Effectiveness of nirsevimab in preventing RSV-hospitalisation among young children in Western Australia 2024.

Background: Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) causes a significant burden of illness for children under 2 years of age. Nirsevimab, a long-acting monoclonal antibody, was registered for RSV prevention in Australia in 2023. In April 2024, Western Australia (WA) launched the country's first state-wide nirsevimab program for all infants and high-risk children entering their second RSV season.

Season, Terrestrial Ultraviolet Radiation, and Markers of Glucose Metabolism in Children Living in Perth, Western Australia.

Seasonality in glucose metabolism has been observed in adult populations; however, little is known of the associations between season and glucose metabolism in children. In this study, we examined whether markers of glucose metabolism (fasting glucose, insulin and HbA1c) varied by season in a paediatric population (6-13 years of age) located in Perth (Western Australia, = 262) with data categorised by weight. Linear regression was used to analyse the nature of the relationships between mean daily levels of terrestrial ultraviolet radiation (UVR) (prior to the day of the blood test) and measures of glucose metabolism.

Body mass index and waist circumference: relationship to cardiometabolic risk factors in children--Busselton Health Study 2005-2007.

Aim: This study aims to analyse the continuous relationship of each cardiometabolic risk factor with body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference percentiles in a population-based sample of children.

Methods: A cross-sectional sample of 996 school children aged 6-16.9 years in Busselton, Western Australia, (2005-2007) had anthropometry and fasting blood tests for total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, triglycerides, glucose, insulin, high-sensitive C-reactive protein, liver function tests and adiponectin.

Lipids in Australian children: cause for concern? 2005-2007 Busselton Health Study.

Aim: To report the current lipid status of Australian school children from a population-based sample and compare this to international and Australian data.

Methods: A cross section of school children aged 6 to 16.9 years in Busselton, Western Australia (WA) between 2005 and 2007 had fasting lipids tested.

High incidence of obesity co-morbidities in young children: a cross-sectional study.

Aim: The prevalence of overweight and obesity in children is a public health problem because of future morbidity. However, the prevalence of medical complications in overweight and obese primary school children in Australia is not well documented. As part of the larger, prospective cohort Growth and Development Study, this report aimed to identify the medical complications of obesity in a population-based community sample of primary school-aged children.

Waist circumference predicts cardiovascular risk in young Australian children.

Aim: It has been shown that compared with healthyweight children, overweight and obese primary school-aged children have a higher incidence of hyperinsulinism, dyslipidaemia and hypertension. It is therefore important to investigate clinically relevant markers of cardiovascular risk in children. Waist circumference is a simple, non-invasive anthropometric measure, but its association with cardiovascular risk profile in young Australian children is not clear.

Exercise alone reduces insulin resistance in obese children independently of changes in body composition.

Context: The number of obese children with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes is increasing, but the best management strategy is not clear.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the effect of a structured 8-wk exercise training program on insulin resistance and changes in body composition in obese children.

Design: The study was 8 wk of structured supervised exercise intervention with outcome measures before and after the exercise period.

Increasing body mass index z-score is continuously associated with complications of overweight in children, even in the healthy weight range.

Context: Overweight/obesity in children is increasing. Incidence data for medical complications use arbitrary cutoff values for categories of overweight and obesity. Continuous relationships are seldom reported.

Do skinfolds accurately assess changes in body fat in obese children and adolescents?

Purpose: Obesity is epidemic in Western societies, with rapid rates of increase in the young. Various methods exist for the assessment of body composition, but these have not been compared in obese children and adolescents. This study compared methods of body composition assessment in obese young people to determine whether changes in various measures of body composition as a result of exercise training were correlated.