Search
News & Events
New report to shape early years services in MidlandA new report on families with 0-4 year olds in the Midland area aims to help shape development of the sector and ensure parents are better placed to access support in their efforts to ensure the healthy development of their babies and toddlers.
News & Events
Lung problems continue into childhood for premmie babiesNew research from Perth’s The Kids Research Institute Australia shows that babies born premature continue to have lung problems well into childhood.
News & Events
Early childhood researcher a finalist in peak South Australian science awardsA The Kids Research Institute Australia researcher whose PhD studies highlighted the link between screen time exposure and toddlers’ language development has been named a finalist in South Australia’s Science Excellence and Innovation Awards.
News & Events
The Kids Research Institute Australia to lead ground-breaking child health research in South AustraliaThe Kids Research Institute Australia's Adelaide facility has been officially opened by South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas.
Research
International Pediatric COVID-19 Severity over the Course of the PandemicMultiple SARS-CoV-2 variants have emerged over the COVID-19 pandemic. The implications for COVID-19 severity in children worldwide are unclear. The objective was to determine whether the dominant circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) were associated with differences in COVID-19 severity among hospitalized children.
Research
The moderating role of parent perceptions in relationships between objectively measured neighbourhood environment attributes and pre-schooler's physical activity: Findings from the PLAYCE studyWe examined the moderating effects of parent perceptions of the neighbourhood environment on associations between objectively measured neighbourhood environment attributes and physical activity among pre-schoolers. The number of neighbourhood parks was positively associated with pre-schooler energetic play when parents had above average perceptions of access to services.
Research
Objectively measured infant and toddler screen time: Findings from a prospective studyScreen time guidelines recommend no screens under two years due to the potential negative impacts on development. While current reports suggest many children exceed this, research relies on parent reports of their children's screen exposure. We objectively assess screen exposure during the first two years and how it differs by maternal education and gender.
Research
Long maternal working hours were linked to obesity, underweight and stunting in children under age 5 in ChinaThis study assessed the relationship between maternal working hours and stunting, underweight and obesity in children under age 5 in China, using data from the China Nutrition and Health Survey (CNHS) conducted in 2002 and multivariable logistic regression. We found that maternal work hours 25–40 or >40 h per week were associated with a higher risk for underweight and stunting (under growth) in children under age 5.
Research
Examining the relationship between maternal mental health-related hospital admissions and childhood developmental vulnerability at school entry in Canada and AustraliaIt is well established that maternal mental illness is associated with an increased risk of poor development for children. However, inconsistencies in findings regarding the nature of the difficulties children experience may be explained by methodological or geographical differences.
Research
Airway smooth muscle thickness and contraction are enhanced by intra-amniotic lipopolysaccharide in an ovine model of premature birthAbnormalities of the airway smooth muscle (ASM) layer in asthma may develop before birth. We hypothesize that antenatal inflammation causes physiological abnormalities of the ASM that predisposes asthma. This study determined the short-term effects of antenatal inflammation on the developing ASM.