Childhood To Adulthood Research Articles

Childhood BMI and Adult Obesity in a Chinese Sample: A 13-Year Follow-up Study

ObjectiveObesity is recognized as a significant risk factor for diabetes and hypertension. The present study aimed to examine the associations between adults’ obesity risk and childhood and parental obesity. MethodsA total of 204 children aged 6-17 years were recruited in 2002 with an average follow-up period of 13.2 years. Height and body weight were measured by trained staffs. Overweight and obesity were defined based on the Chinese standard for children and adults. T-test, analysis of variance, and Chi-square analysis were used for single factor analysis. Multiple linear and logistic regression analyses were used to perform multifactor analysis. ResultsThe percentage of non-obese children who grew up to be non-obese adults was 62.6%, and that of obese children who grew up to be obese adults was 80.0%. There was a significant association between childhood body mass index (BMI) and adulthood BMI with a β regression coefficient of 3.76 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.36-6.16], and between childhood obesity and adulthood obesity with an odds ratio of 5.76 (95% CI: 1.37-24.34). There was no statistical difference between parental obesity at baseline and children's adulthood obesity, after adjustment of confounders. Male participants and those aged 10.0-13.0 years had a higher risk of adulthood obesity with odds ratios of 2.50 (95% CI: 1.12-5.26) and 3.62 (95% CI: 1.17-11.24), respectively. ConclusionChildhood obesity is an important predictor of adulthood obesity.

Parenting in the face of serious illness: Childhood cancer survivors remember different rearing behavior than the general population

A child's cancer diagnosis and treatment affect the whole family. While it has been recognized that parents are an important resource for their children, little is known about the specifics of parenting in the face of serious illness. We used the Recalled Parental Rearing Behavior Questionnaire in a register-based cohort of adult childhood cancer survivors (CCS) (N=951) and a representative population sample of the same age range (N=2042). The questionnaire assesses behavior of mothers and fathers with three scales (emotional warmth, rejection/punishment, and control/overprotection) by querying the (former) child. We compared the two groups using general linear models. With a hierarchical linear regression analysis, we tested associations of recalled rearing behavior with disease- and treatment-related factors. Compared with the general population, CCS remembered both parents as emotionally warmer, more overprotective, and less punishing/rejecting and less ambitious. The regression analysis showed that having received radiotherapy (β=0.092; P=.009) and chemotherapy (β=0.077; P=.027) was positively related to memories of maternal emotional warmth. CCS remembered parenting styles which are generally deemed more positive. The extent of recalled control and overprotection deviated from the population in different directions, suggesting that parenting in childhood cancer entails more complex adaptations than being affectionate and giving comfort. The results suggest an adaptation of parental behavior to particularly challenging treatments. They highlight potential vulnerability and resilience factors, some of which were sex-dependent.

Transitional care practices, services, and delivery in childhood cancer survivor programs: A survey study of U.S. survivorship providers.

There are limited reports describing transition of young adult childhood cancer survivors (CCS) from pediatric to adult-focused survivorship care. The purpose of this study was to characterize current transitional care practices in the United States. An online survey was sent to one preselected respondent at 163 Children's Oncology Group member institutions in the United States. Data were collected about (i) the availability and type of long-term follow-up services for adult CCS and (ii) policies and procedures for transitioning. Logistic regression was used to evaluate factors related to care for CCS. The response rate was 60% (97/163). Eighty-one respondents (84%) represented centers with specialized pediatric-focused CCS programs. Thirty-nine percent (38/97) of programs delivered specialized transitional care for adult CCS. Adult-centered care was delivered in both pediatric (39%, 15/38) and adult oncology clinics (39%, 15/38). The most common perceived transition barriers were lack of available partnering adult providers and adult providers' lack of knowledge regarding CCS. The larger the program in terms of new diagnoses, the more likely they were to offer formal transitional care (<50 vs >200: odds ratios [OR] 20.0; 95% CI 3.2, 100.0, P = 0.004). A variety of models are utilized for delivering care to adult CCS. Our results suggest that interventions to establish effective partnerships with adult providers on appropriate care of CCS may facilitate expanded availability of these services.

