Children In European Countries Research Articles

Parental uncertainty in plans and education of ukrainian refugee children in European countries: a pilot study introduction

The aim of this article is to better understand parents' decisions regarding their children's education in the face of uncertainty in plans. The focus of this paper is twofold. First, the author shows how, even with sufficiently favorable mechanisms for integration into the host society, immediate protection status, and substantial material support, uncertainty affect the experience of refugee parents with temporary protection status. The author also wants to show how, at a time of the greatest uncertainty in the plans of refugee parents, distance education makes its own special and distinct contribution to the educational strategy. The survey was completely anonymous, with 160 respondents, 65 of whom currently reside in Germany, 61 in Poland as well as 34 in the UK. The pilot study involved parents from three countries – Poland, Germany and the United Kingdom. These are the countries that have received the most significant number of Ukrainian refugees. It was concluded that the desire to complete all possible strategies in the education of their children is highest among those who are in a state of greatest uncertainty. Such parents tend to continue educating their children remotely in Ukraine and in local schools in parallel. This strategy creates an unnecessary burden on children and possibly worsens their adaptation in local schools, but in the parents' opinion, it insures children from possible gaps in their education. It is necessary to develop more flexible criteria for different groups of refugee children, depending on their age and their parents' plans to return home

Atopic Dermatitis in Children Under 5: Prevalence Trends in Central, Eastern, and Western Europe.

Atopic dermatitis is a major public health issue worldwide, but data on trends in prevalence in children in European countries are sparse. The aim of this study was to assess the trends in the prevalence of atopic dermatitis in children under 5 in the Central, Eastern, and Western European sub-regions from 1990 to 2019. In this study, a descriptive, observational epidemiological method was applied. In addition, an ecological study design was used. Joinpoint regression analysis was used to assess trends. A total of 118 million (54 million males and 64 million females) prevalent cases of atopic dermatitis in children under 5 were reported in European countries in 1990-2019. More than half of all cases of atopic dermatitis in children under 5 in Europe were recorded in the Western European sub-region. The highest prevalence rates of atopic dermatitis in children under 5 were observed in the Eastern European sub-region, with the highest rates in both males and females recorded in Estonia (equally at about 15,000 per 100,000), followed by the Russian Federation (equally at about 12,000 per 100,000). Moreover, the lowest prevalence rates were reported in the Eastern European sub-region (equally at about 5000 per 100,000 in Romania and Latvia). A sex disparity in the prevalence and trends of atopic dermatitis in children under 5 was observed. A significantly increased trend in atopic dermatitis prevalence in children under 5 was recorded in the Eastern European sub-region from 1990 to 2019 (by +0.3% per year in males and by +0.1% per year in females). Conversely, in the Western and Central European sub-regions, trends in the prevalence of atopic dermatitis in children under 5 slightly decreased (about -0.1% per year). The Pearson coefficient showed a significant negative correlation between the prevalence of atopic dermatitis in children under 5 and the Human Development Index in most countries in the Eastern European sub-region, while a significant positive correlation was reported between the prevalence and HDI in high-income countries in the Western European sub-region. High prevalence rates and mostly stable trends during the last three decades make atopic dermatitis still a major health issue in children under 5 in European countries.

