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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.

1,906 PAPERS · PAGE 15 OF 39 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTSLPCohort2021Co-Occurrence of Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPTwenty-four percent of children with sickle cell disease had a neurodevelopmental disorder. Half of those with language disorders and only 63% of those with ADHD received appropriate therapy or medication. Screen for cognitive issues in all sickle cell patients, as many eligible children miss school support.
• PTOTOther2021Impact of Upper Extremity Impairment and Trunk Control on Self-Care Independence in Children With Upper Motor Neuron Lesions.Physical therapyTrunk control explains more self-care independence in children with upper motor neuron lesions than arm movement quality, spasticity, or strength. Therapists should prioritize trunk stability training, as it provides the stable base required for the upper limbs to function effectively during daily tasks.
• PTOTSLPOther2021Prevalence and Correlates of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in a Diverse, Treatment-Seeking Pediatric Overweight/Obesity Sample.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPIn treatment-seeking youth with obesity, ADHD was linked to fewer active days and more meals per day, but not consistently to higher BMI. Rurality predicted higher BMI. Stimulant medication was associated with even lower physical activity.
• PTOTSLPCohort2021Accuracy of body mass index in categorizing weight status in children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineBody mass index misclassified weight status in 61% of children with disabilities compared to 11% of typically developing peers. For wheelchair users, BMI failed to identify obesity in every case assessed, underestimating weight status by up to three categories.
• PTOTSLPPilot2021Inspiratory muscle training in children and adolescents living with neuromuscular diseases: A pre-experimental study.The South African journal of physiotherapyEight children with neuromuscular disease completed six weeks of inspiratory muscle training without adverse events. Inspiratory strength and flow improved. Lung volumes and cough ability did not change, and quality of life scores did not improve significantly.
• PTOTSurvey2021Site, frequency, and duration of pain in young children with spina bifida.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicinePain frequency and duration did not differ by child sex, lesion level, spina bifida type, or walking status. Still, 69 of 101 caregivers reported their child complained of pain, often in the head, abdomen, or lower body.
• PTOTSLPCohort2021Association between race and in-hospital outcomes in children with spina bifida following inpatient urologic surgery.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineIn children with spina bifida undergoing urologic surgery, Hispanic ethnicity was associated with longer hospital stays and higher costs compared to White patients. There was no difference in in-hospital complications between White, Black, or Hispanic groups.
• PTOTCase Series2021Exploratory analysis of a developmentally progressive modified ride-on car intervention for young children with Down syndrome.Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technologyAll eight toddlers with Down syndrome learned to drive modified ride-on cars independently. Five used a sit-to-stand mode to practice walking. The study suggests this is feasible and safe, but lacks a control group, so it cannot prove the cars accelerated motor development.
• PTOTCohort2021Relationships among classifications of impairment and measures of ambulatory function for children with spina bifida.Disability and rehabilitationFor children with spina bifida, classifications based on braces, devices, and home or community mobility tracked daily steps better than x-ray lesion level. Functional classification may be more useful than anatomic level alone.
• PTSurvey2021Lifetime Prevalence of Nonspecific Low Back Pain in Adolescents: A Cross-sectional Epidemiologic Survey.American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation48.98% of adolescent students in Veneto, Italy reported nonspecific low back pain. Female sex, not playing sports regularly, shorter sleep, and family history were linked; sitting and device use also tracked with pain.
• PTOTSLPCohort2021Functional Gains in Children Receiving Inpatient Rehabilitation After Brain Tumor Resection.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationChildren recovering from brain tumor surgery showed significant functional gains during inpatient rehab and continued improving three months after discharge. Earlier admission and older age predicted better outcomes, but tumor location and neurological risk scores did not add predictive value beyond basic patient characteristics.
• PTSLPCohort2021Calcium, fiber, iron, and sodium intake in adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities and overweight and obesity.Disability and health journalAdolescents with intellectual disabilities and overweight consumed far too little fiber and too much sodium. Iron intake was adequate, but calcium was low for younger teens. Dietary interventions should prioritize fiber-rich foods and sodium reduction.
• PTPilot2021Physical therapy treatments incorporating equine movement: a pilot study exploring interactions between children with cerebral palsy and the horse.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationTimed walking tests got faster for four children with cerebral palsy after eight therapy sessions that included horse movement, handler, therapist, assistant, and sometimes a toy. Head and horse's back movements became more similar. The pilot was too small to show changes were not chance.
