Search
Research
Australian Group on Antimicrobial Resistance surveillance outcome programs - bloodstream infections and antimicrobial resistance patterns in Australian children and adolescents 2022 - 2023Between January 2022 and December 2023, there were 1,827 bloodstream infection (BSI) isolates in 1,745 children and adolescents reported to the Australian Group on Antimicrobial Resistance (AGAR) surveillance outcome programs, with 40% of episodes in children aged < 12 months.
Research
The Association Between Obesity and COVID-19 Severity in Children Differed Between SARS-CoV-2 Variants: A Multicountry Hospital-based Observational StudyObesity was a risk factor for severe COVID-19 in children during early outbreaks of ancestral SARS-CoV-2 and the Delta variant. However, the relationship between obesity and COVID-19 severity during the Omicron wave remains unclear.
Research
Perceived stress in mothers of children with and without islet and coeliac autoimmunity in the ENDIA studyWe aimed to assess perceived stress and influencing factors in mothers with children at risk of type 1 diabetes and coeliac disease who did, or did not, develop islet autoantibodies or coeliac autoantibodies by 4 years of age.
Research
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium infections in children in the Oceania regionAntimicrobial resistance poses a significant threat to children's health, with up to 20% of 1.27 million deaths attributable to bacterial AMR annually, occurring in children <5 years. The WHO 2024 Bacterial Priority Pathogens List identifies methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE) as critical pathogens. This review examines the epidemiology, treatment recommendations, dosing strategies, efficacy, and safety data for antibiotics targeting MRSA and VRE infections in children in Oceania.
Research
Socio-economic inequality underpins inequity in influenza vaccination uptake between public and private secondary schools: an Australian population-based studySocio-economic inequality and vaccination inequity have long been critical issues. However, no studies have explored the gap in influenza vaccination uptake between public and private schools. Importantly, the extent to which socio-economic inequality translates into vaccination uptake inequity has not been quantified.
Research
Scoping review of variation in clinical guidelines for delivery of injectable long-acting penicillin across Australia and Aotearoa New ZealandThis scoping review explores existing clinical guidelines on administration of benzathine benzylpenicillin (Bicillin L-A, Pfizer Australia) in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. The objective is to understand existing delivery guidance to address variation in care and cultural safety considerations, to support messaging during periods of stockout and to inform planning for new administration techniques.
Research
Safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of a 2 g subcutaneous dose of ceftriaxone as an alternative to intravenous deliverySubcutaneous delivery of antibiotics is a practical alternative to intravenous administration. Ceftriaxone is commonly used for a variety of infections with limited data on the safety and pharmacokinetics of a 2 g subcutaneous dose. This was a prospective, self-controlled cross-over study in 20 stable inpatients receiving ceftriaxone for their infection. Following an intravenous dose, participants received a single dose of 2 g subcutaneous ceftriaxone, in 50 mL normal saline via gravity feed.
Research
Trends in incident acute rheumatic fever or rheumatic heart disease in Indigenous youth in Western Australia: a retrospective cohort studyTo determine age-specific and age-standardised incidence trends of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) or rheumatic heart disease (RHD) among Indigenous Western Australians aged less than 35 years of age.
Research
Taste-Masked Diclofenac Sodium Microparticles Prepared by Polyelectrolyte Complexation: Formulation Using Different Fatty Acids and Taste Evaluation by Human PanelPaediatric patients continue to lack access to age-appropriate oral medicines for their treatment and have to depend on the off-label use of medicines approved for adults, which compromises dosing accuracy and exposes children to unpleasant bitterness.
Research
The role of Aboriginal leadership in community health programmesThere remains a glaring disparity between the health of an Australian Aboriginal child when compared with that of a non-Aboriginal Australian child. In recent years, studies have advocated for the adoption of culturally sensitive health care provision if significant improvements are to be made in the health of Australian Aboriginal children.