Level Of Preschool Children Research Articles

Genetic Variation in FADS Genes and Plasma Cholesterol Levels in 2-Year-Old Infants: KOALA Birth Cohort Study

ObjectiveSingle nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes involved in fatty acid metabolism (FADS1 FADS2 gene cluster) are associated with plasma lipid levels. We aimed to investigate whether these associations are already present early in life and compare the relative contribution of FADS SNPs vs traditional (non-genetic) factors as determinants of plasma lipid levels.MethodsInformation on infants’ plasma total cholesterol levels, genotypes of five FADS SNPs (rs174545, rs174546, rs174556, rs174561, and rs3834458), anthropometric data, maternal characteristics, and breastfeeding history was available for 521 2-year-old children from the KOALA Birth Cohort Study. For 295 of these 521 children, plasma HDLc and non-HDLc levels were also known. Multivariable linear regression analysis was used to study the associations of genetic and non-genetic determinants with cholesterol levels.ResultsAll FADS SNPs were significantly associated with total cholesterol levels. Heterozygous and homozygous for the minor allele children had about 4% and 8% lower total cholesterol levels than major allele homozygotes. In addition, homozygous for the minor allele children had about 7% lower HDLc levels. This difference reached significance for the SNPs rs174546 and rs3834458. The associations went in the same direction for non-HDLc, but statistical significance was not reached. The percentage of total variance of total cholesterol levels explained by FADS SNPs was relatively low (lower than 3%) but of the same order as that explained by gender and the non-genetic determinants together.Conclusions FADS SNPs are associated with plasma total cholesterol and HDLc levels in preschool children. This brings a new piece of evidence to explain how blood lipid levels may track from childhood to adulthood. Moreover, the finding that these SNPs explain a similar amount of variance in total cholesterol levels as the non-genetic determinants studied reveals the potential importance of investigating the effects of genetic variations in early life.

The investigation of the level of preschool children with eyesight problems functional state

Рассмотрены показатели функционального состояния детей дошкольного возраста с проблемами зрения. В исследовании принимали участие дети всех возрастных групп: младшей, средней и старшей – 35 девочек и 42 мальчика. Во время тестирования определялись: функциональное состояние сердечно-сосудистой и дыхательной систем, вестибулярного анализатора, длительность слышимости звука при воздушной проводимости. Полученные результаты свидетельствуют о том, что функциональное состояние организма детей дошкольного возраста с проблемами зрения несколько ниже нормы. Исходные данные возрастной динамики функционального состояния детей дошкольного возраста с проблемами зрения позволили установить, что с возрастом показатели улучшаются. В половом аспекте, выявлено, что показатели мальчиков, в основном, выше, чем у девочек.

Dental caries experience and barriers to care in young children with disabilities in Ireland.

Dental caries among preschool children remains a significant dental public health problem. In Ireland, there are no national data available regarding dental caries levels in preschool children. Furthermore, the number of young children with disabilities and their dental caries levels remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to measure the dental caries levels in a sample of preschool children with disabilities. A team of trained and calibrated dentists examined a sample of all 0- to 6-year old preschool children with disabilities in two health service administrative areas under standardized conditions. Dental caries was recorded using WHO criteria. Of a total of 422 participants, 337 datasets were included in the study. Of these 337 examined children, approximately 75.1% had a cognitive disability and 12.9% had a noncognitive disability. In 12% of the children, a diagnosis had not yet been established. Dental caries at dentin level was detected from the age of 4 years. The overall mean decayed/missing/ filled teeth (dmft) was 0.49 (SD, 1.39). The analysis of mean dmft levels in children with positive (dmft > 0) scores revealed a mean dmft of 1.14. The evidence from this study demonstrated that dental caries levels in preschool children with disabilities in Ireland are low when compared with the general population. Furthermore, children aged 3 years or younger exhibited no dental caries at dentin level and therefore were not affected by early childhood caries. An adjustment of current oral health prevention practice may lead to a further reduction in dental caries levels in this section of the child population.

