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.

1,906 PAPERS · PAGE 36 OF 39 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTPilot2026Creating an engaging brain computer interface, electrical stimulation therapy for children with hemiparesis: a pilot study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationThree sessions of a social-media-linked brain-computer interface with electrical stimulation were safe and feasible for 12 children with hemiparesis. Participants reported feeling less clinical and more engaged, but technical lag caused frustration. No functional gains can be attributed to the system.
• PTRCT2026Impact of optimized AFOs on functional outcomes in children with spastic cerebral palsy.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineChildren with spastic CP had higher same-day balance scores wearing OSKAR AFO-footwear combinations than standard ones, but the score difference was smaller than the difference usually considered clinically important. Obstacle course and six-minute walk results did not show a clear difference.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2026Psychosocial outcomes of medical specialty camps for children with physical disabilities.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineAcross 33 studies, medical specialty camps for children with physical disabilities consistently improved self-esteem, social connection, and belonging. Qualitative data showed campers felt safe and accepted, though long-term effects often faded without follow-up programs or local resources.
• PTRCT2026Face-to-face vs. telerehabilitation for thoracic hyperkyphosis in children- A randomized controlled pilot study.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineTelerehabilitation did not differ from face-to-face care for thoracic kyphosis angle after six weeks in 20 children. Both groups improved angle and discomfort, but the pilot was small and had no longer follow-up.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2026Neurosurgery to restore function in cerebral palsy: current practice and emerging therapies.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesThis review maps neurosurgical options for cerebral palsy movement disorders. It notes SDR helps spasticity but can unmask dystonia, while DBS and spinal cord stimulation remain investigational for children. Outcomes vary by phenotype, requiring individualized selection and intensive rehab.
• PTOTSLPCohort2026Clinical characteristics, functional impact and caregivers' priorities in Malaysian children with dystonic cerebral palsy.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineCaregivers rated sitting, hygiene, and speech as top priorities even when impact was mild. Fine motor issues showed high impact and priority. Dystonia severity correlated with functional impact, but functional level alone did not predict priority.
• PTOTQualitative2026The concerns of mothers of female youth with physical disabilities in transitioning to adulthood: A qualitative study.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineMothers of girls with physical disabilities worry most about independence, empowerment, relationships, health, and legal adulthood. They use patience and outside support for skills, but feel helpless against stigma and insurance barriers. This highlights needs for transition planning and social work support.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2026Factors Contributing to Screen Exposure in Preschool Children and Its Associated Outcomes: A Systematic Review.Child: care, health and developmentParents' own excessive screen use and lack of clear rules are the strongest predictors of high screen time in preschoolers. While most studies link high exposure to language and social delays, a few report benefits when use is interactive and educational. The evidence is observational, so causality is not proven.
• PTCohort2026Early neurodevelopmental outcome in newborns with mild hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy.Developmental medicine and child neurologyForty newborns with mild HIE and normal aEEG showed no cerebral palsy at 12 months. 60% had above-average Griffiths scores, 30% were within the expected range, and 10% were borderline. This describes a low-risk group, not all mild HIE.
• PTOTSLPCohort2026Characteristics of unilateral cerebral palsy according to gestational age at birth: A retrospective study.Developmental medicine and child neurologyMost children with unilateral cerebral palsy were born at term. Premature birth did not predict later impairments, but focal brain injuries like stroke were linked to fewer cognitive and communication issues, yet higher rates of epilepsy, compared to white matter injuries.
• PTOTCohort2026Home-based exercise training in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: A 12-month intervention study.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineA one-year home exercise program was safe for boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, but did not significantly improve activity levels compared to standard care. Upper limb function declined, while lung function and endurance remained stable.
• PTPilot2026An integrated multi-variable optimization approach to tailor ankle-foot orthosis stiffness to end-user needs.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationThe best ankle-foot orthosis stiffness differed across ten children with cerebral palsy and across gait domains, so tuning by a single measure alone may miss the whole picture. Child and physiotherapist priorities changed the choice only for CP04.
• PTOTSLPCohort2026Transitioning to a Flexible, Tiered, Developmentally Informed Same-Day Screening Model for Preschoolers in Low-Resource Settings.Child: care, health and developmentSeparate visits, long English-only tests and age-based screening were reported to make preschool health checks hard to complete in South African ECD centres. The team proposed same-day visits, shorter sessions and readiness-based tools, but did not test whether this improves screening accuracy.