Intergenerational Continuity of Psychological Violence: Intimate Partner Relationships and Harsh Parenting.

This prospective, longitudinal investigation examined psychological violence across generations. We examined how parent psychological violence experienced during adolescence influenced the stability of one's own intimate partner psychological violence perpetration across time and how psychological violence is related to harsh parenting in adulthood. Data came from 193 parents and their adolescent who participated from adolescence through adulthood. Parental psychological violence was assessed in early adolescence. Partner violence was assessed in late adolescence, emerging adulthood, and adulthood. Harsh parenting to their offspring was assessed in adulthood. Parent psychological violence in early adolescence was associated with one's own intimate partner psychological violence in late adolescence. Partner psychological violence was stable from emerging adulthood to adulthood. Moreover, parental violence was also related to their own harsh parenting in adulthood. Findings suggest that children exposed to parental psychological violence during adolescence may have greater difficulty developing acceptable behaviors in their own romantic relationships over time, as well as parenting their own child in adulthood. Findings highlight the importance for clinicians and policy makers to develop and utilize effective educational and preventive interventions designed toward not only adolescent behaviors, but also that of the parent. Understanding how the family environment impacts current and long-term functioning is important in helping stop the cycle of violence across generations.

MON-393 Neuroblastoma Masquerading as Pheochromocytoma

Peripheral neuroblastic tumors (PNTs) are a group of tumors arising from sympathetic ganglion cells. It is a malignancy of childhood and rare in adults. The incidence in adulthood is only 0.12-0.2 cases per million per year. A 37 year old male presented with acute exacerbation of low back pain which started months prior to admission. MRI of the lumbar spine revealed a 3.6 x 3.4 cm lobulated heterogeneous mass-like lesion involving his right adrenal gland therefore, endocrinology evaluation was requested but not completed. He was a non-smoker without any significant past medical or surgical history and was not on any medications. On examination, He was normotensive and appeared to be in moderate distress. He had tenderness over the right sacroiliac joint. His renal and liver functions were normal. Serum metanephrines were normal however, normetanephrines were elevated to 501 pg/mL (< or = 148 pg/mL). Urine normetanephrines were 3,192 ug/day (88-444 ug/d), Urine volume of 3 L, total metanephrines of 3,342 ug/d (140-785 ug/d). Chromogranin A was 1,379 ng/mL (0-95 ng/mL). DHEAS, 17- hydroxyprogesterone, androstendione, and ACTH were normal. CT of his abdomen and pelvis with contrast showed a lobular heterogeneous mass involving the right adrenal gland with an increased size of 4.9 x 4.3 cm measuring 55 Hounsfield Units (HU). Right iliac core needle biopsy was done to evaluate his diffuse osseous metastasis which showed crush artifact, with positive chromogranin and synaptophysin staining. Right posterior pelvic crest lesion excision biopsy showed primitive small round cell neoplasm with neuroendocrine features, favoring an adult type neuroblastoma confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. He received chemotherapy and radiation and prior to debulking surgery, we initiated doxazosin. Surgery revealed a 6 cm neuroblastoma with extraadrenal extension. Iodine 123-metaiodobenzylguanidine (I-123 MIBG) showed extensive diffuse osseous metastatic disease. His catecholamines declined after surgery. Bone marrow (BM) involvement was noted and he underwent bone marrow transplantation with clinical improvement six months post-transplant. Although pediatric neurblastoma has a 91% survival rate, rates progressively decline to 40% in adults aged 25-64 years. Metastatic dissemination occurs in up to 40% of adults, mainly in the bone and BM as seen in our case therefore, adults should have a BM assessment upon diagnosis. Main issue is differentiation between PNTs and pheochromocytoma, that might be challenging due to variable imaging characteristics of PNTs and secretion of catecholamines in up to 70% of PNTs. On the other hand, catecholamines can be used as tumor markers for monitoring. Majority of adult PNTs are high-risk tumors with poor prognosis. No guidelines for adult management exists due to the rarity of the disease.

Gonadal Functioning and Perceptions of Infertility Risk Among Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer: A Report From the St Jude Lifetime Cohort Study.

