Children Ages Research Articles

Is physical literacy associated with active transportation among children? A general mixed model analysis across twelve schools

BackgroundActive transportation (AT) marks an eco-friendly mode of physical activity that is well integrable into daily life. Despite the dominance of social-ecological approaches to explaining AT, previous studies often drew on a fragmented set of variables to describe AT behavior. The concept of physical literacy (PL) comprises physical, affective, and cognitive determinants for physical activity and, therefore, enables a concentrated, theory-guided view on intraindividual determinants for AT. The goal of the present study was to examine empirical associations between PL and modes of AT (considering the influencing and moderating effect of grade and sex/gender, respectively). MethodsWithin the scope of the DAPL study, data from 663 children (age: 6–13 years) from 41 classes (grades 1–6) across twelve schools in Denmark were analyzed. The school children (mean age: 9.81 years; 55 % girls) completed measurements of PL (Danish version of the CAPL-2: physical, affective, and cognitive component; total score) and self-reported their AT mode for seven days. We calculated general mixed models with the class as a random-effects factor to examine the relationship between PL and six different modes of AT. ResultsTotal PL as well the physical, cognitive, and affective domains of PL were not associated with overall AT (p > 0.05). However, we found significant associations of total PL (B = 0.35) and the physical domain (B = 0.21) with biking. The affective and cognitive domains of PL did not significantly correlate with any AT indicator. The present effects were not moderated by students’ grade and sex/gender. ConclusionsPublic health strategies should strive for a mode-tailored approach when targeting children’s AT. Person-centered health and physical education must increase their efforts in promoting children’s holistic biking skills to effectively foster AT behavior. The provision of holistic experiences should emphasize the integration of psychomotor and affective learning.

Child care usage among families with young children staying in homeless shelters

Families living in homeless shelters with young children (birth-36 months) face a variety of complex challenges which make it difficult to locate and maintain child care enrollment. Although the inequitable access to child care for families in shelter has been documented, little is known about the factors that predict child care usage among families experiencing homelessness. This investigation utilized interviews of 150 parents with children ages birth-36 months residing in nine different homeless shelters to identify: how many families used center-based care, how many families relied only on parental care, and what other types of nonparental child care arrangements families utilized. Next, we investigated whether usage of center-based child care was associated with child and family characteristics of race/ethnicity, unemployment, time spent in shelter, reasons for seeking shelter, and parent depression symptoms. Data for this study came from three data collection efforts considering risk and resilience factors among families with infants and toddlers experiencing homelessness. Parents in this study reported using nonparental child care at lower rates than the general population. Employed parents were more likely to use center-based child care, and families who reported their child's race/ethnicity as Black or African American were less likely to report using center-based child care. Findings have implications for policy considerations necessary to support the use of center-based child care among families living in homeless shelters.

Single priming and a booster dose of 10-valent and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) maintains suppression of vaccine serotype colonization in South African children at 3, 4, and 5 years of age: a single-centre, open-labelled, randomized trial

ABSTRACT Background Surveillance on nasopharyngeal Streptococcus pneumoniae carriage in older children would be informative in determining whether a single priming and booster dose of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) provides durable protection against pneumococcal disease compared with traditional dosing schedules. Methods and objectives We report on the secondary study objective to evaluate overall, vaccine-serotype (VT), and non-vaccine serotype (NVT) S. pneumoniae colonization at 3, 4, and 5 years of age in children who were randomized to receive 10-valent or 13-valent PCV formulations at 6 (6w + 1) or 14 (14w + 1) weeks compared with a two-dose primary series (2 + 1), with all children receiving a booster dose at 9 months of age, using a multiplex nanofluidic qPCR assay. Results The prevalence of overall, VT, or NVT at 5 years of age between the 2 + 1 compared with the 6w + 1 or 14w + 1 groups for both PCV10 and PCV13 did not differ. Conclusion Although inconclusive, our findings suggest that a reduced 1 + 1 PCV dosing schedule is unlikely to increase breakthrough cases of VT pneumococcal disease in older children, which can inform decision-making on transitioning to a 1 + 1 schedule in South Africa. Clinical trial registration: The trial is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (identifier is NCT04275284).