• PTSurveyPrescription Opioid Misuse and Sports-Related Concussion Among High School Students in the United States.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationHigh school students who reported a concussion were more likely to report prescription opioid misuse: 9.8% versus 5.5%. The link persisted after accounting for age, sex, depressive symptoms, alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use.
• PTOTSystematic Review2022Physical Impairment and Function in Children and Adolescents With Sickle Cell Disease: A Systematic Review.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationChildren and adolescents with sickle cell disease show widespread physical impairments, including reduced muscle strength, lower bone density, and decreased physical activity. Objective testing reveals deficits that self-report questionnaires may miss, suggesting clinicians should use direct measures to guide care.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Discriminatory Capacity of the Physical Domain Versus the Full-Scale Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory With Traumatic Brain Injury Severity in Children.American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitationThe full Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory detects brain injury severity better than the physical domain alone. The physical score identifies moderate and severe cases but misses milder ones. Clinicians should use the full survey, which takes less than five minutes, for complete assessment.
• PTOther2021Functional assessment of stretch hyperreflexia in children with cerebral palsy using treadmill perturbations.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationTreadmill perturbations during walking successfully evoked stretch reflexes in children with cerebral palsy. The protocol was feasible and distinguished the group with cerebral palsy from typically developing children at a group level, supporting its use for future research.
• PTOTOther2021Application of Inertial Measurement Units and Machine Learning Classification in Cerebral Palsy: Randomized Controlled Trial.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesCustom wrist sensors plus machine learning separated movement samples from children with CP from typical movement samples on a stop sign task, correctly classifying 85.75% of older samples and 88.13% of younger samples. This is a measurement method, not proof that therapy works.
• PTOTQualitative2022Educational support needs of injured children and their families: A qualitative study.Journal of rehabilitation medicineInjured children and parents report that schools often isolate them in separate zones or exclude them from physical education out of caution. Families say a trusted key worker is essential to coordinate flexible learning and keep children with their peers.
• PTRCT2022Efficacy and safety of onabotulinumtoxinA with standardized physiotherapy for the treatment of pediatric lower limb spasticity: A randomized, placebo-controlled, phase III clinical trial.NeuroRehabilitationAdding onabotulinumtoxinA to standardized physical therapy lowered ankle spasticity more than placebo plus therapy in children with cerebral palsy; both 8 U/kg and 4 U/kg doses reduced tone over 12 weeks.
• PTRCT2021Combination taping technique versus ankle foot orthosis on improving gait parameters in spastic cerebral palsy: A controlled randomized study.Journal of rehabilitation medicineIn children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, adding either a solid AFO or combination taping to conventional physical therapy for 4 weeks improved walking speed, step length, stride length and single-limb support versus therapy alone. Cadence did not change.
• PTOTOther2021Usability and performance validation of an ultra-lightweight and versatile untethered robotic ankle exoskeleton.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationA lightweight untethered ankle exoskeleton reduced energy cost during incline walking in healthy adults and increased stair-climbing distance in people with cerebral palsy. Users could don and calibrate the device independently in under five minutes.
• PTOTSLPPilot2022Optimized scheme for paired transverse corrective forces in S-shaped scoliosis via ultrasound and application in Chêneau brace: a pilot study.Prosthetics and orthotics internationalPlacing the thoracic pressure pad 2 cm below the top of the curve, rather than at the top, significantly improved spinal alignment in adolescents with S-shaped scoliosis. This position worked in Chêneau braces, but long-term outcomes and rotation correction require further study.
• PTOTCase-Control2021Bilateral actigraphic quantification of upper extremity movement in hemiparetic children with perinatal stroke: a case control study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationBilateral wrist actigraphy distinguished hemiparetic children from typically developing peers in real life, with asymmetry scores correlating modestly with clinical tests. The strongest links appeared during sleep and rest, not active play, suggesting standard clinic measures do not fully capture daily movement patterns.
• PTOTSLPOther2021Understanding Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Autism-Related Service Use Among Medicaid-Enrolled Children.Journal of autism and developmental disordersBlack, Asian, and Native American children with autism received fewer outpatient services than white children, but more school-based services. This suggests families may be substituting school therapy for medical care, potentially hiding access barriers in the outpatient setting.
• PTOTOther2022Safety and efficacy of repeat long-term incobotulinumtoxinA treatment for lower limb or combined upper/lower limb spasticity in children with cerebral palsy.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineRepeat incobotulinumtoxinA injections for lower limb spasticity in children with cerebral palsy were well-tolerated over four to six cycles. Muscle tone improved consistently, and gross motor scores rose by 4.8 points at the final visit. Most adverse events were mild respiratory infections.
