School-aged Children Research Articles

Association Between Sleep Hygiene Parameters and Sleep Habits in 5- to 10-Year-Old School-Age Children.

Insufficient sleep can lead to problems. We examined the sociodemographic characteristics, sleep habits, and association between sleep problems. Parents were requested to fill out a survey and Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ). The mean age of 1226 students was 8.42 (5.0-10.0) years. A total of 50.7% were male students. In addition, 69.1% showed signs of sleep problems in the CSHQ. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, bed-sharing, owning cell phone, attending early education group, not using toilet before bedtime, television watching duration, being an only child, not doing physical activity, watching TV before bed on weekends, caffeinated beverage consumption, not reading a book before sleep, waking up at night, sleeping in lighted rooms, maternal education level, having 1 sibling, and not having tablet variables were statistically significant in causing sleep problems. Poor sleep habits and sleep hygiene problems are common in school-age children. Healthy sleep habits are essential to get adequate and quality sleep.

The role of family health, socio-economic status, and heritability of neurodevelopmental disorders in the severity of cognitive dysfunctions in school-age children with ADHD

Introduction and objective: Little is known about the association between socioeconomic status, alcohol and tobacco use, and specific cognitive functions, like attention, working memory or executive functions in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. We aimed to determine if socioeconomic adversity and unhealthy family behaviours are predictors of cognitive functions in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Materials and methods: We tested 176 Polish children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder aged 10–13 using the PU1 Battery of Cognitive Functions, while the children’s parents completed a questionnaire on socioeconomic status and alcohol and tobacco use at home during their child’s life stages. We applied cluster analysis of family types and moderation analysis that tested the heritability of neurodevelopmental disorders in family interactions. Results: We identified three family types that raise children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: 1) families with higher socioeconomic status, lower level of unhealthy family behaviours, and average levels of children’s cognitive functioning, 2) families with low socioeconomic status, high level of unhealthy family behaviours, and average levels of children’s cognitive functioning, and 3) families with average socioeconomic status, low level of unhealthy family behaviours and low level of children’s cognitive functioning. We found no statistically significant associations between family predictors, the moderator variable, and cognitive functions in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Conclusions: The results of our study contrast with the large amount of evidence that shows a link between cognitive dysfunctions in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and socioeconomic status and alcohol and tobacco use.

Eruption and caries status of first permanent molars in children aged 6–7 years in Shijingshan District, Beijing, China

BackgroundDental caries is still a major disease that affect the oral health of people in China. First permanent molars (FPMs) are the most caries-susceptible teeth among school-aged children. The aim of this study was to investigate the eruption and caries status of first permanent molars in children aged 6–7 years in Shijingshan District, Beijing, China, to provide information for oral health promotion.Methods The study was a cross-sectional survey conducted in 6-7-year-old first grade children from public elementary schools in Shijingshan District, Beijing. Participants were invited to receive a clinical oral examination. The eruption status and caries experience of FPMs were recorded. Questionnaires assessing children’s sociodemographic information and oral health-related behaviors were completed by the children’s parents or guardians.ResultsA total of 3,176 children, including 1,644 boys (51.8%) and 1,532 girls (48.2%) were included in the oral examination and questionnaire. Eruption status of FPMs was as follows: 37.5% fully erupted, 28.3% partially erupted, 34.2% not erupted. Girls had more erupted FPMs than boys (70.1% VS 61.8%, P < 0.001). The prevalence of dental caries in FPMs was 5.5% (174/3,176) in studied children. The mean decayed missing filled teeth score of FPMs was 0.11 and the mean decayed missing filled surface score of FPMs was 0.19. Binary Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that girls had more tooth decay than boys and father’s educational background also associated with the caries experience of the studied children (P < 0.05).ConclusionsAround two-thirds of FPMs were fully erupted or partially erupted among children aged 6–7 years old in Shijingshan District, Beijing. Approximately 5% of the newly erupted FPM established dental caries. Effective intervention should be applied in this age group for oral health promotion.

