New research reveals that zebrafish models can help guide clinical decision-making in real-time for challenging pediatric cancer cases. The study shows that pre-clinical zebrafish models accurately predicted responses to 11 of 12 treatment regimens, providing robust and actionable treatment response data.
A $5.4 million research collaboration aims to transform concussion care globally, advancing knowledge and treatment across the full spectrum of impacted patients. The TRANSCENDENT program will establish one of the largest concussion datasets in the world, collecting data on age, gender, mechanism of injury and co-morbidities.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open suggests that an early return to school is associated with better outcomes for children who have suffered a concussion. The study found that children who returned to school within two days of their injury had lower symptom burdens and faster recoveries compared to those who stayed home longer.
Care4Rare has made significant progress in diagnosing and discovering genetic causes of rare diseases, providing answers for 34% of participating families. The organization has also developed platforms for data sharing and collaboration to solve ultra-rare diseases.
A recent study found that cannabis-related emergency department visits among adolescents and young adults in Ontario rose nearly five-fold between 2003 and 2017. The study highlights an emerging public health problem and emphasizes the need for further research into the causes of this trend.
A new international study documents the physiology of dying and confirms that death is an irreversible process. The DePPaRT study found that cardiac activity often stops and restarts several times during the dying process, but no one regained sustained circulation or consciousness. This provides evidence to support the current standard...
Youth who self-harmed were five times more likely to have repeat visits to the emergency department and eight times more likely to die from suicide than their non-self-harming peers. Serious mental conditions, including anxiety and substance abuse issues, were common among adolescents with recurrent self-harm hospitalizations.
A new study found a significant rise in Ontario adolescents visiting emergency departments for self-harm between 2009 and 2017. The rate of self-harm visits more than doubled, while mental health problem visits rose by 78% among female adolescents.
A new study published in the journal Gut found that women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at a higher risk of developing mental illness after giving birth. The study analyzed healthcare data from over 200,000 pregnant women and found that more than one-fifth had a new-onset mental health diagnosis.
A global report by the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance shows that childhood physical inactivity is a pervasive public health problem affecting children worldwide. The report grades 49 countries on their physical activity levels, revealing that excessive screen time and urbanization are major contributors to this issue.
A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that children's recovery from concussion improves over time but at different rates depending on age and sex. The research examined 2,716 pediatric concussion cases and discovered significant sex differences in recovery, with girls recovering more slowly than boys.
A recent study published in BMC Public Health found that about two-thirds of Canadian children aged 8-12 have not reached an acceptable level of physical literacy. The Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group's Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy tool was used to assess over 10,000 children across the country, revealing lo...
A new study from CHEO Research Institute found that children aged nine and 10 who meet Canadian 24-hour Movement Guidelines for physical activity, screen time, and sleep time have superior global cognition. The results suggest a positive relationship among childhood global cognition, future academic success, and lower all-cause mortality.
Researchers at CHEO identified sedation medications and practices associated with the best clinical outcomes, making ketamine-alone a logical choice for providing procedural sedation to children. The study found that choice of sedation medication had the biggest impact on the incidence of adverse events.
A new study found that children raised in rural households have a lower risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease, particularly those under the age of 10. The study identified 45,567 patients diagnosed with IBD and found that rural residents had a significantly lower incidence of the disease compared to urban residents.
Scientists worldwide agree on a dictionary of terms to study sedentary behavior, an emerging global public health priority. The consensus definitions aim to facilitate research interpretation and comparison, helping to reduce confusion and advance the field of sedentary behavior research.
A worldwide consensus aims to diagnose most rare genetic diseases by 2020 through international cooperation and data-sharing. Despite advances in technology, the genetic mutations behind half of known rare genetic diseases remain a mystery.
A new study finds that inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) cases are rising rapidly among young Canadian children, particularly those under five years old. The incidence of IBD has stabilized for children over five but continues to rise in younger age groups, with an estimated 600-650 children diagnosed annually.
Researchers at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario discovered a combination therapy amplifies kill rates of cancer tumour cells using SMAC Mimetics and immune checkpoint inhibitors. The treatment also promotes long-term immunity against glioblastoma tumours, showing high cure rates in mice.
Researchers are investigating a 'metabolic fingerprint' to identify premature babies in developing countries. By analyzing blood spots from newborns, the team hopes to determine gestational age and provide customized developmental assessments.
A new study developed a validated clinical prediction score to help health providers and researchers predict the duration of pediatric concussion symptoms. The score, based on nine clinical variables, was proven significantly better than physicians' predictions in predicting persistent post-concussion symptoms.
A study reveals that factors contributing to healthy living behaviors among children differ between countries, challenging the notion of a 'one-size-fits-all' approach. Short sleep duration and poor sleep quality are linked to unhealthy habits in high-income countries, while flexibility and discretionary time may play a role in low-inc...
A nationwide study in Pediatrics found 159 children under 18 with Autoimmune Hepatitis in Canada, with fatigue, jaundice, and abdominal pain as common presenting symptoms. Early diagnosis is critical to prevent worsening symptoms, and the study provides evidence-based data for family physicians and specialists to refer patients earlier.
Children and teens with Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) face complex challenges and long-term complications if left untreated. ARFID is not just about picky eating, but a restrictive eating pattern associated with significant physiological and/or psychosocial distress.