To describe perceptions of infertility risk among adult survivors of childhood cancer, to test the concordance of survivors' risk perceptions and their adult fertility status, and to identify explanatory factors (sociodemographic factors, gonadotoxic treatments, reproductive history, sexual dysfunction) associated with these outcomes. Adult childhood cancer survivors (N = 1,067; without children or a history of pregnancies) completed questionnaires that asked about infertility risk perceptions and participated in physical evaluations, including biomarkers of gonadal functioning (eg, semen analysis, blood hormone levels, menses). Multivariable regression models tested associations between explanatory factors and risk perceptions as well as concordance of perceptions and fertility status. Most childhood cancer survivors (61.9%) perceived themselves at increased risk for infertility, which was significantly associated with sociodemographic factors (older age, white ethnicity, being married/partnered, higher education), gonadotoxic treatments, fertility concerns, previous unsuccessful attempts to conceive, and sexual dysfunction (all P < .05). Laboratory-evaluated impaired gonadal function was found in 24.3% of female and 55.6% of male survivors, but concordance with survivors' risk perceptions was low (Cohen's κ < .19). Most survivors with discordant perceptions overestimated risk (ie, perceived being at risk, though fertility status seemed normal; 19.7% of male and 43.6% of female survivors), whereas a minority underestimated risk (ie, perceived no risk but were impaired/infertile; 16.3% of male and 5.3% of female survivors). Factors related to discordance included sociodemographics, gonadotoxic treatments, fertility concerns, and sexual dysfunction (all P < .05). Although childfree survivors may correctly consider themselves at risk for infertility on the basis of their previous treatments, such risk perceptions were discordant from laboratory-evaluated fertility status among many survivors in adulthood. Thus, repeated fertility-related communication throughout survivorship is essential, because treatment-indicated risk does not equal fertility status after treatment. Offering fertility testing to those who were at risk and/or those with fertility-related concerns is recommended.

Prevalence of chronic hepatitis C virus infection among childhood cancer survivors in Stockholm, Sweden

Background: Childhood cancer survivors treated before 1992, when blood donor screening for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection was introduced, are at risk of transfusion-transmitted HCV infection. A national HCV screening campaign targeting blood transfusion recipients was launched in Sweden in 2007–2010. The aims of this study were to, among adult childhood cancer survivors in Stockholm County, investigate the prevalence of HCV infection, the natural course of infection, treatment outcome and anti-HCV testing frequency before, during and after the screening campaign and finally to actively screen the untested ones.Material and Methods: This was a combined retrospective register based and prospective screening study of adult childhood cancer survivors (n = 686) treated for malignancy in Stockholm before 1992. In the first part, we investigated the prevalence of HCV infection and previous anti-HCV testing, and in the second part, we actively traced and HCV-screened the remaining untested cohort living in Stockholm. Analysis of previous documented anti-HCV tests in medical records, laboratory records, and the national communicable disease registry was performed. In the second part, 231 presumably untested individuals were contacted by mail and offered an anti-HCV test. The natural course of HCV infection and treatment outcome was analyzed for those found to be chronically infected.Results: In total, 235 patients were tested and 11 were HCV-RNA positive. The overall prevalence of chronic HCV infection among the tested childhood cancer survivors was thus 4.7% (95% CI = 2.6–8.2%), which is almost 10 times higher than the national prevalence of 0.5%. Only 12% of the Stockholm cohort were tested during the screening campaign in 2007–2010, while the test uptake using active tracing screening within this study was 40% (p < .001).Conclusion: With today’s effective treatment options, active tracing and HCV screening of childhood cancer survivors are recommended.

A Qualitative Study of Iranian Parents' Experiences of Interacting With Their Adolescent Children.