Support system for gifted children in European countries

Research background: The global nature of modern education and international cooperation in the study of giftedness creates a need to build close ties with organizations that support the gifted and share best practices in this area.The purpose of the study: to summarize data on the system of organizations that support gifted children in European countries.Research methods: the main research method was the search and analysis of the activities of organizations of various types that support gifted children in European countries, as well as the identification of the theoretical and methodological foundations of their activities.The results of the study presented in the article: The article describes the system of public organizations that provide assistance, training, support to gifted children in European countries. An overview of the theoretical and methodological foundations of the study and teaching of gifted children in European countries is given : the differential model of F. Gagne, the concept of multiple intelligences of H. Gardner, the enrichment model of D. Renzulli SEM, the educational models "Turniquet" and "Aktiotop". The activities of both pan-European and international and regional organizations are described. Most organizations are nongovernmental associations of educators, researchers and parents of gifted children. In particular, the specifics of such organizations as the European Council for High Ability (ECHA), the European Talent Support Network (ESTN), the non-profit organization for people with a high intelligence quotient Mensa, Internationalen Centrums für Begabungsforschung (ICBF), the International Panel of Experts for Gifted Education (IPEGE), Associação Nacional para o Estudo e Intervenção na Sobredotação in Portugal (ANEIS), Magyar Tehetségsegítő Szervezetek Szövetsége (MATEHETSZ), Elternverein hochbegabter Kinder in Switzerland (EHK) and Associazione Genitory Education to Talent in Italy (AGET).Conclusions: It is noted that the ideas of personalization of education are widespread, which is realized through mentoring, coaching and the opportunity for a gifted child to independently build his own learning process. The article fixes the network principle of support for the gifted, which is becoming a pan-European trend, including assistance not only to children, but also to parents and teachers who work with them. The largest universities in Europe, powerful public and charitable organizations are involved in work with gifted children. The purpose of this article is to summarize data on the system of organizations that support gifted children in European countries.

STATE POLICY OF SOCIAL PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AS A SOCIAL SAFETY FACTOR: HISTORICAL EXPERIENCE OF EUROPEAN COUNTRIES FROM THE 17th to 21th CENTURIES.

The historical aspect of the development of state social policy of social protection of children in Europe from the 17th to 21th centuries is considered in the article. The purpose of the article is to highlight the peculiarities of the historical development of the state policy of social protection of children in European countries of the 17th to 21th centuries and learning from the experience of social protection of children in the context of Ukraine's European integration. The regulatory framework of the system of social protection of children in Ukraine has been studied. The statistic on different categories of children in need of social protection by the state is analyzed. The structure of the system of social protection of children in Ukraine is considered. The research methodology is based on the principle of priority of universal human values. As part of the tools of the proposed work the theoretical one is the analysis and generalization of scientific sources, educational and methodological publications on the theme and synthesis, as well as comparison and generalization of data. Based on the analysis of materials on the peculiarities of social protection in the UK, Germany, France, Sweden and Norway, it was determined that the social protection of children in Europe is characterized by assistance to them in providing conditions for the realization of their rights and freedoms. Equally important is the setting up of various charitable institutions, schools, penal colonies that help children change, as well as the emergence of social services that protect the rights and interests of children. The authors suggest that in the course of the studying the history of the issue of state policy of children’s social protection, there is an opportunity for analogies, the implementation of already proven steps on the path of democratization of national social protection policy. The researchers see the prospects for further research in the study of global innovative forms of social protection and support for at-risk children.

Kawasaki Disease Shock Syndrome in Japan and Comparison With Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children in European countries.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a severe Kawasaki-like illness that was first linked to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in European countries in the spring of 2020 and has been suggested to have overlap with Kawasaki disease shock syndrome (KDSS). There are few reports of MIS-C from Asia. This observational study aimed to identify the clinical features in children presenting with KDSS in Japan over a 5-year period and to summarize similarities and differences between KDSS and MIS-C. We retrospectively collected data on patient characteristics, clinical signs and symptoms, treatment, and prognosis including coronary artery abnormalities (CAAs), which were compared with data of patients with KDSS worldwide and patients with MIS-C from a review. KDSS was identified in 6 (1.1%) of 552 patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) treated at a single institution in Japan between 2015 and 2020 (1 in 2020). In patients with KDSS in Japan or worldwide vs. patients with MIS-C, KDSS was more likely to have a diagnosis of complete KD (100, 70 vs. 6.3%), a higher incidence of CAAs (50, 65 vs. 11%), and a greater requirement for vasoactive agonists (67, 67 vs. 43%) because of circulatory shock (100, 50 vs. 26%). Both KDSS and MIS-C had good prognosis (mortality 0, 6.7 vs. 1.7%). Although KDSS in Japan and MIS-C show some overlap in clinical symptoms, they are unlikely to be the same disease entity. KDSS is more likely to have a cardiovascular phenotype with CAAs and requires treatment with cardiovascular agents.

Prevalence and correlates of food insecurity among children in high-income European countries. A systematic review.

