General Health Status Of Children Research Articles

Assessment of the general health status of children in Turkey: A community-based cross-sectional study.

This study aims to assess the general health status and factors affecting the general health status in the 0-14 age group in Turkey. This cross-sectional study was conducted using the Turkish Statistical Institute Turkey Health Survey 2022 micro data set. This study included 7019 participants. Household heads described the general health status of 91.3% of children and the dental and gum status of 82.4% of children as very good or good, and 9.2% of children had any chronic disease. Although the median breastfeeding duration was 15 months, there is statistical significant association between sex and general health status (p = 0.014) and sex and duration of breastfeeding (p = 0.006). A statistical difference was found between duration of breastfeeding and general health status (p = 0.009) and dental and gum status (p = 0.001). In 2022, the majority of children in Turkey had very good or good general health and dental and gum status. More than a third of children were breastfed for less than 12 months. Considering the possibility of neglecting oral and dental health problems, it is recommended to prioritize oral and dental health literacy trainings and to continue breastfeeding promotion programmes.

AN ICF CORE SET BASED INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECTS OF GROSS MOTOR FUNCTIONS ON HEALTH IN CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY

Purpose: The Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) is commonly used to assess gross motor functions in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Our aim was to investigate the relationship between gross motor function and health status in children with CP based on clinical types and functional levels. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 75 children with CP (mean age ± SD 7.59 ±3.86 years). The 66-item Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-66) was used to measure the gross motor functions of children. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) CP Core Set was used to assess the general health status of children including body functions and structures, activity and participation, and environmental factors for obtaining a holistic framework. Results: Of the children, 61 (81.3%) were spastic and 14 (18.7%) were dyskinetic. Children were divided into 3 groups based on the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level as mild (levels 1-2, n=28), moderate (level 3, n=16), and severe (levels 4-5, n=31). The GMFM-66 had moderate to strong correlations with body functions and structures (r=-0.811, p

General health status of children with asthma during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic became a serious health concern globally, patients with chronic diseases have required close attention with regard to general risks and individual treatment. We aimed to reveal the general health status of pediatric asthmatic patients during the pandemic, considering the role of household factors in parental attitudes. We asked 60 asthmatic patients and their parents to respond to a questionnaire, with the aim of revealing the current health status of the patients and the general approach of the family to asthma management during the pandemic. A total of eight patients had had an asthma attack during the outbreak, but there was no confirmed correlation with COVID-19 infection. Most of the parents had never considered stopping their children's current medications. However, the majority of them reported concerns about the failure of the ambulatory care services and almost all saw their children as being at high risk for COVID-19 infection. There was no significant relationship between these concerns and their psychological status (P>0.05). The crucial point regarding asthma management is to control patients' medical and psychological status to minimize the effects of the pandemic. Healthcare professionals should also pay attention to members of the patients' households because their adaptation to the "new normal" of pandemic may directly affect the patients' state of health.

Parents’ perception of physical activity and body mass in their children compared to BMI and physical fitness test results – examination of 8369 children

Introduction: The level of parents’ knowledge and ability to evaluate a child’s health condition is crucial when making decisions concerning physical activity levels and dietary patterns. Aim: This study assessed parents’ views versus the actual health status of their children using anthropometric examinations and performance test results. Material and methods: The research involved an examination of 8369 children aged 6–7 years and an analysis of responses provided by parents to a questionnaire of the general health status of children, their physical activity, and estimated average time spent passively. Responses were compared to the results of a performance test and anthropometric measurements, classified according to centile grids for a given age and sex. Results and discussion: In total, 85% of guardians did not notice obesity in a child whose BMI was in the 95th percentile or above. Guardians of children with very bad physical performance evaluated their general health condition as very good (42%) or good (50%), which means that 92% of guardians were not aware of their child’s very low exercise capacity. In total, 75% of guardians of children with very poor fitness believed that their child had a sufficient amount of physical activity during the day. Conclusions: Parents or guardians of children with excessive body weight have a low level of awareness of obesity and have no awareness of their children’s very low physical performance. We conclude that there is a great need for comprehensive education of societies regarding the importance of physical activity and nutrition for the health of children and youth.