Assessment of Total/Specific IgE Levels Against 7 Inhalant Allergens in Children Aged 3 to 6 Years in Seoul, Korea

PurposeChildhood allergies are a serious problem, as they may lead to lifetime chronic disease. Determination of total and specific IgE levels is known to be a diagnostic tool for allergic sensitization; however, IgE levels are affected by various factors, such as age, sex, ethnicity, and geographic area. Thus, we evaluated the distribution of total and specific serum IgE levels against seven inhalant allergens in preschool children and examined their association with allergic diseases in Seoul, Korea.MethodsTotal/specific serum IgE determination and skin prick tests for seven common allergens were performed on 509 children aged 3 to 6 years from 16 child care centers in Seoul, Korea. Demographic characteristics were surveyed from parents using a modified International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire. A diagnosis of atopic dermatitis was made by physicians.ResultsThe geometric mean of total IgE was 80.48±3.80 kU/L in preschool children. IgE levels were higher in boys (boys, 102.34±3.52 kU/L; girls, 62.37±3.93 kU/L; P<0.001) and atopic subjects (atopic, 158.00±3.35 kU/L; non-atopic, 52.75±3.44 kU/L; P<0.001). An increased prevalence of atopy was associated with a high monthly household income (P=0.004) and higher maternal education level (above university-level education; P=0.009), as well as increased total IgE levels (P=0.036). Physician-diagnosed atopic dermatitis was associated with sensitization to inhalant allergens.ConclusionsTotal IgE levels were very high as compared with those in previous reports from other countries. The most common sensitized allergen was Dermatophagoides farinae, and the positive response rate peaked at age 3 years and was maintained thereafter, particularly in boys. Specific IgE levels for seven inhalant allergens varied with age in preschool children. Although further investigations are needed with a broad range of ages and various allergens, the distribution of the total and specific serum IgE levels in preschool children might help to serve as a reference value to diagnose atopy.

Relationship between age, sex and body mass index with fundamental motor skills among 3 to 6 years-old children

The prevalence of childhood obesity is a serious public health problem. This problem is a multi-component disease and several factors are involved in its development. The childhood obesity led to poor mastery of fundamental motor skills (FMS) and failure to develop in specialized skills that required in organized sports and activities. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between age, sex and body mass index (BMI) with FMS in 3 to 6 years-old children. A total of 600 preschool children (300 boys and 300 girls) between the ages of 3 to 6 years old participated in this research. Subjects were selected through multi-stage cluster random sampling in five regions in Tehran. Using the Ohio State University Scale of Intra Gross Motor Assessment (OSU-SIGMA) FMS were assess. Body mass index (BMI) was directly measured from height (m)2/weight (kg) for each child. The results showed that the negative correlations between jumping, skipping, hopping and throwing skills and BMI in any 3 groups children were significant (P 0.05). The boys were performed better than girls in all FMS except hopping and skipping skills. In these skills the girls were better performed in all ages. These results highlight the need to provide organized opportunities which facilitate FMS and decreased high BMI levels in preschool children.

Preschool Children's Early Mathematics Achievement Based on Gender and Ethnicity

Achievements in Mathematics are said to be influenced by several factors including gender and ethnicity. The purpose of this study was to determine the overall early mathematics achievements of preschool children and whether there were significant differences in those achievements based on gender and ethnicity. The instrument used in this research was the Early Mathematics Achievement Test(EMAT) which was adapted from two preschool mathematics modules and the National Standard Preschool Curriculum Malaysia. The research sample consisted of 138 preschool children from six Ministry of Education preschools in Malaysia stratified according to gender and ethnicity. The data was analyzed descriptively and inferentially. The t-test and ANOVA were used to test gender and ethnic differences in the mathematics achievements. The findings showed that the level of preschool children's early mathematics achievements was above average. There were no significant differences in their mathematics achievement based on gender. However, there were significant differences in their early mathematics achievement based on ethnicity. We therefore argue that ethnicity is a factor that can probably affect preschool children's early mathematics achievement. The role of gender in mathematics achievement needs to be further examined in future studies to clarify the inconclusive findings of past research.

