Children In Warsaw Research Articles

Prevention of infections: the Karol and Maria Hospital for Children, Warsaw, Poland

The COVID-19 pandemic caused changes in the operation of children’s hospitals around the world. The prevention of the spread of infections is one of the most pressing issues faced by everyone involved in medical care. The following article reminds what the Karol and Maria Hospital for Children in Warsaw opened in 1913 did to prevent nosocomial infections. At the time, this hospital was one of the most modern in Europe, and the solutions it offered were welcomed with admiration and amazement. Even if not widely used, many of them seem relevant today.

UMA FILOSOFIA DO AMOR PELAS CRIANÇAS DE RUA

ABSTRACT The issue is around Janusz Korzcak`s life history, and his dedication to street children in Warsaw, where he developed a pedagogical practice of renewing family affections – a philosophy of love – among street children, mainly those without family and homeless. For this research, we visited the old orphanages Dom Sierot and Nasz Dom, which was followed by a bibliographic review. The main topic deals with the philosophical practice started with Rousseau’s writings and widespread among educators in the late nineteenth century – when they began to make strong criticism against traditional teaching methods, as well as when new practices began to be developed by writers who sought valuing the child as the main focus in education.

The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic during 2020-2021 on the Vitamin D Serum Levels in the Paediatric Population in Warsaw, Poland.

Background: The main source of vitamin D is skin synthesis, which depends on sunlight exposure. During the pandemic, COVID-19 children were obliged to home confinement, which potentially limiting sunlight exposure. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether home confinement led to decreased vitamin D serum levels in children in Warsaw, Poland. Methods: The study included 1472 children who were divided into two groups, based on the date of 25(OH)D level blood sampling: before and during the pandemic. Children under 1 year of age (infants) were analysed separately. Results: A statistically significant decrease in the average level of vitamin D was observed between groups of children over 1 year of age (35 ng/mL ± 18 vs. 31 ng/mL ± 14). In infants from both groups, the mean vitamin D levels were within the normal range (Group 1 inf 54 ng/mL ± 21 vs. Group 2 inf 47 ng/mL ± 15). The characteristic seasonal variability was observed before the pandemic, with maximal vitamin D levels in summer (40 ng/mL ± 17) and minimal levels in winter (30 ng/mL ± 14). During the pandemic, no seasonal variability was observed (summer 30 ng/mL ± 11 vs. winter 30 ng/mL ± 19). Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic restrictions led to a significant decrease in vitamin D serum levels in children.

Prevalence of tinnitus in a sample of 43,064 children in Warsaw, Poland

Objective Tinnitus affects both adults and children. Children rarely complain spontaneously of tinnitus, and their parents are not aware of the condition. The prevalence of tinnitus in children differs considerably between studies, and large studies are needed to reliably estimate how many children experience tinnitus symptoms. The goal of the study was to estimate the prevalence of tinnitus in a large sample of schoolchildren. Design This study was population-based, epidemiological research, conducted in the general, paediatric population of school-age children in Warsaw, Poland. Pure-tone audiometric testing was done, and hearing thresholds were determined from 0.5 to 8 kHz. Both the children and parents answered questions about the presence of tinnitus in the child. Study sample Results from 43,064 children aged 11 to 13 years old, as well as their parents, were collected. Results The study showed that tinnitus affected 3.1% of the children, but it was significantly more frequent (9%) in children with hearing loss. We found that 1.4% of the parents were aware of the presence of tinnitus in their children. Conclusions Children should be routinely asked whether they experience tinnitus and if so, they should be included in the thorough assessment and management of the condition.

Urban–rural differences in perception of trees described by parents bringing up children in Warsaw and Jedlińsk, Poland

Parents’ attitudes to trees and nature are reflected not only in their children’s outdoor activity, but also in the way they perceive, learn and value the environment. One hundred and eleven respondents, divided into two groups by place of residence, assessed statements in a survey questionnaire. Two groups of questions aimed at evaluating tree benefits and disservices as perceived by urban and rural parents, and identifying their preferences concerning outdoor activity of their children. Tree benefits and disadvantages were grouped into five categories (social, economic, environmental, health and aesthetic). Both urban and rural parents presented similar attitudes to trees as well as to their children’s play environments. Among 37 statements concerning tree benefits, only five revealed statistically significant differences. The most important difference appeared in the way urban and rural parents perceived the aspects of danger. Trees were not perceived as posing any risk on playgrounds for city residents, who—unlike villagers—opposed to the removal of trees from playgrounds.

Body structure, muscular strength and living conditions of primary school children in Warsaw.

The aim of this study was to determine whether the living conditions of school children affects their body structure and muscular strength. Data were taken from 400 girls and 341 boys aged 7-15 years attending nine primary schools in Warsaw in 1997. A questionnaire was completed, anthropological measurements made and two muscular strength tests conducted. The questionnaire asked questions on the children's level of education, their parents' professions and monthly incomes, the number of persons in the family and the number of rooms in the family's apartment/home. Body height, body weight, chest and arm circumferences, grip strength and vertical jump height were measured and used to calculate body mass index, Marty's Index and the Sargent Vertical Jump Index. Statistical tests included Student's t-test, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and multiple regression analysis. Body height, chest circumference, Sargent Vertical Jump Index and grip strength were significantly greater in the boys than the girls. Two factors, namely 'socioeconomic status' (F1) and 'family size' (F2), describing living conditions, were isolated after PCA. Boys from bigger families (F2) were shorter, with lower weights and BMIs, smaller chest and arm circumferences and greater grip strengths than those from smaller families, whereas girls from families of lower socioeconomic status (F1) weighed less and had greater BMIs and arm circumferences than those from higher socioeconomic status families. The results suggest that boys seem to be more 'ecosensitive' than girls.