Effectiveness of the CATCH (Coordinated Approach to Child’s Health) Rainbow Program in Elementary Schools for Change in Fruit and Vegetable Intake

Background: Nutrition, cooking, and gardening lessons individually and together have been shown to increase fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption in school-aged children. The CATCH Rainbow program incorporated nutrition education, cooking, and gardening lessons aimed at increasing FV consumption in elementary school-aged children and assessed changes in participants’ BMI, self-reported FV consumption, and skin carotenoid levels at baseline and post-intervention. Methods: Two-hundred and twenty-five 4th and 5th graders (mean age: 9.8 years and 52% male participants) at Genoa Elementary School participated in six cooking and six gardening sessions between September 2021 and May 2022. Each nutrition education session was 25 min long, paired with either hands-on cooking activities or gardening skills. At baseline and post-intervention, participants’ height and weight were assessed with a stadiometer/scale, and skin carotenoid measurement was taken by a Veggie Meter® (Longevity Link Corporation (Salt Lake City, UT, USA)). Students also completed the Block Food Frequency Questionnaire to self-report FV consumption at both time points. Focus groups were conducted with children at the end of the program for qualitative feedback. Results: paired samples T-test and regression analysis results indicate no significant decrease in BMI or significant increase in skin carotenoid scores from pre- to post-intervention. However, though not significant, there was an increase in self-reported FV intake by 0.4 servings. Additionally, the qualitative feedback was positive, as children mentioned benefits of healthy eating and expressed enjoyment for growing, cooking, and tasting fruits and vegetables. Conclusion: Results from this study can be used to guide future cooking and gardening programs for elementary school children. Time of the year when implementing these programs and collecting data may impact study outcomes due to seasonal variations in fruit and vegetable intake.

Associations between eating habits and mental health among adolescents in five nordic countries: a cross-sectional survey

BackgroundThe role of eating habits in adolescent mental health has become a growing area of interest for researchers and health professionals. Recent studies suggest that healthy eating habits may play a role in the development and management of mental health. However, existing literature is largely based on clinical populations, and comparisons are challenged by sociocultural differences and methodological issues. The aim of the present study was to use nationally representative data based on standardized procedures, to explore associations between adolescents eating habits and mental health, considering the importance of age, gender, socioeconomic factors, and country.MethodsThe study was based on data from Nordic adolescents (age 11, 13 and 15 years) who participated in the 2017/2018 Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HBSC) study (n = 22384). General linear modelling and multigroup regression analysis were used to examine the relationship between food habits (intake of fruit, vegetables, sweets, soft drinks), meal habits (intake of breakfast and having family meals together), and mental health (life satisfaction and subjective health complaints). The analyses were weighted and adjusted for age, gender, socio-economic status, and country.ResultsOverall, healthier eating habits were associated with better mental health. The strongest associations were found between meal habits (breakfast consumption and having family meals together) and mental health. Gender and country differences were seen, with weaker associations found among Danish boys.ConclusionEating habits should be considered when promoting mental health in the adolescent population. While gender differences and cross-country variations exist, even minor enhancements in eating behaviors could yield meaningful benefits.

Developmental changes in the time window for the explicit sense of agency experienced across the lifespan

Sense of agency (SoA) is the subjective experience of individuals that they are initiators and controllers of their own actions, but it is not known how the time window for SoA changes developmentally over the lifetime. The present study examined developmental changes in the time window for SoA in school-age children (6–12 years), adolescents (16–18 years), young adults (20–25 years), adults (28–64 years), and older adults (65–83 years). The current results show that the time window for SoA is longer in young adults than in school-age children, adolescents, adults, and older adults, suggesting that young adulthood may be an important period of developmental change in the time window for SoA across the lifespan.

Parent emotional support alters the association between parent-child interbrain synchrony and interaction quality.