Effect of a family focused active play intervention on sedentary time and physical activity in preschool children

BackgroundEarly childhood provides a window of opportunity for the promotion of physical activity. Given the limited effectiveness of interventions to date, new approaches are needed. Socio-ecological models suggest that involving parents as intervention targets may be effective in fostering healthier lifestyles in children. This study describes the effectiveness of a family-focused ‘Active Play’ intervention in decreasing sedentary time and increasing total physical activity in preschool children.MethodSeventy-seven families were recruited from 8 randomly selected SureStart children’s centres in the North West of England. Centres were randomly assigned to either an intervention (n = 4) or a comparison group (n = 4). Parents and children in the intervention group received a 10-week active play programme delivered by trained active play professionals; this included an activity and educational component. Families in the comparison group were asked to maintain their usual routine. Each participating parent and child wore a uni-axial accelerometer for 7 days at baseline and post-test. Week and weekend day sedentary time and total physical activity adjusted for child- and home- level covariates were analysed using multilevel analyses.ResultsSignificant intervention effects were observed for sedentary time and physical activity for both week and weekend days. Children in the intervention group engaged in 1.5% and 4.3% less sedentary time during week and weekend days, respectively and 4.5% and 13.1% more physical activity during week and weekend days, respectively than children in the comparison group. Parent’s participation in sport and their physical activity levels, child’s sex, availability of media in the home and attendance at organised activities were significant predictors of sedentary time and physical activity in this age group.ConclusionA 10-week family focused active play intervention produced positive changes in sedentary time and total physical activity levels in preschool children. Specific covariates were identified as having a significant effect on the outcome measures. Moreover, children whose parents were active engaged in less sedentary time and more physical activity suggesting that parent’s activity habits are mediators of physical activity engagement in this age group.

Reducing Anxiety Levels in Preschool Children Undergoing Cryotherapy for Cutaneous Viral Warts

To determine if watching a children's program on a portable video player reduces anxiety levels in preschool children before cryotherapy for cutaneous viral warts. Nonblinded before-after trial. General dermatology clinic. Consecutive patients aged 2 to 6 years who underwent cryotherapy for cutaneous viral warts. Patients were shown a children's program on a portable video player before cryotherapy. Mean score difference on the modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale between children treated during the 10 weeks before vs the 10 weeks after the intervention was implemented. Ninety-nine cryotherapy sessions performed among 35 children were evaluated. Fifteen children underwent cryotherapy during the preintervention phase only, and 13 children underwent cryotherapy during the intervention phase only. The mean modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale scores were 58.4 during the preintervention phase and 37.7 during the intervention phase (P = .005). The percentages of children with a high anxiety score (≥30) were 100% (15 of 15) during the preintervention phase and 38% (5 of 13) during the intervention phase (P < .001). Another 7 children underwent cryotherapy during both the preintervention and intervention phases. Their mean modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale scores were 53.7 during the preintervention phase and 42.0 during the intervention phase (P = .03). The percentages of children with a high anxiety score were 86% (6 of 7) during the intervention phase and 43% (3 of 7) during the intervention phase (P = .25). In both groups, the time spent coaxing and treating children decreased after the intervention, but the differences were not statistically significant. The use of a portable video player significantly reduced preprocedural anxiety levels in preschool children undergoing cryotherapy for cutaneous viral warts.

