Low Maternal Educational Level Research Articles

Intergenerational neuroimaging study: mother-infant functional connectivity similarity and the role of infant and maternal factors.

Mother and infant neural and behavioral synchrony is important for infant development during the first years of life. Recent studies also suggest that neural risk markers associated with parental psychopathology may be transmitted across generations before symptoms emerge in offspring. There is limited understanding of how early similarity in brain functioning between 2 generations emerges. In the current study, using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we examined the functional connectivity (FC) similarity between mothers and newborns during the first 3months after the infant's birth. We found that FC similarity between mothers and infants increased as infant age increased. Furthermore, we examined whether maternal factors such as maternal socioeconomic status and prenatal maternal depressive symptoms may influence individual differences in FC similarity. For the whole-brain level, lower maternal education levels were associated with greater FC similarity. In previous literature, lower maternal education levels were associated with suboptimal cognitive and socioemotional development. Greater FC similarity may reflect that the infants develop their FC similarity prematurely, which may suboptimally influence their developmental outcomes in later ages.

Determinants of medication adherence in childhood nephrotic syndrome and associations of adherence with clinical outcomes.

Pediatric patients with nephrotic syndrome take medications long-term with significant toxicity and complex regimens, yet data on medication adherence are limited. In a multicenter observational study of patients with nephrotic syndrome, NEPTUNE (NCT01209000), we surveyed caregivers of patients <19 years old and adolescent patients on medication adherence during longitudinal follow-up beginning in June 2015. Data extraction was in October 2020. We described the proportion of nonadherent patients at first survey. Participant social and economic factors, condition-related factors, therapy-related factors, and patient-related factors were examined for relationships with nonadherence by generalized linear mixed models using the longitudinal data. In exploratory fashion, we assessed the relationship between adherence and subsequent steroid response classification by binary logistic regression and adherence with healthcare utilization by Poisson regression. A total of 225 participants completed a median of 3 surveys during follow-up (IQR, 2-5), with a total of 743 surveys. Overall, 80 (36%) reported nonadherence with medications. In adjusted analysis, older age (per 1 year; OR 1.08; 95% CI, 1.03 1.12), lower maternal educational level (≥ high school vs. < high school; OR 0.47; 95% CI 0.25 to 0.89), and increased parent and self-identification of medications barriers (per 1 point; OR 1.57; 95% CI, 1.15-2.15) were significantly associated with nonadherence. No relationship between nonadherence and subsequent frequency of healthcare utilization was observed. A trend toward increased subsequent steroid resistance classification was seen with nonadherence, though not statistically significant. Medication nonadherence is common in pediatric nephrotic syndrome. Investigations into the use of surveys in the clinic setting to identify at-risk patients and ways to support families over time are needed. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.

Does Living with Grandparents Affect Children's and Adolescents' Health? Evidence from China.

The level of nutritional health of children and adolescents is an important indicator of social development, and grandparents, as common co-caregivers, may have a considerable impact on the health level of their grandchildren. In this paper, we investigated the effects of grandparents’ coresidence on children’s and adolescents’ nutritional health levels using the CHNS (China Health and Nutrition Survey) database using the PSM (Propensity Score Matching) method’ and identified heterogeneity in the effects of grandparents’ coresidence by PSM grouping in terms of urban and rural areas, age, and the mothers’ education level. It was found that grandparents’ coresidence is beneficial for children’s and adolescents’ health to a certain extent. Overfeeding and spoil that many people worried when grandparents involved in childcare did not happen in our samples. Moreover, grandparents’ coresidence had a more significant effect on the health level of children and adolescents in rural areas at a younger age and with a lower level of maternal education. Government and families should put more effort into equipping caregivers with knowledge on how to raise their grandchildren better.