The effect of supplementary feeding (PMT)-child recovery intervention in the coastal area of North Buton Regency, Southeast Sulawesi Province

Background: Malnutrition in Coastal Areas is still a public health problem in low- and lower-middle-income countries (LMICs). Nutritional status plays an important role in supporting growth, physical and cognitive development according to the child's age. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of Supplementary Feeding Recovery (PMT-P) on children's nutritional status. Methods: Experimental research design with Pretest and Posttest One Group Design approach. Involving 75 mothers who have children aged 6-24 months in the work area of the North Buton Regency Health Office, the child sample was selected by purposive sampling with inclusion criteria such as children who have growth below the red line (BGM) or experience very thin nutrition, toddlers who consume PMT-P from the government program in the form of biscuits, given regularly for up to 90 days. Children aged 6-11 months are given 80 gr/day equivalent to 8 pieces of biscuits (2 packs) while children aged 12-24 months are given 120 gr/day equivalent to 12 pieces of biscuits (3 packs). The instruments used in this study were the Healthy Towards Card (KMS) and the measurement of the toddler's weight was carried out using a Msumed brand digital scale with an accuracy of 0.1 cm while the measurement of the body length and height of the toddler was carried out using an Msumed brand infantometer and a statuemeter with an accuracy of 0.1 cm. The data was analyzed using a paired t-test (significant p<0.005). Results: The results showed that there was an effect of PMT-P administration before and after the intervention for 3 months on the nutritional status of children (p = value 0.000). Conclusion: There is an effect of giving PMT-P before and after the intervention for 3 months on the nutritional status of children. Therefore, the Government must continue to increase PMT-P as an alternative in management of malnutrition in children aged 6 to 24 months in North Buton Regency, southeast Sulawesi Province, Indonesia

Fathers’ involvement in early childhood education practices and their influence on cognitive development of children aged 5 to 6 years in Kasama and Mungwi Districts, Zambia

Introduction: Early Childhood Education (ECE) practices support the development and learning of young children, typically from birth to age 8. They also promote holistic growth in areas such as cognitive, social-emotional, physical, and linguistic development. In this study, the focus was on children between 5 and 6 years old. Objective: The purpose of the study was to establish the specific early childhood education practices fathers were involved in that influenced the cognitive development of children aged 5 to 6 years. Methodology: A descriptive survey research design was used in the study. Structured questionnaires and child assessment tools were used to collect data including the Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning (BRIEF), Rapid Neuro Developmental Assessment tool (RNDA) and Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT). A total of 210 participants were included in the study of which 10 were early childhood teachers, 100 fathers and 100 children ages 5 and 6 years were drawn from 10 public early childhood centres in Kasama and Mungwi districts. Results: The study revealed that 51% of fathers helped children with homework given from school while 63% of fathers were involved in reading a book with a child. Further, the study showed a correlation of .968 which is a very strong positive relationship between a father's involvement in early childhood education practices and a child's cognitive development. This suggests that as the father becomes more involved in the child's life, there is a highly consistent and positive impact on the child's cognitive abilities. Through their involvement in early childhood education practices, children developed executive function skills such as memory retention, better inhibition and shift skills. Conclusion: Based on the findings, the study recommends that fathers need to be highly involved in their children’s early education practices at a tender age to foster cognitive development.

Impact of COVID-19 Diagnosis on Weight Trajectories of Children in the US National COVID Cohort Collaborative.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the obesity epidemic, with both adults and children demonstrating rapid weight gain during the pandemic. However, the impact of having a COVID-19 diagnosis on this trend is not known. Methods: Using longitudinal data from January 2019 to June 2023 collected by the US National Institute for Health's National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C), children (age 2-18 years) with positive COVID-19 test results {n = 11,474, 53% male, mean [standard deviation (SD)] age 5.57 [±3.29] years, 54% White, mean [SD] 5.2 [±2.9] BMI observations per participant} were matched with COVID-19-negative children with identical demographic characteristics and similar observation window. We compared BMI percentile trajectories between the COVID-19-positive and COVID-19-negative cohorts, with further evaluation performed on COVID-19-positive patients stratified by hospitalization status. Results: COVID-19-positive patients had a greater increase in than COVID-19-negative patients (average increase of 2.34 (±7.73) compared to 1.46 (±6.09), p < 0.0005). COVID-19-positive patients gained more weight after their diagnosis of COVID-19 than before. Nonhospitalized children gained more weight than hospitalized children [average increase in of 2.38 (±7.65) compared to 1.87 (±8.54)]. Mixed-effect regression analyses demonstrated that these associations remained even after adjusting for time, demographics, and baseline . Conclusions: Having a COVID-19 diagnosis was associated with more rapid weight gain, especially after diagnosis and early in the pandemic. Future research should explore the reasons for this association and the implications for future health emergencies.

