Errors In Preschool Children Research Articles

Measurement error in pre-school children’s emerging knowledge and skills. A case study from the UK

ABSTRACT Many studies attempt to measure pre-school children’s emerging knowledge and skills. While such data are of great value to researchers, it also brings significant measurement challenges. Unfortunately, in most secondary analyses, measurement error in these data is ignored. This paper consequently presents a case study documenting the magnitude and structure of measurement errors in three-year-olds Bracken School Readiness test scores within the UK’s Millennium Cohort Study. The analysis illustrates how measurement error in three-year-olds test scores is substantial, non-classical and varies by factors such as children’s behaviour during the test and the survey fieldworker assigned. It is then shown how ignoring these measurement errors could lead to appreciable changes to one’s understanding of pre-school children’s knowledge and skills. The paper concludes by making recommendations for groups collecting and analysing pre-school assessment data.

A clearer vision: unveiling the importance of cycloplegic refraction and the pseudomyopia prevalence in Chinese preschoolers

BackgroundThis study aimed to investigate the difference between cycloplegic and noncycloplegic refraction and evaluate the pseudomyopia prevalence in Chinese preschool children during the outbreak of COVID-19.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in the Tongzhou District of Beijing, China. Refractive error was measured under both noncycloplegic and cycloplegic conditions with autorefraction. The difference between noncycloplegic and cycloplegic spherical equivalent refraction (SER) and pseudomyopia prevalence were analyzed. Pseudomyopia was defined as SER ≤-0.50D in precycloplegic assessments and >-0.50D in post-cycloplegic assessments.ResultsOut of the 1487 participants who were enrolled in the study, 1471 individuals (98.92%) between the ages of 3–6 years completed all required procedures. A statistically significant difference in refraction was observed between noncycloplegic and cycloplegic measurements, the median of difference in spherical equivalent refraction (SER) of 0.88D (dioptre)(0.50,1.38). There was a high intraclass correlation (ICC) between these two methods for cylinders (ICC = 0.864; 95% CI, 0.850–0.877). The median DSE for myopia, emmetropia and hyperopia were 0.25D (0.00, 0.38),0.25D (0.06, 0.50) and 1.00D (0.62, 1.38), an hypermetropes showed considerably greater differences than myopes and emmetropes (Kruskal-Wallis test, H = 231.023, P = 0.000). Additionally, girls displayed a greater DSE than boys. Furthermore, when comparing against-the-rule (ATR) and oblique astigmatism, it was found that with-the-rule (WTR) astigmatism had the largest DSE. The study found varying prevalence rates of myopia, emmetropia, and hyperopia with and without cycloplegia, which were 1.90% vs. 10.06%, 11.49% vs. 50.31%, and 86.61% vs. 39.63%, respectively. Additionally, the overall prevalence of pseudomyopia was determined to be 8.29%. Participants with pseudomyopia had a significantly higher mean difference in SER (DSE) compared to non-pseudomyopic participants.ConclusionsCycloplegic refraction is more sensitive than a noncycloplegic one for measuring refractive error in preschool children. Pseudomyopia is prevalent in preschool children during the COVID-19 outbreak period. Our study indicates the possibility that cycloplegic refraction should be performed in preschool children routinely.

Longitudinal changes of refractive error in preschool children with congenital ectopia lentis.

Congenital ectopia lentis (CEL) is a hereditary eye disease which severely impacts preschool children's visual function and development. This study aimed to evaluate the longitudinal changes in spherical equivalent (SE) refractive error in preschool children with CEL. A retrospective cohort study was conducted at Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Guangzhou, China. Medical records of CEL patients under 6-year-old who were diagnosed with Marfan syndrome at the initial visit from January 2014 to March 2022 were collected and were divided into surgery and non-surgery groups. Mean change rate of SE in the two groups was evaluated, and the potential associated factors of SE change rate were investigated by mixed-effect regression model. A total of 94 preschool patients from 14 provinces of China were included. Among the 42 children of the surgery group, the mean age with standard deviation (SD) was 5.02 ± 0.81years and patients experienced a myopic shift of -0.05 ± 0.09D/month in average. The mean age with SD of the 52 children of the non-surgery group was 4.34 ± 1.02years, and the mean myopic shift was -0.09 ± 0.14D/month. The mixed-effect regression model identified that higher degree of myopia at baseline was associated with slower myopic shift both in surgery (β = 0.901, 95% CI: 0.822 ~ 0.980, P < 0.001) and in non-surgery group (β = 1.006, 95% CI: 0.977 ~ 1.034, P < 0.001) in CEL patients. Surgical treatment (β = 2.635, 95% CI: 1.376 ~ 3.894, P < 0.001) was associated with slower myopic shift in all participants CEL patients. Myopic progression was slower in the surgery group than in the non-surgery group of CEL. Preschool CEL patients who met the surgical indication are suggested being performed with timely surgery to slow down the myopic progression.