• PTOTSLPCohort2021Shared Features or Co-occurrence? Evaluating Symptoms of Developmental Coordination Disorder in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder.Journal of autism and developmental disordersMost children with autism in this study showed motor difficulties severe enough to meet the criteria for Developmental Coordination Disorder. Their performance on standardized movement tests was no different from children diagnosed with DCD. This suggests motor issues are common in autism and may be overlooked if clinicians only look for social or communication deficits.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2021Brief Report: Impact of COVID-19 on Individuals with ASD and Their Caregivers: A Perspective from the SPARK Cohort.Journal of autism and developmental disordersCaregivers reported severe disruptions to speech, OT, and ABA therapy, with 64% saying their child's symptoms worsened. Remote services were rarely used and perceived as beneficial by fewer than half, except for mental health care. Parents of preschoolers reported the highest stress levels.
• PTOTSLPOther2021A Distinct Three-Factor Structure of Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors in an Epidemiologically Sound Sample of Preschool-Age Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.Journal of autism and developmental disordersPreschoolers with autism showed three distinct behavior clusters: repetitive sensorimotor, insistence on sameness, and stereotyped speech. Speech patterns linked to higher language skills, while sensorimotor behaviors linked to lower adaptive functioning. This structure was unclear in non-autism children.
• PTOTPilot2022Feasibility of a virtual reality-based exercise intervention and low-cost motion tracking method for estimation of motor proficiency in youth with autism spectrum disorder.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationAll 10 children with autism completed the two-week VR game with motion capture without serious adverse events, but motor and cognitive flexibility scores did not improve significantly.
• PTOTSLPCohort2021Sex Differences in Co-occurring Conditions Among Autistic Children and Youth in Florida: A Retrospective Cohort Study (2012-2019).Journal of autism and developmental disordersIn 83,500 autistic children, girls had significantly higher odds of anxiety, mood disorders, intellectual disability, epilepsy, sleep, and GI issues than boys. Boys had higher odds of ADHD. This suggests clinicians should screen girls more aggressively for these co-occurring conditions.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Which Factors Influence Teacher Report of Adaptive Functioning in Autistic Children?Journal of autism and developmental disordersTeachers reported very low adaptive functioning in autistic children. Scores dropped as age and parent-reported autism severity increased. Higher nonverbal ability and expressive language predicted better scores. Direct autism assessment did not predict adaptive functioning, except for motor skills.
• PTOTSurvey2022The impact of COVID-19 on the lifestyles of adolescents with cerebral palsy in the Southeast United States.Disability and health journalMost adolescents with cerebral palsy reported less exercise and less contact with friends and family during the pandemic. Many also had low mood or loss of interest. These are self-reported experiences, not evidence that any treatment worked.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2022Review of Cognitive Characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder Using Performance on Six Subtests on Four Versions of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children.Journal of autism and developmental disordersChildren with autism consistently score high on Block Design and low on Coding, regardless of IQ or diagnosis. However, the classic profile of very low verbal scores disappears in higher-IQ children, who instead show strong language skills alongside these specific visual-motor weaknesses.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2022Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on therapy service delivery and functioning for school-aged children with disabilities in the United States.Disability and health journalCaregivers of children with disabilities reported losing therapy services during the pandemic, with 42% losing all therapy. Over half saw declines in endurance, communication, social skills, and behavior. Children with multiple diagnoses experienced greater declines across most domains.
• PTOTSLPCohort2021Electronic health record and patterns of care for children with cerebral palsy.Developmental medicine and child neurologyMost care for children with cerebral palsy happens without the child physically present. For every in-person visit, there were five care coordination interactions like calls or emails. Therapy and emergency visits were mostly in-person, while neurology and rehab relied heavily on remote coordination.
• PTOTPilot2022Altered white matter diffusivity and subtle motor function in a pilot cohort of adolescents with sports-related concussion.Brain injuryAdolescents with recent concussion showed subtle motor deficits and higher mean diffusivity in the superior corona radiata. This brain measure correlated with worse motor scores. These findings suggest subtle motor tests may reflect white matter changes, but the small pilot sample cannot confirm this as a diagnostic marker.
• PTRCT2021Baseline behaviour moderates movement skill intervention outcomes among young children with autism spectrum disorder.Autism : the international journal of research and practicePreschoolers with autism who received 12 weeks of movement instruction improved gross motor skills more than waitlist children. Baseline behaviour changed the size of gains, but benefit was seen even with low adaptive behaviour or high emotional/behavioural challenges; social skills did not matter.