A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW: FORENSIC AGE ESTIMATION BY MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING

The purpose of the study: analysis of published data on the possibility of using MRI of the knee to register the status of its development and predict the biological age of children, adolescents and young people. Material and methods. The research protocol was compiled and registered in PROSPERO (registration number in the prospective register of systematic reviews - CRD42022344779, 2022). The databases Scopus, Pubmed Web of Science were used. Time period: 1985-2021 Language of publications: English, Russian. Keywords used (search bar): (("age estimation") OR ("age determination")) AND (knee). Results. In the course of this study, out of the total number of articles (400), 15 articles were eventually selected and studied in detail. The differences in the author's methods of staging age-related changes in the epiphyseal line of the examined bones, the technical characteristics of MRI devices, research protocols, the specialty of researchers and their work experience were established. There are also differences that can lead to a high risk of bias and limit the practical study of MRI of the knee joint in the forensic medical assessment of age. Conclusion. Radiographic examination of laryngeal cartilage and assessment of laryngeal ossification can be used as an Express method of preliminary age diagnostics for identification of the unknown person.

Coverage of Early Infant Diagnosis of HIV infection and its determinants among HIV exposed children in Njombe Region, Tanzania

Background: Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) of HIV infection remains a public health concern. The World Health Organization recommends Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) HIV testing within 6 weeks after birth. This is to determine early initiation of antiretroviral therapy to prevent rapid disease progression and death in infected infants. Despite of many efforts, EID coverage is still low in Sub-Saharan Africa due to individual factors. This study aimed to investigate determinants of EID coverage among HIV exposed children in Njombe region, Tanzania. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in July 2021 among HIV exposed children aged 0-18 months and their biological mother attending reproductive and child health clinics in two districts of Njombe region of Tanzania. Swahili translated questionnaires were used to collect demographics, reproductive characteristics, HIV information, HIV related stigma, HIV disclosure and partner social support after obtaining consent. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with coverage of EID. Results: A total of 400 HIV exposed children and their biological mothers were enrolled in this study. Median age of the mothers was 30 years (Interquartile Range, IQR 26-34) and majority had informal and primary education 307 (76.8%). Median age of the children was 10 months (IQR 7-14) and most of them were females 226 (56.2%). The proportion of children who received EID within 4 to 6 weeks was 85%. Living in rural areas was associated with lower odds of testing (AOR = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.20-0.68). Parents who reported higher level of HIV-related stigma and discrimination had a higher odd of testing (AOR = 2.96, 95% CI: 1.56-5.60). Conclusion and Recommendation: This study found an improvement of EID coverage in Njombe region which might have resulted from Health system improvements in urban areas. More efforts in equipping NAT technology in rural health facilities and addressing individual factors need to be considered to improve EID coverage to national target. The region had successes toward addressing negative impact of HIV Stigma which is no longer barrier toward HIV testing. Multiple level HIV stigma reduction interventions should be directed toward Stigma rather than its outcomes.

