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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 19 OF 39 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTOther2023Promoting Positive Health Outcomes in an Urban Community-Based Physical Activity Intervention for Preschool Aged Children on the Autism Spectrum.Journal of autism and developmental disordersPreschoolers with autism improved ball skills and upper body strength after 12 weeks of community-based physical activity. Locomotor skills and daily physical activity levels did not change. The intervention combined motor training, behavioral coaching, and group play.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Executive Function in Autism: Association with ADHD and ASD Symptoms.Journal of autism and developmental disordersIn children with autism, executive function problems tracked with ADHD severity, not autism severity. Flexibility and emotional control were unrelated to either diagnosis. This suggests ADHD symptoms, not autism itself, drive most observed executive function deficits.
• PTOTSLPMeta-Analysis2022Serum Vitamin D, Folate and Fatty Acid Levels in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Journal of autism and developmental disordersChildren with autism had significantly lower vitamin D levels than controls, but folate levels showed no significant difference. The vitamin D finding had very high variability between studies, so it should not be treated as a consistent biological marker.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2022Parent Perspectives on Supports and Barriers for Autistic Youth Transitioning to Adulthood.Journal of autism and developmental disordersParents of autistic teens described barriers like not knowing where to find services or finding them too expensive. They reported supports came from their child's specific interests, such as coding or welding, and from extracurricular activities that built confidence and practical skills.
• PTSLPCohort2023Sex Differences in Autism: Examining Intrinsic and Extrinsic Factors in Children and Adolescents Enrolled in a National ASD Cohort.Journal of autism and developmental disordersGirls with autism in this large cohort were diagnosed four months later than boys, even though parents' first concerns began at the same age. Parents more often first noticed motor delay in girls and speech delay in boys.
• PTOTOther2022Reliability and validity of the East Asian children's version of mini-MACS in children with cerebral palsy.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesThe Chinese version of the Mini-MACS reliably classifies manual ability in children with cerebral palsy. Parents and therapists agreed closely, and the tool correlated with both the Nine-hole Peg Test and the Gross Motor Function Classification System.
• PTRCT2023Functional Neuroplasticity and Motor Skill Change Following Gross Motor Interventions for Children With Diplegic Cerebral Palsy.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairChildren with diplegic cerebral palsy improved advanced motor skills after 6 weeks of strength or sports training. Brain scans showed that increased activity in the same-side brain hemisphere during non-dominant leg movement was linked to better skill gains. This suggests atypical brain wiring can support learning.
• PTOTPilot2023The Family Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey: Comparisons with Obesity and Physical Activity in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder.Journal of autism and developmental disordersTeens with autism in high-risk home environments weighed 11.1 kg more than those in low-risk homes. However, their measured physical activity levels were identical. This suggests the home environment score flags weight risk, not necessarily a lack of movement.
• PTOTCohort2023Prevalence and determinants of hip pain in non-ambulatory cerebral palsy children: a retrospective cohort study.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineHip pain was reported in 8.9% of children with severe cerebral palsy, rising to 10.9% in those with GMFCS level V. Key independent predictors were older age, female sex, higher migration percentage, and lumbar scoliosis. Pain often resolved after treatment, suggesting a need for targeted assessment rather than assuming dislocation is the sole cause.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2022Patterns in reporting and participant inclusion related to race and ethnicity in autism intervention literature: Data from a large-scale systematic review of evidence-based practices.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceRace and ethnicity data were reported in only 25% of autism intervention studies, and participants were heavily White. Reporting has increased slowly over time, but minoritized groups remain significantly underrepresented in the evidence base.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2022Gastrointestinal concerns in children with autism spectrum disorder: A qualitative study of family experiences.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceParents of children with autism and gut issues often cannot rely on verbal reports of pain. They instead watch for bodily signs like distension or non-verbal behaviors such as leg crossing, irritability, or aggression to detect distress.
• PTOTOther2023Normative reference values for Obstacles Test and Curb Test and their correlation with demographic characteristics: a cross-sectional study in Saudi children.International journal of rehabilitation research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Rehabilitationsforschung. Revue internationale de recherches de readaptationResearchers established age and sex norms for two timed walking tests in Saudi children aged 6 to 11. Older children and boys completed the tests faster. Height and weight also correlated with speed, but body mass index did not. Prediction equations are provided to help judge if a child's performance falls outside typical range.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2023The Impact of School Strategies and the Home Environment on Home Learning Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Children With and Without Developmental Disorders.Journal of autism and developmental disordersParents of children with developmental disorders rated remote teaching methods as less effective and were less satisfied with school measures than parents of typically developing children. Teacher alignment and child motivation predicted better experiences, but teacher-led methods helped only typically developing children.
