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 36 OF 50 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2024Global State of the Art and Science of Childhood Dysphagia: Similarities and Disparities in Burden.DysphagiaThis review maps the rising burden of childhood dysphagia, noting it affects 2-4% of US children under 5 and up to 99% of those with cerebral palsy. It argues that care must be multidisciplinary and tailored to the whole child, not just the swallow.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Cerebral palsy characteristics in term-born children with and without detectable perinatal risk factors: A cross-sectional study.Developmental medicine and child neurologyTerm-born children with cerebral palsy and no detectable perinatal risk factors had milder motor and communication impairments than those with risk factors. They were more likely to have unilateral spastic CP and focal brain injuries, particularly venous stroke, despite normal birth histories.
• PTOTSLPPilot2025Can muscle synergies shed light on the mechanisms underlying motor gains in response to robot-assisted gait training in children with cerebral palsy?Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationRobot gait training improved gross motor function and gait quality in children with cerebral palsy, but changes in muscle coordination patterns did not reliably predict who improved. One child showed a clear link between better coordination and gains, but this was not seen across the group.
• OTSLPSystematic Review2025A systematic review: Which psycho-social-environmental factors do autistic students identify as being important for positive experiences in mainstream secondary school?Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic students prioritise understanding from adults, peer acceptance, and agency over sensory needs. They benefit from predictable environments, shared interests, and tools to communicate limits. Support should be tailored to fluctuating needs and respect boundaries to avoid negative peer judgement.
• OTSLPQualitative2025'I wouldn't want one or the other': Understanding parents' preferences for direct support or parent coaching for young autistic children.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceParents valued both direct therapy and parent coaching but preferred direct support when forced to choose. They found coaching overwhelming or stressful, while direct therapy relieved them of the pressure to deliver treatment themselves and appeared to benefit the child more.
• OTPilot2024Preliminary development and evaluation of a mechanical handwriting assistive device to support individuals with movement disorders.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesA mechanical pen holder helped six people with movement disorders write more legibly and faster. It stabilized the pen orientation and dampened tremors. The device is a prototype, so this shows potential rather than proven clinical effectiveness.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Developmental trajectories in infants and pre-school children with Neurofibromatosis 1.Molecular autismChildren with NF1 showed slower cognitive and motor development from 5 months, with clear differences by 24 months. Autism traits were high at 24 months but dropped at 36 months, likely due to remote testing. Screen and refer for intervention by age 2.
• OTSLPCohort2025Cognitive and academic outcomes in children with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease.Developmental medicine and child neurologyChildren with MOGAD showed a sharp rise in school support needs after onset. Nearly 40% required interventions like extra time or assistants, up from under 9% before. This occurred even in those with optic neuritis who had normal vision, suggesting the disease itself impacts learning.
• PTOTQualitative2025Understanding the complexity of decision-making for mothers of young children with ambulatory cerebral palsy: A qualitative phenomenological study.Developmental medicine and child neurologyMothers of children with ambulatory cerebral palsy describe decision-making as a constant trade-off between clinical gains and family survival. They report high uncertainty and administrative burden, often skipping therapy to protect work, money, or their child's happiness. Clinical success is not the only goal.
• PTOTSLPCase-Control2025Cerebellar haemorrhage and atrophy in infants born extremely preterm with intraventricular haemorrhage.Developmental medicine and child neurologyExtremely preterm infants with both intraventricular and cerebellar haemorrhage had significantly lower motor and cognitive scores at age two. Cerebellar atrophy predicted worse outcomes across all domains. These MRI findings help identify high-risk infants early for targeted therapy and counselling.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2024Social Determinants in COVID-19 Experiences of Children With Disabilities Receiving School-Based Services in Chicago: Mixed-Methods Study of Parent/Guardian Perspectives.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPParents of children with disabilities reported that remote learning and virtual therapy were less effective than in-person services. Key barriers included lack of hands-on interaction, insufficient accommodations, and family financial or housing constraints that limited access to private support.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2024A Comparison of Parent-Reported Severe Autism With Mild/Moderate Autism Among US Children.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPChildren with parent-reported severe autism had higher rates of intellectual disability, language delays, and emergency visits, but were no more likely to receive behavioral therapy or see specialists than those with mild/moderate autism. Caregivers faced significantly higher stress and financial burden.