Using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) hyperscanning methodology, this study investigated whether parent emotional support moderated the relation between parent-child interbrain synchrony and interaction quality (via behavioral observation and child-report), controlling for individual emotional distress. Eighty-eight parent-child dyads (96.6% Han ethnicity), including a school-age child between the ages of 6 and 11 (Mage = 8.07 years, SD = 1.16 years; 58.0% boys) and their parent (Mage = 39.03 years, SD = 3.54 years; 69.3% mothers), participated in a cooperative task during which brain activity was assessed. Cluster-based permutations indicated parent-child interbrain synchrony in the left and right temporoparietal junction (TPJ). Interbrain synchrony in the left TPJ positively related to parent-child interaction quality in the context of high parent emotional support, whereas the association was weaker and negative when parents demonstrated low emotional support. Findings suggest the emotional context of an interaction is critical when assessing interbrain synchrony.

Early Results of an Innovative Scalable Digital Treatment for Diabetes Distress in Families of School-Age Children with Type 1 Diabetes.

This paper reports on the initial outcomes of a new mHealth intervention to reduce diabetes distress (DD) in families of school-age children living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) entitled, 'Remedy to Diabetes Distress' (R2D2). We randomized 34 families (mean child age = 10 ± 1.4 years; 53% male, 85% White, mean HbA1c = 7.24 ± 0.71%) to one of three delivery arms differing only by number of telehealth visits over a 10-week period: zero visits = self-guided (SG), three visits = enhanced self-guided (ESG), or eight visits = video visits (VV). All families had 24 × 7 access to digital treatment materials for 10 weeks. We examined the feasibility and acceptability of R2D2. We used the Problem Areas in Diabetes-Child (PPAIDC and PAIDC, parent and child, respectively) to examine treatment effects by time and delivery arm. We performed sensitivity analyses to characterize families who responded to R2D2. It was feasible for families to access R2D2 mHealth content independently, though attendance at telehealth visits was variable. Parents and children reported high satisfaction scores. There were significant pre-post reductions in PPAIDC (p = 0.026) and PAIDC (p = 0.026) scores but no differences by delivery arm. There were no differences in child age, sex, race, or pre-treatment HbA1c for responders versus non-responders, though families who responded reported higher PPAID-C scores pre-treatment (p = 0.01) and tended to report shorter diabetes duration (p = 0.08). Initial results support the acceptability and treatment effects of R2D2 regardless of the frequency of adjunctive virtual visits. Characterizing responders may help to identify families who could benefit from R2D2 in the future.

A growth curve model to estimate longitudinal effects of parental BMI on Indonesian children's growth patterns.

The global surge in childhood obesity is also evident in Indonesia. Parental body mass index (BMI) values were found to be one of the major determinants of the increasing prevalence of childhood obesity. It is uncertain if parental BMI during their offspring's childhood significantly affects their children's BMI trajectories into adulthood. We aimed to investigate the influence of parental BMI Z-scores on BMI trajectories of Indonesian school-aged children, with a focus on sex-specific effects. This study utilized data from the Indonesian Family Life Survey and tracked the same respondents over four time points, from wave 2 (1997-1998) to wave 5 (2014-2015). The sample of this study consisted of children aged 5-12 years in wave 2 for whom height and weight data were available. We utilized a two-level growth curve model to account for the hierarchical structure of the data, with time nested within individual children. Fathers' BMI Z-scores in wave 2 had a pronounced influence (β = 0.31) on female children's BMI Z-scores compared to the influence of mothers' BMI Z-scores (β = 0.17). Mothers' BMI Z-scores in wave 2 showed a stronger positive association with male children's BMI Z-scores (β = 0.22) than did the father's BMI Z-scores (β = 0.19). A significant interaction of fathers' BMI Z-scores and years of follow-up was found for male children. As male children's BMI Z-scores increased by year, this effect was stronger in those whose fathers' BMI Z-scores were at a higher level. In conclusion, we found that parental BMI values profoundly influenced their children's BMI trajectories.

