated with higher-risk behaviour scores, especially emotional and conduct problems. The link remained after household chaos was adjusted, but hyperactivity was not associated.
• OTOther2021Psychometric properties of the Korean Motor-free Visual Perception Test-4 in healthy people.Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTThe Korean version of the Motor-free Visual Perception Test-4 is reliable and valid for healthy Koreans aged 10 to 79. It correlates well with another visual perception test and shows no sex differences, though scores decline with age.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Posture Matters: Object Manipulation During the Transition to Arms-Free Sitting in Infants at Elevated vs. Typical Likelihood for Autism Spectrum Disorder.Physical & occupational therapy in pediatricsInfants at elevated likelihood for autism spent significantly less time grasping toys when sitting independently compared to supported sitting. This postural demand reduced their total object manipulation time, potentially limiting early learning opportunities.
• OTOther2022Anxiety in Angelman Syndrome.American journal on intellectual and developmental disabilitiesCaregivers reported elevated anxiety in 26% of children with Angelman syndrome. Anxiety scores correlated with irritability, hyperactivity, and disruptive behaviors, but not with developmental or adaptive functioning levels. Genotype did not distinguish anxiety levels.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Co-occurring medical and behavioural conditions in children with Down syndrome with or without ADHD symptom presentation.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDRChildren with Down syndrome and ADHD symptoms have significantly more sleep problems, disruptive behaviour, allergies, and seizures than those without. Parents report widespread executive function difficulties, but teachers see these challenges in all children with Down syndrome, not just those with ADHD.
• OTQualitative2022Mothers' experiences of giving medicines to children with severe and profound intellectual disabilities-The impact on time.Child: care, health and developmentMothers of children with severe and profound intellectual disabilities said giving medicines was relentless and time-consuming. It controlled daily life. They were always on call, planned around dosing, and needed careful organization for safe administration.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Comparative Efficacy of Botulinum Toxin in Salivary Glands vs. Oromotor Therapy in the Management of Sialorrhea in Cerebral Palsy Impact on Sleep Quality.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesAdding botulinum toxin to oromotor therapy improved sleep and swallowing more than therapy alone in children with cerebral palsy. The toxin group saw greater reductions in sleep breathing disorders and difficulty falling asleep.
• PTOTPilot2022Robotic Rehabilitation and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Children With Bilateral Cerebral Palsy.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesFive children with bilateral cerebral palsy completed 10 days of robotic arm training plus transcranial direct current stimulation. It was feasible and tolerated, but the study did not test whether arm function improved. Three children stopped, and training time fell as sessions continued.
• OTCase Series2022Effects of Sensory Garments on Sleep of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.Occupational therapy internationalFour children with autism wore compression t-shirts. Results were inconsistent. The oldest child, who sought more sensory input, showed improved sleep onset. The three younger children showed no consistent benefit. Parents reported increased stress related to getting the children to wear the garment.
• OTCohort2022Response to treatment and outcomes of infantile spasms in Down syndrome.Developmental medicine and child neurologyIn children with Down syndrome and infantile spasms, spasms stopped in 88% (46 children), but 85% of those followed up had developmental concerns and 25% had ongoing seizures. Prednisolone as first medicine stopped spasms in 60%; vigabatrin caused many side effects.
• OTSLPOther2022Daily Living Skills in Adolescent and Young Adult Males With Fragile X Syndrome.American journal on intellectual and developmental disabilitiesMales with fragile X syndrome aged 15 to 23 often did personal self-care independently but needed more help with chores, cooking, errands, and finances. Stronger nonverbal thinking and understanding sentences were linked to greater independence; anxiety was not.
• OTSLPOther2022Delineating the autistic phenotype in children with neurofibromatosis type 1.Molecular autismChildren with NF1 who screened positive for autism showed social communication deficits similar to idiopathic autism, but their repetitive behaviours were distinct. They rarely had motor stereotypies, but commonly showed insistence on sameness, such as difficulty with minor changes and noise sensitivity.
• PTOTCohort2022Sufficient sleep duration in autistic children and the role of physical activity.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceMore physical activity linked to better sleep in autistic kids, but the benefit weakened as severity rose. The link held for mild autism but disappeared in severe autism, intellectual disability, girls, and younger children.
• OTCohort2022Quality of life and self-perceived health of adolescents in Middle School.CoDASAdolescents who rated their own health as good or excellent had higher quality of life scores. However, quality of life ratings dropped as age increased, suggesting older teens perceive their well-being differently than younger ones.
• OTSurvey2022Psychometric Evaluation of the Parent Effort Scale.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesParents of children with autism reported needing more effort to help their child take part in home and community activities than parents of neurotypical children. The scale reports effort separately for dressing, hygiene, sleep, home social activities, community activities, and healthcare.