TOPIC

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 35 OF 50 · NEWEST FIRST

• OTSurvey2025Parenting Stress in Autistic and ADHD Children: Implications of Social Support and Child Characteristics.Journal of autism and developmental disordersMothers of autistic children and children with ADHD reported much higher parenting stress and lower social support than mothers of typically developing children. Confidant support was the only factor associated with lower parenting stress in both clinical groups.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2025Preparing to "Live a Life of Possibilities": Experiences of Healthcare Providers Readying Autistic Adolescents and Their Families for Independent Driving.Journal of autism and developmental disordersProviders felt unprepared to guide autistic teens toward driving due to time constraints and lack of resources. They struggled to balance adolescent independence with caregiver anxiety. Multidisciplinary teams and community referrals were identified as necessary supports for these complex family conversations.
• OTSLPOther2025Reliability, Validity and Acceptability of the PEDI-CAT with ASD Scales for Australian Children and Youth on the Autism Spectrum.Journal of autism and developmental disordersThe PEDI-CAT (ASD) is reliable and user-friendly, but it misses key areas like community participation and environmental barriers. It scores higher on social skills than the original version, which risks underestimating support needs and funding eligibility.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2024Identifying autistic children: Priorities for research arising from a systematic review of parents' experiences of the assessment process.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceParents consistently reported that the assessment process was confusing, lengthy, and often felt hierarchical. They valued respectful, clear communication and being treated as experts on their child. Many felt overwhelmed by information during feedback, highlighting a need for structured, supportive interactions rather than just clinical data.
• PTOTQualitative2024Participation of teenagers with vision or motor impairments in leisure activities: a qualitative study.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesTeenagers with vision or motor impairments defined independence as doing things alone, yet valued peer presence. Vision impairments hindered participation mainly through transport issues, while motor impairments caused fatigue and pain. Gaming was the most popular activity because it allowed social connection from home.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Associations between Social Experiences and Psychological Health for Autistic Youth with Low IQ.Journal of autism and developmental disordersFor autistic youth with low IQ, having enough social activity matters more than how much. Higher victimization linked to lower quality of life and depression. Time with friends was the most common unmet need. Being ignored was frequent, but victimization was the stronger predictor of poor mental health.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Trends in the Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder in California: Disparities by Sociodemographic Factors and Region Between 1990-2018.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAutism diagnosis rates in California have shifted from affluent, White communities to lower-income, Hispanic and Black communities. Girls are now diagnosed at a ratio closer to 3:1 with boys. Clinicians should expect rising referrals from underserved regions and younger patients presenting with later-diagnosed profiles.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024The inequity of education, health and care plan provision for children and young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDRIn England, children and young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities were less likely to have an education, health and care plan if they lived in more deprived areas or outside London, despite below national expected attainment scores and high emotional and behavioural difficulties.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2024Defining paediatric neurorehabilitation: You cannot improve what you cannot characterize.Developmental medicine and child neurologyCurrent labels like 'occupational therapy' or 'Bobath' hide what actually happens in the room. To see if a treatment works, therapists must specify the active ingredients and how they are delivered, rather than relying on vague job titles or session counts.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Development of Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors from 2-19: Stability and Change in Repetitive Sensorimotor, Insistence on Sameness, and Verbal Behaviors in a Longitudinal Study of Autism.Journal of autism and developmental disordersRestricted and repetitive behaviors in autism do not follow a single path. Most children showed declining repetitive motor behaviors, while insistence on sameness often increased then plateaued or declined. Verbal repetitive behaviors surged as language developed, then stabilized.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2025Physical Activity for Anxiety for Autistic People: A Systematic Review.Journal of autism and developmental disordersPhysical activity interventions show mixed results for anxiety in autistic people. While some studies found reductions in anxiety symptoms, others showed no significant difference compared to control groups. Evidence is limited by small sample sizes and varied measurement methods.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025The Association Between Gastrointestinal Issues and Psychometric Scores in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Developmental Delays, Down Syndrome, and Typical Development.Journal of autism and developmental disordersFrequent gastrointestinal issues, especially constipation, are linked to lower adaptive skills and more maladaptive behaviors in children with autism and developmental delays. These symptoms were not associated with test scores in children with Down syndrome. Clinicians should screen for GI problems when behavior worsens.