• PTOTCase-Control2024Interceptive abilities in autism spectrum disorder: Comparing naturalistic and virtual visuomotor tasks.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchAutistic boys caught fewer ping-pong balls than neurotypical boys in naturalistic and virtual tasks. Reaction time and quiet standing did not differ, so slower movement or poor balance did not explain the catching difference.
• PTOTSystematic Review2025Incidence of hip problems in developmental central hypotonia: A scoping review.Developmental medicine and child neurologyChildren with developmental central hypotonia face a much higher risk of hip dysplasia and dislocation than the general population. Because standard newborn checks often miss these issues, authors recommend hip ultrasound for all hypotonic infants between 6 weeks and 6 months, followed by ongoing surveillance.
• PTOTRCT2025Evaluation of a Game-Based Mechatronic Device for Rehabilitation of Hand-Arm Function in Children With Cerebral Palsy: Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesChildren with cerebral palsy using a game-based robotic handle improved hand dexterity and visual-motor skills more than those receiving standard physical therapy. All 34 children completed the 8-week program with no adverse events, suggesting the device is feasible and engaging for home or clinic use.
• PTOTPilot2025Augmented Reality Exergames for Upcoming Cognitive-Motor Rehabilitation: User-Centered Design Approach and User Experience of Healthy Children.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesHealthy children rated the augmented reality cognitive-motor games as easy to use and reported positive emotions, but physical and mental fatigue increased after sessions. The games are not yet tested in children with cerebral palsy or acquired brain injury.
• OTSurvey2025Stress, Anxiety and Coping in Adults With Down Syndrome: An Exploratory Co-Research Study.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDMost adults with Down syndrome who answered this survey reported stress and anxiety. They described social, creative, thinking, and physical coping strategies, and asked for mental health help that is accessible and not only talking therapy.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2024Experiences of families of children with spinal muscular atrophy and the healthcare professionals supporting them during the COVID-19 pandemic: A nationwide study.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineFamilies of children with SMA faced increased isolation and responsibility for home-based therapy. Healthcare professionals reported ethical stress from prioritising performance assessments over care. While physical health remained stable, the burden shifted heavily to parents and altered the therapeutic relationship.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Policy and practice recommendations for services for disabled children during emergencies: Learning from COVID-19.Developmental medicine and child neurologyStakeholders agreed on 19 recommendations for disabled children's services in emergencies. Key priorities include keeping education settings open, maintaining designated in-person assessment spaces, and ensuring clear, joined-up guidance from national bodies to local commissioners.
• PTOTOther2025Psychometric properties of the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory - Patient Reported Outcome: A cognitively accessible measure of functional performance.Developmental medicine and child neurologyYoung people with developmental disabilities aged 14 to 22 could complete a self-reported functional performance measure on a three-point scale. Scores were consistent across daily, social/cognitive and mobility domains, so it can support goal setting, not prove intervention effects.
• OTCase Report2024Teletherapy and Medication Management of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder with Co-occurring Internalizing Symptoms and Suicidality During the Pandemic.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPA young person with ADHD, anxiety, depression and suicidality improved after teletherapy engagement changes and a switch from atomoxetine and fluoxetine to guanfacine and escitalopram during hospitalization.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Accuracy of the Screening Tool for Autism in Toddlers and Young Children in the primary care setting.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceIn a statewide primary care model, the STAT screening tool agreed with expert diagnosis in 78% of cases. It missed autism in children with higher developmental skills and lower symptom severity, so a low score does not rule out autism in these children.
• OTSLPOther2024Multilingualism impacts children's executive function and core autism symptoms.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchMultilingual children with autism showed better parent-reported inhibition and perspective-taking than monolingual peers. These skills were linked to fewer social and repetitive symptoms. The study is cross-sectional, so it cannot prove that speaking multiple languages causes these improvements.
• OTSLPSystematic Review2025Disability barriers autistic girls face in secondary education: A systematic review.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic girls often mask difficulties to fit in, leading teachers to miss their need for support. They face barriers like sensory overload, exclusion, and gendered assumptions. Clinicians should advocate for quiet spaces, explicit social coaching, and recognizing that quiet compliance may hide significant struggle.
• OTCohort2024Transition Readiness Among Youth Accessing Mental Health Services With Physical Health Co-Morbidities.Child: care, health and developmentYouth with mental health and physical health conditions reported higher transition readiness, especially medication management, appointment keeping, and tracking health issues. Attention problems were linked to lower readiness.
