Arab Children Research Articles

The Role of Nationality in Childhood Caries in Qatar.

There were two objectives. First, to understand the variation of primary dentition caries among 4- to 8-year-old children in Qatar across nationality classified into four groups, and second, to explore whether the association persisted in the presence of socio-demographic and behavioural indicators. The study used data from the Qatar Child Oral Health Survey 2017 (QCOHS 2017). Detailed information was collected through a parental dual-language questionnaire and an oral epidemiological examination conducted by calibrated dentist examiners. Children in 20 kindergartens and 40 schools across Qatar were recruited. Data were weighted to represent the Qatar child population. Overall, 1154 children aged 4-8 years old (48.9% female, 51.1% male) participated. Qatari children made up 26.3%, Non-Qatari (N-Q) Arabic children 44.2% N-Q Indian sub-continent 16.4% and N-Q Other 13.1%. There were no significant differences by nationality for age or sex, but differences existed for kindergarten/school type and parents' highest level of education. Among behavioural indicators, Qatari and N-Q Arabic children began toothbrushing later, and more N-Q Other children brushed 2+ times a day and had made a check-up visit in the last 12 months. More Qatari children were in the highest tertial for sugar intake and drank bottled water with no fluoride. All N-Q children had a significantly lower prevalence and experience of caries. The means ratio (95% CI) for N-Q Arabic (0.78; 0.65-0.94), Indian (0.58; 0.46-0.72) and other children (0.61; 0.42-0.88) were all significant against Qatari nationality children. Multivariable models showed an attenuation of the association with caries with the means ratio for N-Q Arabic (0.92; 0.73-1.16), Indian (0.79; 0.57-1.11) and other children (0.94; 0.61-1.44) being non-significant compared to Qatari nationality children. The variables which were significantly associated with caries were parental education, toothbrushing frequency, sugar intake and check-up visiting in the last 12 months in the multivariable models. Primary dentition caries in children resident in Qatar differed by nationality. The association of primary dentition caries with nationality was markedly attenuated and non-significant in the presence of socio-demographic and behavioural variables, pointing towards the importance of these variables as the pathways to improving primary dentition caries prevalence and experience of children in Qatar.

Dysregulated plasma autoantibodies are associated with B cell dysfunction in young Arab children with autism spectrum disorder in Qatar.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, as well as the occurrence of stereotyped and repetitive behaviors. Previous studies have provided solid evidence of dysregulated immune system in ASD; however, limited studies have investigated autoantibody profiles in individuals with ASD. This study aims to screen plasma autoantibodies in a well-defined cohort of young children with ASD (n = 100) and their matched controls (n = 60) utilizing a high-throughput KoRectly Expressed (KREX) i-Ome protein-array technology. We identified differential protein expression of 16 autoantibodies in ASD, which were correlated with differential gene expression of these markers in independent ASD cohorts. Meanwhile, we identified a distinct list of 33 autoantibodies associated with ASD severity; several of which were correlated with maternal age and birth weight in ASD. In addition, we found dysregulated numbers of circulating B cells and activated HLADR+ B cells in ASD, which were correlated with altered levels of several autoantibodies. Further in-depth analysis of B cell subpopulations revealed an increased frequency of activated naïve B cells in ASD, as well as an association of resting naïve B cells and transitional B cells with ASD severity. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed disrupted MAPK signaling in ASD, suggesting a potential relevance of this pathway to altered autoantibodies and B cell dysfunction in ASD. Finally, we found that a combination of eight autoantibodies associated with ASD severity showed an area under the curve (ROC-AUC) of 0.937 (95% CI = 0.890, 0.983; p < 0.001), which demonstrated the diagnostic accuracy of the eight-marker signature in the severity classification of ASD cases. Overall, this study determined dysregulated autoantibody profiles and B cell dysfunction in children with ASD and identified an eight-autoantibody panel for ASD severity classification.