• PTOTSLPRCT2025Effects of Motor Intervention Program on Academic Skills, Motor Skills and Social Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.Journal of autism and developmental disordersA 12-week motor program improved gross motor skills, pre-academic concepts like colors and numbers, and social cooperation in autistic preschoolers. The intervention group showed significantly lower autistic index scores and fewer behavioral problems compared to the control group.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Adverse Childhood Experiences and Health Outcomes Among Transition-Age Autistic Youth.Journal of autism and developmental disordersTransition-age autistic youth report far more adverse childhood experiences than non-autistic peers, especially bullying. Higher ACE counts link to poor general health, anxiety, depression, and physical conditions. Screening for community-based adversity like bullying is essential to identify those at risk.
• PTOTSLPCase-Control2025The Relationship Between Fatigue and Quality of Life in the Turkish Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.Journal of autism and developmental disordersMothers of children with autism reported significantly greater fatigue impact on their daily functioning and lower quality of life than mothers of typically developing children. Their own perceived quality of life and physical mobility were the strongest predictors of this fatigue, rather than how disruptive they found their child's specific behaviors.
• OTSLPCohort2025Mind the Gap: Executive Function Is Associated with the Discrepancy Between Cognitive and Adaptive Functioning in Autistic Children Without Cognitive Delay.Journal of autism and developmental disordersEmotional control problems were linked to a larger gap between autistic children's cognitive ability and everyday social skills, even when cognition was average. The study was cross-sectional, so it cannot show that improving emotional control would close that gap.
• OTOther2025Social connectedness and loneliness in school for autistic and allistic children.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic pupils in special schools were as physically connected as classmates but had fewer reciprocated friendships; loneliness did not differ overall. For autistic pupils, loneliness linked to being liked by the class, not face-to-face time.
• OTSLPCohort2025Predicting Intervention Use in Youth with Rare Variants in Autism-Associated Genes.Journal of autism and developmental disordersYouth with rare autism-associated genetic variants mostly receive speech and occupational therapy, but few receive behavioral therapy. Younger age and lower IQ predict occupational therapy use, while formal ASD diagnosis predicts behavioral therapy. Co-occurring conditions predict lower speech therapy intensity and higher use of alternative therapies.
• PTOTCohort2024Associations between autistic and comorbid somatic problems of gastrointestinal disorders, food allergy, pain, and fatigue in adults.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceHigher autistic symptom scores were linked to more IBS, likely food allergy, pain, and fatigue in 35,048 adults. Pain and fatigue links were stronger in women, and likely food allergy and fatigue links were stronger in younger adults.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Development of a new social prescribing intervention for families of children with cerebral palsy.Developmental medicine and child neurologyFamilies reported many unmet social needs, especially benefits, National Disability Insurance Scheme and transport. Parents and clinicians co-designed screening, resource packs and a community linker role, but this paper does not show the programme improves outcomes.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Exploring the role of the rock climbing Treadwall as a novel therapy tool in physical rehabilitation.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationNine children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy used a rotating climbing wall for 10 minutes daily. They climbed significantly farther and faster after three weeks. Upper limb function scores improved. The study confirms feasibility and safety but cannot prove the wall caused the gains.
• PTOTPilot2025Effectiveness of Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance for autistic children with developmental coordination disorder.Developmental medicine and child neurologyTwenty-six autistic children improved their self-rated performance and satisfaction on chosen motor goals after Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance. Independent ratings confirmed better movement quality. Standardised motor proficiency scores did not show clinically meaningful change.
• PTOTCohort2025Physical function and perceived pain following inpatient intensive interdisciplinary pain treatment for children and adolescents.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationChildren and adolescents in a 4-week inpatient interdisciplinary pain program showed large improvements in physical function, motor proficiency, and occupational performance, alongside reduced pain. Without a control group, these gains cannot be definitively attributed to the program alone.
• PTOTOther2025The MyGuide Web-Based Self-Management Tool for Concussion Rehabilitation: Mixed Methods Cross-Sectional Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesEight adults with concussion and eight clinicians described MyGuide as easy to use and helpful for basic recovery information. Participants found it reassuring, but many stopped once they understood enough, and some wanted more detail.
