Measurements In Children Research Articles

Comparison of Infrared Smart Mobile Phone Thermometer to Non-contact Forehead Infrared Thermometer in Pediatric Emergency Room Patients

Background: Non-contact infrared thermometers (NCITs) are frequently used for temperature measurements today due to their numerous advantages. With technological developments, NCITs have been integrated into smart mobile devices, aiming to provide ease of use. Objectives: This study aimed to compare body temperature measurements taken with an infrared smart mobile phone thermometer (SMT) to those taken with a non-contact forehead infrared thermometer (NCFIT) in children. Methods: Pediatric patients admitted to the emergency department of the University of Health Sciences, Zeynep Kamil Maternity and Children’s Hospital between June 2023 and July 2023 were included in the study. Body temperature measurements were performed using an SMT (USB K8) and an NCFIT (ThermoFlash LX-26). Results: A total of 1116 children were included in this prospective study. The mean difference between the NCFIT and SMT (2 cm near) measurements was 1.2°C. The comparison of the measurements was significantly different (P < 0.05). Although all three measurements were statistically significantly correlated, the correlation between the NCFIT and SMT’s readings at both 2 cm and 8 cm was weak, with r = 0.38 and r = 0.34, respectively (P < 0.01). There were 33 children with fever, defined as a body temperature ≥ 38°C with NCFIT. The mean measurements in febrile children from NCFIT, SMT (2 cm), and SMT (8 cm) were 38.2 ± 0.3°C, 36.3 ± 0.5°C, and 35.8 ± 0.9°C, respectively (P < 0.01). The SMT was not able to detect any body temperature ≥ 38°C. The cut-off value for SMT in patients with fever was determined as 36.15°C, which had a sensitivity of 72% and a specificity of 78%. Conclusions: The measurements of SMT from distances of 2 cm and 8 cm were correlated with each other, suggesting that it may be valuable for families in clinical settings to detect deviations in their children's baseline measurements, follow-up on antipyretic usage, and monitor different fever levels. However, it is not useful for screening fever in children and must be used cautiously.

Local Standards for Anthropometric Measurements in Children and Adolescents of Magadan: Communication 2

Local Standards for Anthropometric Measurements in Children and Adolescents of Magadan: Communication 2

Body Composition and Anthropometric Measurements in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case-Control Study in Lebanon.

The occurrence of overweight and obesity among individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has become a worldwide epidemic. However, there is limited research on this topic in the Lebanese population. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the differences in anthropometric measurements and body composition variables among Lebanese children, pre-adolescents, and adolescents diagnosed with ASD in contrast to typically developing peers across various developmental stages. Additionally, it aimed to investigate the prevalence of overweight and obesity within this population. A total of 86 participants with ASD and 86 controls were involved in this case-control study, conducted between June 2022 and June 2023. Anthropometric measurements and body composition variables were assessed, followed by statistical analyses to examine the differences between these two groups. The results revealed a significantly higher prevalence of overweight and obesity among individuals with ASD, particularly evident during childhood and pre-adolescence. Additionally, this group exhibited a higher body fat mass and total body fat percentage compared to controls. However, there were no significant differences observed between the two groups during adolescence. These findings emphasize the significance of monitoring and addressing weight status in individuals with ASD to improve their overall health outcomes. Future research directions could focus on investigating the underlying mechanisms contributing to the heightened prevalence of overweight and obesity in this population, ultimately enhancing their quality of life and well-being.

Bite Force Measurement in Children with Primary Dentition

BACKGROUND
 This study intended to compute the maximum bite force in the primary dentition of the young children (3-6 years old) and examine the possible influences of caries, malocclusions (such as crossbite and bruxism), and other factors on maximum bite force. We wanted to ascertain the extent of biting forces in young children's primary dentition, aged three to six, and examine the impact of several factors, including the subjects' gender, caries, crossbite, and bruxism, on the maximum bite force in this study.
 METHODS
 Children within the age group of 3-6 years were selected from nearby schools. A dental examination was done for caries and malocclusion. The subjects were asked to bite on the unit consisting of a force sensor wedged between wooden sticks wrapped in a polyethylene sheet, 3 times on each side (posteriors) and on anterior teeth with maximum bite force and then the mean value was taken.
 RESULTS
 502 subjects between the age group of 3-6 years were included in the study. The levels of bite force recorded showed that there was a significant difference in all three teeth standardized for the bite force measurement in the four groups included (p<0.001). The maximum bite force of the posterior teeth was 351.5N seen in the control group, in the caries group (281.7N), crossbite (181.1N), and bruxism (250.2N).
 CONCLUSIONS
 Bite forces in primary dentition showed comparatively wide intra- and inter-individual variation. For both boys and girls, there was no discernible variation in the maximal bite force, however maximum bite force in children with caries and bruxism had significant differences compared to the control group. No significant difference in bite forces was seen in children having crossbite and non-crossbite sides.