Redução transitória nos níveis séricos de retinol em crianças com pneumonia e resposta de fase aguda

OBJECTIVE: To compare serum retinol levels in preschool children during an episode of pneumonia and 45 days after the resolution of the infection. METHODS: The study was conducted with preschool children without any infection (control group, n = 9) or children hospitalized for pneumonia (n = 12), who were evaluated soon after hospitalization (phase 1) and 45 days later (phase 2). Nutritional assessment included anthropometric measurements, a food questionnaire, and laboratory blood routine examination, including urinary and serum retinol levels. Paired Student t or Mann-Whitney tests were used as required. RESULTS: Food intake was similar between groups. Blood hemoglobin and serum sodium and albumin decreased during phase 1, while there were higher C-reactive protein serum values. Urinary retinol levels remained unchanged whereas serum retinol increased significantly after pneumonia recovery. CONCLUSIONS: During the course of pneumonia, children had transient decrease in serum levels of vitamin A, an epiphenomenon of the acute phase response.

Transient decreased retinol serum levels in children with pneumonia and acute phase response

To compare serum retinol levels in preschool children during an episode of pneumonia and 45 days after the resolution of the infection. The study was conducted with preschool children without any infection (control group, n = 9) or children hospitalized for pneumonia (n = 12), who were evaluated soon after hospitalization (phase 1) and 45 days later (phase 2). Nutritional assessment included anthropometric measurements, a food questionnaire, and laboratory blood routine examination, including urinary and serum retinol levels. Paired Student t or Mann-Whitney tests were used as required. Food intake was similar between groups. Blood hemoglobin and serum sodium and albumin decreased during phase 1, while there were higher C-reactive protein serum values. Urinary retinol levels remained unchanged whereas serum retinol increased significantly after pneumonia recovery. During the course of pneumonia, children had transient decrease in serum levels of vitamin A, an epiphenomenon of the acute phase response.

Organophosphate pesticide metabolite levels in pre-school children in an agricultural community: Within- and between-child variability in a longitudinal study

This study characterized the within- and between-child variability in dimethylthiophosphate (DMTP) levels in the urine of 44 children living in an agricultural community in central Washington State in December 1997 and 1999. The goal of this analysis was to investigate these variability components during periods when organophosphate pesticides were and were not actively applied to orchards in that community. Each child provided between 10 and 26 biweekly urine samples over a 21-month period, and these samples were analyzed for six dialkylphosphate (DAP) metabolites common to organophosphate pesticides, including DMTP. Previous analysis of this dataset found that DAP concentrations were elevated during months when organophosphate pesticides were applied to orchards in this region. The current analysis demonstrates that the within-child component of day-to-day variability was much greater than the between-child component of variability by a factor of 3–7 across the DAP metabolites that were analyzed. Therefore, organophosphate pesticide exposure appeared to vary more than 3 times from day-to-day than from child-to-child. This finding has important implications for epidemiologic and exposure pathways research, since accounting for within-child variability may increase the power of a study and allow for the detection of differences that would not otherwise be possible without an analysis that separates out the within-child variability.

Nasal nitric oxide levels in healthy pre‐school children

The evaluation of nasal nitric oxide (nNO) has been proposed as a screening tool in children with clinically suspectable primary ciliary dyskinesia. Nevertheless, normal values have been reported for school-aged children. This study was designed to identify normal nNO levels in pre-school children. nNO was assessed in 300 healthy children aged between 1.5 and 7.2. Two hundred and fifty of them were unable to fulfill the guideline requirements for nNO measurement and were assessed by sampling the nasal air continuously with a constant trans-nasal aspiration flow for 30 s during tidal breathing. For those children who were able to cooperate, the average nNO concentration was calculated according to guidelines. A statistically significant relationship between nNO level and age was demonstrated in this study group of pre-school children (p < 0.001). An increase in nNO of about 100 ppb was observed in children older than 6 yr vs. those aged < 3. This study presents a description of normal nNO values in pre-school children. The effect of the age and the eventual presence of rhinitis and snoring need to be considered whenever nNO is evaluated in the clinical practice, in particular in non-cooperative children.