A first-in-human clinical study of a new SP-B and SP-C enriched synthetic surfactant (CHF5633) in preterm babies with respiratory distress syndrome: two-year outcomes

Objective To assess at 24 months corrected age (CA) the neurological, respiratory, and general health status of children born prematurely from 27+0 to 33+6 weeks’ gestation who were treated in a first-in-human study with a new fully synthetic surfactant (CHF5633) enriched with SP-B and SP-C proteins. Outcome measures Children were assessed using Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID), with a score below normal defined as BSID-II Mental Development Index score <70, or BSID-III cognitive composite score <85. In addition, a health status questionnaire was used to check for functional disability including respiratory problems and related treatments, sensory and neurodevelopment assessments, communication skills as well as the number of hospitalizations. Results 35 of 39 survivors had a neurodevelopmental assessment, 24 infants being evaluated by Bayley’s Scales and 11 by health status questionnaires only. 23 children had scores within normal limits and one had BSID-III <85. The remaining 11 were judged clinically to have normal development. Health status questionnaires detected only issues that would normally be expected in preterm-born children. Conclusions This assessment offers reassurance that treatment with CHF5633 surfactant was not associated with adverse neurodevelopmental, respiratory, or health outcomes by two years corrected age.

Oral Health and Interprofessional Education Experiences in Family Medicine and Pediatric Residency

INTRODUCTION Prevention of dental diseases in children requires interprofessional education (IPE) and care coordination between oral health professionals and primary care providers; however, the extent of preparation of medical residents and its impact on their provision of preventive oral health services in clinical practice requires further investigation. METHODS A two-stage cluster sample of 470 US family medicine and 205 pediatric residency programs was used. A random sample of 30% (N=140) of family medicine and 29% (N=60) of pediatric residency programs were randomly selected. Of these, 42 programs (21%) invited residents to participate. Residents (N=95, 28%) completed an online questionnaire regarding oral health training in residency. Statistical analysis included frequencies and Spearman’s rank correlations. RESULTS Eighty-three percent of family medicine and pediatric residents combined reported receiving oral health education. Clinical experiences involving oral healthcare were frequently reported (77%, n=75); however, IPE with an oral health professional was limited. Both groups indicated they provided anticipatory guidance regarding regular dental visits and toothbrushing “very often” and avoiding bottles at bedtime “often.” Residents reported performing dental caries assessments “often” and applying fluoride varnish “occasionally.” For family medicine residents, moderate correlations (p ≤ 0.01) were found between hours of oral health education and providing anticipatory guidance. For pediatric residents, a moderate correlation (p < 0.01) was found between hours of oral health education and assessing teeth for demineralization. CONCLUSION Increased effort is needed to meet national recommendations for educating family medicine and pediatric residents regarding oral healthcare for children, including increased IPE involving oral health professionals. Received: 05/25/2015 Accepted: 08/28/2015 Published: 10/22/2015 © 2015 Bailey et al. This open access article is distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution License, which allows unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. H IP & Oral Health and Interprofessional Education ORIGINAL RESEARCH 2(3):eP1081 | 2 Introduction Oral health is a vital component of overall health and, therefore, the responsibility of pediatricians. Accordingly, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends pediatricians play an integral role in children’s oral health by providing preventive oral health services including anticipatory guidance, oral health screenings and assessments, and fluoride varnish applications during well-child visits (AAP, 2014). This recommendation applies not only to pediatricians but to other primary care providers (PCP), such as family physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants (PA) (National Interprofessional Initiative on Oral health [NIIOH], 2011). In 2014, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended PCP prescribe fluoride supplementation to children beginning at 6 months of age if they reside in areas with suboptimal fluoride concentration in the drinking water and provide fluoride varnish applications to all children beginning at eruption of the first tooth (USPSTF, 2014). In support of these recommendations, medical insurers are requir-ed to reimburse providers under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for services assigned a grade A or B by the USPSTF. This reimbursement includes fluoride varnish applications for children ages 0-5 years (Kaiser Family Foundation [KFF], 2014). These national children’s oral health initiatives coincide with the recent emphasis on integrating interprofessional education (IPE) opportunities across the healthcare professions to improve the health of the nation and overall quality of care (Institute of Medicine [IOM], 2011). IPE opportunities involving oral health experts such as dental hygienists, dentists, and/or dental professional students are integral to effectively train PCP to de-liver preventive oral health services to children. Little is known about IPE opportunities involving dental professionals in family medicine and pediatric residencies. Patients of all ages experience needless dental diseaserelated pain and expense, in part, because their PCP has not been trained to provide preventive oral health services (NIIOH, 2009). The general health status of children and adolescents can be improved by prevention and early intervention of oral diseases, including dental caries, before they develop into more complicated Implications for Interprofessional Practice

