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Research
Penicillin G concentrations required for prophylaxis against Group A Streptococcus infection evaluated using a hollow fibre model and mathematical modellingAcute rheumatic fever (ARF), an autoimmune reaction to Group A Streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes; Strep A) infection, can cause rheumatic heart disease (RHD). New formulations of long-acting penicillins are being developed for secondary prophylaxis of ARF and RHD.
News & Events
Six-minute Strep A tests dramatically cut wait time in remote settingsChildren at risk of potentially life-threatening Strep A infections no longer have to wait five days for timely treatment, thanks to a The Kids Research Institute Australia study conducted in the remote Kimberley region of Western Australia.
News & Events
Skin infections send eight out of every 100 Aboriginal babies to hospitalIn a WA first, researchers from The Kids Research Institute Australia have shown that Aboriginal babies are 22.5 times more likely to be treated for skin infections than non-Aboriginal babies.
Focus Area
Indigenous HealthThe Indigenous Health research theme integrates the needs of Indigenous families and children into all relevant areas of our work. Improving the health and well-being of Indigenous children and families is an overarching priority for every program and team at the Institute.
Research
Excess Deaths Associated with Rheumatic Heart Disease, Australia, 2013-2017During 2013–2017, the mortality rate ratio for rheumatic heart disease among Indigenous versus non-Indigenous persons in Australia was 15.9, reflecting health inequity. Using excess mortality methods, we found that deaths associated with rheumatic heart disease among Indigenous Australians were probably substantially undercounted, affecting accuracy of calculations based solely on Australian Bureau of Statistics data.
Research
A Review of Cardiac Surgical Procedures and Their Outcomes for Paediatric Rheumatic Heart Disease in Western AustraliaSurgical intervention is an important treatment modality for advanced rheumatic heart disease (RHD). This study aimed to describe patient characteristics and outcomes from cardiac surgery for RHD in patients referred to the only tertiary paediatric hospital in Western Australia.
Research
2023 World Heart Federation guidelines for the echocardiographic diagnosis of rheumatic heart diseaseRheumatic heart disease (RHD) is an important and preventable cause of morbidity and mortality among children and young adults in low-income and middle-income countries, as well as among certain at-risk populations living in high-income countries. The 2012 World Heart Federation echocardiographic criteria provided a standardized approach for the identification of RHD and facilitated an improvement in early case detection.
Research
The potential global cost-effectiveness of prospective Strep A vaccines and associated implementation effortsGroup A Streptococcus causes a wide range of diseases from relatively mild infections including pharyngitis to more severe illnesses such as invasive diseases and rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Our aim is to estimate the cost-effectiveness of a hypothetical Strep A vaccine on multiple disease manifestations at the global-level.
Research
Environmental and social determinants of acute rheumatic fever: a longitudinal cohort studyPrevention strategies in ARF endemic settings may be enhanced by targeting new members entering a community and children in environments of close contact
Research
Community-based participatory action research on rheumatic heart disease in an Australian Aboriginal homeland: Evaluation of the ‘On track watch’ projectBased in 'both-way learning', the aim of this study was to co-design, implement and evaluate community-based participatory action research to achieve this vision