854 Allergen Specific Ige and Total Ige Levels in Preschool Children with Acute Urticaria

Background and aim: The common causes of acute urticaria are viral respiratory infection, foods allergens and medications. The aim was to identify the contribution of foods, viral infections and drugs to induce acute urticaria in relation to specific and total IgE levels. Methods: The authors present a prospective study included preschool aged children admited in pediatric clinic for acute urticaria over a 2-year period. The diagnosis of acute urticaria is based on personal medical history and clinical manifestations. Allergen-specific IgE levels were measured for a panel of 11 foods (cow's milk. egg white, whole egg, codfish, peanut, hazelnut, soy, cereal mix, wheat, tomato, citrus mix) and drug (penicillinum). The measurement of specific IgE using serologic assays RAST/EAST (EAST class qualitative range 0-4). Total IgE levels of >100 kUI/L were considered positive. Results: 38 preschool children with acute urticaria were included in the study. 28 children (73.6%) had respiratory infection associated with antibiotics intake. The duration of urticaria was 5.80+/-;2.40 days. Foods ingestion were considered responsible for urticaria in 10 cases (26.4%). The levels of specific IgE were correlated with acute urticaria for eggs (1-4), cow's milk (2-3), peanuts (2-4), codfish (2-4), soybeant (2-4), wheat (1-3), cereal mix (2-4), citrus mix (1-4), tomato (2-3). Total IgE level was elevated in 24 cases. Conclusions: Infections, foods, drugs induced acute urticaria in children. The correlation of total and specific IgE levels and symptoms was determined. The results indicate that children with higher total IgE and specific IgE levels have a major risk of recurrent urticaria.

Nutritional Risk is Associated with Cholesterol Levels in Preschool Children in Primary Care Practice: a Target Kids! Study

Nutritional Risk is Associated with Cholesterol Levels in Preschool Children in Primary Care Practice: a Target Kids! Study

Avaliação da eficácia do software "Alfabetização Fônica" para alunos com deficiência mental

o objetivo do estudo foi verificar a eficácia da intervenção com o software Alfabetização Fônica Computadorizada em alunos com deficiência mental. O software possibilita a realização de atividades que desenvolvem a consciência fonológica e a compreensão das relações grafofonêmicas. Participaram do estudo 22 crianças e adolescentes com idades entre 10 a 17 anos. Foi feita avaliação inicial do nível intelectual com a Escala de Maturidade Mental Columbia e a Escala de Inteligência Weschsler para Crianças. Os participantes foram divididos aleatoriamente em dois grupos: experimental e controle. Os grupos foram pareados por sexo, idade e nível de inteligência. A Bateria de Avaliação de Leitura e Escrita e a Prova de Consciência Fonológica por Produção Oral foram aplicadas no início e término do estudo. Dezesseis sessões individuais com o software "Alfabetização Fônica Computadorizada" foram conduzidas com os participantes do grupo experimental. Os resultados indicaram melhora nas habilidades de escrita e leitura e nos indicadores de consciência fonológica apenas para as crianças e adolescentes do grupo experimental. Comparação com dados normativos identificaram que os participantes do grupo experimental apresentavam um desempenho semelhante ao de crianças no final do ensino infantil e, após a intervenção o desempenho era semelhante aqueles da 2ª série do ensino fundamental.

Effect of a beverage fortified with evaporated sugarcane juice on hemoglobin levels in preschool children

The study objective was to measure the effect of consumption of a beverage mixed with a high-iron sweetener (evaporated sugarcane juice known as rapadura) on hemoglobin levels in preschool children, and to compare it with the effect of consuming the same beverage sweetened with refined sugar. Research consisted of a 12-week randomized, controlled double-blind trial conducted in 2007 at a state-run school in Sobral, Brazil, among children aged 2-3 years. The study sample was divided into two groups-one consuming cashew juice mixed with 25 g of rapadura and 40 mg of ascorbic acid (per 200-mL serving), and another consuming the same quantity of juice and ascorbic acid sweetened with 25 g of standard refined sugar. A significant statistical increase in hemoglobin was observed in the group consuming the rapadura-fortified beverage. It was therefore concluded that consumption of rapadura increased hemoglobin and thus reduced iron deficiency anemia in preschool children.