Persistent transmission of soil-transmitted helminths despite 16 years of uninterrupted Mebendazole- and ivermectin-based preventive chemotherapy in the Lomie Health District (East Region, Cameroon): The emergency of complementary control strategies.

The control of the Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH) infections primarily relies on the school-based Preventive Chemotherapy (PCT) with mebendazole. Given the efficacy of ivermectin on STH, the control of the latter is expected to be potentialized in areas where ivermectin is also distributed for onchocerciasis and/or lymphatic filariasis control/elimination. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and intensity of STH in the Lomie Health District where annual school-based deworming campaigns and community-directed treatments with Ivermectin have been underway for almost two decades. A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted in 10 schools of the Lomie Health District, East Region, Cameroon. Stool samples were collected from school-aged children and analysed using the Kato-Katz technique. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered to enrolees to assess compliance with water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). Of the 491 children (median age: 9 years; IQR: 7-10) enrolled, 83.9% (95% CI: 80.3-87.1) were infected with at least one STH species. Trichuris trichiura was the predominant species (78.5%), and no hookworm was found. The prevalence trend slightly decreased between 1987 and 2010 (~8%) and remained unchanged since 2010 (p-value = 0.05). Overall, 46.8% and 41.8% of children were heavy-to-moderately infected with Ascaris lumbricoides and T. trichiura. Poor hand hygiene (OR: 2.24, 95% IC: 1.4-3.4, p-value = 0.0002) and the use of river as a source of drinking water (OR: 14.8, 95% IC: 6.9-33.3, p-value = 0.0001) were the main risk factors associated with the STH infection in Lomie Health District. The persistent high prevalence and intensity of STH infection despite 16 years of mebendazole-based PCT and expected collateral impact of ivermectin mass distribution, points to plausible implementation gaps, poor compliance to WASH or sub-optimal efficacy of the anthelminthics used. This study highlights the need to further assess the cause of the persistent high prevalence and implement context-adapted control measures in order to curb STH transmission.

Urogenital schistosomiasis in schoolchildren in the lake zones of Kankossa and Oued Rawdha, southern Mauritania: The first parasitological and malacological survey.

Urogenital schistosomiasis due to Schistosoma haematobium is a major public health problem in Mauritania, but little is known about its epidemiology in many areas of the country, particularly in the lake zones. The objectives of the present parasitological and malacological study were to assess the prevalence and intensity of urogenital schistosomiasis among school children in Kankossa and Oued Rawdha lakes, southern Mauritania, and determine the species of intermediate host snails and the prevalence of snails with schistosome. A school-based epidemiological survey was conducted in two villages in the lake areas of Kankossa and Oued Rawdha. Urine samples were collected from 450 state primary school children and Koranic school children and examined for the presence of S. haematobium eggs using filtration technique. Water bodies adjacent to human settlement were surveyed for Bulinus and Biomphalaria snails that may potentially be intermediate hosts of S. haematobium. Morphological, molecular, and proteomic (i.e. matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry [MALDI-TOF MS]) identification of collected snails were conducted, and their infection status was assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using the highly repetitive DraI gene. The prevalence of urogenital schistosomiasis was 35.6% and 15.8% in Kankossa and Oued Rawdha villages, respectively, corresponding to 'moderate' prevalence (i.e., 10-49% infected schoolchildren). Urogenital schistosomiasis prevalence was higher in boys (30.0%) than in girls (21.2%; P < 0.05), and in Koranic schools pupils (37.1%) than in state schools (20.5%; P < 0.05) pupils. Multiple regression analysis showed that sex (odds ratio [OR]: 1.64; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.06-2.57; P = 0.03) and Koranic school level (OR: 1.79; 95% CI: 1.06-3.04; P = 0.03) were independently and significantly associated with urogenital schistosomiasis. Based on molecular and proteomic identification, both B. senegalensis and B. umbilicatus colonized the water bodies of Oued Rawdha, whereas both B. forskalii and B. truncatus colonized those of Kankossa. The DraI RT-PCR detected S. haematobium complex DNA in 8 of 66 (12.1%) analysed snails: one B. truncatus and one B. forskalii in Kankossa and five B. senegalensis and one B. umbilicatus in Oued Rawdha. Urogenital schistosomiasis is moderately prevalent in the lake zones of Kankossa and, to a lesser extent, Oued Rawdha, located in southern Mauritania. Mass drug administration campaigns with praziquantel should be conducted to reduce the prevalence of urogenital schistosomiasis among school-aged children in the lake zone of Kankossa and Oued Rawdha village. Further parasitological and malacological studies should be conducted in other villages located in the Mauritanian lakes in the southern Sahelian zones and the northern oasis areas to strengthen our knowledge of the current epidemiological situation and implement appropriate urogenital schistosomiasis control strategies.

