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How Families Manage the Complex Medical Needs of Their Children with MECP2 Duplication Syndrome

MECP2 duplication syndrome (MDS) is a rare, X-linked, neurodevelopmental disorder resulting from the duplication of the methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2) gene. The clinical features of MDS include severe intellectual disability, global developmental delay, seizures, recurrent respiratory infections, and gastrointestinal problems. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore how the parents of children with MDS manage their child's seizures, recurrent respiratory infections, and gastrointestinal symptoms, and the impact on them as parents.

Development of an International Database for a Rare Genetic Disorder: The MECP2 Duplication Database (MDBase)

The natural history of MECP2 duplication syndrome (MDS), a rare X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder with an estimated birth prevalence of 1/150,000 live births, is poorly understood due to a lack of clinical data collected for research. Such information is critical to the understanding of disease progression, therapeutic endpoints and outcome measures for clinical trials, as well as the development of therapies and orphan products.

Development and initial validation of the Communication Inventory Disability – Observer Reported (CID-OR): a measure of communication in CDKL5 deficiency disorder

CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder (CDD) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by early onset seizures combined with complex healthcare needs and developmental impairment that influence functional domains including communication. Communication is a high priority domain for families but currently used measures demonstrate floor effects. 

Validating the Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales–Developmental Profile Infant–Toddler Checklist (CSBS–DP ITC) Beyond Infancy in the CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder

CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD) results in early-onset epilepsy and lifelong cognitive and motor impairments. With no validated measure for communication in CDD, this study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales-Developmental Profile Infant Toddler Checklist.

Vitamin D deficiency at 16 to 20 weeks' gestation is associated with impaired lung function and asthma at 6 years of age

This paper examines whether a Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy affects the child's lung function predisposition towards lung disease such as asthma.

International CDKL5 Disorder Database

Helen Jenny Leonard Downs MBChB MPH BApplSci (physio) MSc PhD Principal Research Fellow Head, Child Disability +61 419 956 946 08 6319 1763

The natural history of the MECP2 Duplication disorder: Australian surveillance and plans for development of an international register

Helen Jenny Leonard Downs MBChB MPH BApplSci (physio) MSc PhD Principal Research Fellow Head, Child Disability +61 419 956 946 08 6319 1763

Understanding anxiety around uncertainty

In this blog, research project co-ordinator Rebecca Kuzminski discusses anxiety related to uncertainty, why this is a particular challenge for many autistic children, and new research CliniKids is conducting to help parents support their child with managing uncertainty-related anxiety.

Measuring the Burden of Epilepsy Hospitalizations in CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder

Information on the hospital service use among individuals with CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder, an ultrarare developmental epileptic encephalopathy, is limited, evidence of which could assist with service planning. Therefore, using baseline and longitudinal data on 379 genetically verified individuals in the International CDKL5 Disorder Database, we aimed to investigate rates of seizure-related and other hospitalizations and associated length of stay in this cohort.

Growth patterns in individuals with CDKL5 deficiency disorder

Aim: To compare growth in individuals with cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) deficiency disorder with population norms and to investigate the effect of gastrostomy on growth.