Arterial Stiffness and Ambulatory Blood Pressure Measurements in Children With Familial Mediterranean Fever.

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autoinflammatory disease which may cause endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness. In this study, we evaluated patients with FMF in terms of arterial stiffness indicators and investigated whether there was any difference according to colchicine response. This is a single-center, prospective, case-control study conducted on pediatric patients with FMF. Patients were categorized into 2 groups: patients on colchicine monotherapy (group 1) and patients who used anti-interleukin-1 (IL-1) plus colchicine (group 2). Patient age, mutations in the MEFV gene, overall duration of treatments, and general characteristics of symptoms were recorded. Laboratory values in an attack-free period were noted. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured in all patients. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein, nocturnal hypertension, and PWV were higher in group 2. Arterial stiffness develops due to subclinical inflammation in patients with FMF. It is more pronounced in colchicine-resistant patients.

Repeatability of Pulse Oximetry Measurements in Children During Triage in 2 Ugandan Hospitals.

In low- and middle-income countries, health workers use pulse oximeters for intermittent spot measurements of oxygen saturation (SpO2). However, the accuracy and reliability of pulse oximeters for spot measurements have not been determined. We evaluated the repeatability of spot measurements and the ideal observation time to guide recommendations during spot check measurements. Two 1-minute measurements were taken for the 3,903 subjects enrolled in the study conducted April 2020-January 2022 in Uganda, collecting 1 Hz SpO2 and signal quality index (SQI) data. The repeatability between the 2 measurements was assessed using an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), calculated using a median of all seconds of non-zero SpO2 values for each recording (any quality, Q1) and again with a quality filter only using seconds with SQI 90% or higher (good quality, Q2). The ICC was also recalculated for both conditions of Q1 and Q2 using the initial 5 seconds, then the initial 10 seconds, and continuing with 5-second increments up to the full 60 seconds. Lastly, the whole minute ICC was calculated with good quality (Q2), including only records where both measurements had a mean SQI of more than 70% (Q3). The repeatability ICC with condition Q1 was 0.591 (95% confidence interval [CI]=0.570, 0.611). Using only the first 5 seconds of each measurement reduced the repeatability to 0.200 (95% CI=0.169, 0.230). Filtering with Q2, the whole-minute ICC was 0.855 (95% CI=0.847, 0.864). The ICC did not improve beyond the first 35 seconds. For Q3, the repeatability rose to 0.908 (95% CI=0.901, 0.914). Training guidelines must emphasize the importance of signal quality and duration of measurement, targeting a minimum of 35 seconds of adequate-quality, stable data. In addition, the design of new devices should incorporate user prompts and force quality checks to encourage more accurate pulse oximetry measurements.

Our Experiences with Asparaginase Activity Measurements in Children with Lymphoblastic Diseases.

Asparaginase is a key component of chemotherapy protocols for the treatment of lymphoblastic malignancies among children. Adequate asparagine depletion is an important factor to achieve optimal therapeutic outcomes. Over a 3.5 year period, 106 patients were monitored for asparaginase activity (329 samples) in a single center of the Hungarian Pediatric Oncology-Hematology Group. In Hungary, three asparaginase products are available: native E. coli ASNase (Kidrolase), a pegylated form of this enzyme (Pegaspargase) and another native product from Erwinia chrysanthemi (Erwinase). A retrospective data analysis was performed. In 81% (268/329) of our patients, AEA levels were in the optimal therapeutic range of over 100 IU/L. Of 106 patients, 13 (12%) were diagnosed with 'silent inactivation'. Monitoring of AEA can help to identify patients with 'silent inactivation' and their asparaginase therapy can thus be optimized.

Failure to thrive among asylum-seeking children: A descriptive study from Turkey.

The aim of the study was to determine failure to thrive among asylum-seeking children. The study was a descriptive study. The sample of the study comprised of 187 children who were registered in an Afghan Association. The power of the study was found to be 97% at 0.5% (moderate) effect size and 95% confidence level. The data was collected between November 8, 2021 and January 10, 2022 using a sociodemographic form and the children's anthropometric measurement. 57.2% of children were male and 44.9% were 6-12 years old. It was determined that female and male infants less than 1 year of age were underweight (z-score=-2) and male infants were stunting (z-score ≤-1). Childhood growth and development problems are significant issues among asylum-seeking families. Public health nurses need to develop their roles in organizing the healthcare service for vulnerable and underrepresented groups.