Tense and aspect in the interlanguage of Slavic speakers learning Romance languages

ABSTRACT The study addresses the research gap of how being a speaker of a Slavic language influences the ability to convey tempo-aspectual meanings in Romance languages by examining personal and impersonal narratives delivered in written and spoken mode by learners of L3 Spanish and L3 Italian with L1 Slovak and L2 English. Narratives are analysed following the methods of interlanguage analysis proposed by Ellis and Barkhuizen [(2005). Analysing learner language. Oxford University Press] and Salaberry and Comajoan [(2013). Research design and methodology in studies on L2 tense and aspect. De Gruyter Mouton], such as coding for grounding, frequency analysis of tense forms and lexical aspectual classes, etc. Following the ideas presented by Bayley (2013, Data analysis: Quantitative approaches. In M. R. Salaberry & L. Comajoan (Eds.), Research design andmethodology in studies on L2 tense and aspect (pp. 357–390). De Gruyter Mouton), binomial logistic regression models were built which showed that (a) the combination of discourse grounding and lexical aspect is of predictive power regarding the appropriateness of participants’ choices of morphological marking; (b) the distributional characteristics of morphological marking on telic predicates differs from activities and statives. One of the main differences compared to the results of previous studies, conducted on speakers of Germanic languages, is that the data did not provide enough evidence for morphological marking being used to convey primarily temporal distinctions (see Salaberry, 1999, The development of past tense verbal morphology in classroom L2 Spanish. Applied Linguistics, 20(2), 151–178. https://doi.org/10.1093/applin/20.2.151; Wiberg, E. (1996). Reference to past events in bilingual Italian-Swedish children of school age. Linguistics, 34(5), 1087–1114. https://doi.org/10.1515/ling.1996.34.5.1087]) and presented the marking of telic predicates in foreground with perfective morphology as consistent, disregarding the level of participants’ performance.

Terrestrial Animal Source Foods and Health Outcomes for Those with Special Nutrient Needs in the Life Course.

Background. Animal source foods are under scrutiny for their role in human health, yet some nutritionally vulnerable populations are largely absent from consideration. Methods. Applying a Population Intervention/Exposure Comparator Outcome (PICO/PECO) framework and prioritizing systematic review and meta-analyses, we reviewed the literature on terrestrial animal source foods (TASFs) and human health, by life course phase. Results. There were consistent findings for milk and dairy products on positive health outcomes during pregnancy and lactation, childhood, and among older adults. Eggs were found to promote early childhood growth, depending on context. Unprocessed meat consumption was associated with a reduced risk for anemia during pregnancy, improved cognition among school-age children, and muscle health in older adults. Milk and eggs represent a risk for food sensitivities/allergies, though prevalence is low, and individuals tend to outgrow the allergies. TASFs affect the human microbiome and associated metabolites with both positive and negative health repercussions, varying by type and quantity. Conclusions. There were substantial gaps in the evidence base for studies limiting our review, specifically for studies in populations outside high-income countries and for several TASF types (pig, poultry, less common livestock species, wild animals, and insects). Nonetheless, sufficient evidence supports an important role for TASFs in health during certain periods of the life course.