Prevalence of Untreated Early Childhood Caries of 5-Year-Old Children in Hong Kong: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This cross-sectional survey investigated untreated early childhood caries (ECC) and its associated factors among 5-year-old children in Hong Kong. Children were recruited using a multistage sampling method. One dentist examined the children in kindergarten to diagnose untreated ECC (dt) at the cavitation level. Each child’s demographic information, snacking behaviour, and oral health-related practice were collected using a parental questionnaire. The relationships between the untreated ECC and demographic information, snacking behaviours, and oral health-–related practice were analysed by zero-inflated negative binomial (ZINB) regression analysis. This survey recruited 404 children. Their dt score was 2.8 ± 3.8. The significant untreated ECC (SiUC) index, which was one-third of the children with the highest dt score, was 7.1 ± 3.6. Their untreated ECC prevalence was 57%, which was associated with the district the child lived in. Most children with untreated ECC (71%, 164/231) had never visited a dentist. Children who brushed without toothpaste had more untreated ECC. Children coming from low-income families and with a lower maternal education level had a higher risk of ECC. In conclusion, untreated ECC was prevalent and unevenly distributed among 5-year-old children in Hong Kong. Its prevalence was associated with toothpaste use, family income, maternal education level and the district they lived in.

Poor weight gain and its predictors among preterm neonates admitted at Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania: a prospective cohort study

BackgroundPreterm delivery is among the major public health problems worldwide and the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among neonates. Postnatal poor weight gain, which can contribute to mortality, can be influenced by feeding practices, medical complications and quality of care that is provided to these high-risk neonates. This study aimed to investigate the proportion and predictors of poor weight gain among preterm neonates at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), from September 2018 to February 2019.MethodsA hospital-based prospective cohort study involving preterm neonates with Gestation age (GA) < 37 weeks receiving care at MNH. Eligible preterm, were consecutively recruited at admission and followed up until discharge, death or end of neonatal period. Poor weight gain was defined as weight gain less than 15 g per kg per day. The risk factors associated with poor weight gain were evaluated. Predictors of poor weight gain were evaluated using a multivariate analysis. Results were considered statistically significant if P -value was < 0.05 and 95% confidence interval (CI) did not include 1.ResultsA total of 227 preterm neonates < 37 weeks GA, with male to female ratio of 1:1.2 were enrolled in the study. The overall proportion of preterm with poor weight gain was 197/227 (86.8%). Proportion of poor weight gain among the early and late preterm babies, were 100/113 (88.5%) and 97/114 (85.1%) respectively. Predictors of poor weight gain were low level of maternal education (AOR = 2.58; 95%Cl: 1.02–6.53), cup feeding as the initial method of feeding (AOR = 8.65; 95%Cl: 1.59–16.24) and delayed initiation of the first feed more than 48 h (AOR = 10.06; 95%Cl: 4.14–24.43). A previous history of preterm delivery was protective against poor weight gain (AOR = 0.33; 95% Cl: 0.11–0.79).Conclusion and recommendationPoor weight gain was a significant problem among preterm neonates receiving care at MNH. This can be addressed by emphasizing on early initiation of feed and tube feeding for neonates who are not able to breastfeed. Health education and counselling to mothers focusing on feeding practices as well as close supervision of feeding especially for mothers experiencing difficulties in feeding their preterm will potentially minimize risk of growth failure.

Epidemiology of Malnutrition among Children with Cerebral Palsy in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Findings from the Global LMIC CP Register.

Background: This study aimed to describe the epidemiology of malnutrition among children with cerebral palsy (CP) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods: Data from children with confirmed CP aged <18 years registered into the Global LMIC CP Register (GLM CPR) from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nepal, and Ghana were included. Anthropometric measurements were collected, and nutritional status was determined following the WHO guidelines. Descriptive statistics and adjusted logistic regression were used to describe the nutritional status and identify predictors of malnutrition. Results: Between January 2015 and December 2020, 3619 children with CP were registered into the GLM CPR (median age at assessment: 7.0 years, 39% female). Overall, 72–98% of children from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nepal, and Ghana had at least one form of undernutrition. The adjusted analysis showed, older age, low maternal education, spastic tri/quadriplegia, and Gross Motor Functional Classification System (GMFCS) levels III–V were significant predictors of underweight and stunting among children with CP in Bangladesh. In Nepal, female children, GMFCS III–V had higher odds of underweight and stunting. In Ghana, low maternal education was significantly associated with underweight, whereas older age and the presence of associated impairments were the significant predictors of stunting among children with CP. Having a GMFCS of III–V increased the odds of being underweight among children in Indonesia; however, no predictors were identified for stunting, as nearly all children with CP registered from Indonesia were stunted. Conclusion: Most children with CP in GLM CPR had undernutrition. Maternal education and moderate-to-severe motor impairment (GMFCS III–V) were significant predictors. Practical nutrition education to mothers/caregivers and management guidelines according to the motor severity using local resources could improve the nutritional outcome of children with CP in LMICs.