• OTSurvey2024Young Carers' Identification: Comparing Adolescents' and Parents' Perspectives.Child: care, health and developmentParents reported more household illness or disability than adolescents did, but adolescents reported more caring activities than parents did. Agreement on who was ill or disabled was low, so neither report alone captures young carers.
• PTOTSystematic Review2025Longitudinal relationship between hip displacement and hip function in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy: A scoping review.Developmental medicine and child neurologyThe link between hip displacement and daily function in children with cerebral palsy remains unclear. Most studies measure physical impairment rather than activity or participation, and surgical interventions obscure natural history. Clinicians cannot rely on current data to predict functional outcomes from hip structure alone.
• PTOTSLPOther2024Associations Between Childcare Physical Activity and Sedentary Time and Early Childhood Developmental Outcomes: A Compositional and Isotemporal Substitution Analysis.Child: care, health and developmentPreschoolers who spent more time in energetic play during childcare had fewer internalising symptoms and better movement skills. Replacing light activity with energetic play or sitting was linked to fewer symptoms. No links were found for cognitive scores. These are cross-sectional associations, not proof that play prevents mental health issues.
• OTSLPCohort2025Children's social preference for teachers versus peers in autism inclusion classrooms: An objective perspective.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchChildren with autism moved faster toward teachers and were approached faster by teachers than peers were. They also spent less time in social contact with peers. Teachers did not replace peer interaction, but peer engagement remained lower for children with autism.
• PTOTSLPCase Report2024Complex Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in a 4-Year-Old With Repaired Critical Congenital Heart Disease and Autism Spectrum Disorder.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPIn a 4-year-old with repaired heart disease and autism, guanfacine worsened aggression, but clonidine plus stimulant medication reduced elopement and meltdowns. Cardiac monitoring was essential. This single case shows how to manage complex symptoms, not that these drugs work for everyone.
• OTOther2025Trait and state mathematics anxiety in autistic and non-autistic school-aged boys.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceIn 110 boys aged 8 to 16, autistic boys reported more worries and less pleasant feelings during a timed math task, and scored lower, even though their long-term math anxiety questionnaire did not differ from non-autistic boys.
• OTSLPQualitative2025'It depends entirely on the nature of those supports': Community perceptions of the appropriateness of early support services for autistic children.Autism : the international journal of research and practice50.2% said early supports are okay, and 48.2% said it depends. Participants said supports should respect childhood, affirm autism and fit families.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Emergency department utilization by spina bifida patients in Florida 2016-2020.Journal of rehabilitation medicineYoung adults with spina bifida in Florida used the emergency department most, especially those aged 20 to 29. Common reasons included infections, seizures, and bowel issues. These presentations suggest gaps in routine outpatient care during the transition from paediatric to adult services.
• OTSLPSystematic Review2024Effectiveness of Distance Educational Programs for parents of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder: an integrative review.CoDASParent education programs using distance delivery reported gains in communication, routines, and behavior for children with autism, but evidence came from six small, mixed studies. Treat this as promising, not proven.
• PTOTQualitative2025'It can be very complicated': A qualitative analysis of clinicians' practices and perspectives on treating adolescents with nonspecific persistent back pain.Clinical rehabilitationClinicians treating adolescents with persistent back pain prioritised function over pain reduction. They found success depended on aligning goals with both the teen and their parents, as parental buy-in determined attendance. Treatment varied by clinician training, with many relying on exercise before addressing psychosocial factors.
• PTOTSLPOther2025The effects of family directed power mobility on self-care, mobility, and social function in very young children with severe multiple developmental impairments.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesTwelve children with severe mobility impairments used modified ride-on toys for three months. Caregivers reported improvements in self-care, mobility, and social function. All children learned to operate the device, even those with cortical visual impairment or who could not follow commands.
• PTOTSLPRCT2025Would integrating monochromatic infrared energy into the physical rehabilitation of adolescents with patellofemoral pain syndrome have any advantageous effects? A randomized controlled trial.Journal of rehabilitation medicineAdding infrared therapy to exercise reduced pain more than exercise alone in adolescents with knee pain. Pain scores dropped to a median of 2 out of 10 in the infrared group versus 4 in the control group after three months.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Natural history of SGCE-associated myoclonus dystonia in children and adolescents.Developmental medicine and child neurologyIn children with SGCE-associated myoclonus dystonia, motor symptoms worsen over time. Action myoclonus and writing dystonia progressed significantly, causing reported declines in speech, writing, and walking. High rates of anxiety, OCD, and ADHD were also found.