• PTOTSLPOther2024Effectiveness of a 5-day adapted swim instruction program for children with disabilities.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesMost children with disabilities improved their swim skill level after a 5-day adapted camp. Fearfulness stopped progress for many autistic children, while those with Down syndrome needed more practice time. Older children with Down syndrome showed greater improvement.
• OTCohort2024Laboratory-based measures of executive function and daily living skills in young children with Down syndrome: informing future interventions.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDRIn young children with Down syndrome, scores on brief play-based executive function tasks were linked to higher caregiver-reported daily living skills, especially after 1 year. The study did not test whether improving these skills changes daily living skills.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2024Experts' Views on Children's Access to Community-Based Therapeutic and Education Services After Genomic Sequencing Results.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPCalifornia service providers stated that genetic diagnoses do not determine eligibility for therapy or education. Access relies on observed behavioral deficits and adaptive function. Families with greater resources and self-advocacy skills are more successful in navigating the complex system to obtain services.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2025Return to sports after pediatric traumatic brain injury: An expert panel survey.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationExpert opinions on when children with serious brain injuries can return to sports vary widely. Risk of the activity mattered more than injury severity for most scenarios. For severe injuries and high-contact sports, many experts recommended waiting months or never returning, highlighting the need for individualized decision-making.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2025Application of the international classification of functioning, disability, and health in autism and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: A scoping review.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAcross 78 studies, the ICF framework helped clinicians map autism and ADHD functioning to daily life contexts like school and work. Most interventions still ignored environmental barriers, focusing only on changing the patient. Using ICF Core Sets can shift assessment toward participation and context.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2025Genetic investigations in cerebral palsy.Developmental medicine and child neurologyA genetic cause is found in many children diagnosed with cerebral palsy, especially those with normal MRI scans or worsening symptoms. Therapists should flag these signs for medical review. A genetic diagnosis does not rule out the cerebral palsy label or its management.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Neonatal therapy principles during transition from neonatal intensive care unit to home: A modified Delphi study.Developmental medicine and child neurologyExperts agreed that four intervention principles are essential for NICU-to-home transitions: building caregiver-child relationships, optimizing development, sharing education, and enriching environments. They stated these must be delivered together, not in isolation. This reflects expert opinion, not tested efficacy.
• OTOther2024Enhancing Sensory Experiences for Infants Born Preterm: A Quality Improvement Project.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationInfants receiving the full recommended tactile input rose from 10.16% to 43% after staff education and modeling. Parental presence and sensory minutes also increased, though the study cannot confirm which specific actions caused the change.
• OTOther2024Enhanced motor noise in an autism subtype with poor motor skills.Molecular autismAutistic children split into two motor groups. The lower-motor-skills group showed more variability when repeating a reach-and-drop task, especially in the initial reaching phase. The higher-motor-skills group was similar to typically developing children.
• OTSLPOther2025Effects of autism spectrum disorder on parents labour market: Productivity loss and policy evaluation in Kazakhstan.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceMothers of children with autism in Kazakhstan face high rates of job loss, especially if the child has a disability. New government subsidies reduce the financial penalty for these mothers, but do not help those without a disability label.
• PTOTSLPCase Series2025Parental diagnostic delay and developmental outcomes in congenital and childhood-onset myotonic dystrophy type 1.Developmental medicine and child neurologyHalf of parents in this series did not know they had myotonic dystrophy type 1 until their child was diagnosed. Children with the congenital form faced severe early breathing and feeding issues, while both groups showed high rates of delayed speech and low cognitive scores.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Characterizing self-reported physical activity before and during a subsequent pregnancy among parents in a familial autism cohort.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceMost parents of autistic children miss exercise targets, dropping to under 10% during pregnancy. While child autism traits did not predict overall activity levels, mothers of children with higher trait scores were nearly three times as likely to stop vigorous exercise when pregnant.
• OTSLPQualitative2025Parental experiences of raising an autistic child in Ireland: A qualitative thematic analysis.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceParents found navigating support services more stressful than caring for their child. They relied on peer groups and partners to cope. They appreciated individual therapists but felt parent training courses substituted for direct care. Lack of central post-diagnosis information forced many to pay privately.