The digital library of Arab children's culture for sustainable development (DLACSD)

PurposeThis paper focuses on a project to work on the digital library of Arab children's culture for sustainable development (DLACSD).Design/methodology/approachThis project claims to link the past, present, and future by creating a platform that can grow to include not only works by adults but by children who inspire adults with their imagination and the joys they bring to the world.FindingsThis project addresses in phases the different aspects of the problem of the lack of material for Egyptian/Arab children at different stages in Arabic on the internet (with copyright law in mind). It is time to fill this gap by having a rich repository of stories, plays, games and songs for children in Arabic in a digital library to enrich the life of the child and to inform the world that much that is worthwhile is available in Arabic for parents, teachers, and children to enjoy.Research limitations/implicationsThrough reading samples of the works by Abdel-Tawab Youssef (1928–2015) by using the Dublin Core Elements, it will be informative to see how his writings address the United Nations Goals of Sustainable Development way before these Goals were discussed.Practical implicationsWriters for children, librarians, teachers, psychologists, literary critics, illustrators, and parents need a platform that makes material available to promote children’s culture in the Arab world and to introduce the world to what is of value for children in Arabic.Social implicationsCurrently, communication brings the world together and although the social media and the new technology have introduced problems that are serious, to say the least, collaborators on all levels must play an active role in redressing the social wrongs, especially those affecting children.Originality/valueThis ongoing project by members of a team who believe in interdisciplinarity and multidisciplinarity has taken the first step to create and develop (DLACSD).

Exploring ethnic disparities in pediatric molluscum contagiosum in Southern Israel

Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is a common skin infection affecting children globally, including in Israel, which has a diverse population comprising mainly Jews (73.2%) and Arabs (21.1%). Despite documented disparities in various diseases between these groups, research on differences in dermatological care is scarce. This study aimed to investigate MC as a potential differentiator between Arab and Jewish children. A retrospective analysis of MC cases among children (0–18 years) from 2013 to 2022 was performed at Soroka University Medical Center, a tertiary hospital serving over a million patients. 615 patients participated in our study, with 95.2% Jewish and 4.8% Arab. Both groups showed similar characteristics in lesion quantity (P = 0.535), diameter (P = 0.341), inflammation markers, and lesion location. Additionally, management, treatment response, and outcomes were found to be similar between the two groups. In conclusion, the Arab representation in the study was disproportionately low compared to their population in the area. While Jewish patients may rely more on medical specialists, we believe Arabs may prefer self-management practices, such as the use of traditional medicine, possibly hindering effective physician-led care. Understanding such disparities could improve dermatological care by tailoring approaches to diverse populations.

Unintentional childhood mortality during emergencies in Israel: a comparative study

BackgroundArmed conflicts are likely to have implications for the welfare and safety of children, potentially leading to increased rates of unintentional childhood injuries.MethodsWe examine data from Israel concerning the relationship...

Predarea limbii române ca limbă străină. Lecții orale

The present work presents some considerations related to teaching. Romanian as a foreign language for arabic young children using oral lessons. As we know, teaching young children, especially those up to the ages of 6 or 7, is a different process comparing with teaching older children, adolescents and adults. Teaching arabic young children is also a specific process taking into consideration the following aspects: age, the major differences between their native language and Romanian, they do not speak an intermediate language or they have a beginner level, they will start school in Romanian and they are here because of the war from their countries

Beyond the heart: Cognitive and verbal outcomes in Arab children with congenital heart diseases.

This study investigates how congenital heart diseases (CHD) characteristics and interventions affect cognitive and verbal skills in Arab children, while also uncovering previously unexplored connections between these skills and the quality of life (QoL) scores as perceived by both children and parents. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Jordan, involving 62 children with CHD aged 6-16. Data were collected through standardized intelligence tests (namely The Raven's Progressive Matrices Test and The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children) and QoL assessments. Sex, disease severity, cyanosis, CHD defect status, conducted operations, and types of interventions did not significantly influence cognitive scores. However, a significant difference was observed in Wechsler's scores between cyanotic and non-cyanotic children (p < .01) and between severe and moderate cases (p = .01). Further, a significant positive correlation was identified between Wechsler's Scores and QoL reported by parents (r = 0.33, p < .01). This correlation was particularly pronounced in the social and school functioning dimensions of QoL. This study highlights the need for personalized care approaches for children with CHDs based on their individual characteristics. While cognitive abilities did not directly correlate with children's QoL reports, a significant positive correlation between verbal skills and QoL reported by parents underscores the importance of effective communication in assessing a child's overall well-being. Future research should further examine the cognitive development in this population, employing neurocognitive investigations and longitudinal studies to gain a deeper understanding of their cognitive profiles and trajectories.