• PTOTOther2026Technology Utilisation and Engagement in Physical Activity of Adolescents With Intellectual Disabilities: A Scoping Review.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDMost studies used technology to measure activity, not change it. Some small programmes in adolescents with intellectual disabilities added exergaming, video sessions, reminders, incentives, or parent support, and some reported more movement or enjoyment, but components were bundled.
• PTOTSLPCohort2026Urban-Rural Differences and Sex-Specific Cognitive Effects on Autism Symptom Trajectories: A Longitudinal Study of Autistic Children in Taiwan.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchRural autistic children showed steeper increases in social communication difficulties over time than urban peers, despite similar starting points. Higher verbal IQ was linked to fewer social symptoms in girls but not boys. Restricted behaviors remained stable across all groups.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2026Clinician Perceptions Around Management of Sleep Problems in Children With Neurodisability.Child: care, health and developmentNon-sleep clinicians rarely use validated screening tools for sleep problems in children with neurodisability, relying instead on informal questions. Over half reported inadequate training to manage these issues. Families typically raise sleep concerns themselves, but clinicians struggle to identify causes or navigate referral pathways.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2026Communicative Development Inventories (CDIs) in etiologically diverse developmental conditions: A systematic review.Research in developmental disabilitiesCDIs reliably flag delayed expressive vocabulary in autism and Down syndrome, but standard scores often underestimate ability when children use signs or have low intelligibility. Use longitudinal tracking for progress, not single-timepoint screening, and adapt forms to include gesture.
• PTOTSLPCohort2026Long-term neurological and psychiatric outcomes after paediatric arterial ischaemic stroke and cerebral sinovenous thrombosis.Developmental medicine and child neurologyChildren with first-time stroke face much higher long-term risks of paralysis, epilepsy, vision problems, and mental disorders than peers. Most survivors had at least one neurological or psychiatric diagnosis. This requires sustained multidisciplinary follow-up.
• PTCohort2026Gross motor performance of infants with an at-home wearable measurement and the Alberta Infant Motor Scale: A concurrent validity study.Developmental medicine and child neurologyAn at-home wearable suit tracked infant motor development with results closely matching a physiotherapist's Alberta Infant Motor Scale scores. It accurately identified infants below clinical cut-offs, offering a reliable, objective alternative to clinic-based observation for monitoring gross motor progress.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2026Cognitive Predictors of Adaptive Behaviour in Children With Down Syndrome: A Systematic Review.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDExecutive functions, especially working memory and inhibitory control, strongly predict adaptive behaviour in children with Down syndrome. Targeting these cognitive skills, not just teaching daily tasks, may better support autonomy. Visual and IQ measures also contribute.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2026Perspectives of young people with neuromotor disabilities on shared digital portals in paediatric rehabilitation: A descriptive-interpretive qualitative study.Developmental medicine and child neurologyYoung people with disabilities described shared digital portals as tools to reduce repetitive care and support autonomy. They wanted control over who sees their data, practical home exercise guides, and peer connection, while warning against surveillance and pressure from unmet goals.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2026Interventions for children with developmental coordination disorder: A scoping review.Developmental medicine and child neurologyMost interventions for children with coordination difficulties reported improved motor performance, but few measured real-life participation or social impact. Delivery in groups, schools, or one-to-one sessions all showed benefits, though diagnostic criteria were often poorly reported.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2026Supporting a 'good life' for autistic children: Autistic adults' and parents' perspectives.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic adults and parents identified four pillars for a 'good life' in autistic children: unconditional acceptance, pursuing personal interests, having autonomy over choices, and sensory-safe environments. They emphasized that social connection and happiness look different for each child, challenging neurotypical norms.
• PTOTCohort2026Treatment outcomes across curve patterns and severities in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis treated with a pattern-specific CAD-CAM brace.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesA custom 3D-scanned brace helped 91% of girls with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis avoid curve progression. Outcomes were similar across different spine curve patterns and severity levels. The study included only females aged 10 to 14 with moderate to severe curves.
• PTOTQualitative2026Clinical gait analysis use in management of children with cerebral palsy: Qualitative study.Developmental medicine and child neurologyClinicians and caregivers found gait analysis valuable for validating clinical impressions and guiding complex decisions, but resource limitations, lack of standardized protocols, and interpretation barriers prevented consistent access and timely follow-up.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2026Seizures in children with Dravet syndrome in extreme heat: A qualitative study of parental perspectives.Developmental medicine and child neurologyParents described heat as a constant seizure trigger, noting children could not sweat or cool down. They avoided pools and sudden temperature shifts, kept children indoors, and gave fever medication when skin turned red, even without fever, to prevent seizures.
