The Kids Research Institute Australia

17/10/2025

This National Carers Week, we recognise carers like Joshua Patrick. Josh, a Year 12 student, has been a carer for his beautiful sister, Charlotte Patterson, since he was six.

Charlotte, 11, was born with a rare and undiagnosed disease that puzzled doctors - and meant she needed round-the-clock care.

“From the age of six I learnt to change nappies, help with seizure management and give dozens of medications,” says Josh.

“Looking after Charlotte has definitely shaped me. It’s not only taught me about how to support someone with disabilities, but it’s also taught me how to face adversity.”

Josh now engages in advocacy work and is passionate about working with young carers, people with disability and their families.

“A lot of the advocacy work I do is talking to young carers and different organisations, teaching them how to support people with disabilities and undiagnosed syndromes, and young carers.”

He has given a TEDxYouth talk, been named Community Youth Citizen of the Year, Lions Youth of the Year State Winner, and volunteered at The Kids Research Institute Australia.

It was scientists at The Kids, together with Perth Children’s Hospital, who were finally able to pinpoint the cause of Charlotte’s undiagnosed disease – and give her a diagnosis.

“That was a very exciting night - a real celebration of Charlotte’s diagnosis. We have a bit of a guidebook now, and a community. It has really made a difference.”

Read more about the work of our researchers, which is giving hope to kids like Charlotte and providing answers to carers like Josh: https://shorturl.at/qFoAN

Perth Children's Hospital and Health Service | Telethon7 Perth

16/10/2025

A decade of discovery: how Perth’s preschoolers became global health pioneers. 🙌

Join us on a trip down memory lane as we celebrate some of the greatest hits from the PLAYCE cohort, which turns 10 today.

Thank you to the children, families, partners, and funders for your incredible contributions to children's health.

Your data and generosity have helped shape global standards for children's physical activity, sedentary behaviour, screen time and health.

Read more about the influence of the PLAYCE cohort here: https://shorturl.at/eHtdt



Transport WA | Heart Foundation | Cancer Council Australia | Nature Play WA | ACA Western Australia | The University of Western Australia | MercyCare | Great Beginnings | Healthway | Life Course Centre | UK Research and Innovation | Play Active

15/10/2025

Our research is having an impact! Is your child tired? Developing fussy eating habits? Having trouble sleeping? It could be their iron levels. 🩸

Researchers from ORIGINS – Australia’s largest longitudinal birth cohort study of its kind – have found that a third of WA one-year-olds and up to two thirds of three-year-olds have low iron.

ORIGINS Co-Director Professor Desiree Silva created IRON Child, a sub-project investigating mechanisms to prevent and treat issues caused by iron deficiency before they become clinically significant.

IRON Child aims to shed light on the causal factors and impacts of low iron in children and to provide patient- and community-focused strategies that reduce the socio-economic pressures around iron deficiency, ultimately improving child physical and mental health.

Hannah Castillo’s daughter, Hope, was diagnosed with iron deficiency at 3 years old.

“After starting iron supplements, it was like she came out of her shell. We’re so grateful for the study, which led to timely intervention and noticeable changes to Hope’s behaviour,” Hannah said.

It is Professor Silva’s hope that the nutritional guidelines being developed for families as part of IRON Child will influence changes to national policy and provide a cost-effective treatment plan that benefits both families and the health care system.

Learn more about IRON Child in our latest Impact Report: https://shorturl.at/rtVP2

15/10/2025

Every breath matters – especially for babies born too soon. 💜

The BALLOON Trial is exploring whether a commonly used vaccine spray could help protect premature babies from serious lung infections, giving them the best start to a healthy future.

Leading the Australian arm of this international study is Associate Professor Shannon Simpson, who is our Strong Beginnings Theme Head at The Kids Research Institute Australia.

She recently received a $3 million grant to advance Australian arm of the multi-site clinical trial.

Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre | Telethon7 Perth | Curtin University | Perth Children's Hospital Foundation | Perth Children's Hospital and Health Service | Murdoch Children's Research Institute | The University of Queensland | The University of Melbourne | The Royal Women's Hospital | Mater | King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women

A ground-breaking global clinical trial to improve the lifelong lung health of children born extremely prematurely has been awarded a Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) International Clinical Trials Collaborations Grant totalling almost $3 million.

14/10/2025

Last week’s NAIDOC Celebration with Cockburn Integrated Health and the local community was truly a celebration of culture, connection and community.

The Kids was proud to stand alongside local organisations, health services, families, and leaders, listening and sharing stories, building trust, and celebrating the strength, vision, and legacy of the next generation.

From traditional Noongar dance to hands-on health education, the event showcased the strength and legacy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

NAIDOC isn’t just a celebration – it’s a reminder of the strength, resilience, and beauty of Aboriginal culture, and every week is an opportunity to connect, learn and grow together. 💛🖤❤️

| | Wesfarmers Centre for Vaccines and Infectious Diseases |

10/10/2025

Here at The Kids, our vision is simple: happy, healthy kids.

And to live their happiest, healthiest lives, it’s vital that our children and young people experience optimal mental health and wellbeing. That’s why our researchers and scientists dedicate significant efforts to investigating mental health.