Phonological substitution patterns in Yemeni Ibbi Arabic child speech: a markedness and natural phonology perspective

Phonological substitution patterns in Yemeni Ibbi Arabic child speech: a markedness and natural phonology perspective

The Role of Metamorphosis in Arabic Children’s Literature

The Role of Metamorphosis in Arabic Children’s Literature

Documentation of a novel FBP1 gene mutation in the Arabian ethnicity: a case report

BackgroundFructose-1,6-bisphosphatase deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by impaired gluconeogenesis. Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase 1 (FBP1) mutations demonstrate ethnic patterns. For instance, Turkish populations commonly harbor exon 2 deletions. We present a case report of whole exon 2 deletion in a Syrian Arabian child as the first recording of this mutation among Arabian ethnicity and the first report of FBP1 gene mutation in Syria.Case presentationWe present the case of a 2.5-year-old Syrian Arab child with recurrent hypoglycemic episodes, accompanied by nausea and lethargy. The patient’s history, physical examination, and laboratory findings raised suspicion of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase deficiency. Whole exome sequencing was performed, revealing a homozygous deletion of exon 2 in the FBP1 gene, confirming the diagnosis.ConclusionThis case highlights a potential novel mutation in the Arab population; this mutation is well described in the Turkish population, which suggests potential shared mutations due to ancestral relationships between the two ethnicities. Further studies are needed to confirm this finding.

Validation of the Arabic Version of Feeding Handicap Index for Children with Developmental Disabilities (A-FHI-C).

Children with developmental disabilities have different feeding and swallowing problems. The purposes of the present study were to develop an Arabic version of the FHI-C and to evaluate its validity, consistency, and reliability in Arabic children with developmental disabilities for assessing how feeding and swallowing problems impair the physical, functional, and emotional aspects of children's lives. A prospective study including 113 children [62 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), 24 with cerebral palsy (CP), 27 with intellectual disability (ID)], in the age range of 2 to 10 years, selected randomly from the swallowing clinic, phoniatrics unit, Otorhinolaryngology department, University hospital between September 2023 and December 2023 complaining of feeding and swallowing problems. Validity was established by comparing patients` scores to typically developed controls (31 children). For test-retest reliability, forty parents filled out the A-FHI-C again two weeks after their initial visit. Cronbach's alpha for A-FHI-C was 0.986, indicating good internal consistency. Intraclass correlation showed 0.850 with a 95% confidence interval from 0.779 to 0.898. All three clinical groups had significantly higher total FHI-C and FHI-C domain scores than the control group, indicating good validation. A-FHI-C was found to have significantly high test-retest reliability. The current study indicates that in children with ASD, CP, ID, feeding problems are more prevalent than children who are typically developed. The scores obtained can be used by phoniatricans to evaluate feeding problems and monitor the progress of the therapy plan in children with developmental disorders.

