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International Rett syndrome study: InterRettHelen Jenny Leonard Downs MBChB MPH BApplSci (physio) MSc PhD Principal Research Fellow Head, Child Disability +61 419 956 946 08 6319 1763
Research
A longitudinal examination of perinatal testosterone, estradiol and vitamin D as predictors of handedness outcomes in childhood and adolescenceThe developmental origins of handedness remain elusive, though very early emergence suggests individual differences manifesting in utero could play an important role. Prenatal testosterone and Vitamin D exposure are considered, yet findings and interpretations remain equivocal.
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Pain coping tools for children and young adults with a neurodevelopmental disability: A systematic review of measurement propertiesTo systematically identify and evaluate the measurement properties of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and observer-reported outcome measures (parent proxy report) of pain coping tools that have been used with children and young adults (aged 0–24 years) with a neurodevelopmental disability.
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CDKL5 deficiency disorder: clinical features, diagnosis, and managementCDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD) was first identified as a cause of human disease in 2004. Although initially considered a variant of Rett syndrome, CDD is now recognised as an independent disorder and classified as a developmental epileptic encephalopathy.
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A brief history of MECP2 duplication syndrome: 20-years of clinical understandingMECP2 duplication syndrome (MDS) is a rare, X-linked, neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a duplication of the methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2) gene-a gene in which loss-of-function mutations lead to Rett syndrome (RTT). MDS has an estimated live birth prevalence in males of 1/150,000.
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Modifiable child and caregiver factors that influence community participation among children with Down syndromeTo investigate modifiable child and caregiver factors influencing community participation among children with Down syndrome.
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Oral health education and promotion in special needs children: Systematic review and meta-analysisTo review the effectiveness of oral health education and oral health promotion interventions for children and adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), in ensuring optimal gingival health, caries experience and oral health-related quality of life, compared to no interventions or alternative interventions.
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Longitudinal Evaluation of the Stability of Hand Function in Rett SyndromeWe investigated the longitudinal stability of hand function in Rett syndrome and to analyze further the relationships between stability of hand function and genotype, age, and walking ability. Study design: Longitudinal video data of functional abilities of individuals with genetically confirmed Rett syndrome were collected by families of individuals registered with the Australian Rett Syndrome Database.
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Using directed-content analysis to identify a framework for understanding quality of life in adults with Rett syndromeRett syndrome (RTT) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder mainly affecting females and is caused by a mutation in the MECP2 gene. Recent research identified the domains of quality of life (QOL) important for children with RTT but there has been no investigation of domains important for adults. This qualitative study explored QOL in adults with RTT and compared domains with those previously identified for children.
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Systematic Review and Meta-analysis: Mental Health in ChildrenThe behavioral phenotype of neurogenetic disorders associated with intellectual disability often includes psychiatric comorbidity. The objectives of this systematic review and meta-analysis were to systematically review the prevalence of psychiatric disorders and symptoms in children and adolescents