Plasma Levels of Vitamins A and E, Coenzyme Q10, and Anti-ox-LDL Antibody Titer in Children Treated with an Elimination Diet Due to Food Hypersensitivity

Has elimination diet applied in children with food hypersensitivity in infancy any effect on plasma levels of anti-oxidative vitamins and antibodies to oxidized low-density lipoprotein (anti-ox-LDL antibody) titer in these children at their pre-school age?" The study involved 92 children (3 to 7 years of age) with food hypersensitivity treated in their infancy and early childhood with soy formula or casein hydrolysate, as a milk substitute for at least 12 months. Control group comprised 62 children, who had never been treated with an elimination diet. The status of the anti-oxidative system was evaluated by determination of retinol, alpha-tocopherol, and coenzyme Q10 plasma levels by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The titer of antibodies to oxidized LDL lipoproteins was specified by immunoenzymatic assay. On the basis of the RESULTS, the following CONCLUSIONS have been reached: 1. It was shown that alpha-tocopherol and retinol levels in pre-school children who had received dietary treatment in their infancy, were higher than in the control group. No deficiencies in anti-oxidative vitamins within the control group were found. 2. A type of milk-substitute formula applied in the elimination diet had no effect on the status of the anti-oxidative system in the children examined.

Directly Observed Physical Activity Levels in Preschool Children

Millions of young children attend preschools and other structured child development programs, but little is known about their physical activity levels while in those settings. The purpose of this study was to describe the physical activity levels and demographic and school-related correlates of physical activity in children attending preschools, using a direct observation measurement system. The Observational System for Recording Physical Activity in Children-Preschool Version was used to measure physical activity levels and related factors in four hundred ninety-three 3- to 5-year-old children in 24 preschools. A minimum of six hundred 30-second observation intervals were recorded for each child. Physical (height/weight) and demographic data also were collected. Children engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during less than 3% of the observation intervals and were sedentary during more than 80% of the observation intervals. Boys were more likely than girls to engage in MVPA (p = .01), and 3-year-old boys were more active than 4- and 5-year-old boys (p = .01). The preschool that a child attended explained 27% of the variance in activity levels. The study indicates that young children are physically inactive during most of their time in preschool. The preschool that a child attended was a stronger predictor of physical activity level than any other factor examined. Additional research is needed to identify the characteristics of preschools in which children are more active.

Phonological skills and disfluency levels in preschool children who stutter

The relation between stuttering and aspects of language, including phonology, has been investigated for many years. Whereas past literature reported that the incidence of phonological difficulties is higher for children who stutter when compared to normally fluent children, the suggestion of association between the two disorders also drew several critical evaluations. Nevertheless, only a limited amount of information exists concerning the manner and extent to which the speech sound errors exhibited by young children who stutter, close to stuttering onset, is related to the characteristics of their stuttering, such as its severity. Conversely, information is limited regarding the effects a child's phonological skills may have on his/her stuttering severity. The current study investigated the mutual relations between these two factors in 28 carefully selected preschool children near the onset of their stuttering. The children, 20 boys and 8 girls, ranged in age from 25 to 38 months, with a mean of 32.2 months. The phonological skills of two groups with different ratings of stuttering were compared. Similarly, the stuttering severities of two groups with different levels of phonological skills (minimal deviations–moderate deviations) were compared. No statistically significant differences were found for either of the two factors. Inspection of the data revealed interesting individual differences. Learning outcomes The reader will be able to list: (1) differences in the phonological skills of preschool children whose stuttering is severe as compared to children whose stuttering is mild and (2) differences in stuttering severity in preschool children with minimal phonological deviations as compared to children with moderate phonological deviations.

303 Are plantar pressures related to the daily physical activity levels in pre-school children?

303 Are plantar pressures related to the daily physical activity levels in pre-school children?