Adaptive platform trials for rare disease populations

BANDICOOT is an international adaptive platform trial (APT) designed to identify effective therapies that improve health outcomes for critically ill children receiving a haematopoetic stem cell transplant (HCT). Building
on extensive engagement with patients, their parents, and clinicians, we will launch 3 trial domains focused on exercise, nutritional supplementation, and the gut microbiome

To prevent the unpredictable

Mental health risk assessments have always been a challenge, even for the most experienced clinicians. Risk assessment involves understanding not just the severity of the reported symptoms but the underlying motivations and the psychosocial circumstances. 

NAIDOC Week — The Next Generation: Strength, Vision, and Legacy

This year’s NAIDOC theme is The Next Generation: Strength, Vision, and Legacy. Drawing on these words, Commissioner Meena Singh will discuss her work at the Commission for Children and Young People, the importance of hearing and acting upon the voices of Aboriginal children and young people, and how ensuring their safety, and supporting their growth, means we are investing in our future.

Vaccine preventable diseases in 2025: Learning from the past and looking forward

Immunisations are one of the world’s greatest public health interventions, and also one of the areas of medicine increasingly susceptible to misinformation. Independent, evidence-based scientific advice to governments and the community is crucial in informing immunisation policy and appropriate utilisation and uptake of safe and effective vaccines.

Getting your heart dirty: A toolkit for clinicians working with children with severe neurological impairment

Advances in medical care and changes in societal expectations have resulted in different patterns of survival for children and adolescents with severe neurological disability. Increased longevity, new and unseen multi-morbidity, and access to an increasing array of new and often invasive interventions offers significant decision-making challenges to children, parents, and clinicians. Sometimes it is not clear if we are helping or harming.

Maternal tuberculosis and impacts on child health

Around a half of women in tuberculosis-endemic countries are infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and over 1.7 million females of reproductive age (15-45 years) fall ill with tuberculosis (TB) each year. Pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of TB disease which has major consequences for maternal health – TB is the major non-obstetric cause of maternal mortality globally – and for the health of their baby.

Taking a lifelong perspective on Cerebral Palsy: Challenges and opportunities

Emma Livingstone, CEO of UP – The Adult Cerebral Palsy Movement, will share insights from her lived experience and advocacy work on the evolving care and understanding of cerebral palsy (CP) across the lifespan. Her presentation will explore recent research advancements, the lifelong nature of CP, and the importance of addressing co-morbidities. She will also discuss how child practitioners can better equip children with CP for adulthood.