Urinary Microbiota of Healthy Prepubescent Girls and Boys—A Pilot Study

Background: The urinary microbiota of healthy children has rarely been studied, and potential differences between boys and girls have not been addressed. Thus, this study aimed to compare the urinary microbiota of healthy prepubescent girls and boys. Methods: We included healthy children aged between 4 and 10 years who were free of functional or organic urinary tract diseases and had no history of urinary tract infection. We collected the mean portion of morning urine during natural micturition and determined aerobic and anaerobic microbiota using HiCrome™ chromogenic growth media. We identified microorganisms on the basis of morphotinctural properties and analyzed α- and β-diversity of microorganisms isolated from the urine of boys and girls. Results: Mean age of the children was 6.1 ± 3.2 years. In general, four-component (28.1%) as well as two-component (15.6%), three-component (15.6%), and six-component (12.5%) combinations of microorganisms prevailed in the urine of children. The urine of boys exhibited four-component combinations significantly more often than that of girls (p ˂ 0.05), while the urine of girls contained seven-component microbial combinations significantly more often than that of boys (p ˂ 0.05). Comparison of multicomponent combinations of microorganisms in boys and girls revealed an overrepresentation of Enterococcus spp. in girls (p &lt; 0.05). Furthermore, there was a trend towards higher microbial α-diversity in the urine of girls, but the difference between girls and boys was not significant. Conclusions: The urine of healthy prepubescent children contained various aerobic–anaerobic combinations of microorganisms. Their diversity in the urine of girls and boys did not differ significantly. However, the level of α-diversity of microorganisms was higher in girls than in boys. We noted differences in the prevalence of certain taxa of microorganisms in the urine of boys and girls. Our study showed a close functional relationship between aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms detected in the urine of children in more than half of the cases.

The Narrative Coherence of Autistic Children's Accounts of an Experienced Event in Response to Different Interviewer Prompts: A Longitudinal Study.

This study explored the narrative coherence of the accounts of an experienced event produced by autistic and neurotypical children (ages 6-15 years) after delays of two weeks and two months. The sample comprised 27 autistic children and 32 neurotypical peers, who were interviewed about the event using the Revised National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Investigative Interview Protocol. The study focused on assessing the narrative coherence of children's reports, emphasizing key story grammar elements and temporal features in their narratives. Results revealed that, over time, both autistic and neurotypical children showed a decrease in narrative coherence. Autistic children, particularly those who were cognitively and verbally able, demonstrated the ability to convey their experiences coherently, with performances comparable to those of their neurotypical peers. Interviewer prompts differentially influenced the narrative coherence of autistic and non-autistic children's accounts. This research showed that, when questioned appropriately, cognitively and verbally able autistic children can effectively communicate their personal experiences, even after significant delays.

Developmental delay and associated factors among HIV-infected under-five children in public health facilities, Southern Ethiopia

Delays in development that occur during early childhood can have long-lasting consequences, potentially leading to poor academic achievement. Research has shown that the human immunodeficiency virus can have neurotropic effects, which may impact the development of the brain in infected children. However, there is a scarcity of evidence regarding developmental delays among children with human immunodeficiency virus in the study area. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of developmental delay and associated factors among children with the human immunodeficiency virus in southern Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was undertaken among 422 children aged below five during October 30 to December 30, 2021, who acquired the human immunodeficiency virus at public hospitals. A pretested tool anthropometric measurements were utilized. To examine developmental delay, the age and stage questionnaires (version 3) were used. Descriptive statistics were performed. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression models were fitted to identify potential factors associated with delays in child development. The analysis was performed using STATA version 14.2. Adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals and variables with p-values less than 0.05 were considered to be significantly associated with global developmental delay. A total of 413 under-five children with human immune virus participated, with a 97.9% response rate. Of all children, 222 (53.75%) were male, and the mean age of children was 3.5 ± 1 (± SD) years. Overall global developmental delay was 41.89% [95% CI 37–47%]. Maternal age 35 and older [AOR 2.2; 95% CI (1.11–4.3)], maternal educational status [AOR 0.47; 95% CI (0.23–0.96)], higher birth order [AOR 3; 95% CI (1.5–4)], and stunting [AOR 2.2; 95% CI (1.4–3.42)] were significant factors associated with global developmental delay. Half of the children examined demonstrated delayed development across domains. The global developmental delay constitutes a significant public health concern, underscoring the necessity for early detection initiatives including developmental screening, diagnostic evaluations, and therapeutic interventions. We found significant associations between the developmental status of the children and the maternal age, educational level of mothers, higher birth order, and stunting of under-five children. Policies should aim to enhance mother and child health services, expand access to early intervention programs, and incorporate developmental surveillance into routine pediatric care. Additional research may be necessary to elucidate the underlying causes of the high prevalence of Global developmental delay, evaluate the efficacy of current interventions, and investigate innovative approaches to mitigate developmental delays.