Introduction: Transition from childhood to adulthood is an important and challenging period for both adolescents and their parents, particularly in societies undergoing development and change. In Iran, cultural and social change is inextricably linked to, and strongly impacts on, family units. Aim: To explore the experiences of parents and the strategies they use in interacting with their adolescent children. Method: Qualitative descriptive research using in-depth interviews was conducted with 23 parents of adolescents in Iran. Transcribed data were subjected to thematic analysis. Results: Parents used two key approaches to effectively interact with their adolescent children. The first, "transformed parenting" involved the parents changing their parenting style and practices. The second approach, "child orientation" involved the parents trying to control, educate, and guide their child. Implication for transcultural practice: Understanding how parents experience interactions with adolescents in the context of Iranian culture and increasing modernity will guide nurses to foster effective parenting strategies for optimal adolescent development.

Long-term issues and supportive care needs of adolescent and young adult childhood brain tumour survivors and their caregivers: A systematic review.

Long-term issues following diagnosis and treatment of a childhood brain tumour often become apparent as the survivor enters adolescence and young adulthood. Their caregivers may additionally face long-term impacts on their emotional and psychological functioning. This review synthesised evidence on the issues and supportive care needs of adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors of a brain tumour diagnosed in childhood and their caregivers. Electronic databases were searched up until September 2017. All studies reporting on issues or needs of childhood brain tumour survivors (aged 14-39) and their caregivers were included. Narrative synthesis methods were used to summarise, integrate, and interpret findings. Fifty-six articles (49 studies) met the inclusion criteria. Social issues (ie, isolation and impaired daily functioning) were most commonly reported by survivors, followed by cognitive (ie, impaired memory and attention) and physical issues (ie, endocrine dysfunctions and fatigue). Survivors experienced poorer social functioning and sexual functioning and were less likely to be employed or have children, when compared with other AYA cancer survivors. Caregivers experienced reduced support as the survivor moved into young adulthood. Caregivers reported uncertainty, increased responsibilities, and problems maintaining their own self-well-being and family relationships. Few studies reported on supportive care needs. Survivors expressed a need for better educational support and age-specific psychosocial services. Surviving a childhood brain tumour can be particularly challenging for AYA survivors and their caregivers. Robust structured research is needed to identify specific support needs of both survivors and their caregivers and how these can be optimally addressed.

Parent Perspective Based on Salary Level of Intrapersonal Intelligence Child Through Sleeping Companions

Education with affection will shape the intrapersonal intelligence of the child the better also. Personality of children in adulthood in general is the formation ofpersonality and education obtained by children through the people around him, especially the family.Activities of storytelling is done before bed can also be said hypnoparenting which is education done at the time of the child before bed. At that time, the child will easily receive an education packed with stories containing advice. Education by way of telling stories to advise on children has been done by parents of ancient times.This study was conducted by giving a questionnaire and conducting simple interviews to randomly selected parents regardless of the background of their lives except the amount of salary they earn each month.This research uses quantitative descriptive method by interviewing selected fifty randomly selected parents. That parents who earn salary at point A or with income Rp 500,000 - Rp 2,000,000 more often accompany child sleep and assume it is important for children with the reason his son still want to be accompanied sleep and feel like accompany the child to sleep because it has been working all day outside.

Self esteem and emotional maturity among adolescents

Adolescence is a period of rapid growth, development and maturation from childhood to adulthood. During this transition period, dramatic changes happen in them physically, psychologically which can leads to alteration in emotional maturity and self esteem. This descriptive study was conducted to assess the emotional maturity and self esteem among 510 adolescent boys and girls aged between thirteen to nineteen years from Government Boys and Girls Higher Secondary School at Trivandrum, Kerala. Subjects were recruited by convenient sampling method and data were collected using pretested validated and reliable standardized scales on emotional maturity and self esteem. The results showed that nearly half of the subjects (43%) had moderately stable and 38% had unstable emotional maturity. There was a significant difference in emotional maturity domains between boys and girls in emotional instability (19.7±2 vs15.3±2.6; p=0.000), social conflict (20.3±2.3 vs 21.5±5.5; p=0.004) and personality breakdown (19.3±2.1 vs 21.3±6.8; p=0.000). Nearly centum of the total subjects (99%) had good self esteem and only 1% had poor self esteem. There was a significant difference in self esteem between male and female adolescents (25.67±5.65vs 23.92±4.81; p=0.000). The study concluded that a very few adolescents had moderately stable emotional maturity and most of them had good self esteem.