Second Graders' Grapho-Motor Skill Learning and Verbal Learning: The Effects of Socio-Educational Factors.

Introduction: Children from low socioeconomic status (SES) families, and in particular, those with a lower level of maternal education, show lower fine-motor skills and lower vocabulary scores than their SES peers whose mothers have a higher level of education. Furthermore, low SES children frequently have difficulties in reading and spelling. These difficulties are attributed to deficits in the acquisition of skills through practice, such as those required for developing visual-motor routines, alongside deficits in the intentional acquisition of knowledge, such as those required in verbal learning. The aim of the current study was to test the effect of two background factors: low maternal education (ME) and risk of reading and spelling difficulties on practice-dependent learning of a motor task and intentional learning of a verbal task in second graders from low SES families.Methods: In 2016/17, 134 low-SES second graders with higher and lower ME (95 typical learners and 39 with reading and spelling difficulties) were assessed with (a) the Invented Letter Task (ILT; a grapho-motor skill learning task) across five time-points (initial- and end-training Day 1; initial- and end-training Day 2; and 2-weeks post-training), as well as an ILT transfer task; and (b) The Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT; an intentional word-learning task in which a word list is read to children for five learning trials and is recalled 20 min later).Findings: Lower ME was associated with surplus segments in the performance of the motor task and its transfer to a novel condition as well as with lower recall on the verbal task, but not with the learning of both the motor and the verbal task. Having reading and spelling difficulties affected motor-task accuracy and also the way children learned the task, as evidenced by surplus segments at the beginning of Day 2, which were reduced with further practice.Conclusion: Low ME affected overall performance level. Reading and spelling difficulties resulted in atypical learning of the motor task. Future research on practice-dependent learning in the context of children coming from low SES families should focus on subgroups within this heterogeneous population.

Quality of antenatal care and its sociodemographic determinants: results of the 2015 Pelotas birth cohort, Brazil

BackgroundInadequate antenatal care (ANC) has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. ANC quality is considered a key component of the right to health and a route to equity and dignity for women and their children. Although ANC coverage is relatively high in Brazil, there are revealed some health disparities when coverage is examined by socio-demographic determinants. In this study we evaluated ANC quality and its socio-demographic determinants using data from the 2015 Pelotas birth cohort, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.MethodsThis study is part of the 2015 Pelotas population-based birth cohort (n = 3923 pregnant women) conducted in southern Brazil. ANC quality was assessed through 19 content and service utilization indicators recommended by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Descriptive analyses and associations of each of the ANC indicators and independent variables were performed using the chi-square and linear trend test. ANC indicators were analyzed individually and aggregated as a score. Associations between ANC score quality and socio-demographic variables were assessed with ordinal regressions. Mediation analysis with G-computation was performed to estimate direct and indirect effect of mother’s level of education on ANC quality mediated by the number of consultations and timing of ANC initiation. Base and post confounders were included.ResultsThe results showed that except for breast examination, height measurement, tetanus toxoid vaccination and ANC starting at the first trimester, all ANC indicators showed more than 80% coverage during ANC visits.In the adjusted analysis, inadequate quality ANC was associated with lower maternal education level, not having a partner, being multiparous, being attended by a private provider and by the same professional in all consultations. In the mediation analyses, 6.8% of the association between ANC quality and mother’s education was mediated by the trimester in which ANC started, while 12.8% was mediated by the number of ANC visits.ConclusionsANC quality is associated with pregnant women’s socio-demographic characteristics. Significant efforts are needed to improve the quality of facility-based maternity care.

Predictors of behavioural and emotional outcomes in toddlers with congenital heart disease.

