Lu PW, Cowell CT, LLoyd-Jones SA, Briody JN, Howman-Giles R. Volumetric bone mineral density in normal subjects, aged 5-27 years. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1996; 81(4):1586-1590. IF 6.02 Citations 220

Significance: First study internationally to clearly demonstrate that calculated volumetric bone density does not significantly change during growth at hip and femur and only increases slightly at the spine during puberty. This study changed the dogma that bone density increases during growth, a belief that had arisen because of limitation of the areal technique used to measure bone density. It has led to a variety of techniques to be used to assess bone strength in children, including from our group and international leadership.

Craig ME, Howard NJH, Silink M, Rawlinson WD: Reduced frequency of HLA DRB1*03-DQB1*02 in children with type 1 diabetes with enterovirus. Journal of Infectious Diseases;187(10):1562-1570, 2003 Impact factor 5.363, Citations 30

Significance: Largest study to demonstrate an association between enterovirus infection and type 1 diabetes; first to show the association is strongest in patients with low risk HLA genotypes. Has led to current NHMRC project grant.

Strippoli GFM, Craig ME, Schena FP, Craig JC. Effects of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor antagonists on mortality and renal outcomes in diabetic nephropathy: systematic review British Medical Journal, doi:10.1126/bmj.38237.585000.7C, 2004 Impact factor 9.245, Citations 203

Significance: Major Cochrane systematic review (Dr Craig was co-author) to demonstrate outcomes of antihypertensive therapy in diabetic nephropathy, highly cited.

Gallego PH, Craig ME, Hing SJ, Donaghue KC. The Role of Blood Pressure in the development of Early Retinopathy in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes: A Prospective Cohort Study. BMJ 2008;337:a918. Impact factor 9.245, Ciatations 9
Significance: Shows the continuous effect of higher blood pressure predicting retinopathy independent of renal disease. This will result in a more aggressive approach to blood pressure management in diabetes during adolescence

Donaghue KC, Fairchild JM, Craig ME, Chan AK, Hing S, Cutler LR, Howard NJ, Silink M. Do all prepubertal years of diabetes duration contribute equally to diabetes complications? Diabetes Care, 26(4):1224-9, 2003. Impact Factor 7.912, Citations 65

Significance: this has resulted in Paediatricians aiming for better glycaemic control during childhood, which was not an aim prior to this publication.
Craig ME, Duffin T, Gallego P, Lam A, Cusumano J; Hing S, Donaghue. Plantar Fascia Thickness, a Measure of Tissue Glycation, Predicts the Development of Complications in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes. Diabetes Care 31(6) 1201-6, 2008 Impact Factor 7.912

Significance: Demonstrates the importance of tissue glycation as an independent marker and predictor of microvascular complications (retinopathy, neuropathy and early elevation of albumin excretion). Our ongoing work is investigating the role of plantar fascia thickness in a longitudinal cohort of young adults.

Thamotharampillai K. Chan AK. Bennetts B. Craig ME. Cusumano J. Silink M. Oates PJ. Donaghue KC. Decline in neurophysiological function after 7 years in an adolescent diabetic cohort and the role of aldose reductase gene polymorphisms. Diabetes Care 2006; 29(9):2053-7 Impact Factor 7.912 Citations 9

Significance: Longitudinal study showing decline in nerve function which is influenced by genotyping. This will lead to the possibility of using pharmacogenomics to reduce the risk of diabetic neuropathy

SP Garnett, LA Baur, CT Cowell. Waist to height ratio: a simple option for determining excess central adiposity in young people. Int J Obesity. 2008;32:1028-1030 (Impact factor 4.48) Ciatations 3

Significance: First Australian study to demonstrate the relation between the waist to height ratio and metabolic outcomes in contemporary children. The study supports the idea of 'keeping your waist to less than half your height' which we anticipate will be adopted as a simple public health and clinical message for children and adults

S Srinivasan, GR Ambler, LA Baur, SP Garnett, M Tepsa, F Yap, GM Ward, CT Cowell. Randomized controlled trial of metformin for obesity and insulin resistance in children and adolescents - improvement in body composition and fasting insulin. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006;91:2074-80 Impact factor 6.02; citations 55

Significance: One of four studies demonstrating the beneficial effect of metformin which has led to its regular use in the management of these patients