International adoption: thematic discourse in the German media

The problem of international adoption is analyzed. Special interest in international adoption is explained by less strict requirements to potential adoptive parents, which reflects the asymmetrical nature of interaction between donor and recipient countries on this issue, and the need to separate the child from biological parents in order for adoptive parents to insure themselves against possible claims from them. The existing system of international adoption is considered as a modern form of exploiting developing countries, which have excessive reproductive resources. The peculiarities of the international adoption discourse are considered on the example of German mass media as one of the acceptor countries that form a solvent demand for this service. On the basis of the qualitative content analysis of 205 publications in four leading German magazines and newspapers (Der Spiegel, Der Stern, Suddeutsche Zeitung, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung), published in the period from 2002 to 2018, the peculiarities of topical presentation of international adoption and the formation of attitudes towards it among the majority of German citizens are traced. Currently, the areas of discourse on international adoption are as follows: expansion of the adoption rights of same-sex families; promotion of adoption through the media; legislative changes to eliminate the black market of international adoption; surrogacy and the spread of IVF as a factor of reducing international adoption; success of adopted children in adulthood; criticism of racism and sexism in adoption; and adoption of children with disabilities. Based on the above, it is logical to forecast a further increase in demand for international adoption in the host countries despite the backdrop of tighter legislation in donor countries.

Adulthood in Children's Literature by Vanessa Joosen

Adulthood in Children's Literature by Vanessa Joosen

Professional Connections

Professional Connections Kate Quealy-Gainer, Assistant Editor ________ Joosen, Vanessa Adulthood in Children’s Literature. Bloomsbury, 2018 243p (Perspectives on Children’s Literature) ISBN 978-1-350-04978-9 $114.00 Joosen, associate professor in English Literature at the University of Antwerp, Belgium, examines the narrative construction of adulthood in children’s literature, looking at how adulthood and age are addressed within children’s books and how those concepts are illustrated by the adult figures. Bibliography and index are included. ________ Trites, Roberta Seelinger Twenty-First-Century Feminisms in Children’s and Adolescent Literature. University Press of Mississippi, 2018 215p ISBN 978-1-4968-1380-0 $65.00 Trites, professor of English at Illinois State University, offers this companion volume to her 1997 Waking Sleeping Beauty: Feminist Voices in Children’s Novels. Here she explores similar themes of gender, identity, age, and sexuality, through the lenses of material feminism, intersectionality, ecofeminism, and disability studies. Works cited and an index are included. [End Page 277] Copyright © 2019 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois

Vanessa Joosen, Adulthood in Children's Literature

Vanessa Joosen, Adulthood in Children's Literature

Long-term follow-up clinic for adult childhood cancer survivors in Liestal and Bern

Long-term follow-up clinic for adult childhood cancer survivors in Liestal and Bern

Serum Alanine Aminotransferase Elevations in Survivors of Childhood Cancer: A Report From the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort Study.

The purpose of this study was to define the prevalence of and risk factors for elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level among adult childhood cancer survivors (CCS). The study cohort comprised 2,751 CCS from the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort Study (>10 years postdiagnosis, age ≥18 years). Serum ALT level was graded using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v. 4.03. Modified Poisson regression models were used to estimate relative risks and 95% confidence intervals for the association between demographic and clinical factors and grades 1-4 ALT on the selected models. A total of 1,339 (48.7%) CCS were female; 2,271 (82.6%) were non-Hispanic white. Median age at evaluation was 31.4 years (interquartile range [IQR] = 25.8-37.8); median elapsed time from diagnosis to evaluation was 23.2 years (IQR = 17.6-29.7). A total of 1,137 (41.3%) CSS had ALT > upper limit of normal (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v. 4.03 grade 1-1,058 (38.5%); grade 2-56 (2.0%); grade 3-23 (0.8%); grade 4-none). Multivariable models demonstrated non-Hispanic white race/ethnicity, age at evaluation in years, being overweight or obese, presence of the metabolic syndrome, current treatment with atorvastatin or rosuvastatin or simvastatin, hepatitis C virus infection, prior treatment with busulfan or thioguanine, history of hepatic surgery, and the percentage of liver treated with ≥10 Gray, ≥15 Gray, or ≥20 Gray were associated with elevated ALT. Conclusion: Grade 3 or 4 hepatic injury is infrequent in CCS. Mild hepatic injury in this group may be amenable to lifestyle modifications.