A Systematic Review of the Existing Evidence on Early Year Interventions for Trauma and Violence Prevention.

Exposure to violence in early childhood is considered a public health issue and is a significant predictor of becoming a victim or perpetrator of violence later in life. There has been a significant increase in violence intervention and prevention programs that are available for children and young people; however, there are few evidence-based interventions for younger children. This review systematically explores the existing impact evidence for available intervention and prevention programs targeted at young children (ages 3-8) across the United States and United Kingdom. It also explores the feasibility and methodological issues faced with school-based prevention work. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, six electronic databases were systematically searched. Of the initial 766 articles, 13 met the final inclusion criteria. The findings showed that early intervention programs for vulnerable children can promote prosocial behaviors and protective factors. Outcomes included improved academic achievement, implementation of Social Emotional Learning-based learning, decrease in violence and criminal justice-related outcomes, and increased resiliency and emotional development among children. Evidence also showed that trauma-informed training for staff and teachers can increase teacher awareness of trauma and the importance of trauma-informed practices. Most programs showed a positive change in children as a result of early intervention programs. We discuss important issues for policy and practice in early years teaching, particularly for high-risk populations, and the importance of trauma-informed practices in the long-term, public health approach to violence prevention and reduction. We also highlight important areas for future research on violence prevention programs.

Allergen Specific IgE is a Stronger Predictor of Remission Following Peanut Oral Immunotherapy Than Age in Children Aged 1-10 Years.

Remission is the desired outcome following OIT as it allows individuals to discontinue treatment and eat the allergen freely. Early initiation of OIT in infants and toddlers has been embraced as an approach to increase the likelihood of remission. However, there is no high-quality evidence supporting younger age as an independent factor driving remission; available studies are limited by small samples of younger subjects and lack of adjustment for confounding covariates, particularly peanut-specific IgE (sIgE) levels which is closely correlated with age. This study examined relationships between peanut sIgE and age at baseline and remission, in children aged 1-10 who completed 18 months of OIT in the PPOIT-003 RCT (n = 162). Remission was defined as absence of clinical reactivity to peanut after 8 weeks of allergen avoidance/treatment discontinuation. Age and sIgE were examined as continuous variables in univariate and multivariate regression models. Higher peanut sIgE was consistently predictive of lower likelihood of remission, independent of age. In contrast, there was no independent association between age and remission after adjusting for baseline sIgE (OR 0.94 [0.79-1.12], p = 0.5). Findings do not support age as an independent predictor of remission following OIT. Additional studies examining safety and efficacy of OIT in infants and younger children are urgently needed, ahead of widespread adoption of early intervention.

Mental health risks in pregnancy and early parenthood among male and female parents following unintended pregnancy or fertility treatment: a cross-sectional observational study

BackgroundUnintended pregnancy at higher risk of perinatal mood disorders; however, concurrent factors such as socioeconomic conditions may be more critical to mental health than pregnancy intention. Mental health risks among individuals undergoing fertility treatment are inconsistent. We investigated mental health risks during pregnancy and parenthood in parents who conceived unintentionally or through fertility treatment compared to those who conceived naturally and intentionally.MethodsWe conducted a web-based study with 10,000 adults ≥ 18 years old, either pregnant or with a child aged < 2 years. Male and female respondents weren’t couples. We analyzed 1711 men and 7265 women, after filtering out invalid responses. We used a questionnaire including conception methods (e.g., naturally conceived intended/unintended pregnancies, fertility treatment such as scheduled intercourse or ovulation inducers [SI/OI], intrauterine insemination [IUI], and in-vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection [IVF/ICSI]) and mental health risks (e.g., psychological distress, chronic pain, death fantasies). Using a modified Poisson regression, we estimated relative risks (RR [CI]) for mental health risks compared to those with intended pregnancies.ResultsUnintended pregnancy showed higher mental health risks during pregnancy in both genders, with women having significantly higher psychological distress, chronic pain, and death fantasies (RR 1.63 [1.05–2.54], RR 1.63 [1.14–2.33], and RR 2.18 [1.50–3.18], respectively). Women’s death fantasies risk remained high in parenthood: RR 1.40 (1.17–1.67). In relation to fertility treatments, men using SI/OI during their partner’s pregnancy showed higher mental health risks, especially for chronic pain (RR 1.75 [1.01–3.05]). Men who underwent IUI showed higher mental health risks during parenthood, notably death fantasies (RR 2.41 [1.13–5.17]). Pregnant women using SI/OI experienced higher mental health risks, with a significant risk of chronic pain (RR 1.63 [1.14–2.33]). Pregnant women using IVF/ICSI had a significantly lower risk of chronic pain (RR 0.44 [0.22–0.87]), but women who used IVF/ICSI had a significantly higher risk of death fantasies during parenthood (RR 1.40 [1.04–1.88]).ConclusionsMental health risks vary by parenting stage (pregnancy or early parenthood) and gender, especially for those who conceived unintentionally or through fertility treatment. Both stages require adaptable mental health support for all parents.Trial registrationN/A (non-interventional study).

