More and more of our work concentrates on finding new ways to protect children from disease and disability. Our projects aim to improve the quality of life for children with disabling conditions such as cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy, and tackle both rare conditions like juvenile dermatomyositis, as well as more common conditions like eczema.
Preventing infections
Meningitis and septicaemia kills more children in the UK than any other infection and can devastate the lives of those who survive. Our important work in preventing infections like meningitis and septicaemia, as well as other deadly infections like MRSA and pneumonia, will reap benefits for babies and children in the future.
Supporting disabled children
Almost 2,000 babies are born with cerebral palsy each year in the UK, often as a result of a difficult or premature birth. Our projects are searching for new treatments and aids to improve the quality of life for children with disabilities.
Developing children's potential
We are one of very few charities researching practical ways to help children with developmental conditions such as dyspraxia reach their full potential.
Taking on rare conditions
Thousands of families across the country are dealing with the challenge of a rare disease for which there is no cure. Our vital projects bring hope to those families by testing new diagnostic tools and treatments for complex conditions such as inflammatory muscle diseases or metabolic diseases in children.
Tackling common conditions
About 1.7 million children in the UK have eczema causing mild to severe itching. One of our key projects aims to discover the importance of the eczema gene called filaggrin which could help the future design of new treatments.
Minimising chronic conditions
Too many children are suffering pain and struggling at school as a result of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). One of our Research Training Fellows is looking at the genetic makeup of children with IBD to understand the interaction with the environment and help identify new treatments.