Measurement of socioeconomic status in the KiGGS study: first follow-up (KiGGS Wave 1)

This article describes the measurement of socioeconomic status in the first follow-up of the KiGGS study (KiGGS Wave 1) conducted from 2009 to 2012. A multidimensional index score was used. The score is the sum of three metric components: Education and Occupational Qualification, Occupational Status, and Net Income. Compared with the approach in the KiGGS baseline study, some modifications were made in accordance with changes in the other components of the health-monitoring program at the Robert Koch Institute, i.e., the German Health Update (GEDA) and the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults (DEGS1). These changes facilitate the analysis of temporal developments and trends, ensure international comparability of the data, and support the transfer of the results into politics and practice. In order to demonstrate the application of the revised instrument, we report on exemplary results of KiGGS Wave 1 regarding the relationship between socioeconomic status and the general health status of children and adolescents aged 3-17 years.

A Survey on General Health among students of guidance schools

In recent years, the prevalence of mental disorders has increased and the prevalence of 18-23% is reported for Iran. This study aims to evaluate psychological aspect of general health status of children in Ilam city, located in Iran using a questionnaire. This study is a descriptive-comparative research that measures general health of boys and girls in schools. The required information is obtained by means of the GHQ-28 standard questionnaire which distributed among 118 children. The general health is divided into four categories, in which the dangerous group receives the higher scores in the range of 64-84. The SPSS software is used for data analysis. The sample consisted of 64 (54%) boys and 54 (46%) girls and overall score of children are classified into four categories. Among the samples, 38 participants (32.2%), 61 children (51.7%), 17 children (14.7%) and two persons (1.7%) are received the scores of 0-21, 22-42, 43-63 and 64-84, respectively. Also, the statistical association is observed between age, grade and general health of participants (P <0.05). Relatively large numbers of children possessed good general health status. It is found that as age of participant is increased its general health degrades.

Health status of hearing‐impaired children and adolescents

This descriptive study was conducted to identify factors that affect the general health status of hearing-impaired children and adolescents aged 6-18. One hundred six hearing-impaired students were sampled from two primary schools and a high school in Izmir, Turkey. The data were collected utilizing the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ). Children and adolescents' physical health mean score and psychological health mean score were M = 47.4 ± 10.2 and M = 49.4 ± 9.5, respectively. Statistically significant differences in health status were found between the categories of age, mother's educational level and economic status of the family. The general health status of children and adolescents was found to be positive.

A probiotic dairy product containing L. gasseri CECT5714 and L. coryniformis CECT5711 induces immunological changes in children suffering from allergy

