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Etiology of Severe Microcephaly in Infants: A Multinational Surveillance Study

Severe microcephaly, or head circumference at least 3 standard deviations below the mean for age and sex, is a rare condition with diverse etiology, making diagnosis challenging. Following the 2015 to 2016 Zika virus outbreak, surveillance studies in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom and Ireland were conducted to monitor severe microcephaly. We describe the etiology, clinical features, and diagnostic investigations of severe microcephaly among children aged younger than 1 year.

Seasonal variation in BMI outcomes at 6 months: secondary analyses of a multidisciplinary healthy lifestyle programme for children and adolescents with obesity

While international evidence suggests seasonal variations may influence outcomes of interventions for pediatric obesity, data for Aotearoa New Zealand are limited. We examined seasonal variations in changes in body mass index standard deviation score (BMI SDS) in young people with obesity enrolled in an intervention programme. 

Clinical and cognitive profile of nigral iron content in children with ADHD

ADHD has been associated with impaired central nervous dopaminergic pathways. Brain iron is an essential cofactor for the synthesis of dopamine and the substantia nigra (SN) is a significant pool of dopaminergic neurons playing a central role in the activity of the nigrostriatal pathway. The present study investigated SN iron content in children with ADHD, its relationship with ADHD symptom severity and cognitive performance.

Infectious disease outcomes associated with inadequate housing and access to healthy living practices in Australia: a systematic review

Inadequate housing and living conditions underpin significant health and wellbeing inequality in Australia, particularly for Indigenous people. This review aimed to define infectious disease (ID) outcomes used to measure the health impact of inadequate housing in Australia within a research context.

Mesothelioma location influences the tumour microenvironment and immune checkpoint therapy response in preclinical models

Mesothelioma is a cancer derived from mesothelial cells, most commonly arising from the pleura or the peritoneum. Immune checkpoint therapy (ICT) has shown survival benefit for pleural mesothelioma, but little is known about the response in peritoneal mesothelioma. Most preclinical mesothelioma models involve subcutaneous cancer cell implantation, which lacks the relevant tumour microenvironment of peritoneal mesothelioma and does not resemble the clinical presentation.

Age-based pegaspargase dosing is safe and achieves therapeutic levels in infants with ALL: report from COG AALL15P1

Rishi S. Kotecha MB ChB (Hons) MRCPCH FRACP PhD Co-Head, Leukaemia Translational Research rishi.kotecha@health.wa.gov.au Co-Head, Leukaemia

Trajectories of prematurity-associated lung disease: lifelong lung health

Preterm birth is increasingly recognised as adversely influencing lifelong lung function. This Series paper on prematurity-associated lung disease reviews studies reporting longitudinal lung function measurements in individuals who were born preterm. Evidence suggests that preterm birth alters lung function trajectories from early life onwards, with implications for future respiratory morbidity. We propose that this population needs rigorous follow up that should include systematic monitoring of lung function across the lifespan, starting in childhood.

Alcohol Advertising at the Beach: Insights From Young People in Western Australia

Advertising and marketing by the alcohol industry serve to normalise alcohol use, with exposure to alcohol advertising linked to earlier and riskier drinking among young people. Advertising that portrays alcohol use in and around waterways is of particular concern, with one in five fatal drownings being associated with alcohol.

Commitments to Improve Food Environments in Western Australia: A Review of Local Government Public Health Plans

Food environments are significant drivers of obesity and diet-related diseases, making them key targets for interventions that support healthier food choices. The role of Local Government Authorities is pivotal in shaping community food environments. 

Should Not Anesthesia Research Involve Anesthesiologists? Consequences of the Decline in Academic Anesthesia and Possible Solutions

Britta Regli-von Ungern-Sternberg AM FAHMS MD, PhD, DEAA, FANZA Chair of Paediatric anaesthesia, University of Western Australia; Consultant