• OTSLPSurvey2025Comparing eating and mealtime experiences in families of children with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and dual diagnosis.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceFamilies of children with autism, ADHD, or both reported more chaotic mealtimes, higher food fussiness, and greater caregiver stress than families of neurotypical children. The dual diagnosis group faced the most intense combination of these difficulties, suggesting a need for family-wide support rather than just feeding therapy.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Parental magnetic resonance imaging for the evaluation of fetuses with brain anomalies.Developmental medicine and child neurologyWhen a fetus had a brain anomaly similar to a parent's MRI, the child usually developed typically. This was especially true for isolated corpus callosum issues. Parents of fetuses with these 'concordant' findings were more likely to continue the pregnancy.
• OTSLPCase-Control2024Changes in Autism and Co-Occurring Conditions from Preschool to Adolescence: Considerations for Precision Monitoring and Treatment Planning.Journal of autism and developmental disorders85.5% of children diagnosed with autism in preschool still had it by adolescence. Children with autism also gained ADHD, DD, sensory integration and speech-language conditions more often than children with other developmental or mental health diagnoses.
• OTSLPPilot2025The development, feasibility and acceptability of Empower-Autism: A new psychoeducational and psychotherapeutic programme for caregivers of children recently diagnosed with autism.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceCaregivers of recently diagnosed autistic children found a group mixing autism psychoeducation and ACT feasible: 14 of 19 in-person attended at least 3 of 5, 8 of 10 online attended at least 6 of 10, and satisfaction was high, but content felt too much.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Clinical utility and psychometric properties of tools for early detection of developmental concerns and disability in young children: A scoping review.Developmental medicine and child neurology67 validated tools are recommended for screening and assessing children from birth to 5 years 11 months. The ASQ-3 is best multi-domain screen; GMA is strongest early CP screen; SACS-R is best autism screen.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2025Journeys towards accessing an autism diagnosis and associated support: A survey of families of autistic children in Ecuador.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceFamilies of autistic children in Ecuador face fragmented care, paying out of pocket for diagnosis and relying heavily on the internet for support. They urgently need clear diagnostic pathways and evidence-based information. Clinicians must recognise that families are proactive but lack professional guidance and accessible services.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Clinician-caregiver informant discrepancy is associated with sex, diagnosis age, and intervention use among autistic children.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceClinicians rated boys higher than caregivers, but rated girls lower than caregivers. This discrepancy linked to earlier diagnosis and more intervention hours. Therapists should note that girls may appear less impaired in clinic than at home due to camouflaging.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Health and Health Care Utilization Outcomes for Individuals With Traumatic Brain Injury: A 1-Year Longitudinal Study.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationOne year after injury, people with traumatic brain injury used significantly more health care than matched controls without injury. They had higher rates of emergency visits, hospital admissions, and new diagnoses, including headaches and anxiety. This suggests a need for closer long-term monitoring.
• OTCohort2025Natural history of cerebral visual impairment in children with cerebral palsy.Developmental medicine and child neurologyIn children with cerebral palsy and cerebral visual impairment, some visual functions changed with age. Optic disc abnormalities and strabismus became more common, while fixation, pursuit, saccades, acuity, contrast sensitivity and visual fields improved. No treatment was tested.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Do maternal and paternal education protect against developmental delays?Research in developmental disabilitiesMaternal education is associated with lower odds of developmental delays in children's second and third years, but not the first. Paternal education shows a similar trend only when maternal education is not considered, suggesting maternal factors are the primary driver.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2024Parent Perspectives on Parent-Mediated Intervention for Young Children With Down Syndrome.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDParents want home-based interventions to fit existing routines, involve siblings, and require brief sessions. Time pressure and feeling unqualified were major barriers. Clinicians should design parent-led programmes to be short, structured, and embedded in daily life rather than adding new tasks.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2025Parent concerns prior to an assessment of autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceParents' concerns before an autism assessment vary widely. Speech and language issues were the most common concern across all studies, ranging from 27% to 84%. However, social concerns were much more frequent in older children, while parents of children later diagnosed with other conditions focused more on behaviour and medical issues.
• PTOTCohort2025Natural history of gait patterns in untreated children with bilateral cerebral palsy in a low-income country setting.Developmental medicine and child neurologyUntreated children with bilateral cerebral palsy show highly variable gait patterns, but hip and knee movement ranges decrease with age. This supports prioritizing interventions to maintain hip and knee extension, rather than assuming a uniform progression from equinus to crouch gait.