• PTOTCohort2026Effects of a Multimodal Neurorehabilitation Program on Gross Motor Function and Activity and Participation Performance in Children With Cerebral Palsy: A 9-Month Longitudinal Study.Physiotherapy research international : the journal for researchers and clinicians in physical therapyChildren in GMFCS levels I–III improved gross motor function, mobility and social function over nine months. Levels IV–V improved only in sitting, with no change in daily activity performance. Since all children received multiple therapies together, the specific contribution of any single treatment cannot be separated.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2026How are School-aged Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder Using Digital Media? A Qualitative Study of Families' Lived Experiences.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPFamilies described digital media as a double-edged sword. It offers relief, deep interest exploration, and social connection, but creates safety concerns and caregiver guilt. Rules must be highly individualized and flexible, as one-size-fits-all restrictions fail in diverse home and school settings.
• PTOTOther2026Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination for early detection of cerebral palsy in Ethiopia: A feasibility and knowledge translation study.Developmental medicine and child neurologyIn a low-resource hospital, training residents to use the HINE identified 36% of at-risk infants as having cerebral palsy or high probability, with referral at a mean age of 10.6 months.
• PTOther2026Clinical Utility of the Japanese Version of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic Shoulder and Elbow Score for Detecting Upper Extremity Dysfunction in High-School Baseball Players.International journal of sports physical therapyHigh school baseball players who reported symptoms had lower J-KJOC scores than asymptomatic players. A cutoff of 87.6 points helped identify symptomatic players, while physical measures did not separate the groups.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2026Socio-Ecological Factors of Physical Activity in Children and Adolescents With Down Syndrome: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDRPhysical activity barriers in children with Down syndrome are multi-level, not just individual. Parents cited overprotection and lack of time, while communities lacked trained coaches. Siblings and peers acted as key motivators. Interventions must address these social and structural gaps.
• PTQualitative2026An Innovative Transitional Care Unit for Hospital to Home Transition of Children With Medical Complexity: A Qualitative Study of Parents' Experiences.Child: care, health and developmentParents of children with medical complexity described a homelike transitional unit as helping them regain control over care, confidence and emotional recovery. Peer and family support mattered, but fragmented coordination, unclear roles and privacy limits remained.
• PTOTSurvey2026Pediatric Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy: Current Practices and Implementation Barriers.OTJR : occupation, participation and health75% of surveyed US paediatric providers said pCIMT was available in their region, but only 14% said every eligible child could actually get it. Cost, therapist and family availability were the top reported barriers, and academic programmes spend 0 to 1 hour on it.
• PTOTSystematic Review2026Involvement in daily life activities from the perspectives of children and young people with childhood-onset disabilities: A scoping review.Developmental medicine and child neurologyChildren with disabilities describe involvement as how much of their mind is in the activity, from switched off to fully absorbed to exhausted. It also meant having a say, belonging and being noticed; watching instead of taking part did not count.
• PTSurvey2026Utilization of Imaging in Young Athletes with Low Back Pain.International journal of sports physical therapyMost sports medicine physicians surveyed (68% of 397) order lumbar X-rays at the first visit for a young athlete with extension-based back pain, and 13.1% order MRI, CT or SPECT then as well. This is what they report doing, not evidence that imaging helps.
• PTOTCohort2026Relationships Among Activity, Motor Skill Performance and Executive Function in Preschool Children: Observational Report.Child: care, health and developmentPreschoolers who jumped further, balanced longer, gripped harder or ran faster in the supine timed up and go also did better on tests of holding back a response and remembering where things were. How much they moved, sat and slept showed no link to those scores.
• PTOTCohort2026Medical complications in children with central nervous system injuries during inpatient rehabilitation.Journal of rehabilitation medicineAlmost all the children (59 of 64, 92%) had at least one medical complication during inpatient rehabilitation after brain or spinal cord injury. Sleep problems, pain and constipation were most common, but treating physicians judged most complications to have no consequences for rehabilitation.