Malaria infection and predictor factors among Chadian nomads’ children

BackgroundIn Chad, malaria remains a significant public health concern, particularly among nomadic populations. Geographical factors and the mobility of human populations have shown to be associated with the diversity of Plasmodium species. The study aims to describe the malaria prevalence among nomadic children and to investigate its associated factors.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in February and October 2021 among nomadic communities in Chad. Blood sample were collected and tested from 187 Arab, Fulani and Dazagada nomadic children aged 3–59 months using malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT). A structured electronic questionnaire was administered to their parents to collect information about the socio‑economic data. Malaria testing results were categorized according to the SD BIOLINE Malaria Ag Pf/Pan RDT procedures. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine key risk factors explaining the prevalence of malaria. STATA version IC 13 was used for statistical analysis.ResultsThe overall malaria prevalence in nomadic children was 24.60%, with 65.20% being Plasmodium falciparum species and 34.8% mixed species. Boys were twice as likely (COR = 1.83; 95% CI, 0.92–3.62; p = 0.083) to have malaria than girls. Children whose parents used to seek traditional drugs were five times more likely (AOR = 5.59; 95% CI, 1.40–22.30, p = 0.015) to have malaria than children whose parents used to seek health facilities. Children whose parents reported spending the last night under a mosquito net were one-fifth as likely (AOR = 0.17; 95% CI, 0.03–0.90, p = 0.037) to have malaria compared to children whose parents did not used a mosquito net. Furthermore, Daza children were seventeen times (1/0.06) less likely (AOR = 0.06; 95% CI, 0.01–0.70, p = 0.024) to have malaria than Fulani children and children from households piped water as the main source were seven times more likely (AOR = 7.05; 95% CI, 1.69–29.45; p = 0.007) to have malaria than those using surface water.ConclusionsMalaria remains a significant public health issue in the nomadic communities of Chad. Community education and sensitization programs within nomad communities are recommended to raise awareness about malaria transmission and control methods, particularly among those living in remote rural areas. The National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) should increase both the coverage and use of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) and seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) in addition to promoting treatment-seeking behaviors in nomadic communities.

Sharing the secret: The effects of sharing mothers’ breast cancer on Arab children’s emotional and behavioral status

A diagnosis of breast cancer implies an emotional burden on the patient’s personal and family functioning, especially in traditional societies. Along with the physical and emotional difficulties that are inherent to cancer, there is also a tendency in Arab society to keep the disease a secret. The present study examined the impact of sharing information about the mother’s illness on the emotional and educational scholastic functioning of children of Arab Israeli women with breast cancer. The sample included 39 Arab women with breast cancer, their school aged children and their children’s teachers, who answered self-report questionnaires. Findings indicated that mothers and children who shared information related to the illness reported more perceived social support, children’s higher academic achievements, fewer emotional and behavioral problems, and higher pro-social behaviors than children and mothers who did not share information regarding the illness. This study underscores the role of sharing information about breast-cancer illness among Arab mothers, on the emotional and scholastic functioning of their children. Further research is needed to provide a way to facilitate the information-sharing process in the community, and to prevent the negative ‘ripple effect’ of concealing the mother’s illness in Arab society.

Early handwriting performance among Arabic kindergarten children: The effects of phonological awareness, orthographic knowledge, graphomotor skills, and fine-motor skills

This study aimed to delve into the under-explored domain of early handwriting performance among Arabic-speaking kindergarten children, focusing on the potential factors influencing early handwriting competency. The research encompassed 218 children from diverse socio-economic backgrounds in Israel. The underlying skills assessed were divided into linguistic skills (phonological awareness and orthographic knowledge) and graphomotor and fine-motor skills. Hierarchical regression analyses were utilized to evaluate the contributions of these skills. Results indicated that, within the Arabic orthographic context, orthographic knowledge stood out as a paramount contributor to early handwriting performance, more so than phonological awareness. Furthermore, graphomotor and fine motor skills significantly influenced letter-copying speed and legibility, but not the accuracy of letter-writing to dictation. In conclusion, while orthographic knowledge is paramount, the importance of graphomotor and fine motor skills for early handwriting performance in Arabic cannot be understated. The study suggests that a focused approach to these skills can lead to more effective interventions and teaching methodologies tailored for Arabic-speaking kindergarteners.