CAUSES, MANIFESTATIONS AND MECHANISMS OF OVERCOMING SPEECH ERRORS IN PRESCHOOL CHILDREN

The article emphasizes the relevance of the problem of the formation of speech competence of preschoolers, which is determined by the tasks of the Law of Ukraine “On Preschool Education”, as well as the tasks of the Basic Component of Preschool Education in Ukraine. Attention is drawn to the causes, manifestations and types of speech errors in preschool children, the conditions and mechanisms for overcoming them are given. The significance of the language environment in the formation of speech competence is revealed. The importance of timely diagnosis of speech errors and the selection of the most successful and effective mechanisms for the formation of grammatical correctness of children’s speech, both in classes and in everyday life, which would contribute to their correction, is emphasized. Conducting a speech diagnosis helps the educator to optimize the process of development of children’s speech skills and abilities, to see the dynamics of the formation of speech activity under the influence of its purposeful formation, to prevent methodological errors both in the selection of the language content of education and the use of certain technologies and psychotechniques, and most importantly – to achieve developmental effect in the work of providing perfection and perfection to speech operations (skills) and speech actions (skills). Therefore, the problem of children’s speech requires further comprehensive research aimed at the study of speech activity in the aggregate of the child’s cognitive, emotional and motivational spheres, as well as the development of appropriate corrective and developmental influences on the child’s speech development.

An Investigation of the Relationship between Oral Sucking Habits and Types of Articulation Errors in Preschool Children with Phonological Impairment

An Investigation of the Relationship between Oral Sucking Habits and Types of Articulation Errors in Preschool Children with Phonological Impairment

Rates of spectacle wear in early childhood in the Netherlands

BackgroundRefractive errors are relatively common all around the world. In particular, early onset myopia is associated with a significant burden in later life. Little is known about refractive errors in preschool children. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of spectacle wear, visual acuity and refractive errors in young Dutch children.MethodsWe analyzed data of three prospective population-based studies: 99,660 3- to 5-year-olds undergoing vision screening at preventive child healthcare organizations, 6934 6-year-olds from the Generation R study, and 2974 7-year-olds from the RAMSES study. Visual acuity was measured with Landolt-C or LEA charts, spectacle wear was assessed, and refractive errors at age 6 and 7 were measured with cycloplegic refraction.ResultsThe prevalence of spectacle wear ranged from 1.5 to 11.8% between 3 to 7 years with no significant gender differences. Among children with spectacle wear at 6 years (N = 583) and 7 years (N = 350) 29.8 and 34.6% had myopia respectively, of which 21.1 and 21.6% combined with astigmatism; 19.6 and 6.8% had hyperopia, 37.2 and 11.1% hyperopia and astigmatism, and 12.5 and 32.7% astigmatism only.ConclusionsSpectacle wear in European children starts early in preschool and increases to a relatively frequent visual aid at school age. Advocating early detection and monitoring of refraction errors is warranted in order to prevent visual morbidities later in life.

Prevalence of ocular morbidity in preschool children in Pune, Maharashtra

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of ocular morbidity in preschool children in Anganwadis of Pune. Methods: All preschool children from Anganwadi in the area of Vishrantwadi and Yerawada in Pune city, western India, in the age group 36 to <72 months, underwent comprehensive eye examination in October 2019–February 2020: visual acuity estimation of each eye separately, slit-lamp examination, cycloplegic refraction, orthoptic evaluation, and fundoscopy. Prior to screening, an informed written consent form was taken from their parents and class teacher. All children needing optical or medical care were provided the same. Results: We examined 1341 children (aged 3 to <6 years, mean: 3.85 ± 1.0) in 36 Anganwadis, and 693 (51.7%) were girls; 81 (6%) children were detected to have ocular morbidities. There were refractive error in 42 (3.1%), strabismus 8 (0.6%), disorder of lid and adnexa 11 (0.8%), allergic conjunctivitis 2 (0.15%), bacterial conjunctivitis 3 (0.2%), viral conjunctivitis 2 (0.15%), corneal opacity 3 (0.2%), nystagmus 4 (0.3%), convergence insufficiency 3 (0.2%), and cataract 2 (0.15%). There was no gender difference for any morbidity, but older children were more likely to have one (P < 0.001). Out of 42 having refractive error, 5/42 (12%) had myopia, 1/42 (2%) hypermetropia, 11/42 (26%) myopic astigmatism, 3/42 (7%) compound myopic astigmatism, and 22/42 (52%) had mixed astigmatism. Conclusion: Refractive error in preschool children was not an insignificant problem. Most of the morbidities were treatable, and visual impairment was preventable.

