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Helen Leonard MBChB MPH Principal Research Fellow +61 419 956 946 helen.leonard@thekids.org.au Principal Research Fellow Areas of research expertise
Helen Leonard MBChB MPH Principal Research Fellow +61 419 956 946 helen.leonard@thekids.org.au Principal Research Fellow Areas of research expertise
Assisted reproductive technology (ART) pregnancies are at greater risk of birth defects than non-ART pregnancies. Teratogenic medication exposure is a potential cause of birth defects that has not been compared between ART and non-ART pregnancies.
Youth with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) are under-recognised in the justice system, warranting improved identification. This study aimed to compare neuropsychological profiles of adolescents, with and without PAE and identify neuropsychological tasks predictive of PAE-group membership. It was hypothesised that participants with PAE would score significantly lower on neuropsychological tests.
To identify Helicobacter pylori and related oncogenic and virulent proteins in patients with gingivitis, periodontitis, oral cancer and gastric cancer.
People with intellectual disability experience a high risk of being neglected and family members are often identified as the perpetrators. Analysing the media provides insight into public narratives about social problems. A search of Australian newspapers published between 2016 and 2021 identified 27 articles that predominately reported on a single case of familial neglect of an individual with intellectual disability.
Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) experience difficulties performing fundamental movement skills, resulting in reduced physical activity (PA). Given low PA can impact mental and physical health, improving PA in DCD appears imperative. This study investigates the feasibility of a Facebook delivered, parent mediated, PA intervention for children with DCD.
Siblings of children with neurodevelopmental conditions have unique experiences and challenges related to their sibling role. Some develop mental health concerns as measured by self-reported surveys or parent report. Few data are available at the population level, owing to difficulties capturing wide-scale health data for siblings. Data linkage is a technique that can facilitate such research.
Improving the lives of children with a disability and their families sits at the core of our team.
A program developed by The Kids Research Institute Australia researcher Dr Jenny Downs has led to dramatic improvements in the functioning of Chinese children with Rett syndrome, and could change the world.