MOLHEM: An innovative android application with an interactive avatar-based chatbot for Arab children with ASD

MOLHEM: An innovative android application with an interactive avatar-based chatbot for Arab children with ASD

Discovery of a novel cytokine signature for the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder in young Arab children in Qatar.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication and the occurrence of stereotyped and repetitive behaviors. Several studies have reported altered cytokine profiles in ASD and hence may serve as potential diagnostic biomarkers of the disorder. This study aims to identify diagnostic biomarkers for ASD in a well-defined study cohort in Qatar. We measured the protein levels of 45 cytokines in the plasma samples of age- and gender-matched children (2-4 years) with ASD (n = 100) and controls (n = 60) using a Luminex multiplex assay. We compared the differences in the levels of these cytokines between the two study groups and then fitted the significantly altered cytokines into a logistic regression model to examine their diagnostic potential for ASD. We found elevated levels of IFN-γ, FGF-2, IL-1RA, and IL-13 and reduced levels of eotaxin, HGF, IL-1 alpha, IL-22, IL-9, MCP-1, SCF, SDF-1 alpha, VEGFA, and IP-10 in the plasma of children with ASD compared to controls. Furthermore, we observed that elevated levels of IFN-γ (odds ratio (OR) = 1.823; 95% (confidence interval) CI = 1.206, 2.755; p = 0.004) and FGF-2 (OR = 2.528; 95% CI = 1.457, 4.385; p < 0.001) were significantly associated with increased odds of ASD, whereas reduced levels of eotaxin (OR = 0.350; 95% CI = 0.160, 0.765; p = 0.008) and HGF (OR = 0.220; 95% CI = 0.070, 0.696; p = 0.010) were significantly associated with lower odds of ASD relative to controls. The combination of these four cytokines revealed an area under the curve (ROC-AUC) of 0.829 (95% CI = 0.767, 0.891; p < 0.001), which demonstrates the diagnostic accuracy of the four-cytokine signature. Our results identified a panel of cytokines that could discriminate between children with ASD and controls in Qatar. In addition, our findings support the predominance of a Th1 immune phenotype in ASD children and emphasize the need to validate these results in larger populations.

Quality of life in Arab children with congenital heart disease.

Management strategies for children with congenital health diseases (CHDs) should encompass more than just the medical aspect of the disease and consider how heart diseases affect their everyday activities and, subsequently, their quality of life (QoL). Global studies witnessed a greater emphasis on studying the QoL associated with CHD. However, there is still a great lag in such data in the Arab region. The purpose of this study was to evaluate QoL in children with CHD using an Arab sample from Jordan. The specific objectives were twofold: (1) to contrast the assessments of children's QoL reported by their parents with those reported by the children themselves, and (2) to assess the factors that influence the QoL of children with CHD. A total of 79 children aged 2-18 with a confirmed diagnosis of CHD were included in the study, along with their mothers. Of them, 38.0% were girls, 67.1% were diagnosed with non-cyanotic CHD, 58.2% had a severe CHD, 92.4% had undergone at least one operation, 81.0% had repaired defects, 13.9% underwent palliated procedures, and 24.1% were admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit after delivery. The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory was used to assess QoL of children with CHD. Both children's and parents' reports of QoL were analyzed using paired-sample t-tests, ANOVAs, and multiple linear regression. Older children reported significantly lower QoL scores, whereas there were no differences in parents-reported QoL scores across different children age groups. There was a divergence in perceptions of QoL between parents-reported and children-reported scores with parents reporting significantly lower scores. The children-reported QoL in this study seemed to be significantly associated with their gender, age, and the presence of learning difficulties, whereas the parent-reported QoL was only associated with the presence of learning difficulties. Responses from both children and parents need to be considered to understand the similarities and differences between them and to provide further insight into the optimal way to help children with CHD effectively navigate the transition into adulthood. Future research studies of outcomes for survivors of children with CHD are needed to identify high-risk survivors for worse psychosocial functioning and assess prevention measures and treatment interventions to improve their QoL.

Healthcare utilization is increased in children living in urban areas, with ethnicity-related disparities: A big data analysis study.