Spectacle wear and refractive errors in Dutch children

Abstract Background Myopia is a refractive error that is increasing dramatically all over the world. Early onset is associated with a significant visual burden later in life, but little is known about refractive errors in preschool children. The aim of this study was to assess prevalence of spectacle wear, visual acuity and refractive errors in young Dutch children and to make global comparisons. Methods We analyzed data of three prospective population-based studies: 99,660 3- to 5-year-olds undergoing vision screening at preventive child healthcare organizations, 6,934 6-year-olds from the Generation R study, and 2,974 7-year-olds from the RAMSES study. Visual acuity was measured with Landolt-C or LEA charts, spectacle wear was assessed, and refractive errors at age 6 and 7 were measured with cycloplegic refraction. Spectacle wear was compared with international studies. Results The prevalence of spectacle wear was 1.5%, 2.3%, 6.6%, 8.2% and 11.8% at 36, 45, 60, 72 and 84 months, respectively, with no major sex differences. Among children with spectacle wear at 72 months (N = 583) and 84 months (N = 351) 29.8% and 34.6% had myopia respectively, of which 21.1% and 21.6% combined with astigmatism, 19.6% and 6.8% had hyperopia, 37.2% and 11.1% hyperopia and astigmatism, and 12.5% and 33.3% astigmatism only. The prevalence of spectacle wear globally varied between 1.5% to 21%. Conclusions Spectacle wear in these European children started early in preschool and increased to substantial figures at school age. Among children with spectacle wear, &amp;gt;30% were already myopic, illustrating the urgency to implement myopia prevention strategies in child health centers. Key messages Early onset myopia is a public health issue. Of the 6- to 7-year-olds with spectacles 30-34% were already myopic. Monitoring of refractive errors and preventive lifestyle interventions are warranted.

Refraction in Preschool Children in Kazanlak, Bulgaria.

The refractive state of the eye changes as the eye's axial length increases and the cornea and lens flatten. In general, eyes are hyperopic at birth, become slightly more hyperopic until the age of 7, which at this point we see a myopic shift toward plano until the eyes reach their adult dimensions, usually by about the age 16. To determine the prevalence of refractive error in preschool children aged 3 - 6 in the city of Kazanlak, Bulgaria. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a kindergarten based school within the city of Kazanlak, Bul-garia. Out of 15 kindergarten schools, 10 chose to participate in the study. The children underwent non-mydriatic refraction screening using a Plus-Optix S12с mobile camera. Myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism were defined as being a spherical equivalent (SE) ≤ -0.50 D, SE ≥ +2.00 D and cylindrical diopters ≤ -1.00 D. A total of 596 children were screened. Out of these 596 children; 526 were with ametropia (470 hypermetropia, 46 myopia) and 50 had astigmatism. Strabismus was found in 12 children, with a further 8 children suffering from amblyopia and finally 8 children were also found to be diagnosed with anisometropia. In 8 cases there were no results due to opacities or due to the small size of the pupil. The prevalence of refractive error in preschool children is similar to that found in other research in the field. While most cases fall into the category of emmetropia or mild hypermetropia, most of the children had never been to an ophthalmologist. A manda-tory checkup should be issued for all children below the age of seven.

Diagnostic accuracy and agreement between visual acuity charts for detecting significant refractive errors in preschoolers