Dietary supplements: a great menace of our time or golden remedy? A cross-sectional study amongschool-aged children.

IntroductionDietary supplements (DS) are commonly used as a remedy for various health issues as they are widely advertised and available.AimThis study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of DS use among school-aged children in Warsaw, the capital city of Poland. Additionally, we evaluated the parents’ motivations for DS administration, the frequency of the use of specific compounds and the influence of child’s history of allergy on DS use.Material and methodsChildren aged 6–7 years who attended the first grade of primary schools in Warsaw were included into the study. Forty-two out of 170 primary schools in Warsaw were randomly selected of which 38 agreed to participate. The research tool was a self-administered questionnaire.ResultsHalf of the studied children received DS in the previous 6 months. Fatty acids were the most commonly administered DS (49.8%). The most common reason for administering DS was prevention of diseases (69.1%). The total household income correlated positively with the DS use. History of food allergy was one of the factors which increased the risk of DS use, whereas diagnosis of asthma did not correlate with a higher frequency of DS use.ConclusionsThis study shows the need to educate patients about medical indications for DS use and expected benefits in the specific indications.

It's safe: food as a way of expression for children in Warsaw

ABSTRACTThe role of food in family relations is often discussed with a focus on discipline and control. This paper shows how food can also be used to create children’s safe spaces, defined as the social conditions that allow relatively independent expression of opinions, emotions and practices. Based on ethnographic research conducted with families in Warsaw in 2012–2013, I discuss different ways in which food is used to create and express such safe spaces. Firstly, I look at how children use food to create their own, personal and hidden safe space, in opposition to parental rule. Secondly, I analyse how food is used to build a safe space between adults and children. I argue that within often antagonistic family food relations there is in fact a space for children’s expression. Thirdly, I discuss the role of food in creating safe spaces for children during the research process. This paper takes a relational approach to the concept of safe space, and considers what kind of social relations and processes enable children’s autonomous expression with the means of food.

The influence of particulate matter on respiratory morbidity and mortality in children and infants.

Air pollution is the most important environmental health risk leading to premature mortality, respiratory and other health problems. The aim of this study was to quantify its impact on infants and children in Warsaw (Poland), following the principles of Health Impact Assessment method. Particulate matter (PM(2.5) and PM(10)) was considered as the indicator of air pollution. Exposure-response functions between air pollution and health impacts were employed based on the literature. According to the calculations, around 5,201 asthma symptoms and 234 hospital respiratory admissions were caused annually due to air pollution. Hospitalizations due to cardiovascular problems related to air pollution amounted to 13. The mortality among infants and children is relatively low and occurs mostly in the postneonatal period. Nonetheless, approx. 5 mortality cases were assessed to be air pollution-attributable. The study demonstrates a significant impact of air pollution on infants and children, which is manifested primarily as a range of respiratory problems.

Physical Activity of Warsaw's Six Year old Children and Its Correlation with Physical Fitness

Abstract Introduction. Physical activity and physical fitness are among the positive measures of health. Their assessment is justified from the point of view of prevention of many civilization diseases. The aim of this paper is to describe the physical activity of six year old children in Warsaw and to determine its relationship to physical fitness. Material and methods. The study was conducted in two series - in the spring of 2011 and 2012. Data were collected for 742 children from selected pre-school institutions in Warsaw. The average age of the children born in 2005 (2011 edition) and 2006 (2012 edition) was 5.84 ± 0.31 years. The numbers in both categories were equal, and amounted to 371 girls and boys. The choice of educational institutions was such, as to ensure that the sample was representative. In order to assess the children's physical activity, the method of diagnostic survey was used (questionnaire). The questionnaire addressed to the parents included questions about the participation of their children in pre-school, extracurricular and family forms of physical activity and the amount of time spent on passive leisure activities. To evaluate the physical fitness we used a test consisting of five motor trials (bend while sitting down, sit up from the lying position 30 s, long jump from stationary position, run 10x5 m, 1 kg medicine ball throw forward). Mathematical analysis of the material utilised selected methods of descriptive statis- 2 tics (including cluster analysis), standardization of data and the χ2 test. Results. In the both gender subgroups three clusters were formed, corresponding to the above-average, average, and reduced physical fitness. Parents of children with the highest level of motor skills often declared significant participation of their children in family and extracurricular forms of physical activity and less time spent in front of TV or computer. Conclusions. In the population of six year old children in Warsaw positive relationship were found between the claimed physical activity and physical fitness

Pandemic A (H1N1) Influenza in Hospitalized Children in Warsaw, Poland

Pandemic A (H1N1) Influenza in Hospitalized Children in Warsaw, Poland