The increase in the prevalence of allergic diseases in children has been attributed to an unbalanced immune response probably due to environmental factors. The immunoregulatory properties of probiotic bacteria could balance the disequilibrium in the immune response causing the allergic response. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunological effects of the consumption of a dairy product containing two probiotic strains in children suffering from allergy. A double-blinded, randomized, control comparative study was performed with 44 allergic children. Children were randomly distributed in two groups, a control Yogurt and a Probiotic group. Both groups daily consumed 200 ml of a dairy fermented product for 3 months. The Yogurt group consumed a conventional yogurt, whereas the Probiotic group consumed a similar dairy product where Lactobacillus bulgaricus was substituted by a mixture of Lactobacillus gasseri CECT5714 and Lactobacillus coryniformis CECT5711 (at least 10(6) cfu/g each strain). Intestinal and immunological parameters were measured in fecal and blood samples. The consumption of the probiotic product induced a significant decrease in the level of IgE in plasma (p = 0.03) and an increase in CD4(+)/CD25(+) T regulatory cells (p = 0.01). The decrease in IgE was accompanied by a significant increase in mucosal IgA (p = 0.01). However, changes in other effector cells potentially involved in allergic reactions such as eosinophiles, basophiles or other IgE+ cells were not detected. The consumption of the probiotic product also induced significant changes in innate response as a significant increase in natural killer cells was detected (p = 0.03). The daily consumption of a probiotic product containing L. gasseri CECT5714 and L. coryniformis CECT5711 for 3 months induces, in allergic children, beneficial effects on immune parameters involved in the allergic response such as a reduction of IgE in plasma and an increase in regulatory T cells. The probiotic product also enhanced innate and specific immune parameters that may improve the general health status of children.

Is the relationship between socioeconomic status and health stronger for older children in developing countries?

Recent research on the relationship between child health and income in developed countries reveals a positive gradient that is more pronounced for older children, suggesting that the impact of income upon health accumulates. This article examines whether the same is true in a developing country. Using data from the Indonesian Family Life Survey on children aged 0 to 14 years, we find that although low income adversely affects health, its impact does not differ by age. This finding is robust to the use of both subjective and objective health measures, controlling for selective mortality, the use of alternative measures of households' resources, and the inclusion of indicators of health at birth and parental health. One explanation for the constancy of the health-income relationship that we explore is the dominant role played by acute illness in determining the general health status of children in a developing-country context compared with the more central role played by chronic conditions in developed countries.

General Health Status of Children With d -Transposition of the Great Arteries After the Arterial Switch Operation

Background To study the long-term impact on general health status of d -transposition of the great arteries (D-TGA) after the arterial switch operation (ASO) during infancy, we asked parents to complete the Child Health Questionnaire, Parent Form-50 when their children were 8 years old. Methods and Results Of 160 eligible patients, questionnaires were completed for 155 subjects (96%). Median age at surgery was 6 days (range 1 to 67 days), and median age at completion of the Child Health Questionnaire was 8.1 years (7.6 to 10.0 years). Subsequent to questionnaire completion, children underwent psychometric testing. Mean Physical Health Summary and Psychosocial Summary scores were 54.0±6.1 and 49.7±9.9, respectively, which were similar to those of normal subjects. Compared with the normative sample, parents of D-TGA patients reported more problems with attention, learning, and speech, as well as greater frequency of developmental delay ( P &lt;0.001 for each). Worse Psychosocial Summary scores were significantly associated with lower full-scale IQ ( P =0.001) and lower achievement in reading ( P =0.005) and math ( P =0.007). Worse Physical Health Summary scores were associated with longer hospital stay after the ASO ( P =0.02). General health status scores were not significantly related to presence of ventricular septal defect, age at surgery, perfusion variables during the ASO, sex, or history of cardiac reoperation. Conclusions At age 8 years, children with D-TGA after ASO have an overall physical and psychosocial health status similar to that of the general population. Lower IQ and academic achievement are associated with worse psychosocial health status, whereas longer hospital course after initial surgery is associated with worse physical health status.