• PTOTSLPOther2022R2Play development: Fostering user-driven technology that supports return-to-play decision-making following pediatric concussion.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesClinicians rated the new R2Play return-to-play interface as easy to use, scoring 81% on a usability test. Five testers navigated the system without getting stuck, though some initially missed buttons. The tool is a prototype and not yet proven to help patients.
• PTOther2022Playfully Assessing Lower Extremity Selective Voluntary Motor Control in Children With Cerebral Palsy: Psychometric Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesA playful game using leg sensors could separate children with cerebral palsy from peers, but it did not match standard clinical scores well. It may add detail, not replace usual assessment.
• PTOTSLPRCT2022A Longitudinal RCT of P-ESDM With and Without Parental Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction: Impact on Child Outcomes.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAdding parental mindfulness training to early autism intervention did not improve child outcomes. Children in both groups showed similar decreases in autism severity and skill development, regardless of whether parents received the extra support sessions.
• PTQualitative2022A critical phenomenological investigation in the use of touch as "know how" in practical physiotherapy in primary care with children and adults.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesPhysiotherapists in these encounters used touch as embodied know-how: watching small bodily signs, adjusting space and words, and letting patients set boundaries. The examples show touch as responsive, not a fixed technique.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2022Service Delivery Models for the Management of Pediatric and Adolescent Concussion: A Systematic Review.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationMost concussion studies measure provider habits or costs, not patient recovery. Specialists deliver active exercise and multidisciplinary care, while generalists often lack standardized tools. Telemedicine improves access for rural families but cannot replace in-person neurologic exams.
• PTOTOther2022Assessing Participation in Adolescents With Cerebral Palsy: Comparison of Life-Habits and USER-Participation.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationThe Life-H and USER-Participation agree on how much adolescents with cerebral palsy do, but not on how satisfied they are. Use the USER-Participation for a quick overall picture and the Life-H when you need to find specific daily restrictions or sources of dissatisfaction.
• PTOther2022Defining usual physiotherapy care in ambulant children with cerebral palsy in the United Kingdom: A mixed methods consensus study.Child: care, health and developmentUK paediatric physiotherapists agreed usual care for ambulant children with cerebral palsy includes long-term monitoring, advice, goal setting, sport and activity, and task-specific training. Only two of six proposed exercise interventions reached consensus. It defines usual care. It does not prove effectiveness.
• PTOTOther2022The Influence of Age at Pediatric-Onset Spinal Cord Injury and Years of Wheelchair Use on Shoulder Complex Joint Dynamics During Manual Wheelchair Propulsion.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationShoulder movement during wheelchair propulsion changes based on age at injury and years of use. Those injured younger showed specific motion patterns linked to impingement risk as they aged, but pain was not measured.
• PTOTOther2022Acceptability of wearable inertial sensors, completeness of data, and day-to-day variability of everyday life motor activities in children and adolescents with neuromotor impairments.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesMost children with neuromotor impairments accepted wearing movement sensors for a week, though charging, showering, and slipping sensors caused missing days. A full week is needed for dependable estimates.
• PTOTSurvey2022Parent-report health-related quality of life in school-aged children with cerebral palsy: A cross-sectional study.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesPortuguese parents of 68 school-aged children with cerebral palsy reported clinically low quality of life in physical well-being, mood and emotions, autonomy, and bullying compared with European norms. Mobility and cognitive impairment were linked to lower scores.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Impact of social-, health-, and disability-related factors on pregnancy outcomes in women with intellectual and developmental disabilities: A population-based latent class analysis.Disability and health journalWomen with intellectual disabilities face higher pregnancy risks, but the level depends on their specific profile. Those with significant medical, psychiatric, and physical comorbidities had the greatest risk of complications like preterm birth and caesarean delivery.
