Research Themes

Brain, Behaviour & Development

We bring together neuroscience, mental health and child development researchers through basic, clinical, population and public health research. We care for children with complex medical, physical, developmental and mental health needs, and lead national initiatives such as Networks of Centres of Excellence.

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Childhood Diseases

Childhood Diseases includes Groups that are focused on studying childhood diseases and disorders. There is a specific focus on understanding mechanisms of health versus disease, as well as identifying and testing new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

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Evidence to Innovation

We are health care innovators. Our team of clinicians and scientists are developing new health care technologies, improving patient care, advancing the safe and effective use of drugs, developing new methods of health data analytics, and shifting health system attitudes and behaviours to improve the health care and well-being of children and families. Together with the patients we serve, we are leading initiatives to inform health care policy and practice.

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Healthy Starts

Our overarching goal is to keep children and families healthy and out of the hospital by preventing lifelong health challenges and chronic diseases that are rooted in early childhood. We are passionate about furthering research into how a child’s family life and environment impact their health, shedding light on healthy childhood development before and after birth, and improving child health worldwide through innovation, advocacy, education, and capacity building.

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Recent News See all

Understanding the risk of post-traumatic stress in pediatric solid organ transplant patients

Solid organ transplantation is a life-saving procedure for end-stage organ failure. However, many young patients face traumatic medical challenges along the way, including invasive diagnostic tests and procedures, life-threatening illnesses, and time in intensive care.

Continue reading Understanding the risk of post-traumatic stress in pediatric solid organ transplant patients

Children with chronic medical conditions at greater risk of hospitalization from RSV

In a recent study, published in JAMA Network Open, researchers found that most children with chronic medical conditions face a significantly higher risk for hospitalization due to respiratory syncytial virus in their first two viral seasons than children without underlying conditions.

Continue reading Children with chronic medical conditions at greater risk of hospitalization from RSV

Personalized, precise, powerful: How BCCHR researchers are changing childhood cancer care

When a child’s cancer returns after conventional treatment, families often find themselves in uncharted territory — scared, exhausted, and grasping for answers. But thanks to a remarkable collaboration between researchers, clinicians, and national research networks, new pediatric cancer treatment options are emerging.

Continue reading Personalized, precise, powerful: How BCCHR researchers are changing childhood cancer care

Study reveals that sucrose may not reduce the impact of neonatal pain exposure on long-term outcomes

Infants born two to four months early are exposed to mildly painful procedures in the NICU that are essential to monitor their health. As research shows that exposure to daily pain is associated with poorer behavioural and cognitive outcomes later in life, a common pain management strategy is to give those babies sucrose, but a BCCHR study shows evidence that a sugar solution doesn’t reduce these negative effects of pain exposure in the long term.

Continue reading Study reveals that sucrose may not reduce the impact of neonatal pain exposure on long-term outcomes

Surviving sickle cell disease

For World Sickle Cell Awareness Day we are highlighting this genetically inherited disorder and the unmet needs of the patients and their families.

Continue reading Surviving sickle cell disease

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