Child Interpretations of Teacher Behaviors Directed toward Students with and without ADHD Symptoms.

Many students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have negative social experiences with classmates and teachers. The Making Socially Accepting Inclusive Classrooms (MOSAIC) intervention asked teachers to give positive attention strategies to students at risk for ADHD, at a 3:1 ratio compared to their peers. Evidence suggested that although MOSAIC students at risk for ADHD reported improved relationships with teachers, they were more disliked by their classroom peers, relative to counterparts in a typical practice control group. The current study sought to investigate how classroom peers may have interpreted the teacher strategies. An independent sample of 191 children (ages 5-10; 102 boys) watched video vignettes displaying a teacher using MOSAIC strategies with a student. Participants were randomized into one of four conditions manipulating (a) the ADHD status of the student in the video (ADHD or Neurotypical), and (b) the equality in the teacher's implementation of the strategies across all students in the class (Equality or Inequality). Results suggested that children believed the teacher to be less genuine when delivering strategies to a student with ADHD relative to a neurotypical student. When teachers delivered strategies unequally (preferentially to the target student) relative to equally across all students, children found the teacher's actions to be less justified. Children's ratings of desired social contact with ADHD targets improved after watching the teacher use the MOSAIC strategies, but remained low overall. These findings underscore the importance of assessing children's interpretations of teacher-delivered intervention strategies, and have implications for future iterations of MOSAIC.

Biofeedback rehabilitation in children with encopresis due to retentive constipation using simple tools: a real-world study in a French paediatric centre.

This study aimed to describe the effectiveness of biofeedback (BFB) rehabilitation in children with retentive encopresis (RE). A retrospective, single-institution study was conducted in children with BFB sessions for RE between 2017 and 2020. Manometry data and associated envy scores were analysed. BFB was a success (recovery from RE or ≥50% reduction in faecal soiling) in 37/44 (84%) children at the last session and in 32/44 (73%) 6 months later. The median age of children was higher in the success group at 6 months (p=0.013). BFB could then be clinically effective in children with RE.

A study on differences in peak expiratory flow rate among school children of age 7-12 years at different altitudes of Darjeeling and Purulia district of West Bengal

Background: The peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) is an effort-dependent parameter, which reflects large airway flow, voluntary and muscle strength. High altitudes may have an impact on peak expiratory flow rate, owing to hypoxia, low air density and increased muscular activity, The study was conducted to find out the variance of PEFR among healthy school children of high and low altitude region. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at different altitudes and schools of Darjeeling and Purulia district, taking a total of 400 healthy school going children aged between 7-12 years. The age, weight and height of the children were calculated and the PEFR was recorded in standing position. The data was entered in MS Excel and analyzed using the SPSS version 20.0 software. Results: The mean height, body mass index (BMI) and SpO2 was lower among high altitude children, while their PEFR values were higher. These findings were observed to be statistically significant. Further, females were observed to have a lower PEFR value than their male counterparts. Conclusion: The PEFR values of low altitude children were significantly lower than the high altitude children.