In Europe, there is not routinely collected data on children's food insecurity. Indirect data show that food insecurity is on the rise in Europe, which may have a great impact on children's health. Considering that, we systematically reviewed any evidence coming from European countries in the last 10 years that reported the prevalence and correlates of food insecurity among children, intending to serve as a starting point for policymakers and guidelines. We report worrying prevalence rates of food insecurity among children from 9 studies. There is a lack of evidence regarding this issue in many EU countries, especially Eastern Europe. Hence, the need for increased attention towards food insecurity among children in European countries. Achieving food security means designing targeted policies and interventions, both at a national and EU level. Policymakers and governments should make the appropriate efforts to deliver food security as a public good.

Retrospective point-prevalence study of Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) detection in the symptomatic paediatric population presenting to the Children’s Hospital Emergency Department, RBHSC, Northern Ireland

Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) detection has recently been associated with severe neurological symptoms in adults and children in European countries. The spectrum of disease by EV-D68 ranges from asymptomatic to acute respiratory symptoms, hospitalisation, and sporadically to neurological symptoms, including acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) and acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), and death. This has led to increased vigilance for detection of enterovirus D68, especially in cases that present with the more severe clinical syndromes. In normal cases, enterovirus is transmitted by faecal-oral routes and/or respiratory routes, however in the case of EV-D68 it is almost exclusively passed through respiratory transmission. An infection of EV-D68 is generally distinguished by its rapid onset of disease. The incubation period of the disease between 3 to 5 days, which is unlike the other enteroviruses which usually have an incubation period of around 10 days. This study describes a retrospective analysis of 150 non-invasive respiratory specimens (nose/throat or throat swabs) collected from paediatric outpatients presenting to Childrens Hospital Emergency Department with respiratory and/or CNS symptoms including fever and seizure. Specimens have been collected from November 2017- November 2018. All specimens tested by four RT-PCR assays for Pan-Enterovirus, EV-D68 specific, human Rhinovirus and RNaseP (quality control). Results on prevalence of EV-D68, as single or co-infection, are presented. Results indicate low prevalence of EV-D68 in the Northern Ireland symptomatic paediatric population. As EV-D68 is an emerging infection it is critical to remain vigilant particularly in the case of neurological presentation.

Variation in methods used to determine national mean DMFT scores for 12-year-old children in European countries.

The aim of this study was to investigate the methods used to identify national mean DMFT scores for 12-year-old children in all the Member States of the European Union and European Economic Area, and in 11 other European countries. The most recent national mean DMFT scores were accessed from the World Health Organisation Oral Health CAPP and the Council of European Chief Dental Officers databanks. A literature search was then performed to access the reports of the studies that had produced these DMFT scores, cited on these databanks. The reports were then analysed to determine: the year in which the survey/study that produced the score took place, the year the results were published, the geographical area (national, regional or local) covered, the number of children examined, how many examiners took part, how they were trained and calibrated, and the criteria used for the detection of caries. Data and information from 43 European countries were accessed. The years when the studies were performed ranged from 1990 to 2014. There were doubts over the representativeness of some samples. A wide range of different methods were used. Examiner training and calibration were very variable both in terms of duration and reported inter and intra-examiner consistency. There were important variations in the criteria employed for the detection of caries. These findings support the view that most of current national caries data for DMFT levels in 12-year-old children are not comparable across Europe.

Selective Association between Cephalosporin, Quinolone, Macrolide, and Penicillin Antibiotic Consumption and Childhood Obesity in Europe

The accelerated weight gain in productive animals as a result of feeding antibiotic enriched fodder has been well known for decades. The better energy harvest is the result of modified gut microbiota as a consequence of applied antibiotics. Similar mechanisms might result obesity in humans as well. Objectives: Finding associations between global antibiotic consumption of different classes in EU countries and obesity data in adults and children prove that antibiotics might play a significant role in the development of obesity “epidemics” and related illnesses. Methods: Antibiotic consumption data were compared with obesity figures in adults and children in European countries and statistically analyzed for significance. Results: Significant correlation was found between the average yearly consumption of cephalosporins (p = 0.007), quinolones (p = 0.031), macrolides (p = 0.000083) and childhood obesity data, but no significant association was observed with the average penicillin consumption. No association was observed between adult obesity and any of the antibiotic classes studied. Conclusions: Our results support the hypothesis that different types of antibiotics might influence the development of obesity among children, and this finding can serve as a unified explanation for the development of obesity “epidemics”, similarly to the obesity and gut flora alteration-related diseases (type 2 diabetes mellitus, autism, etc.).

