Suspected child abuse: a forensic challenge

Television has brought forensic medicine into everyone’s living room, but the reality of the discipline is far removed from these dramas. But what really is clinical forensic medicine and what is this discipline’s role in the investigation of suspected child abuse?

Paediatric MR PET imaging at the RCH: New insights in cancer and neurology

MR PET imaging is a new technology that allows the simultaneous acquisition of Magnetic Resonance (MR) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Images for clinical studies. It has provided invaluable diagnostic information in children with cancer, complex neurological problems and other conditions.

The Charter of Human Rights in Victoria: Does it matter for practice at RCH?

Victoria was the first Australian State to adopt a comprehensive human rights law in the form of the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006. Human rights can help build stronger and transparent decision making that focuses on the person, and is particularly beneficial in strengthening healthcare decision making.

The Human Neonatal Rotavirus Vaccine (RV3-BB) Targeting Rotavirus from Birth: from discovery to the development of a vaccine for the world’s children

Rotavirus is a major cause of death and disease in children worldwide. Despite clear evidence of the success of rotavirus vaccines, barriers remain to global implementation with over 94 million children still lacking access to a rotavirus vaccine. These barriers include sub-optimal efficacy in low-income settings, lingering safety concerns and cost. Administering a vaccine at birth has the potential to address these challenges. 

What affects child development during the first 1000 days? Evidence and implications

This presentation focuses on the earliest stages of child development: the period from conception to the end of the child’s second year – known as the first 1000 days. A growing body of evidence shows that experiences during this period can have life-long consequences for health and wellbeing. The presentation is based on research for the “Strong Foundations” project and an evidence paper “Getting it right in the first 1000 days”. 

Multidisciplinary teams: Are we ready?

Addressing the increasing complexity of care is a new challenge in tertiary hospitals. We also all agree that a holistic approach is the standard of care. Multidisciplinary teams have the potential to offer a greater level of expertise with a more diverse approach to work on common goals of care.

Helping tiny babies to breathe after birth – short- and long-term consequences

Before the advent of modern neonatal intensive care in the 1970s, many tiny babies died soon after birth, most commonly because they lacked pulmonary surfactant, leading to respiratory failure.  Professor Lex Doyle first treated the breathing problems of tiny babies in the mid-1970s during his basic training in paediatrics.

RCH National Child Health Poll – A year in review – Research done differently: Innovation, impact and implications

The RCH National Child Health Poll was launched in December 2015 to build the level of public debate and discussion about child and adolescent health issues. The poll methodology combines the rigour of academic research with the timeliness and reach of online quantitative data collection to deliver new knowledge about the experience of children and young people, and the households and communities responsible for their wellbeing.