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Surfing lessons show promise as therapy for children with chronic conditions 10 June 2021 A Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH) pilot research project has shown promising signs that surfing could prove effective as a therapy for children with chronic conditions. The ‘Blue Healer’ project led by Senior Clinical Psychologist at PCH, Joanna White, is the first of its kind in the world to use surfing as a family-based intervention to improve the lives of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). The project is based on evidence that children with a chronic condition are known to be at two to three times greater risk of developing a mental health issue than their healthy counterparts. Ms White said the pilot program found overwhelmingly positive benefits for the entire family with improved physical and psychological wellbeing for patients and improved family relationships overall. "We also know supporting these children creates additional burden on families which can lead ... -
Piecing the paediatric food allergy puzzle together 21 May 2021 Clinical Immunologist at PCH Dr Michael O’Sullivan said the project will collect data to better understand, target and manage food allergies while also expanding an innovative service to support the children and families impacted. “There are a lot of gaps in our knowledge about food allergy in children because the data is not reported in the same way as other diseases,” Dr O’Sullivan said. “While growing allergy rates have led to longer wait times for appointments with allergy specialists at PCH, we also know a lot of these children could be seen and treated sooner by their GP with the support of the PCH allergy service,” Dr O’Sullivan said. The new study funded by a Telethon grant will also expand the successful ‘SmartStartAllergy’ pilot project run in partnership with regional and metropolitan general practitioners (GPs) to improv... -
Three questions with one of our leading neonatal researchers Dr Tobias Strunk 20 April 2021 Consultant Neonatologist at King Edward Memorial Hospital, Dr Tobias Strunk is a mid-career researcher who is also a Clinical Professor at the University of WA Medical School and Head of Neonatal and Life Course Health at the Telethon Kids Institute. In partnership with Neonatal Immunologist Dr Andrew Currie, Dr Strunk is leading the Neonatal Infection and Immunity Group, a multidisciplinary group that works across a number of institutions. Their work includes leading several large, international cohort studies and clinical trials that focus on identifying new ways to diagnose, prevent and treat infections in the most vulnerable patients, especially those born preterm. Dr Strunk regularly presents at national and international conferences and has received many awards for his work, including from the European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases. He is a member of the Perinatal So... -
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Dr Gloria Lau and Dr Anne Sage win Telethon CAHS Research Scholarships 19 April 2021 Two talented clinicians will pursue several research projects following the announcement they have each won a Telethon Child and Adolescent Health Service Research Scholarship. Paediatric Respiratory and General Paediatric Advanced Trainee Dr Gloria Lau will investigate the early detection and effective management of protracted bacterial bronchitis (PBB) in Aboriginal children across multiple locations in WA. Investigating a possible link between otitis media, the most common cause of hearing loss in Aboriginal children, and chronic lung disease in Aboriginal children from Broome will also form part of Dr Lau’s Scholarship. Dr Lau said PBB can be easily missed because the children affected appear to be healthy apart from a wet cough.Untreated PBB can lead to bronchiectasis, an irreversible and life-limiting condition. “PBB is common in Aboriginal children, and early detection... -
Trailblazing Madisen leads the way in new clinical trial offering hope for children with neurofibromatosis 15 April 2021 A six year old Perth girl, Madisen Sotirovska, has become the first patient in Australia and New Zealand to be enrolled in a new clinical trial offering hope to children diagnosed with neurofibromatosis. Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH) Oncology Department is one of several hospitals across Australia and NZ taking part in the TiNT MEK Inhibitor clinical trial that aims to reduce tumour growth caused by neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Neurofibromatosis is a genetic disorder that causes several medical conditions including tumour growth, both benign and cancerous, along the nerves in any part of the body. Madisen’s mum, Angela said neurofibromatosis was a difficult condition to live with because of the uncertainly around when tumours might grow and how they might impact on her daughter. “Madisen currently has tumours growing on her thigh and one on the joints outside o...
Last Updated:
22/06/2021