BackgroundPreschool vision screenings are considered to be cost‐effective methods to identify children with vision disorders. The children of this age group are poor at communicating their symptoms and hence screening is mandated. This study is aimed at estimating the diagnostic accuracy and agreement of Lea, HOTV and E visual acuity charts for detecting significant refractive errors.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was conducted, in which monocular unaided vision assessment of each study participant was performed with Lea, HOTV and E charts. Stereo acuity was measured with the Randot Preschool Test and a comprehensive eye examination including dilatation was performed. Significant refractive error was defined as hyperopia > 3.25 D, myopia > 2.00 D, astigmatism > 1.50 D, anisometropia if interocular difference > 1.00 D for hyperopia, > 3.00 D for myopia or > 1.50 D for astigmatism. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were estimated. Bland–Altmann plots were generated to help identify the level of agreement between the vision charts.ResultsA total of 256 eyes were analysed. Lea, HOTV and E had sensitivities of 87.8 per cent, 90.2 per cent and 90.2 per cent, respectively. Specificity and positive predictive values were better for HOTV (77.3 per cent, 65.5 per cent) and Lea (75 per cent, 62.6 per cent), compared to E chart (69.8 per cent, 58.7 per cent). Negative predictive values for Lea, HOTV and E charts were 92.8 per cent, 93.8 per cent and 93.8 per cent, respectively. Bland–Altmann analysis showed good agreement between Lea and HOTV, Lea and E, and HOTV and E visual acuity charts. The acuity difference was least between Lea and HOTV charts (0.1 logMAR). Eighty‐five (33.2 per cent) eyes had significant refractive errors. Eighty (94.1 per cent) eyes were astigmatic.ConclusionThe diagnostic accuracy of the visual acuity charts was high for the identification of significant refractive errors in preschool children. There was very good agreement between the visual acuity charts.

Ocular wavefront aberration and refractive error in pre-school children

Hartmann–Shack images taken from an archived collection of SureSight refractive measurements of pre-school children in Oxford County, Ontario, Canada were retrieved and re-analyzed. Higher-order aberrations were calculated over the age range of 3 to 6 years. These higher-order aberrations were compared with respect to magnitudes of ametropia. Subjects were classified as emmetropic (range −0.5 to + 0.5D), low hyperopic (+ 0.5 to +2D) and high hyperopic (+2D or more) based upon the resulting spherical equivalent. Higher-order aberrations were found to increase with higher levels of hyperopia (p < 0.01). The strongest effect was for children showing more than +2.00D of hyperopia. The correlation coefficients were small in all of the higher-order aberrations; however, they were significant (p < 0.01). These analyses indicate a weak association between refractive error and higher-order aberrations in pre-school children.

Detektion amblyogener Risikofaktoren mit dem Vision Screener S 04

The Vision Screener® (Plusoptix) was developed for the recognition of amblyogenic refractive errors without cycloplegia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specitifity for the detection of amblygenic refractive errors in preschool children. Furthermore it was investigated whether small angle strabismus as another cause for amblyopia could be detected by manual evaluation of corneal reflex images on printouts. 83 children aged between 0.5 and 6 years without strabismus had undergone 3 measurements without cycloplegia with the Vision Screener before cyclplegic retinoscopy was performed. In a second group of 72 children with orthotropia or a manifest strabismus < 10° the position of the eyes without correction was evaluated in a complete orthoptic and ophthalmological examination. Three measurements with the Vision Screener were performed in non-cycloplegic status. The centre of the "cloud of viewing directions" was determined on print-outs and the distance to the points of origin (middle of pupil) measured for each eye. The sum of distances of right and left eyes was taken for determination of total deviation and the assymetry was calculated by the difference of distances of the right and left eyes. There was a total sensitivity of 75% (specifity 91%) for amblyogenic refractive error (prevalence: astigmatism 22%, hyperopia 6%, anisometropia 6%). A change of threshold criteria increased the total sensitivity to 86% and 93%, whereas specifity was lowered to 80% and 76%, respectively. Eight children showed a manifest strabismus. In 75% of these cases the determined deviation of corneal reflex images in the horizontal direction was outside of the normal range; analysis of asymmetry showed an abnormal result in 37.5% of the cases. The examination using the Vision Screener may detect refractive errors and partially small angle strabismus as amblyogenic risk factors; however, additional tests should be added for screening examinations. An ophthalmological examination including cycloplegic retinoscopy cannot be replaced. Despite acceptable sensitivity and specifity the major portion of positively screened children will be without pathological findings at cycloplegic controls, because the amount of "false-positive" results exceeds the amount of "true-positive" results based on a prevalence of 5% for amblyopia.