The effects of prenatal exposure to Ramadan on stature during childhood and adolescence: Evidence from the Indonesian Family Life Survey

Many pregnant Muslim women fast during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. A number of studies have reported negative life outcomes in adulthood for children who were prenatally exposed to Ramadan. However, other studies document minimal to no impact on neonatal indicators. Using data from the Indonesian Family Life Survey consisting of 45,246 observations of 21,723 children born to 9771 mothers, we contribute to the current discussion on prenatal exposure to Ramadan by examining the effects on stature (height-for-age Z-scores, weight-for-age Z-scores, and body-mass-index-for-age Z-scores: HAZ, WAZ, and BAZ, respectively) from early childhood to late adolescence (0–19 years of age). We introduce an objective mother’s religiosity indicator to improve the intention-to-treat estimations. Children were classified into three groups based on their mother’s religion-religiosity: religious Muslims, less-religious Muslims, and non-Muslims. Using cluster-robust mother fixed-effects, we found negative effects on stature for children born to religious Muslim mothers. The effects were age-dependent and timing-sensitive. For example, children born to religious Muslim mothers were shorter in late adolescence (15–19 years of age) compared to their unexposed siblings if they were prenatally exposed in the first trimester of pregnancy (HAZ difference = −0.105 SD; p-val. <0.05). Interestingly, we found positive effects on stature for exposed less-religious Muslim children that peak in early adolescence (10–14 years of age) and negative effects on stature for exposed non-Muslim children that occur only in early childhood (0–4 years of age). We nuance our discussion of health and socioeconomic factors to explain these surprising results.

The biopsychosocial condition of childhood cancer survivors in the transition towards adult care: a national survey from the joint pediatric and adult transition care group.

To provide successful transfer from childhood to adult-oriented healthcare is one of the priorities of survivorship care plans. This study describes adolescent and young adult childhood cancer survivors' conditions at the moment of the transition to adult care deepening their biological, psychological, social and assistant state and their associations with socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. A biopsychosocial check-list in four health domains (biological, psychological, social and assistant) was filled in by healthcare professionals (oncologists, psychologists, social workers and nurses) through qualitative interviews and clinical observations of 79 survivors (58% boys; Mage = 20 years old) at the moment of the transition from the Pediatric Oncology Unit to the Transition Unit of the Childhood Cancer Survivors. At the moment of transition, 38% of survivors showed a positive condition in all the four health domains without any kind of impairment. Biological (37%) and psychological areas (44%) were found to be those with major incidence of impairments. Association phenomena were found between psychological and social condition (p < 0.05) and between social and assistant condition (p < 0.05). Biological condition was also significantly associated with the type of cancer (χ = 6,2414, p < 0.05). Although many survivors entered in adult care system without any impairment, the biopsychosocial approach highlighted that there is a presence of impairments in at least one of the main health domains.

Theoretical and Therapeutic Applications of Mental Pain in Childhood cancer Survivors of the Findings of the paper

The paper deals with a review of “Mental Pain in Israeli Adult Childhood Cancer Survivors and Its Effects on their Quality of Life” by H. Raz, N. Tabak, Y. Alkalay, &amp; S. Kreitler (1). The review focuses on theoretical and therapeutic implications of the findings. The major theoretical elaboration of the findings focuses on the construct of mental pain. This seems advisable both because there are several apparently similar concepts which presumably render mental pain superfluous and because mental pain was found to characterize pediatric cancer survivors who otherwise were found to be well adjusted as adults. The new redefinition of mental pain focuses on the components of low self-image and low meaningfulness of life. The constructs of mental pain in the past and of tolerance of mental pain were found to be less useful in this context. The new redefinition points to two new venues of interventions for reducing mental pain: enhancing self-image and increasing meaningfulness of life. The two kinds of interventions, which are based on elaborating meanings, are briefly described.