Gastrointestinal Manifestations and Prognostic Factors for Severe Dengue in Thai Children

Dengue infection poses a significant public health challenge in tropical countries. In Thailand, children ages 5–14 years are among the groups with the highest incidence of dengue. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations in children with dengue infection and assess prognostic factors for severe dengue. We reviewed the medical records of children ages 0–14 years who were hospitalized with a diagnosis of dengue infection between 2019 and 2022 at Charoenkrung Pracharak Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. Dengue severity was classified according to the 2009 WHO dengue guidelines. Clinical manifestations and laboratory data were analyzed for their association with severe dengue using a logistic regression model. The study included 556 dengue cases, with 48 cases (8.6%) classified as severe dengue. The mean age (SD) of patients was 9.9 (3.7) years. The most common GI symptoms were anorexia (91.7%) and vomiting (57.6%) followed by abdominal pain (38.3%), and diarrhea (33.3%). GI bleeding was found in 3.2% of patients. Hepatomegaly and ascites were found in 20.9% and 2.9% of patients, respectively. Acute liver failure and acalculous cholecystitis were found in 0.4% and 0.2% of patients, respectively. Children younger than 5 years of age exhibited a lower prevalence of vomiting and abdominal pain compared with older children, making the diagnosis of dengue more challenging. Vomiting, ascites, aspartate aminotransferase &gt;450 U/L, and serum albumin &lt;3.5 g/dL were significantly associated with severe dengue infection. Children with dengue infection presenting any of these factors should be closely monitored for severe dengue.

A study of hypertension and obesity in school-going children age 10-16 years

Background: The rising prevalence of hypertension and obesity among the current generation of children has become a significant public health concern. This alarming trend highlights the urgent need to study the occurrence of these conditions in school-going children aged 10 to 16 years. Accurate estimates of the prevalence of pediatric hypertension and obesity, particularly in the post-COVID era, are essential for designing effective prevention and treatment strategies. The study aims to determine the occurrence of hypertension and obesity in school going children and the risk factors associated with it. Methods: In this cross-sectional study included 402 school going children of Kalaburagi city of age group 10 -16 years. After selecting the school, informed consent from school Principal and Parents of children was obtained. A predesigned, pre tested questionnaire proforma was administered to each child to collect data (intake of fatty food, dietary pattern, duration of screen time, duration of sleep, hours of physical activity). Parameters of height, weight and blood pressure were measured and recorded. Ethical approval was obtained. Results: The prevalence of hypertension was 2.5% and pre-hypertension was 2.5%. Prevalence of obesity was 1.7%, over weight was 5.2%. Significant association was found between obesity and mixed type of diet (p value=0.016). It was found that obesity was significantly associated with increased risk of hypertension (p value= 0.000). Significant association was found between hypertension and increased screen time (p value=0.001). It was observed that there is a statistically significant association between female gender and overweight (p=0.027). Conclusions: The prevalence of hypertension in obese children was high. Hypertension was positively associated with increased screen time. Prevalence and early detection of childhood obesity and high BP should be strengthened to prevent the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Treatment of Anisometropic Amblyopia in Children with Refractive Correction

Background: Amblyopia, commonly caused by anisometropia, is a leading cause of monocular vision loss in children. This study evaluates the effectiveness of refractive correction alone in treating untreated anisometropic amblyopia. Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of refractive correction alone in treating untreated anisometropic amblyopia in children. Methods: This prospective study, conducted from February to July 2007 at the Department of Ophthalmology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University and the National Institute of Ophthalmology, involved 28 children (ages 3–7) with untreated anisometropic amblyopia. Spectacles were prescribed, and visual acuity was monitored every 5 weeks until stabilization or resolution. Acuity improvement was analyzed based on age, baseline VA, and anisometropia type and degree. Results: Most children had a VA of 20/80 (19%) or 20/63 (23%), with a mean VA of .60 logMAR (20/80). Post-treatment, 56% achieved 20/20 VA. By 25 weeks, 18 participants reached no further improvement (IOD &gt; 2) and 8 reached IOD ≤ 1. Resolution rates varied by age but were not significant. Anisometropia degree significantly impacted resolution, especially 57% in the 0.50–&lt;1.00 D group. Baseline amblyopic eye acuity significantly correlated with resolution, notably 67% in the 20/50 group. Spherical equivalent only (≥0.50 D) showed 25% resolution. Conclusion: Refractive correction alone improves visual acuity and resolves amblyopia in one-third of children aged 3 to &lt;7 years with untreated anisometropic amblyopia, particularly in moderate cases (20/40–20/100).