This study aimed to investigate differences in pediatric healthcare utilization in Israel over 10 years by examining differences across populations defined by living environment and ethnicity. Data was obtained from the Clalit Health Care data warehouse, covering over 250,000 children residing in Haifa and Western Galilee districts. The population groups were categorized based on ethnicity (Jewish vs Arab) and residential settings (urban vs rural). Healthcare utilization was consistently higher among Jewish than Arab children, irrespective of the specific dimension analyzed. Additionally, urban-dwelling children exhibited higher usage rates than those residing in rural areas in all investigated dimensions. However, Jewish children showed significantly about 18% lower hospitalization rates than Arab children across all years (P < 0.001). No significant differences in hospitalizations were observed between urban and rural children (RR 0.999, CI (0.987-1.011)). Notably, the study revealed reduced antibiotic consumption and hospitalizations over the years for all populations. Additionally, we found that Arab children and those living in rural areas had reduced access to healthcare, as evidenced by 10-40% fewer physician visits, laboratory tests, and imaging (P < 0.001). Conclusion:This study highlights the substantial population-based disparities in healthcare utilization among children in Israel despite the equalizing effect of the national health insurance law. Rural and low socioeconomic populations seem to have reduced healthcare access, showing decreased healthcare utilization. Consequently, it is imperative to address these disparities and implement targeted interventions to enhance healthcare access for Arab children and rural communities. The decline in antibiotic usage and hospitalizations suggests positive trends in pediatric health care, necessitating ongoing efforts to ensure equitable access and quality of care for all populations. What is Known: • Healthcare systems worldwide vary in coverage and accessibility, including Israel, which stands out for its diverse population. • Existing research primarily focuses on healthcare utilization among adults, leaving a need for comprehensive data on children's healthcare patterns globally. What is New: • Investigating over 250,000 children, this study reveals higher healthcare utilization among Jewish and urban children across all dimensions. • Despite Israel's national health insurance law, the study underscores the significant population-based disparities in healthcare utilization.

Injury as a Result of Children and Adolescent Labor-An Association with Ethnicity and Peripherality: A Retrospective Cohort Study Based on the Israeli Trauma Registry.

Working children and adolescents face a heightened risk of work-related injuries. This research aimed to assess the rate of hospitalizations resulting from work-related injuries among children and adolescents in Israel, with a specific focus on disadvantaged populations. This nationwide retrospective cohort study utilized The Israeli National Trauma Registry (INTR). It included 642 children and adolescents aged 13-17 hospitalized due to work-related injuries from 2015-2022. Arab children had over five times the risk of hospitalization due to work-related injuries compared to Jewish (RR = 5.5, 95% CI: 4.7-7.4). Despite the 2018 law prohibiting young people from entering this type of work, the most common type of work leading to hospitalization was construction, accounting for 40.2% of Arab and 11.9% of Jewish injuries (p < 0.001). After adjustment, road traffic accidents and falls presented the highest odds of at least severe injury. Arabs had three times significantly higher odds of at least moderate injury compared to Jews. Prioritizing the creation of safe job opportunities for Arab teenagers is imperative. Strict enforcement measures, particularly within the construction industry, especially among Arab youth and during night shifts, are essential. These initiatives should focus on establishing secure and sustainable employment opportunities for children and young individuals, effectively reducing the risks associated with hazardous labor practices. In addition, the implementation of educational programs in the school curriculum covering essential aspects of youth employment is vital.

The Role of Some TV Channels, CNA for Example, in Establishing Certain Ideologies in the Arab Children’s Minds: Critical Discourse Analysis

This paper discusses a number of ideologies that some channels of children's programs may tend to implant in their minds. These channels rely on a number of cartoon series on multiple linguistic methods and structures to display these ideologies, explicitly or implicitly. This paper tends to expose the discourse that the series directs to children through analyzing some episodes according to discursive strategies, linguistic strategies, and social practice of the critical discourse analysis approach. A number of texts, which contain structures and vocabularies that refer in one way or another to these ideologies, have been selected for analysis and mention the power that display. To achieve the aforementioned aims, the paper hypothesizes that in terms of the linguistic (textual) strategies and the discursive strategies used in the TV series under investigation exposed several ideologies, some of them are more commonly revealed than others. The TV series is analyzed discursively and textually within the Fairclough's approach (2001).