Children with congenital heart disease (CHD) are at risk for psychological challenges, including internalising (e.g., depression, anxiety) and externalising (e.g., aggression, inattention) problems. The present study aimed to investigate the development of psychological concerns in early childhood by identifying predictors of behavioural and emotional problems in toddlers with CHD. Children with CHD who were seen for neurodevelopmental (ND) evaluation at 12 ± 3 months of age, who completed the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-III (BSID-III) and whose parents completed the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), a standardised measure of emotional/behavioural problems at age 24-36 months, were included in the study (n = 144). CBCL scores were compared to test norms and classified as normal or abnormal. A classification tree was used to assess the association between CBCL scores and demographic and clinical variables. Multi-variable tree analyses revealed lower BSID-III language composite scores at age 9-15 months predicted clinical CBCL internalising (p < 0.001), externalising (p = 0.004) and total scores (p < 0.001) at age 24-36 months. Lower maternal education levels also predicted clinical CBCL internalising (p < 0.0001), externalising (p < 0.001) and total scores (p < 0.0001). Lower language abilities and lower maternal education predict increased behavioural and emotional problems in toddlers with CHD. These risk factors should be considered during routine ND evaluations to allow for earlier identification of children with CHD and their families who may benefit from psychological support.

Psychological and Physical Correlates of Body Image Dissatisfaction among High School Egyptian Students

Background: Body image is one of the most important psychological factors that affects adolescents’ personality and behavior. Body image can be defined as the person’s perceptions, thoughts, and feelings about his or her body.&#x0D; Objectives: to identify the prevalence of body image concerns among secondary school students and its relation to different factors.&#x0D; Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study conducted in which 796 secondary school students participated and body shape concerns was investigated using the body shape questionnaire (BSQ-34).&#x0D; Results: The prevalence of moderate/marked concern was (21.6%). Moderate/ marked body shape concern was significantly associated with unemployed fathers and mothers, low level of maternal education, lower socioeconomic status, concern with body weight or problematic eating, increased BMI, increased anxiety and depression.&#x0D; Conclusions: The high prevalence of moderate/marked dissatisfaction with body shape and its possible relation to subsequent hazards such as eating disorders, depression, and anxiety should be of concern.

Dental caries in children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and controls: a multilevel analysis

BackgroundOptimal utilization of dental caries data is crucial in epidemiological research of individuals with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The aims were to: explore whether caries is more prevalent among children and adolescents with JIA compared to controls; examine presence of caries according to JIA group, socio-behavioral and intraoral characteristics, and the extent to which surface-specific caries varies between and within individuals; assess whether surface-specific caries varies according to JIA group and dentition; and investigate whether disease-specific clinical features of JIA are associated with presence of caries.MethodsIn this comparative cross-sectional study, calibrated dentists examined index teeth (primary 2. molars, 1. permanent molars) of 4–16-year-olds with JIA (n = 219) and matched controls (n = 224), using a detailed caries diagnosis system (including enamel caries). JIA-specific characteristics were assessed by pediatric rheumatologists and socio-behavioral information collected by questionnaires. Multilevel mixed-effect logistic regressions reporting odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were applied (caries at surface level as outcome variable). Potential confounders were adjusted for, and the effect of dependency of surface-specific caries data was estimated by calculating intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC).ResultsAt individual level, no significant difference in caries prevalence was found between individuals with JIA and controls, regardless of inclusion of enamel caries. Proportion of enamel lesions exceeded dentine lesions. JIA was not associated with presence of caries, but in both groups, low maternal educational level was associated with presence of caries (OR: 2.07, 95% CI: 1.24–3.46). Occlusal and mesial surfaces, compared to buccal surfaces, had generally higher OR according to presence of caries than distal and lingual surfaces (ICC = 0.56). Surface-specific caries in the permanent dentition differed significantly according to group affiliation. Some JIA disease-specific variables were suggested to associate with presence of caries.ConclusionsNo overall difference in caries prevalence between individuals with JIA and controls was observed, but for both groups, low maternal educational level and tooth surface associated with presence of caries. Associations between JIA disease-specific variables and presence of caries cannot be excluded. Due to predominance of enamel lesions, the potential of preventative dental strategies is considerable.

Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity of Schoolchildren from a Low-income Region in Brazil: Associations with Maternal Variables

Introduction: In the last decade, an increasing number of studies investigated markers of Sedentary Behavior (SB) and Physical Activity (PA) in school-age children since they lead to nutritional status changes in this group. Objective: To analyze associations between maternal factors and SB and PA of schoolchildren. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study involving 410 mothers of children enrolled between the first and the fifth year in municipal schools of Santa Cruz, RN, Brazil. By applying questionnaires, socioeconomic variables of the family, maternal data, and habits related to SB and PA on weekdays and weekends were investigated. Pearson’s chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test were used to test associations. Results: It was observed that income below one minimum wage and less maternal education were associated with greater active transportation among children (69.3%, p = 0.012 and 68.4%, p = 0.022, respectively). Children from low-income families (65.4%, p = 0.016) and who had six and seven siblings (8.2%, p = 0.023 and 7.6%, p = 0.037, respectively) presented lower SB at the weekend. Low level of maternal education was associated with reduced PA during the week (70.8%, p = 0.024). Conclusion: Socioeconomic (i.e., family income and number of siblings) and maternal factors (i.e., level of education) are important indicators for time spent on sedentary behavior and physical activity of schoolchildren.

Husband's behavior and early marriage as risk factors for hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant women in Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia

Background and purpose: Indonesia is categorized as a country with moderate level of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, where the majority of HBV transmissions occur from mother to child, horizontal transmission during childhood and adulthood, and transmission in health services. This study aims to determine factors associated with HBV infection among pregnant women.Methods: A case control study was conducted among 80 pregnant women with sero-positive HBsAg as cases and 80 pregnant women with sero-negative HBsAg as controls. The sources of cases and controls were the registers of pregnant women at 12 public health centers (PHCs) and Karangasem District Hospital from June 2017 to December 2018. Cases were selected by systematic random sampling from 129 pregnant women with sero-positive HBsAg and controls were selected through the same method from 1,408 pregnant women with sero-negative HBsAg. They were then matched based on village or residence. Data collected were including history of marriage, pregnancy, childbirth and abortion, history of health services relevant to HBV infection, use of contraception, mobility, permanent tattoos and history of injecting drug use. Data collection was carried out from June to August 2019 through face-to-face interviews with pregnant women as respondents in their respective homes using a pre-tested questionnaire. Bivariate data analysis was conducted with chi square test and multivariate analysis with logistic regression.Results: The case and control groups were similar in terms of age, number of pregnancy and parity. Risk factors which found to be significantly associated with HBV infection in pregnant women were age at first marriage &lt;19 years with AOR=2.51 (95%CI: 1.13-5.60), history of husband’s mobility with AOR=3.07 (95%CI: 1.13-8.34), husband has a permanent tattoo with AOR=2.77 (95%CI: 1.04-7.44) and low level of maternal education with AOR=2.47 (95%CI: 1.06-5.73).Conclusion: Young marital age, low education, husband's mobility and husband with permanent tattoos increase the likelihood of HBV infection among pregnant women. The coverage of HBV examination among pregnant women and early detection of HBV among husbands ought to be increased, especially among those with associated risk factors.

Mothers’ breastfeeding six weeks postpartum and factors influencing exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months

We aimed to assess the feeding pattern and influencing factors within six weeks postpartum on exclusive breastfeeding duration among Chinese mothers. This study was conducted using 2:1 matched case-control study. Cases and controls were matched for maternal age, parity and mode of birth. A total of 210 women were included. Approximately 67.9% of women stopped exclusive breastfeeding within the first six weeks postpartum. Maternal non-exclusive breastfeeding intention, lower maternal educational level, mother-infant skin to skin contact over one hour, unsatisfied breastfeeding self-evaluation and maternal unhealthy condition within the first six weeks were risk factors for ceasing exclusive breastfeeding early.

Eyes Open, Ears On: Supporting Hearing Technology Use in Children with Hearing Loss

Eyes Open, Ears On: Supporting Hearing Technology Use in Children with Hearing Loss