Our work in the mental health space spans a number of areas served by dedicated teams, including:
🧠 Aboriginal health and wellbeing
🧠 Youth mental health
🧠 Psychology of active, healthy living
🧠 Early neurodevelopment and mental health

Wellbeing and Mental Health research at The Kids focuses on improving the emotional and psychological health of children. We develop evidence-based interventions and strategies to:
💡 Reduce the prevalence and impact of mental health difficulties in young people
💡 Mitigate risk factors that lead to poor mental health
💡 Improve access to mental health support

At its heart, our Mental Health research teams work to promote resilience, prevent mental health challenges, and help kids thrive. Give us a 💛below if you’re backing our mission for mentally healthy kids.

09/10/2025

On World Sight Day, we’re highlighting diabetic retinopathy, caused by high blood glucose levels which over time can damage the tiny blood vessels in the eye, impacting blood flow and leading to vision problems.

It’s been difficult to study blood flow issues in the eye as the current standard model of colour photography of the eye doesn’t show details smaller than 30 microns - about half the width of a human hair.

Researchers from the Lions Vision Trials at the Lions Eye Institute, the Diabetes Service at Perth Children's Hospital and Health Service and the Rio Tinto Children's Diabetes Centre at The Kids are using a new technique called Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA) which takes more detailed pictures of these tiny blood vessels at the back of the eye.

This can tell us if any changes are happening for children and young people living with diabetes. By detecting changes early, researchers hope to prevent permanent damage to the eye.

Find out more: https://shorturl.at/N79Nf

Child and Adolescent Health Service | Rio Tinto Children's Diabetes Centre |

09/10/2025

A life-changing treatment pioneered by researchers from The Kids Research Institute Australia will begin its second phase of clinical trials in November.

An inhaler-based drug developed by Respirion Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd, increases antibiotic effectiveness and reduces the need of other therapies for young people living with cystic fibrosis.

After the initial trial’s success in 2024, which demonstrated significant improvements in the bacterial clearance and lung function of participants, the second phase of clinical trials will run for six months.

9 News Perth visited The Kids to film and share Emma’s story and a small piece of what living with Cystic Fibrosis can look like for young people and their families, highlighting the need for newer and better treatments.

Read the release here: https://www.thekids.org.au/news--events/news-and-events-nav/2025/october/promising-results-for-new-WA-pioneered-cystic-fibr/

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08/10/2025

The early years are a powerful time to support children’s health, development and learning.

That’s why The Kids Research Institute Australia is excited to announce we have launched two new growth programs in our Bright Tomorrows app, in partnership with Foodbank WA Nom and Emerging Minds Australia

With these new programs, parents, carers, and communities have even more tools to help children thrive, including general mental health information and support, as well as activities promoting positive feeding practices and food education for families.

The Bright Tomorrows app offers over 1,000 fun, brain-building activities and expert tips to transform everyday moments into opportunities for growth for both children and adults.

Download the Bright Tomorrows App today:
Apple App Store - https://apps.apple.com/au/app/bright-tomorrows/id1474778931
Google Play - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=au.org.telethonkids.bright_tomorrows&hl=en

08/10/2025

ORIGINS – Australia’s largest longitudinal birth cohort study of its kind – welcomes substantial funding from the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation, which will enable researchers to address key priorities identified by ORIGINS participants and stakeholders. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

“Our recent Community Conversation highlighted the urgent need to address the rapid increase of poor mental health and anxiety in children and families, alongside behavioural issues and the impact and management of screen use at school and inside the home,” ORIGINS Co-Director Dr Jackie Davis said.

“This generous funding will allow ORIGINS to commence our Primary School Kids Checks which will have an additional focus on language, literacy, mental health, social media, screen use, and lifestyle behaviours, alongside introducing wearable devices to track children’s physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep.”

👉 Learn more about ORIGINS and its research here: https://shorturl.at/PyCwe

Joondalup Health Campus Public & Private | Ramsay Health Care

06/10/2025

We’re sending congratulations to the incredible Wesley College, Perth students whose team, Eclipse, competed in Singapore last week in the STEM Racing World Finals – and scored an impressive 13th out of the 83 teams who competed.

As part of their efforts, the boys chose to fundraise for CliniKids, a clinical service at The Kids which provides autism therapies and supports to young children.

The racing event is the largest Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) competition in the world - and involves students designing, manufacturing, testing, and racing miniature air-powered Formula 1 cars. They may be small, but these cars power down the track at 100km/h!

We’d love you to applaud the boys’ efforts in STEM and contribute to our work putting world-class research into practice, via the Eclipse fundraising page: https://shorturl.at/f1lxV

04/10/2025

He did it! Now let’s help him finish strong.
30 marathons in 30 days across 30 Perth communities. Over 1,200km run.
All for one purpose: to raise funds for childhood brain cancer research.

Jacob, one of our brain cancer researchers here at The Kids Research Institute Australia, has just completed his final marathon of his Big Run for Little Brains challenge. He crossed The Kids’ Bridge at Perth Children’s Hospital with families of children with brain cancer and survivors, including Nathan and Nickolai, into a cheering crowd of supporters, colleagues, family and friends.

He’s dedicated his career to finding better treatments - and this last month, he has put his body on the line to raise vital funds for the cause.

Jacob has nearly raised an incredible $90,000, but he needs YOUR help to hit his final goal:
$100,000 for childhood cancer research.

This is the final stretch. Every dollar brings Jacob and his team closer to a breakthrough – so that less toxic, more effective treatments can be developed and more lives are saved.

If you can, please donate now to ensure Jacob reaches his target. Every gift makes a difference - https://fundraiseforthekids.raisely.com/bigrunforlittlebrains

Jacob hasn’t just run for research - he has run for every child and every family facing childhood cancer. We are all so proud of him and are beyond grateful for the community that has wrapped around and supported him so far.

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