Segmented Assimilation, Transnationalism, and Educational Attainment of Brazilian Migrant Children in Japan

The process of international migration has recently become increasingly complex and diverse in many countries. In attempts to understand the complicated conditions for international migration, two important branches of theory have emerged: the segmented assimilation theory and theories of transnationalism. The segmented assimilation theory has emphasized that the trajectories of assimilation depend on the characteristics of the immigrants and the social environments for receiving these immigrants (Portes et al., 2005). The impact of transnationalism on educational attainment among immigrant children must also be considered, because recent technological developments in communication and transportation have enabled migrants to move regularly across borders and maintain their ties with people in the sending community (Tsuda, 2003). However, transnational activities among immigrants have not been conducted outside the local settings of immigrant communities (Itzigsohn and Saucedo, 2002). To understand the conditions for immigrants and their offspring, two important immigration theories must therefore be considered. These theoretical arguments, although useful in understanding immigrants in different settings, have been premised mainly on the experience of immigrants in the US. For instance, the model of downward assimilation in the segmented assimilation theory rests on the unique history of race relations in the US (Boyd, 2002). Widespread poverty and a high incidence of crime have been observed in American inner-city ghettos. While some immigrants in Europe reside in more deprived areas, these places have not been as seriously deprived, in terms of their social problems, as their US counterparts (Thomson and Crul, 2007). Furthermore, the segmented assimilation theory appears to neglect the national context within which immigrant children are accepted (Portes and Rumbaut, 2001). In contrast, research on immigrant children in European countries has revealed that national variations in educational systems can explain differing patterns of integration among immigrant children (Thomson and Crul, 2007). However, little is known about the integration of immigrant children in Asian countries, several of which have recently accepted large numbers of immigrants from other countries (Tsuda, 2006). The research on the educational attainment of immigrant offspring in Japan may contribute to the further development of immigration studies because the national context for the reception of immigrants differs widely between Asian and European countries (Skrentny et al., 2007).

Specific language impairment in Turkish: Evidence from case morphology in Turkish–German successive bilinguals

Language disorders, and Specific Language Impairment (SLI), have been extensively studied in a number of different, though thus far almost exclusively Indoeuropean, languages. For other languages such as Turkish, Vietnamese, or Arabic, however, findings on the outcome of SLI are rare. In this context, the growing number of migrant children in European countries with a variety of first languages can be seen as a challenge to linguistics and to language assessment: The lack of empirical findings on SLI in these languages brings up the question of how the impairment is manifested in bilingual children with a migrant background. In order for a language disorder to correctly be labelled SLI, it needs to be identified in both languages. This paper presents findings from a study examining the grammatical features of Turkish first language acquisition in Germany, while focusing on Turkish case morphology. For this purpose, it compares the data of three typically-developing children and two children with deviant language development. Moreover, it presents a first interpretation of the outcome of grammatical SLI in bilingual Turkish children and discusses suggestions for diagnostic assessment procedures.

Effects of perioperative intravenous low dose of ketamine on postoperative analgesia in children