Verb Particle Errors in Preschool Children With Specific Language Impairment

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the spontaneous language samples of children with specific language impairment (SLI) to those of typically developing children for frequency of verb particle produc- tion and frequency and errors types associated with verb particle production. Method: The language transcripts of 10 children with SLI (age 3;8 (years;months) to 5;7) were compared to those of 10 typically developing children (age 2;11 to 3;4) matched for mean length of utterance (MLU). The transcripts were analyzed for the number of verb particles produced and errors occurring with the verb particles attempted. Three types of errors were identified: verb particle constructions, subject argument omissions, and object argument omissions. Results: No significant difference was noted between groups I

Testability of the Retinomax Autorefractor and IOLMaster in Preschool Children: The Multi-ethnic Pediatric Eye Disease Study

To determine the testability of Retinomax and IOLMaster ocular biometry in preschool children.Population-based study of inner city preschool children in Los Angeles County.Two thousand five hundred forty-five Hispanic and 2178 African American children 6 to 72 months old.Subjects were identified by door-to-door screening within previously identified contiguous census tracts. Pediatric ophthalmologists or optometrists performed comprehensive eye examinations on all subjects. Refractive error and keratometry measurements were attempted on all subjects with the Retinomax autorefractor after cycloplegia. Axial length measurements with the IOLMaster partial coherence interferometer were attempted on those subjects ages 30 to 72 months.Ability to obtain high confidence autorefraction readings or axial length measurements on both eyes.Overall, 89% were testable in both eyes with the Retinomax device, and 91% of the children were testable with the IOLMaster. Testability rose sharply with age, so that by age 36 months 98% of children were testable with the Retinomax device and 90% were testable with IOLMaster. There were no consistent gender- or ethnicity-related differences in testability overall or when stratified by age for either device.Young children can be reliably tested for ocular biometry with the Retinomax and IOLMaster devices. This may impact strategies for management of cataracts and refractive errors in preschool children.

Spherical Equivalent Refractive Error in Preschool Children From a Population With a High Prevalence of Astigmatism

To describe spherical equivalent (sph eq) refractive errors in preschool members of a Native American tribe with a high prevalence of astigmatism. Cycloplegic autorefraction measurements were obtained for 819 three- and four-year-old Tohono O'odham children, with follow-up measurements in 146 after 4 to 8 years. Mean sph eq was significantly more hyperopic in the astigmatic group than in the non-astigmatic group (1.24 vs. 0.87 D). At follow-up, prevalence of hyperopic sph eq and hyperopic astigmatism had significantly decreased, and prevalence of emmetropic/myopic sph eq and myopic astigmatism had significantly increased. The decrease in mean sph eq was similar in astigmats and non-astigmats. Astigmatism did not change over time. Most preschool children in this highly astigmatic population are hyperopic, with astigmats showing higher mean hyperopic sph eq than non-astigmats. Astigmats and non-astigmats show a similar decrease in amount of hyperopic sph eq over follow-up of 4 to 8 years.

Screening for Refractive Errors in Preschool Children with the Vision Screener

Background: The Vision Screener® is a new, commercial version of the Power Refractor, an off-axis, hand-held video refractor to screen for amblyogenic refractive errors. The aim of our study was to determine the reproducibility of the measurements, compare them to cycloplegic refraction, and evaluate the sensitivity and specificity for the detection of amblyogenic refractive errors. Patients and Methods: Included in the study were 161 preschool children, age 0.5–7.2 years without manifest strabismus > 10°, who attended the outpatient clinic. After three measurements with the Vision Screener (version 4.3.15) and one measurement with +3 dpt glasses, the child underwent cycloplegic refraction. Results: The reproducibility of the three non-cycloplegic measurements was ± 0.5 dpt in 85% and ± 1 dpt in more than 95% of the children. Accommodation reduced the manifest hyperopia that could be measured with the Vision Screener by up to 3 dpt in some children. Compliance with the +3 dpt glasses increased from 20% in those under one year of age to > 75 % in those over three. The glasses did increase the sensitivity from 70% to 80% but decreased the specificity from 80% to 65%. Conclusion: The Vision Screener is easy to handle and gives reproducible results. The sensitivity and specificity are between 70 and 80%. The +3 dpt glasses are only helpful in a few patients. The latest software version with a new algorithm is now under evaluation.

Vision for coloured pictures at different acuities: the Sonksen picture guide to visual function.

The vision 70 normal-sighted children was tested for both Snellen letters and life-size colour pictures of everyday objects. All the children wore spectacles for the tests: 60 were fitted with lenses which would induce a refractive error, the remainder had glassless frames only. Compared with acuity measures based on the Snellen letters, the pictures needed to be brought much closer than might be expected before the children with induced minor visual errors could recognise them. This highlights the importance of detecting and correcting refractive errors in preschool children who learn from such material, and suggests that the pictures may be a useful tool for detecting children with such errors. 18 pictures, comprising the Sonksen Picture Guide to Visual Function, have now been selected for this purpose.