A $2.3 million network will investigate molecular mechanisms of rare diseases in yeast, worms, flies, fish, mice and humans. The goal is to understand disease mechanisms and identify therapeutic pathways for treatment.
A population-based study found that IBD prevalence rose significantly in children under 18 and adults 18-64 years-old, while elderly patients saw a rise in prevalence despite stable new cases. The study highlights the growing burden of IBD on Ontario's healthcare system.
The guidelines provide healthcare providers with standardized recommendations for diagnosing and managing concussion in children, from initial assessment to recovery. The resources also include tools and instructions for parents, coaches, and school officials to recognize concussion and ensure safe reintegration into activities.
A national research project found Canadian physicians' breastfeeding knowledge was suboptimal, with deficits in techniques, latch, and recommendations. Factors associated with higher knowledge and confidence included being female, between 30-50 years old, and having personal breastfeeding experience.
A nationwide study, led by the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, has solved 146 rare disorders and identified 67 novel genes associated with rare diseases. The research team used exome sequencing to identify common biological pathways across multiple rare disorders.
CHEO researchers have developed a new screening tool to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children. The tool includes reference ranges and a pediatric growth curve to measure neck circumference, helping identify high-risk kids for OSA.
Dr. Jean-Philippe Chaput, an Ottawa researcher, has won the International Journal of Obesity (IJO) New Faculty Award for Population Science and Public Health Research. He was recognized for his exceptional research in population health based on innovation and quality of science.
Researchers at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute found a new cellular pathway that helps keep blood sugar levels low in obese or pre-diabetic people, which may prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes. The discovery could lead to new targets for improving beta cell functionality and treating type 2 diabetes.
Researchers have discovered a new combination therapy that leverages existing experimental therapies to speed the fight against cancer. The approach, which combines SMAC Mimetics with live virus therapies, shows a synergistic tumour-killing effect, overcoming limitations of individual agents.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that frequent interruptions in children's sedentary time can have a positive impact on their health. The research, which analyzed data from over 500 children aged 8-11, showed that breaks in sedentary behavior were associated with lower risk scores for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Research shows that almost all children with congenital heart disease have low Vitamin D levels before and after surgery. Children with lower post-operative Vitamin D levels require more life-sustaining therapies and stay in the ICU longer.
The Canadian Gene Cure Foundation has awarded Dr. Faraz Farooq a $90,000 Champions of Genetics: Building the Next Generation Grant to study Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) in mice, accelerating the research process and potentially leading to new treatments for rare diseases.
A new study published in Pediatrics found that flu vaccines are safe for children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), without increasing adverse events. The research suggests that receiving the influenza vaccine may even protect against IBD flare-ups and doctor visits.
Researchers have discovered that anti-cancer drugs can induce the growth and repair of muscle tissue by activating a specific cell-signalling pathway. This process involves the fusion of muscle cells to create new muscle fibres or repair damaged fibres.
Overweight adolescents who engaged in regular exercise showed improvements in scholastic competence, social competence, and body image, according to a recent study. The researchers found that even modest doses of aerobic exercise had a positive impact on mental health, including psychological empowerment and reduced emotional distress.
A qualitative study of teenage patients found they spend a great deal of time online, guarding their privacy consciously. They prioritize social and psychological privacy but are concerned about data collection for targeted ads.
A new study found that nearly three-quarters of critically ill children had low vitamin D levels, leading to increased sickness and longer hospital stays. The research suggests that vitamin D supplements may be able to rapidly restore levels and improve outcomes.
Two Canadian researchers are developing innovative approaches to oncolytic viruses that selectively target and kill cancer cells while sparing healthy ones. They will study the use of specially engineered viruses combined with new drugs to overcome tumor defense mechanisms.
A new protocol allows registries to match records on identifiers such as SIN and health card number without revealing these values. The protocol uses cryptographic techniques to provide end-to-end privacy protection for surveillance programs.
Researchers found that mothers who exceeded gestational weight gain recommendations were more likely to have children born larger than average for gestational age. The study suggests that addressing weight gain during pregnancy can reduce the risk of complications for both mother and baby.
Changes in asthma treatment have reduced wait times and improved patient care at Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute. Oral steroid administration by nurses has dropped admission rates by one third and reduced hospital stay duration.
The Pediatric Emergency Research of Canada team has made significant advances in treating childhood conditions like croup, bronchiolitis, and mild head injuries. Their research has led to substantial improvements in treatment outcomes and reduced healthcare costs.
Research from CHEO Institute finds ice hockey and bicycle helmets provide better protection against head injuries during winter activities like tobogganing; alpine ski helmets have limited effectiveness. All helmets are protective, but parents should educate their children on safety measures.
A recent review of re-identification attacks on health data found that existing de-identification methods are effective in protecting individual identities. The study, published in PLOS ONE, analyzed 14 relevant studies and found no convincing evidence of a weakness in current de-identification methods.
Researchers at CHEO have identified a series of genes that magnify the impact of oncolytic viruses, allowing for up to 10,000 times more potent killing of tumor cells. By short-circuiting these rescue systems, tumor cells can be triggered to commit suicide, preserving healthy cells.
Researchers discover pregnancy hormone Prolactin activates copy gene SMN2, resulting in high production of SMN protein and extended lifespan in SMA mice. The treatment shows improved motor control, offering new hope for the deadly childhood disease.