• PTSurvey2026Attitudes, Norms, and Control: What Is Shaping Fijian Children's Physical Activity and Screen Time Behaviours?Child: care, health and developmentChildren were more likely to meet activity and screen guidelines when activity felt like something that would make them happier or help with schoolwork, and when caregivers felt able to set screen time rules. Caregivers' beliefs about what others expected showed no link.
• PTMeta-Analysis2026Physical Activity Levels of Early Childhood Educators: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Child: care, health and developmentAbout half of early childhood educators met the 150 minutes a week activity guideline, and children in their care tended to be more active when the educators were more active. The studies disagreed so widely, though, that the pooled average is only a rough guide.
• PTOTSLPCase Report2026Lorazepam for post-operative pediatric cerebellar mutism syndrome: A case report.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineOne 11-year-old boy with post-operative cerebellar mutism after medulloblastoma surgery gained 40 WeeFIM units the week after lorazepam was started, having gained 1 the week before, and lost ground when it was stopped. Four other drugs were on board as well.
• PTOTOther2026Assessing and categorizing health-related quality of life outcomes in children and youth with acquired brain injury in outpatient rehabilitation.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineYoung people referred to rehabilitation after acquired brain injury reported much lower quality of life than healthy Dutch peers, especially for school and work. Young adults fared worst. The authors propose cut-offs to make these scores quicker to interpret at intake.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2026"No Words Needed": Results of a Survey on How Parents of Children With Neurodevelopmental Disorders Perceive (In)formal Peer Support.Child: care, health and developmentMost of the 225 Dutch parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders (77.3%) said they needed peer support, mainly to hear others' experiences and to feel understood without judgement. Only 12.4% found it through a healthcare provider; most connected via Facebook groups.
• PTOTSystematic Review2026Varied effectiveness of outpatient rehabilitation interventions in reducing long-term complications following childhood brain tumours: a systematic review.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesAfter treatment for a childhood brain tumour, rehabilitation most often helped movement: four of the five studies measuring balance, coordination, motor skills or daily living found gains, though every study was small. Cognitive outcomes did not improve in any study.
• PTOTSurvey2026Health Functioning Moderates the Association Between Chronic Conditions and Mental Illness in Childhood.Child: care, health and developmentChildren with a chronic condition were more than twice as likely to have a mood disorder, but not other mental illnesses. The link to anxiety, ADHD and any mental illness appeared only in children with better health functioning.
• PTOther2026Building From a Stable Foundation? Understanding Stability Skill Proficiency in British Children in the First Year of School.Child: care, health and developmentSixty per cent of children in their first year of school (143 of 243) could not perform any of three basic stability skills to the standard set, and only three children managed all three. The test may be too hard for this age.
• PTOTCohort2026Everyday positioning experience in typically developing infants and infants with or at risk for cerebral palsy.Research in developmental disabilitiesInfants with or at risk for CP spent more of the day on their back and much less standing than typically developing peers: at 12 months, 40% versus 14% of the day supine, and 8% versus 29% standing. Motor milestone delays did not explain it.
• PTOther2026Multimodal engagement estimation in paediatric robot-assisted gait training: integrating physiological sensing and biomechanical interaction.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationCombining heart-rate, facial-temperature and robot-torque data let a computer pick out when a child was engaged or not during Lokomat gait training better than any single signal. The middle 'neutral' state was often misread. Twenty children; research only.
• PTCase Report2026Early multimodal rehabilitation and functional outcomes of a left brachial plexus injury after general anesthesia: a case report.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesA 15-year-old regained full left arm function within six months after an upper trunk brachial plexus injury from surgical positioning. He had rehabilitation plus methylcobalamin, adenosine cobalamin, nerve growth factor, ganglioside and dexamethasone together, so no single treatment can be credited.
• PTOther2026Cerebral cortical activation and functional connectivity characteristics of children with unilateral cerebral palsy during a single-session virtual reality throwing motor task: a functional near-infrared spectroscopy study.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesIn 35 children with unilateral cerebral palsy, one session of VR throwing raised activity in the affected side's sensorimotor and prefrontal cortex more than the same throwing without VR. It is a brain-response study only: no one measured whether movement improved.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2026Delivering Health Education to Children With Chronic Conditions: A Scoping Review and Evidence and Gap Map.Child: care, health and developmentOnly 16 of 118 studies of health education for children with chronic conditions described any adaptation for children with disabilities, mostly for cognition. Most education taught disease facts face to face in hospital clinics, and few programmes were individualised or designed with children.