Headaches in Pediatric Patients during the Past Decade: Comparative Analysis by Age Group from a Multicenter Study in Korea.

Headache is a common complaint during childhood and adolescence. It is important to be aware of the characteristics of pediatric headaches in order to make a precise and timely diagnosis. This study investigated the clinical characteristics of pediatric headaches according to the underlying etiology and age group. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 3374 pediatric patients (2667 with primary headache [PH] and 707 with secondary headache [SH]) who presented with headaches at two centers between January 2012 and November 2023. The incidence of PH was significantly higher in adolescents (40.1% vs. 22.9%), whereas that of SH was considerably higher in preschoolers (37.5% vs. 16.3%) (p < 0.001). The prevalence of headaches attributed to infection was significantly higher in preschool and school-aged children (90.8% vs. 80.2%, p < 0.001); adolescents exhibited significantly higher frequencies of cranial and cervical vascular disorders (3.7% vs. 1.3%, p = 0.044) and psychiatric disorders (5.6% vs. 0.6%, p < 0.001). Statistically significant differences were observed between preschool/school-aged children and adolescents in terms of headache characteristics and the prevalence of headache-associated symptoms (60.4% vs. 74.1%, p < 0.001 in PH), neurologic abnormalities (10.2% vs. 23.6%, p < 0.001 in PH; 2.4% vs. 11.7%, p < 0.001 in SH), and headache triggers (19.9% vs. 24.2%, p = 0.008 in PH; 2.0% vs. 8.0%, p < 0.001 in SH). Recognizing the etiology and age-specific differences in the clinical characteristics of headaches is crucial for an accurate and timely diagnosis. Tailoring the diagnostic approach accordingly helps to achieve optimal outcomes in pediatric patients with headaches.

The priority of organizational improvement of preventive vector in the system of intersectoral interaction for the preservation of children’s eye health

Background. The relevance of the study is due to a need to apply a comprehensive differentiated approach to the organization of preventive diagnostic examinations and monitoring the formation of visual functions in children of various ages in the difficult conditions of hostilities on the territory of our country. Children’s health remains a strategic task for the formation of Ukraine’s defense capabilities in the future. Full vision is necessary for the formation of a physically healthy and socially adapted personality, good quality of life, learning, working capacity, both in childhood and in working age. In difficult domestic conditions and taking into account the forecast calculations of international experts, which testify to the formed trends towards the growth of ophthalmic pathology, the research on the implementation of modern organizational approaches to the formation of healthy visual functions from childhood is gaining relevance. The purpose of the study was to justify the use of systemic measures of intersectoral interaction to preserve the eye health of children. Materials and methods. The materials for the study were the results of a sociological survey of doctors who provide medical and preventive care to children at outpatient and polyclinic basis (a total of 504 questionnaires were analyzed). The procedure of filling out the questionnaires required anonymity and the prior voluntary verbal consent of the doctors to participate in the study. The research methods were sociological survey, analytical synthetic, content analysis, systemic approach and systemic analysis, medical statistical (calculation of representativeness and reliability of sociological research results). Results. The need for justified organizational improvement in the preventive approach to preserving visual functions in children has been pro­ven. The algorithm of preventive intervention, based on organizational, diagnostic, treatment and preventive measures, is primarily focused on the cooperation of family doctors, family pediatricians, pediatric ophthalmologists and secondary medical staff of medical and educational institutions when introducing modern regular medical and preventive technologies, identifying risk factors and conducting effective supervision of the formation of visual functions in children of various ages, will contribute to the early detection of possible vision disorders for the timely implementation of the necessary treatment and preventive measures. Most interviewed doctors of the outpatient polyclinic level expressed the feasibility of introducing regular systemic supervision of visual functions in preschool and school-age children in the context of implementing state preventive programs to preserve vision from childhood in Ukraine. Conclusions. The medical and social importance of preserving eye health from childhood requires organizational improvement of a preventive approach whose introduction will contribute to the early detection of risk factors, early signs and manifestations, the implementation of the necessary medical and preventive measures, timely diagnosis, correction and treatment of diseases of the eye and its accessory parts in children. The obtained results open the prospect of establishing systemic intersectoral interaction in the planning and implementation of measures of comprehensive programs to prevent the development of ophthalmic pathology among children of various ages.