Low dose of ketamine reduces postoperative pain and opioid consumption in adult studies. However, there are only a few data with controversial results in the paediatric population. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the use of low doses of intravenous ketamine on postoperative pain in children after surgery on the lower part of the body. Thirty-seven children with ASA 1 or 2 from 6 to 60 months of age, undergoing scheduled surgery, were prospectively enrolled in a double blind sequential trial using a triangular test, with analysis every 10 patients treated. The children were randomly assigned to intravenously receive saline or 0.15 mg kg(-1) ketamine before surgery, followed by a continuous infusion of 1.4 microg kg(-1) min(-1) over 24 h. After sevoflurane induction and tracheal intubation, a caudal anaesthesia was performed in all children (1 ml kg(-1) of bupivacaine 0.25% with epinephrine). The postoperative analgesic technique was standardized with intravenous paracetamol 15 mg kg(-1) 6 h(-1), rectal morniflumate (20 mg kg(-1) 12 h(-1)) and intravenous nalbuphine infusion 1.2 mg kg(-1) 24 h(-1) for 24 h. The Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Scale (CHEOPS) scores, additional bolus of nalbuphine (if CHEOPS >7) and side effects were recorded from eye opening every 2 h over 24 h. The primary endpoint was the CHEOPS area under the curve. There was no difference in terms of additional bolus of nalbuphine as well as CHEOPS score area under the curve between groups, that is, 76 +/- 10 in the ketamine group versus 74 +/- 7 in the control group. No psychomimetic side effects were noted. The study failed to show any evidence of benefit of ketamine to improve analgesia in children when given in addition to a multimodal analgesic therapy with paracetamol, a NSAID and an opiate.

耳鼻咽喉科救急疾患への対応

Otorhinolaryngologic emergent diseases are sometimes life-threatening involving airway problems such as acute epiglottitis, peritonsillar abscess, deep neck infections and foreign bodies in the trachea and bronchus.With regard to acute epiglottitis, this disease occurs mainly in adults in Japan, while it is common among children in European countries and North America.Recently, however, an increased incidence of this disease has been reported both in Japan and abroad. The mortality rate was about 1.3% in our series.Peritonsillar abscess is one of the most common emergent diseases in otorhinolaryngologic practice. The male: female ratio is about 3 to 1 and it is seen more often in males.The peak incidence is the third decade. Anaerobic bacteria were detected in 62% of the patients.As complications, deep neck infection, laryngeal edema and mediastinal abscess were found in 1.0%, 0.6%, and 0.3% of patients, respectively.Deep neck infection is also a life-threatening disease when it extends to the mediastinum.Basically, abscess in the neck should be excised and drained outward as soon as possible. However, early abscess or small abscess could be initially treated by intravenous administration of high-dose antibiotics. The indication for antibiotics for neck abscess has not yet been clearly demonstrated. Foreign bodies in the trachea and bronchus are decreasing in Japan in recent years. This may be due to increased education and awareness of public health in our society.Since fiberoptic bronchoscopy has become common in our medical practice, foreign bodies have been removed by chest physicians using fiberoptic bronchoscopes more often than by otorhinolaryngologists using rigid bronchoscopes. Therefore, the role of otorhinolaryngologists in removing foreign bodies is now showing an annual reduction. However, foreign bodies in the trachea and bronchus of children should still be removed by rigid ventilating bronchoscopes, becuase fiberoptic bronchoscopes are not available for children.Otorhinolaryngologists are still responsible for treating this condition.

Oral hygiene habits of 11-year-old schoolchildren in 22 European countries and Canada in 1993/1994.

This study is part of the Cross-National Survey on Health Behaviour in School-aged Children--a WHO Collaborative Study, which started in 1982. The aim of the study was to describe the oral hygiene habits (toothbrushing and flossing) of 11-year-old schoolchildren in 22 European countries (Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, FInland, France, Germany, Greenland, Hungary, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Northern Ireland, Norway, Poland, Russia, Scotland, the Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, and Wales) and Canada. The data were collected from standardized anonymous questionnaires in school classrooms during the 1993-1994 school year. At least 1300 school children, representing the whole country, participated in the study in each country. Oral hygiene habits were analyzed according to gender, age, country, school performance, and family economy. The children brushed most favorably in Sweden, Denmark, German, Austria, and Norway (83-73% brushed twice a day). More-than-once-a-day toothbrushing was especially uncommon (from 26 to 33%) among boys in Finland, Lithuania, Russia, Estonia, and Latvia. Toothbrushing frequency differed significantly according to school performance in Canada, the Czech Republic, Scotland, Poland, Northern Ireland, and Wales and between different socio-economic groups in Northern Ireland, Wales, the Czech Republic, Scotland, Poland, and Russia. Use of dental floss was rare. In general, flossing was less frequent among boys than among girls. Daily flossing was most common among Canadian adolescents (25%). In conclusion, there are considerable differences in toothbrushing frequency among children in European countries.