• PTOTSLPCohort2021Characteristics Associated with the Use of an Inpatient Rehabilitation or Skilled Nursing Facility after Acute Care in Children with Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.Developmental neurorehabilitationChildren with severe TBI in the UK had 93% lower odds of inpatient rehabilitation than US peers. Longer acute stays predicted home-based care. Younger children and African Americans in the US were less likely to be admitted to inpatient rehab, though these demographic findings were unadjusted.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2022Health-Related Quality of Life in Pediatric Patients with Syndromic Autism and their Caregivers.Journal of autism and developmental disordersCaregivers reported children with syndromic autism had low quality of life, especially physical functioning. Rett syndrome scored lowest. Families rated emotional well-being as the area most strained. Therapists should ask about mobility, pain, energy, self-care, school participation, and family stress.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Parent Questionnaires in the Evaluation of Pre-School Children Referred for Neuropsychiatric Assessment.Journal of autism and developmental disordersParent questionnaires tracked with autism severity, but the ABC missed many children with higher IQs. The ESSENCE-Q identified almost all diagnosed cases regardless of ability. Use these tools as guides for assessment, not as standalone diagnostic proof.
• PTSurvey2021Sleep problems in children with cerebral palsy and their parents.Developmental medicine and child neurologyParents of children with cerebral palsy reported sleep problems more often than parents of typically developing children. Daytime tiredness, night waking, and discomfort in bed were reported more often in children with cerebral palsy, especially in children who could not walk.
• PTOTSLPRCT2021Surgery versus botulinum neurotoxin A to reduce drooling and improve daily life for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities: a randomized controlled trial.Developmental medicine and child neurologyBilateral submandibular duct ligation reduced drooling and daily care demands more effectively than botulinum toxin A at 8 and 32 weeks. Surgery caused more short-term adverse events but no long-term complications. It improved satisfaction with family relationships and life in general.
• PTSLPOther2022"I was Confused … and Still am" Barriers Impacting the Help-Seeking Pathway for an Autism Diagnosis in Urban North India: A Mixed Methods Study.Journal of autism and developmental disordersParents and teachers first noticed concerns when children were about 2 years old, but diagnosis often did not come until age 4. Health professionals and family frequently advised waiting for the child to catch up, delaying referral.
• PTOTSLPOther2021Professionals' motivation to support parental self-management regarding children with physical disability in Dutch rehabilitation services: 'Please mind your gap'.Child: care, health and developmentMost therapists believe parents should actively manage their child's care, but few expect them to lead independently. Professionals struggle to balance giving control versus taking over, often steering parents toward their own preferred methods despite valuing partnership.
• PTRCT2021Ambulatory chest physiotherapy in mild-to-moderate acute bronchiolitis in children under two years of age - A randomized control trial.Hong Kong physiotherapy journal : official publication of the Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association Limited = Wu li chih liaoChildren with mild-to-moderate bronchiolitis who received eight sessions of modern chest physiotherapy had significantly better respiratory scores at day 15 than those who did not. The intervention group showed near-complete resolution of symptoms, with no reported side effects.
• PTOTCohort2021Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination Clinical Use to Recommend Therapist Assessment of Functional Hand Asymmetries.Pediatric physical therapy : the official publication of the Section on Pediatrics of the American Physical Therapy AssociationHINE asymmetry score 4 or higher in infants 3-12 months flagged infants for therapist HAI assessment. It caught all infants with a 3-point hand difference and correctly cleared 88% of those without that difference. For 2-point differences, it did not catch all infants.
• PTOther2021Normative database of postural sway measures using inertial sensors in typically developing children and young adults.Gait & postureWearable sensor standing sway decreased with age in 144 typically developing children and young adults. Some sway measures reached adult-like values by 9 to 10 years, while others reached them only by 11 to 13 or 14 to 21 years.
• PTOTOther2021Determination of the conceptual structures of the disturbed activities of daily living due to Katakori by evaluating patients' values or perceptions using a patient-elicitation technique.Journal of physical therapy sciencePeople with Katakori, a Japanese term for neck and shoulder stiffness, identified 24 distinct ways it disturbs daily life. The most common issues were using computers and phones, while caring for children was rated the most burdensome. Existing questionnaires missed these specific problems.
• PTOTSLPOther2022Spasticity-related pain in children/adolescents with cerebral palsy. Part 1: Prevalence and clinical characteristics from a pooled analysis.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineSpasticity-related pain is common in children with cerebral palsy, affecting over 80% of those with lower limb spasticity and nearly 70% with upper limb spasticity. Pain intensity increases with physical demand, being highest during exercises and hard tasks rather than at rest.