ANTENATAL CARE VISIT COMPLIANCE IN THE TANJUNG BERLIAN HEALTH CENTER WORK AREA

Background : Non-compliance in prenatal care can cause the mother's complications to be unrecognized which may affect pregnancy or pregnancy complications so that they cannot be resolved immediately. Detection during antenatal care is very helpful in preparation for risk control (Manuaba, 2007). Moreover, pregnant women who do not perform antenatal care, it will not be known whether the pregnancy is going well or experiencing high risk conditions and obstetric complications that can endanger the life of the mother and her fetus. And it can cause high morbidity and mortality (Prawiroharjo, 2008). One of the factors that influence the high maternal mortality rate is the attitude and behavior of the mother herself during pregnancy and is supported by the mother's knowledge of her pregnancy. Some of the factors behind the risk of maternal death are the lack of community participation due to the low level of maternal education, low family economic capacity, and unsupportive socio-cultural position. If taken further, some of these unsupportive behaviors can also carry risks. Other factors such as maternal age at pregnancy and childbirth, mothers who are too young (less than 20 years) and too old (over 35 years), frequency of births having given birth four times or more and spacing between births or deliveries of less than 24 months, including groups that are at high risk and increase the chance of maternal death are getting bigger (Erina, 2012). Research Objectives Knowing the Compliance of Antenatal Care Visits in the Tanjung Berlian Public Health Center. Method :This research uses descriptive study. The population used in this study were all pregnant women in the 3rd trimester in the Tanjung Berlian Public Health Center, totaling 206 people. The sampling method was taken using purposive sampling technique, which is purposive sampling in accordance with the required sample requirements / criteria

Holistic-Comprehensive Approaches to Improve Nutritional Status of Children under Five Years

Background: Malnutrition has been identified as the leading cause of illness and death in almost half of children under 5 years. Hence, to prevent the impact of malnutrition on physical and psychological development, family physicians need to explore new approaches in the health care delivery models that go beyond the scope of practice. A holistic-comprehensive approach will help the physicians develop a more thorough assessment of nutritional status. This study aims to determine factors associated with the nutritional status of children under five years using holistic-comprehensive approaches.Design and Methods: A case–control design was implemented, with emphasis on the identification of cases and control groups; 48 children confirmed malnutrition cases and 48 control without malnutrition were recruited from a Community Integrated Health Center in East Java, Indonesia. The characteristics of agent, host and environment between groups were compared and analyzed using correlation coefficients, odds ratio, logistic regression analysis, and Structural Equation Modeling-Partial Least Square (SEM-PLS).Results: The SEM-PLS results showed that environmental factors have a greater influence on nutritional status (t-value >1.96), compared to the host factors. Furthermore, environmental factors having significant associations with nutritional status were poor socioeconomic status, low maternal educational level and not having exclusive breastfeeding. Also, the results of correlation coefficients and OR showed that birth weight (p=0.000, OR=33) and socioeconomic status (p=0.000, OR=22.3) had strong correlations with nutritional status.Conclusions: Holistic-comprehensive approaches can be used as new ways to determine factors that may be associated with nutritional status of children under 5 years of age.Significance for public healthMalnutrition among children under five years old causes a global developmental delay in many areas, namely physical, cognitive, and social, which is linked to increased risk of infectious diseases. The epidemiologic triangle is a model for explaining the causal factors of malnutrition, which include the health status of children under five years and other family health factors. This paper showed factors associated with malnutrition cases of children under five years of age using holistic-comprehensive approaches based on epidemiological triangle model.

Association between reduced visual-motor integration performance and socioeconomic factors among preschool children in Malaysia: A cross-sectional study.

Visual-motor integration (VMI) is related to children's academic performance and school readiness. VMI scores measured using the Beery-Bucktenicka Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (Beery-VMI) can differ due to differences in cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. This study compared the VMI scores of Malaysian preschoolers with the corresponding US norms and determined the association between their VMI scores and socioeconomic factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 435 preschoolers (mean age: 5.95±0.47 years; age range: 5.08-6.83 years) from randomly selected public and private preschools. VMI scores were measured using Beery-VMI in the preschools' classrooms. Information on the socioeconomic characteristics of the preschoolers was obtained using a parent-report questionnaire. One sample t-test was used to compare their VMI scores with the corresponding US norms. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to explore the influence of socioeconomic factors on the preschoolers' VMI scores. Overall, Malaysian preschoolers' VMI performance was similar to the US standardized norms (p>0.05). Children from low-income families were twice likely to obtain lower than average VMI scores than those from higher-income families (OR = 2.47, 95%CI 1.05, 5.86). Children enrolled at public preschools were more likely to obtain a lower than average VMI score than those who enrolled at private preschools (OR = 2.60, 95%CI 1.12, 6.06). Children who started preschool at the age of six were more likely to obtain lower than average VMI scores than those who started at an earlier age (OR = 4.66, 95%CI 1.97, 11.04). Low maternal education level was also associated with lower than average VMI score (OR = 2.60, 95%CI 1.12, 6.06). Malaysian preschoolers' Beery-VMI performance compared well to their US counterparts. Some socioeconomic factors were associated with reduced VMI scores. Those from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds are more likely to have reduced VMI performance, potentially adversely affecting their school readiness, cognitive performance, and future academic achievements.

