Emerging evidence indicates that the built environment influences early child development. Access to, and the quality of, built environment features vary with the socioeconomic status (SES) of neighbourhoods. It has not yet been established whether the association between built environment features and early child development varies by neighbourhood SES. ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2022
• June 2022

Maternal chronic illness is associated with an increased risk of poor developmental outcomes for children, particularly daughters ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2019
• May 2019

This study examined how families with young children access and use different types of blue spaces and the health and development benefits, and potential negative effects. ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2023
• February 2023

Hayley Karen Christian Lombardi HC KL BSc (1st Class Hons), PhD W.Aust. BHSc (Hons), PhD Program Head, Healthy Behaviours and Environments; National Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellow Research Fellow 08 6319 1040 6319 1477 hayley.christian@ ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Projects

Reduced eye contact early in life may play a role in the developmental pathways that culminate in a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. However, there are contradictory theories regarding the neural mechanisms involved. According to the amygdala theory of autism, reduced eye contact results from a hypoactive amygdala that fails to flag eyes as salient. However, the eye avoidance hypothesis proposes the opposite-that amygdala hyperactivity causes eye avoidance. This review evaluated studies that measured the relationship between eye gaze and activity in the 'social brain' when viewing facial stimuli. ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2022
• February 2022

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) has been shown previously to be aberrantly expressed in a high proportion of paediatric precursor B cell acute... ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2015
• May 2015

Inflammation and oxidative stress play a key role in the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), possibly contributing to persistent respiratory morbidity after preterm birth. We aimed to assess if inflammatory markers were elevated in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) of infants born very prematurely (< 32 weeks gestation) at 12-16 corrected months of age, and if increased levels were associated with BPD diagnosis and respiratory morbidity. ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2023
• August 2023

Playgroups are community-based programs for children and families aiming to improve child outcomes, enhance family and community networks and increase parenting capacity. Despite the prevalence of playgroups in Australian communities there is a lack of research clearly articulating the key components of playgroups, specifically from the perspective of parents attending these groups. ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2021
• April 2021

Emerging evidence supports the physical health and social benefits of dog ownership. This study examined the longitudinal effect of dog ownership and dog walking on mental health. ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2021
• June 2021

The early years is a critical stage to establish optimal nutrition and movement behaviours. Community playgroups are a relaxed environment for parents with a focus on social connection and supporting parents in their role as 'First Teachers'. Playgroups are therefore an opportunistic setting to promote health behaviours in the early years. ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2024
• March 2024

Mobile touch screen devices (smartphones and tablet computers) have become an integral part of many parents’ and children’s lives, with this interaction linked to physical, mental and social outcomes. Despite the known importance of parent-child attachment, evidence on the association between device use and attachment was yet to be reviewed. ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2021
• July 2021

The provision of shade, particularly through natural forms such as tree canopy, is an important sun protection strategy and enabler of outdoor time ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2019
• December 2019