• PTOTQualitative2022Wrist-Worn devices to encourage affected upper limb movement in unilateral cerebral palsy: Participatory design workshops.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesChildren with unilateral cerebral palsy and their therapists told researchers that wrist-worn devices must look like standard fitness trackers and be easy to fasten with one hand. School policies on phones and trackers were the biggest practical barrier to using them daily.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Rehabilitation after paediatric acquired brain injury: Longitudinal change in content and effect on recovery.Developmental medicine and child neurologyRehabilitation focus shifts significantly during admission. More active practice predicted faster daily activity recovery. However, teams often swapped emotional support for medical management when early recovery was slow, complicating any simple dose-response link.
• PTOTSLPOther2022Programmes to support paediatric to adult healthcare transitions for youth with complex care needs and their families: A scoping review.Child: care, health and development47 articles described programmes supporting paediatric-to-adult transition for youth with complex care needs, mostly without evaluation. Coordinators, early planning, family involvement and digital tools were common, but evidence of benefit was limited.
• PTOTSLPOther2023Patterns of Special Education Eligibility and Age of First Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Identification Among US Children with ASD.Journal of autism and developmental disordersChildren identified only through school records were evaluated and diagnosed with autism over a year later than those seen in health settings. School evaluations for developmental delay often missed specific autism traits like restricted interests, potentially delaying access to specialized services.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Relationship Between Nutritional Status and Severity of Cerebral Palsy: A Multicentre Cross-Sectional Study.Journal of rehabilitation medicineUndernutrition affects half of children with cerebral palsy and worsens as motor and eating difficulties increase. Blood tests failed to identify nutritional status, so clinical assessment of eating ability and growth remains essential for screening.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2022Family-centred service in paediatric acquired brain injury rehabilitation: Bridging the gaps.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesFamily-centred care is best practice in paediatric brain injury rehab, but implementation varies widely and lacks clear guidelines. Clinicians must actively partner with families, tailoring goals and communication to the child's development and the family's unique context.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Declining trends in birth prevalence and severity of singletons with cerebral palsy of prenatal or perinatal origin in Australia: A population-based observational study.Developmental medicine and child neurologyThe number of Australian singletons with cerebral palsy has dropped significantly. This decline was seen in all gestational age groups, but was most pronounced in very preterm and term babies. The proportion of children with bilateral spasticity decreased, while those with dyskinetic or hypotonic presentations increased.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2023Factors associated with the early emergence of atypical feeding behaviours in infants and young children: A scoping review.Child: care, health and developmentAssociations with feeding difficulties are inconsistent. Breastfeeding duration shows no clear protective effect. Introducing solids at or after 6 months and offering lumpy textures before 10 months may reduce pickiness. Parental anxiety and sensory sensitivity are linked to fussiness, but evidence quality varies.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2023ASD Diagnosis and Treatment Experiences Among Mexican Heritage Families.Journal of autism and developmental disordersMexican heritage families described diagnosis pathways shaped by rural isolation, undocumented status, and provider hesitation. Many received intervention before formal diagnosis. Families reported needing to advocate strongly against service cancellations and structural barriers to access timely care.
• PTSurvey2022Impact of the COVID-19 virus outbreak on 24-h movement behaviours among children in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional survey.Child: care, health and developmentOnly 3.4% of Saudi children aged 6-12 met all physical activity, screen time and sleep guidelines during COVID-19 restrictions. Parents reported less outdoor play and more screen and social media use, especially in girls.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Modelling quality of life in children with intellectual disability using regression trees.Developmental medicine and child neurologyDaytime sleepiness and low community participation were the strongest factors linked to poorer quality of life in children with intellectual disability. Eye contact during communication also mattered. These findings suggest clinicians should prioritize screening for sleep issues and facilitating social engagement.
• PTOTRCT2023Comparative effects of kinect-based versus therapist-based constraint-induced movement therapy on motor control and daily motor function in children with unilateral cerebral palsy: a randomized control trial.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationKinect-based therapy matched traditional therapist-led CIMT for hand use and daily function in children with unilateral cerebral palsy, but it reduced trunk compensation during reaching. The small sample and lack of follow-up mean this is promising, not definitive.
• PTCohort2023Intensive bracing management combined with physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercises for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients with a major curve ranging from 40-60° who refused surgery: a prospective cohort study.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineAdolescents with 40-60° scoliosis curves who refused surgery achieved success in 78% of cases using intensive bracing and exercises. Patients with curves under 50° had a 95% success rate, while those with larger curves had only 60% success.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Developmental referrals of pre-school children in a diverse community in England: The importance of parental migration for referral rates.Child: care, health and developmentIn a Bristol community paediatric service, children with two migrant parents were three times more likely to be referred for developmental concerns than those with two UK-born parents. Somali children had six times the referral rate for autism compared to white or mixed-heritage peers.