The "Kumon method" as a means of mastering the initial subject knowledge in children

Introduction. The problem of activating educational activities has always been in the center of attention of teachers, however, the changes taking place at the present time have given it special relevance. New socio-economic conditions dictate the need to study new forms and methods of education aimed at intensifying the process of acquiring knowledge. The purpose of this study is to study the effectiveness of the Kumon method in relation to the development of initial subject concepts by children of preschool and primary school age from the point of view of the theory of meaningful learning. Materials and methods. The article provides an analysis of the content of the key provisions of the Kumon method based on methods of systematization and classification, as well as general scientific methods of analysis, generalization and synthesis. The support of the idea of L. S. Vygotsky's "zone of proximal development" makes it possible to use rich theoretical material on self-learning as a child's ability to identify and search for information, distinguish and assign it, taking into account the relationship with previously acquired information. Results. The purpose of the study was to study the key characteristics of the organization of training in the Kumon system. The principles, neuropsychological foundations of the method under consideration, and the possibilities of this technology from the perspective of the multidimensionaldevelopment of a child's personality are analyzed. The authors concluded that in modern pedagogical practice, the use of the Kumon method can be effective for children who need to master the procedural aspects of mathematics and reading. Discussion and conclusions. As a research perspective, the authors see the study of the possibilities of the Kumon method as an individual method.

Clinical assessment of nutritional status among school going children aged 6-15 years in tea garden area of Darjeeling district, West Bengal, India

Background: Malnutrition (undernutrition) is a spectrum of disorder caused by various intervening factors which results in formation of ‘web of causation’ and prevalence is very high in developing countries like India which may lead to deficient physical growth as well as suboptimal mental achievement. The present study was designed to assess the nutritional status among school going children in remote tea garden area of Darjeeling district by clinical assessment. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 768 students covering both, the hilly areas and plains of Darjeeling district, and recommended anthropometric parameters and indices of world health organization (WHO) were applied. The data was compiled with MS excel and suitable statistical test were done using SPSS version 20.0 software. Results: Out of 768 school going children aged between 6-15 years, wasting was prevalent among 13% with 1% prevalence of severe wasting, thinness was prevalent among 40%, 25% students suffered from stunting, with 4.6% prevalence of severe stunting. The study revealed a statistically significant (p&lt;0.05) difference of mean weight between boys and girls belonging to age groups of 6+ years, 7+ years, 8+ years and 13+ years, and also of mean height of the boys and girls belonging to the age groups of 6+, 7+, 8+, 13+ and 14+ years. Pallor was also prevalent among 30.5% of the children. Conclusion: Malnutrition was common among the school age children of Darjeeling district in the age group of 6-15 years.

When to Radiate and When to Stop? Timing Radiographic Surveillance During Nonoperative Treatment of Pediatric Diaphyseal Clavicle Fractures