Child mental health policy

I N AN EFFORT TO highlight some of the proposed objectives for Healthy People 2010, this article will focus on one of the targeted areas: child mental health and mental disorders. In tracing the history of policy development in the area of child mental health services, the issues have by in large remained the same. Financing, access, quality, appropriateness of services, and service-system development have remained priority issues for clients, practitioners, and legislators alike. These issues differ little front the health policy issues that face all children. Although it is expected that most children will grow to be productive adults in our society, a significant number of children remain at risk of not meeting the challenges of the next century. For more than a decade, health care professionals have focused on children and families at risk. Research efforts have identified poverty as the factor most likely to put a person at risk for child abuse, teen pregnancy, drug abuse, and school failure. Given the dependent nature of children on their families, the status of family life in America today is an indicator of child well-being. The most notable trend putting youth at risk is the decline in the percentage of children living in a two-parent family (68%), with the greatest decline for African American youth (36%). For two-parent families, at least 76% have working parents (Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics, 1999). Economic indicators, health and education indicators, as well as behavior and social indicators are also useful in monitoring the well-being of American children. Economic indicators impacting children have not changed since 1995. These include child poverty, secure parental employment, housing problems, and access to health care. In addition, the general health status of children, limitations in their level of activity, and immunizations have not improved, and the percentage of low birthweights has increased. Further, few behavioral and social environment indicators have changed. Cigarette smoking among young children and alcohol and illicit-drug use across all children and adolescents have not changed significantly since 1996. The percentage of young people who are victims of violent crimes has not declined, while the percentage of youth committing violent crimes has declined by 5% (Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics, 1999). The consequences of combined risk factors are easily visible in American youth today. Newspapers are filled with stories of school shootings, child kidnappings, physical and sexual abuse, and serious neglect. It is estimated that 9.2 million youths are growing up with 4 or more risk factors, such as lack of health insurance, family below poverty level, and unemployed parents (Annie E. Casey Foundation, 1999). Most notable are neighborhood variables that exaggerate family vulnerabilities. As an example, poor city neighborhoods are most likely to have few community resources, the weakest schools, and high rates of violence, factors that discourage healthy family functioning. With this in mind, strategies designed to assist these youth and their families must be multidimensional. This means that they must address community, family, and economic factors that contribute to the vulnerable health status of the individual. There are approximately 13.5 million children and adolescents with mental or emotional disorders, with only one in five identified as needing treatment (American Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry [AACAP], 1999). Although

Delimmas in assessing the health status of children with learning disabilities

There has been little research directed at the evaluation of the general health status of children in mainstream settings with learning disabilities. The purpose of this study was to describe the effectiveness of a teacher-referral instrument in comparing the health status of children with learning disabilities and nondisabled children. Health records were reviewed to validate the findings of the teacher assessments. Students with learning disabilities were found to have increased frequency of health problems on the teacher-referral instrument. The health records did not serve to validate the teacher assessments, however, as a result of missing information and format inconsistencies. Policy implications are identified and discussed.

Malnutrition and anaemia among Somali refugee children in long term camps

In a long term Somali refugee camp where nutritional and general health status of children is now considered satisfactory and stable, a randomized community based survey of 300 children under five years was undertaken. Results indicate that the prevalence of protein‐energy malnutrition is rising again: 17.3% of children are &lt;80% median weight/height and 1.7% are &lt;70%median weight/height. In addition, there is a high prevalence of anaemia: 50.5% have a haemoglobin level &lt;9g% and 10.8%≤6g%. This cannot be explained by chronic malaria as the spleen rate is only 2%. Stool examination of 161 children show 29.8% to have evidence of Giardia Lamblia infection but this is not statistically correlated with either anaemia or with protein‐energy malnutrition. Other potentially pathogenic parasites are uncommon and no hookworm is seen. Examination of blood films of anaemic children shows hypochromia as a striking feature.It is concluded that nutritional deficiencies are a likely major factor in the aetiology of the anaemia. Both protein‐energy malnutrition and anaemia seem related to the weaning period. Food rations for refugees, although adequate for short term needs, may be qualitatively deficient for long term subsistence, especially as regards young children.

Some nutritional considerations in times of major catastrophe. Observations following a recent visit to the Bangladesh Refugee Camps in Northeastern India.

On a trip jointly sponsored by the Catholic Relief Services, the Americans for Children's Relief and The Mt. Sinai School of Medi cine of The City University of New York, Dr. Roy E. Brown spent 2-1/2 weeks in November 1971, in the Bangladesh Refugee Camps in India, observing the nutritional and general health status of children and infants in the camps. Dr. Brown has unique qualifications for this responsibility as an American- trained pediatrician who has worked for 8 years in many over seas countries including Haiti, Germany, Peru, Ethiopia, Uganda and the Ivory Coast. He has also made briefer trips serving as a pediatric nutrition consultant in Malawi, Biafra and Guyana.