Retrospective Comparison of the Myopia Master and the Lenstar LS900 Axial Length Measurements in Children with Myopia.

This study is a retrospective analysis to compare ocular biometry measurements of axial length in children with myopia using Myopia Master (OCULUS, Wetzlar, Germany) and Lenstar LS900 (HAAG-STREIT AG, Köniz, Switzerland). Axial length measurements obtained with both instruments within a 3-week period were collected retrospectively. Measurements were visualized with a Bland-Altman plot. For statistical evaluation, a paired t-test was applied, and the Pearson correlation coefficient (r) was established. Sixty-one eyes from 31 myopic patients (59% male, 41% female) with a mean age of 11.34 ± 3.25 years (range: 6 - 18 years) were identified. Mean axial length was 24.7 mm (SD 1.29) with the Myopia Master and 24.69 mm (SD 1.30) with the Lenstar LS900 (Pearson correlation: r = 0.9991). The average difference of the axial length measurement between the two biometers was 0.00 064 mm ± 0.056 SD (p = 0.9293). The axial length measured by Myopia Master and Lenstar LS900 did not differ significantly. Thus, previous values obtained with the Lenstar LS900 can be applied to assess myopia progression.

Estimation of Height Using Body Weight and Segmental Measurements in Children with Cerebral Palsy.

The current study aimed to determine the proxy measurements for height in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP). In a cross-sectional descriptive study, the length/height of Nigerian children with CP was studied over eighteen months using descriptive statistics. The study subjects comprised children aged 15 months to 17 years with CP. Height/length, weight, arm span, forearm length, mid-upper arm circumference, foot length, head circumference, hip circumference, leg length, and tibia length were measured to the nearest 0.1 cm using standard procedures. The relations between segmental measurements and weight with height were investigated using linear regression. A total of 31 children were studied. The correlation between height/length and other linear measurements has a significantly strong positive relationship. Regression analysis showed that when used singly, the weight and thigh length offered a high explanation for the height variability with little estimation error. On the other hand, weight had a lower mean difference between observed and predicted height (0.21 and -0.76, respectively), with thigh length overestimating the height. Weight measurement may be the preferred proxy for height in children with CP.

Outcome Measurement in Children With a History of Disorders of Consciousness After Severe Brain Injury: Telephone Administration of the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Third Edition, and Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended Pediatric Revision.

Examine initial feasibility and utility of a battery of measures administered via telephone interview with a caregiver for describing long-term outcomes in individuals with a history of disorders of consciousness (DoC) after pediatric acquired brain injury (ABI). Cross-sectional. Caregiver interview administered via telephone. Convenience sample admitted to an inpatient pediatric neurorehabilitation unit with DoC after ABI at least 1 year prior to assessment (n = 41, 5-22 yr old at assessment). None. The Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Third Edition (Vineland-3), and Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended Pediatric Revision (GOS-E Peds) were examined. Administration time of the Vineland-3 ranged from 13 to 101 minutes (m = 50) and the GOS-E Peds ranged from 2 to 10 minutes (m = 3). Vineland-3 Adaptive Behavior Composite (ABC) ranged from standard scores (SSs) of 20 (exceptionally low) to 100 (average) and GOS-E Peds scores ranged from 3 (i.e., upper moderate disability) to 7 (vegetative state). Lower adaptive functioning on the Vineland-3 ABC was strongly associated with greater disability on the GOS-E Peds (r = -0.805). On the Vineland-3 ABC, 19.5% earned the lowest possible score, whereas 12.2% obtained the lowest possible score for survivors on the GOS-E Peds; only 7.3% earned lowest scores on both measures. The Vineland-3 and GOS-E Peds were feasibly administered by telephone and were complementary in this cohort; the GOS-E provided a quick and easy measure of gross functional outcome, whereas the Vineland-3 took longer to administer but provided a greater level of detail about functioning. When both measures were used together, the range and variability of scores were maximized.