Introduction: Conservative management of most pediatric clavicle fractures is standard. Despite a predictable nonoperative course, evidence about the timeliness of healing is lacking. The goal of this study was to identify when radiographic signs of healing should be expected during routine conservative management of closed pediatric diaphyseal clavicle fractures. Methods: Patients 18 years or younger with an acute diaphyseal clavicle fracture treated at a large academic multispecialty orthopaedic practice over 5 years were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who completed nonoperative management until radiographic and clinical evidence of union were included and categorized into 3 age groups: infants and toddlers (0 to 2 y old), school-aged children (3 to 9 y old), and adolescents (10 to 18 y old). Radiographic healing was analyzed within each 2- to 4-week interval. Results: Among 390 patients, 303 met inclusion criteria. Overall shortening and displacement averaged 0.3±0.6 centimeters and 42.6%±43.0%, respectively. Follow-up averaged 50±24 days with an orthopaedic physician and 16.3±14.8 months for a well-child check. No clinically relevant or statistically significant improvements in the number of cortices bridged were observed in infants/toddlers after 4 weeks (average 20.4±4.3 d from injury), in school-aged children after 8 weeks (average 39.7±7.9 d from injury), or in adolescents after 12 weeks (average 66.4±8.1 d from injury). Conclusions: This study provides an age-dependent timeline during which adequate radiographic healing should be expected in nonoperatively managed pediatric diaphyseal clavicle fractures. Radiographic protocols can be purposefully timed to visualize sufficient healing in infants and toddlers by 4 weeks, school-aged children by 8 weeks, and adolescents by 12 weeks. Level of Evidence: Level III.

A Multicenter Retrospective Chart Review Study Estimating the Prevalence of Iron Deficiency Anemia Among Infants, Toddlers, and Children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Background Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a prevalent nutritional disorder affecting children worldwide, leading to potential long-term cognitive and developmental deficits. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of IDA among healthy children attending Dr. Sulaiman Al-Habib Hospital Group in Riyadh, SAU, and explore the relationship between IDA and various demographic factors, including age, gender, and nationality. Methodology A retrospective chart review was conducted from July 2023 to August 2023 at Dr. Sulaiman Al-Habib Hospital Group, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The study included 498 children aged 0.58 to 17 years, selected through a cluster sampling technique. Data on demographic characteristics and laboratory results, including hemoglobin (Hb) levels, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), red cell distribution width (RDW), ferritin, and RBC, were collected. Iron deficiency anemia was diagnosed based on Hb levels and other hematological indices. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Statistics version 23.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results The prevalence of IDA among the study population was 9.2%, with 72.3% of the cases classified as mild and 27.7% as moderate. No cases of severe anemia were found. Infants had the highest prevalence of IDA (16.9%), followed by toddlers (12.0%), preschool children (7.2%), and school-age children (0.8%). Gender analysis revealed a prevalence of 9.7% in males and 8.6% in females, with no significant difference between genders (p = 0.659). All non-Saudi participants were free of IDA, whereas 9.3% of Saudi participants had IDA, though this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.761). Conclusion The study found a relatively low prevalence of IDA among healthy children attending Dr. Sulaiman Al-Habib Hospital Group in Riyadh, SAU, with the highest prevalence observed among infants. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to prevent IDA, particularly in younger children. Routine screening and early treatment are crucial to mitigate the potential long-term effects of IDA on child development. Further research with larger and more diverse samples is recommended to validate these findings and explore additional factors influencing IDA prevalence.

Literature as a Remedy for the (De)sensitization of the Contemporary Child. Attempt of Practical Approach Using the Theme of War

The text is theoretical in its nature and deals with the subject of the influence of literature on the child in early school age in terms of affecting the sensitivity of the recipient. The author considers the phenomenon of (de)sensitization as a process that would help the modern child to accept taboo phenomena on the example of the subject of war. The article refers to the theory of the Highly Sensitive Child and the “bitter-sweet” impact of art, recalling the works of Elaine Aron and Susan Cain. It was emphasized that the child’s hypersensitivity to certain images or sounds is related not only to natural stages of development, but also, or perhaps mainly, to individual predispositions to sensitivity to stimuli. The considerations included in the article also refer to war-themed texts for children published in Poland. The researcher provides a list of reading materials that may be interesting for contemporary child readers, but are not part of the school canon. The text is supplemented by a practical example of working with Liliana Bardijewska’s work entitled Karim’s Cat and Pictures with the use of a board game as a form of work with text at the level of grades I–III of primary school.