• PTSLPOther2023Early childhood development and its association with maternal parity.Child: care, health and developmentIn Bangladesh, each additional child a mother had was associated with a 5% lower odds of her 3- or 4-year-old being developmentally on track. Literacy and numeracy were the worst-performing domains, with 71% of children falling behind.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Trajectories of Executive Functions After Early Childhood Traumatic Brain Injury: Teacher Ratings in the Initial 81 Months Postinjury.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationTeacher ratings showed two groups: 65% stayed in the normal range, while 35% had executive function concerns that worsened over time. Children in the struggling group were more likely to have had a brain injury, lower socio-economic status, and authoritarian parenting.
• PTOther2023Autistic Children Use Less Efficient Goal-Directed Whole Body Movements Compared to Neurotypical Development.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAutistic children reached the virtual target as often as neurotypical children, but took longer and followed less direct paths. Movement variability did not differ. This is descriptive motor data, not treatment evidence.
• PTOTSLPOther2023Microanalysis of Daily Living Skills in adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder without an intellectual disability.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAdolescents with autism and average intelligence showed daily living skills far below age expectations. Money management, cooking, and hygiene were major challenges. Communication was a relative strength, but overall adaptive skills lagged significantly behind cognitive ability.
• PTCohort2022Disparities in Adherence to Concussion Clinical Care Recommendations in a Pediatric Population.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitation80.5% of children completed the recommended follow-up care, but non-Hispanic Black children and children with public insurance/self-pay were less likely to continue until clearance. No-show and specialty visit rates did not differ.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2022'This battle, between your gut feeling and your mind. Try to find the right balance': Parental experiences of children with spinal muscular atrophy during COVID-19 pandemic.Child: care, health and developmentParents of children with SMA prioritized protecting their child's health, leading them to cancel therapies and isolate the family. They felt responsible for continuing home exercises and struggled with conflicting advice on returning to school.
• PTOTSurvey2022Physical activity, sedentary behaviour and screen time among youths with Down syndrome during the COVID-19 pandemic.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDRYouths with Down syndrome saw physical activity halve during lockdown, and it did not return to pre-pandemic levels even after restrictions eased. Sedentary and screen time spiked but recovered. Parents’ activity also remained low, breaking the link between parent and child activity levels.
• PTOTCohort2022Asymmetry in sleep spindles and motor outcome in infants with unilateral brain injury.Developmental medicine and child neurologyIn infants with unilateral brain injury, asymmetry in sleep spindles on EEG predicted later unilateral cerebral palsy with 95% accuracy. This retrospective study of 40 infants suggests EEG could help identify high-risk babies, but the small sample and lack of comparison to standard assessments limit current clinical use.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Pain trajectories and well-being in children and young people with cerebral palsy: A cohort study.Developmental medicine and child neurologyChildren with cerebral palsy fell into five distinct 5-week pain patterns. Those with high or changing pain reported lower physical and psychological well-being than those with stable low pain. Repeated brief pain checks may help spot children at risk for poor well-being.
• PTNarrative Review2022"Learn the Signs. Act Early.": Updates and Implications for Physical Therapists.Pediatric physical therapy : the official publication of the Section on Pediatrics of the American Physical Therapy AssociationThe updated CDC milestone checklists move some skills to later ages because they now use a 75% attainment criterion rather than the average. This is a change in how delays are flagged, not a lowering of standards. Crawling was removed due to a lack of normative data and evidence it is essential.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Neuroimaging and neurological outcome of children with acute encephalitis.Developmental medicine and child neurologyNearly one third of children had poor long-term recovery after acute encephalitis. Severe MRI findings and need for ventilator therapy were linked to worse outcomes. A normal early MRI did not guarantee good recovery, as one fifth of those with normal scans still had poor outcomes.
• PTOther2022Safety and Feasibility of 1-Repetition Maximum (1-RM) Testing in Children and Adolescents With Bilateral Spastic Cerebral Palsy.Pediatric physical therapy : the official publication of the Section on Pediatrics of the American Physical Therapy AssociationAll 24 children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy completed 1-repetition maximum leg press testing safely, with one mild muscle cramp. Stopping after one failed lift underestimated strength by 19.0%, about 40 pounds, so allow multiple attempts.