• PTOTNarrative Review2024Sleep-related breathing disorders in children with spina bifida.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineChildren with spina bifida and myelomeningocele often have sleep-related breathing disorders without snoring or poor sleep history. The review recommends low-threshold in-lab polysomnography and multidisciplinary care, with physical and occupational therapy as possible team members, not a proven single treatment.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Psychometric evaluation of the Autism Symptom Dimensions Questionnaire.Developmental medicine and child neurologyThe Autism Symptom Dimensions Questionnaire reliably tracks social and repetitive behaviors across ages and backgrounds. It screens well in general populations but poorly distinguishes autism from other disabilities in clinical settings. Use it to map symptom profiles, not to diagnose.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Material hardship and sources of support for autistic adolescents and their families.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceFamilies of autistic teens face high material hardship, but income alone misses the problem. Many middle-income families struggle with costs and lack safety net access. Therapists should screen for financial strain and asset loss, not just poverty, as these families often have insurance but still face food insecurity and bankruptcy risks.
• PTOTCase Series2025Satisfactory long-term functional and radiological outcomes following hip reconstructive surgery in children with cerebral palsy.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineAt mean 8.4 years after hip surgery, parents reported better health, leg function, activity and pain, and hip radiographs improved. Without a control group or pre-surgery pain scores, the surgery's effect is not proven.
• PTOTSLPCase Report2024Analysis of brain activity for speech stimuli and child development of an infant with neurosyphilis: case report.CoDASA four-month-old with treated neurosyphilis had normal peripheral hearing but delayed expressive language and fine motor skills. Brain imaging showed speech detection without left-hemisphere lateralization. This single case cannot prove a treatment effect, but highlights the need for multidisciplinary monitoring beyond hearing tests.
• OTCohort2025The Role of Timing and Amount of Outdoor Play in Emotional Dysregulation in Preschool Children.Child: care, health and developmentPreschoolers who played outdoors between noon and 6 PM showed better emotional regulation and working memory. Those playing before noon or after 6 PM showed more emotional dysregulation. This links timing of play to outcomes, not just total duration.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Longitudinal Associations Between Movement Behaviours and Development Among Infants Using Compositional Data Analysis.Child: care, health and developmentMore tummy time and sleep linked to better gross motor skills. More time on back linked to delays. Time in strollers or high chairs helped communication but slowed sitting. Optimal daily minutes for motor development: 43 tummy, 51 back, 96 restrained, 845 sleep.
• OTSLPQualitative2024Caregivers' expectations of their non-verbal autistic children in rural KwaZulu-Natal.The South African journal of communication disorders = Die Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir KommunikasieafwykingsCaregivers of non-verbal autistic children in rural KwaZulu-Natal expected communication, education and support, but inadequate explanation of diagnosis, language barriers and unclear therapy purpose shaped those expectations.
• PTOTCohort2024Deficits in recovery of postural stability after stepping are limb- and phase-specific in children with unilateral cerebral palsy.Gait & postureChildren with unilateral CP show significant postural instability when stepping, especially side-to-side movement with their more-affected leg. They recover stability more slowly and with less automaticity than peers. This specific dynamic weakness may increase fall risk during daily activities.
• PTOTSLPOther2024Comparative profiling of white matter development in the human and mouse brain reveals volumetric deficits and delayed myelination in Angelman syndrome.Molecular autismChildren with Angelman syndrome have significantly smaller brain volumes from age 1, with white matter reduced by 26.5% between ages 6 and 12. Mouse models show this is driven by a delay in myelination onset that normalizes later, suggesting a window for early intervention.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Childhood and Adulthood Predictors of Community Participation by Autistic Adults With and Without Intellectual Disability.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDAutistic adults participated most in shopping and family outings, but half always needed a carer present. Living in supported accommodation was the strongest predictor of lower community participation frequency. Childhood autism symptoms predicted reduced adult participation, but only weakly.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Prediction of cerebral palsy and cognitive delay among high-risk children in a developing nation: A successful early detection programme.Developmental medicine and child neurologyCombining video assessments of infant movements with a neurological exam detected 100% of cerebral palsy cases and 86% of cognitive delays in high-risk infants. This works without MRI scans, though it also flags many children who do not have these conditions.