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among children with pneumonia using a causal Bayesian networkPneumonia remains a leading cause of hospitalization and death among young children worldwide, and the diagnostic challenge of differentiating bacterial from non-bacterial pneumonia is the main driver of antibiotic use for treating pneumonia in children. Causal Bayesian networks (BNs) serve as powerful tools for this problem as they provide clear maps of probabilistic relationships between variables and produce results in an explainable way by incorporating both domain expert knowledge and numerical data.
Research
Randomised controlled trials of behavioural nudges delivered through text messages to increase influenza and COVID-19 vaccines among pregnant women (the EPIC study): study protocolInfluenza and COVID-19 infections during pregnancy may have serious adverse consequences for women as well as their infants. However, uptake of influenza and COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy remains suboptimal. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of a multi-component nudge intervention to improve influenza and COVID-19 vaccine uptake among pregnant women.
Research
Recognition and Management of Protracted Bacterial Bronchitis in Australian Aboriginal Children: A Knowledge Translation ApproachChronic wet cough in children is the hallmark symptom of protracted bacterial bronchitis (PBB) and if left untreated can lead to bronchiectasis, which is prevalent in Indigenous populations. Underrecognition of chronic wet cough by parents and clinicians and underdiagnosis of PBB by clinicians are known.
Research
Childhood vaccination and allergy: A systematic review and meta-analysisAs the rise in prevalence of allergic diseases worldwide corresponds in time with increasing infant vaccination, it has been hypothesized that childhood vaccination may increase the risk of allergic disease. We aimed to synthesize the literature on the association between childhood vaccination and allergy.
Research
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccination during Pregnancy and Effects in InfantsA multi-country randomized, placebo-controlled trial of the safety, immunogenicity and efficacy of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) F-protein nanoparticle vaccine was undertaken in 4,636 pregnant women and their infants. RSV F-protein vaccine was safe and immunogenic in the pregnant women inducing anti-F IgG, palivizumab-competing antibodies and RSV neutralizing antibodies that were transferred to the fetus.

News & Events
Early ear infections linked to higher risk of future problems: studyResearchers have found kids who experience repeat ear infections in infancy have a much higher risk of ongoing problems with ear infections in later childhood

News & Events
WA Health funding supports development of rapid test for antibiotic-resistant skin infections in Aboriginal childrenA rapid test to detect antibiotic-resistant skin infections in Aboriginal children could be a step closer, thanks to support from the FHRIF.

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World-first trial to seek child-specific treatments for dangerous bloodstream infectionsThe Kids Research Institute Australia, Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH) and the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (Doherty Institute) will spearhead the paediatric arm of a world-first global platform trial designed to uncover treatments for Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infection.

News & Events
The Kids Research Institute Australia launches Covid-19 booster research to inform Australia’s vaccine policyOptimising our national Covid-19 vaccine program could be one step closer thanks to new research now underway at The Kids Research Institute Australia investigating the most effective, long-term strategies for booster vaccinations.

News & Events
New Aboriginal Cultural Guidance Advisor appointedThe Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases has appointed Mrs Valerie Swift to a newly created Aboriginal Cultural Guidance Advisor position.