Local Standards for Anthropometric Measurements in Children and Adolescents of Magadan: Report 1

Background: The recent expansion of scientific knowledge of child development under effect of man-made environmental changes is of great importance for monitoring health of the younger generation and elaborating the theory of adaptation in terms of ontogenesis. Objective: To develop regional standards for the main anthropometric parameters used to assess growth and physical devel- opment of children and adolescents in the city of Magadan. Materials and methods: We analyzed data on 4,660 schoolchildren (2,295 boys and 2,365 girls) aged 8–17 years collected in 2009–2019. The main anthropometric measurements, including body height, weight, and chest circumference, were taken to estimate reference centile row variables. Results: We created centile tables based on the results of measuring body height, weight, and chest circumference in the study population and established that in local boys, all findings were above the upper limit of the national averages (i.e., the range of 25th to 75th percentiles) while in girls, the same was true only for body weight and chest circumference. The maximum difference between body measurements and the respective upper limits was observed in the adolescents. Distribution of an- thropometric parameters of the schoolchildren by the regional standard centile rows indicates compliance with the average body height and weight in 50.0 % and 50.1 % and with chest circumference – in 49.0 % of the children, while deviations, less than the 3rd and equal to and more than the 97th percentile, occurred in 2.0 % to 5.5 % of the cases, respectively. Conclusion: It is important to continue developing up-to-date regional child growth standards in the city of Magadan and to introduce them into the practice of preventive health screening.

Optic Disc Measurements in Children by Optical Coherence Tomography.

This study showed the distribution of optic disc indices in a population-based sample of Iranian children in detail. Refractive errors and biometric components are among the ocular factors that are related to these indices. To determine the normative value of optic nerve indices in children and their association with ocular and demographic factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018. Biometry was done using the Allegro Biograph, and macular indices were measured by OCT imaging. After applying the exclusion criteria, 9051 eyes of 4784 children were analyzed. The mean±SD and 95% confidence intervals (in parentheses) of vertical cup-to-disc ratio, average cup-to-disc ratio, rim area, disc area, and cup volume were 0.45±0.15(0.45-0.46) mm, 0.43±0.14 (0.42-0.43) mm, 1.46±0.25 (1.45-1.47) mm 2 , 1.92±0.35 (1.91-1.93) mm 2 , and 0.14±0.14 (0.14-0.15) mm 3 , respectively. Vertical cup-to-disc ratio and average cup-to-disc ratio had a positive association with intraocular pressure (IOP) (both βs=0.003), and a negative association with retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (both βs=-0.001), central corneal thickness (CCT) (both βs=-0.001), anterior chamber depth (β=-0.025 and β=-0.027, respectively), lens thickness (β=-0.034 and β=-0.032, respectively), and mean keratometry (MK) (both βs=-0.015). The average cup-to-disc ratio had a positive association with height (β=0.001). Rim area had a negative association with increased age (β=-0.008), axial length (β=-0.065), IOP (β=-0.009), and MK (β=-0.014) and a positive association with macular volume (β=0.021), retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (β=0.004), and CCT (β=0.001). Disc area had a positive association with macular volume (β=0.031) and a negative association with female sex (β=-0.037), axial length (β=-0.087), anterior chamber depth (β=-0.112), lens thickness (β=-0.059), and MK (β=-0.048). The results of generalized estimating equations showed that cup volume was smaller in girls (β=-0.009), and had a positive association with height (β=0.001), IOP (β=0.003) and negative association with CCT (β=-0.0001) and MK (β=-0.012). The results provided the normative values of optic disc indices in children. Demographic factors, biometric components, IOP, SBP, and retinal parameters had a significant association with optic disc indices.

Clinical Accuracy of Non-Contact Forehead Infrared Thermometer Measurement in Children: An Observational Study.

We evaluated the clinical reliability and utility of temperature measurements using no-contact forehead infrared thermometers (NCFITs) by comparing their temperature measurements with those obtained using infrared tympanic thermometers (IRTTs) in children. In this observational, prospective, and cross-sectional study, we enrolled 255 children (aged 1 month to 18 years) from the pediatric surgery ward at a tertiary medical center in Korea. The mean age of the children was 9.05 ± 5.39 years, and 54.9% were boys. The incidence rate of fever, defined as an IRTT reading of ≥38.0 °C, was 15.7%. The ICC coefficient for the assessment of agreement between temperatures recorded by the NCFIT and IRTT was 0.87, and the κ-coefficient was 0.83. The bias and 95% limits of agreement were 0.15 °C (−0.43 to 0.73). For an accurate diagnosis of fever (≥38 °C), the false-negative rate was much lower, but the false-positive rate was higher, especially in 6-year-old children. Therefore, NCFITs can be used to screen children for fever. However, a secondary check is required using another thermometer when the child’s temperature is >38 °C. NCFITs are proposed for screening but not for measuring the temperature. For the latter, an accurate and reliable thermometer shall be used.