Nutritional Status of Pre-school Children and Determinant Factors of Autism: A Case-Control Study.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder triggered by several factors, including those of genetic and environmental nature. ASD can alter communication, behavior, and children's nutritional status, placing them at high risk for nutritional imbalances. Therefore, this study aims to assess preschool autistic children's nutritional status as compared to that of Typically Developing (TD) children of the same age. The study also revealed some of the ASD risk factors among the Jordanian population. It included 52 ASD and 51 TD children (3–6 years), and considered sociodemographic, obstetric, and nutritional factors of the two groups, stratified by gender. Nutritional status was evaluated through a comprehensive questionnaire, 3-day food record, and anthropometric and biochemical measurements. Differences between groups were identified using the chi-square and independent-sample t-test. The logistic regression model was used after the adjustment of confounders to detect an autistic child's determinants. The study showed little difference between ASD and TD children with respect to nutrients' intake inadequacy and biochemical-nutritional deficiencies, but did reveal gender-based differences. Autistic girls were at higher risk of inadequate carbohydrate intake, while autistic boys were at higher risk of inadequate vitamin E, vitamin K, and fluoride compared to TD children. More autistic children had been treated in neonatal care units after birth than had TD children. The regression analysis revealed that lower maternal education level (OR, 12.25; 95% CI, 1.18–126.91), vaginal delivery (OR, 0.273; 95% CI, 0.105–0.712), family history of autism (OR, 0.189; 95% CI, 0.059–0.612), and taking dietary supplements during pregnancy (OR, 4.665; 95% CI, 1.158–18.79) were all determinants of ASD in children. In conclusion, maternal nutrition, postnatal conditions, and nutritional status might be contributors to ASD in children. Pre-school children are at high risk for developing nutritional deficiencies. It is therefore important to maintain optimal nutritional status in pregnant patients, and in children after delivery and during early childhood. Future studies that investigate the role of nutrient deficiencies and nutritional interventions in ASD are necessary. Also required are studies that focus on gender differences in the prevalence of ASD, types and severity of symptoms, and ASD nutrition-related problems.

Prevalence of Overweight, Obesity, Abdominal Obesity, and Obesity-Related Risk Factors in Polish Preschool Children: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of overweight, obesity, abdominal obesity (AO), and obesity-related risk factors in children aged 5–6 years from Poland. The study was conducted at 22 randomly selected kindergartens representing each city district. A cross-sectional study of 1172 children aged 5–6 years was conducted using questionnaire forms and physical measurements. The physical measurements included body height, weight, waist circumference (WC), and body fat percentage (BFP). A univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to evaluate the risk factors for excess weight, excess adiposity, and abdominal obesity (AO). The prevalence of excess weight (BMI ≥ 85th percentile) was 11.0%. The prevalence of excess adiposity (BFP ≥ 85th percentile) was 42.3%. Prevalence of AO (WC ≥ 90th percentile) was higher in girls compared to boys (14.9% vs. 10.7%, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that children whose both parents were obese had significantly higher risk of excess weight, excess adiposity, and AO. Lower education level of fathers was associated with higher risk of excess weight and excess adiposity in children, while a lower level of maternal education was associated with higher risk of AO in children. Screen time over 120 min per day, participating less than once a week in at least 60 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and birth weight over 4000 g were associated with excess weight, excess adiposity and AO. Moreover, cesarean delivery was associated with higher risk of excess weight and excess adiposity, and lower socio-economic status with higher risk of AO. This study revealed that excess adiposity and AO differed by gender. Parental obesity, screen time, MVPA, and birth weight could be significant determinants of excess weight, excess adiposity and AO in Polish preschool children.