Dental Caries and Anthropometric Measurements in Children Aged between 5-14 Years

Introduction: Dental caries is common health condition affecting billions of people in the world. Dental caries may be linked to obesity, while on the other hand, it may be linked to underweight/stunting; both are kinds of malnutrition. This study aims to find dental caries in primary and permanent dentition and nutritional status of children aged between 5-14 years. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among children aged between 5-14 years who attended the Department of Pedodontic from January to April 2022.Dental caries was observed and dmft /DMFT index was calculated. Anthropometric measurements were done following WHO criteria.BMI was calculated using age percentiles charts for boys and girls developed by Center for Chronic Disease Prevention. Results: The total participants were 200 among which 88 (44%) were female and 112 (56%) were males. The dental caries status of all BMI categories were observed, caries status was found to be more in deciduous teeth (mean dmft) than in permanent teeth (mean DMFT).BMI categories showed 39(19.5%) underweight, 122 (61%) healthy weight, 25 (12.5%) at risk of overweight and 14 (7%) were overweight. Conclusions: Dental caries status was higher in primary dentition compared to permanent dentition. Correlation between BMI and dental caries status was not significant.

Getting a Grip on Strength Measurement in Children (6-13Y): Impact of Typical Error of Measurement.

To identify the smallest change in handgrip strength (HGS) in children that can be considered of practical significance. A total of 290 male and female children, aged 6-13years, performed a HGS testing protocol 3 times within a 7-day period. The typical error of measurement (TE), coefficient of variation, and smallest worthwhile change (SWC) were calculated for each sex and age group (grade). The TE for the combined group of grade 1 to 7 children was 1.3kg. Changes in HGS associated with a small change were 1.3kg, making it difficult for the HGS test to detect these changes. The TE was less than the medium (3.3kg) and large (5.3kg) changes in HGS for all the grades and sexes, making changes of these magnitudes more interpretable as they exceed the "noise" (TE) of the measurement. Changes in HGS greater than the TE and SWC can be considered real changes of practical significance. This provides researchers with an extra level of analysis when trying to determine the practical relevance of the observed changes.

Physical Activity Measurement in Children Accepting Table Tennis Training.

An increasing body of evidence now shows that the majority of children in China experience lower levels of physical activity (PA) than the recommended guideline. Table tennis is a compound and technically difficult game that is popular in China; undertaking table tennis training in clubs can help children to elevate their levels of PA. Given that children cannot complete self-evaluated questionnaires themselves and caregiver-based observations are not suitable for children, we hypothesized that an actigraphy-based method can be an objective method to measure PA. In the present study, we describe a procedure that can be used to evaluate PA levels using an actigraphic device and software. Furthermore, since hip-worn devices are known to reduce compliance, we attempted to assess the agreement between hip-worn and wrist-worn device data. Collectively, our results indicate that these devices are suitable for measuring PA and leisure time physical activity (LTPA) levels. Together with subjective questionnaires, both hip-worn and wrist-worn devices are highly suitable for evaluating PA in Chinese children undergoing table tennis training in clubs.

Physical Activity Measurement in Children Accepting Table Tennis Training

Physical Activity Measurement in Children Accepting Table Tennis Training

Validity and reliability of measurement instruments of educative family life

This study is intended to obtain standard instruments of the educative family life. Its construct has been formulated based on the research results of family factors influencing the success of the children at school. The instruments involve children measurement instrument (CMI) and mother measurement instrument (MMI) that apply forced-choice scale inventories. The instrument calibration methods are test of construct validity, content validity–face validity, empirical validity and reliability. Through the calibration of the instruments, the results of the 573 family samples revealed the following results: 1) the construct of 12 family variables described the variations in the educational family life as 38.47% child perception and 41.15% mother perception; 2) 45.85% of the items of structure dimension of CMI are valid; 3) 70.50% of the items of process dimension of CMI are valid; 4) 45.65% of the structural dimension of MMI are valid; 5) 80% of the process dimension of MMI are valid; and 6) both instruments, CMI and MMI, are reliable. 
 
 Keywords: Children measurement instrument; instrument; mother measurement instrument; reliability; validity.

Stunting Classification in Children's Measurement Data Using Machine Learning Models

The study conducted a stunting classification of measurement data for children under 5 years old. The dataset has attributes such as: gender, age, weight (BB), height (TB), weight / height (BBTB), weight / age (BBU), and height / age (TBU). The research uses the CRISP-DM methodology in processing the data. The data were tested on several classification models, namely: logistic regression (LR), linear discriminant analysis (LDA), quadratic discriminant analysis (QDA), k-nearest neighbor (KNN), classification and regression trees (CART), nave bayes (NB), support vector machine - linear kernel (SVM-Linear), support vector machine - rbf kernel (SVM-RBF), random forest classifier (RPC), adaboost (ADA), and neural network (MLPC). These models were tested on the dataset to find out the best model in accuracy. The test results show that SVM-RBF produces an accuracy of 78%. SVM-RBF has consistently been at the highest accuracy in several tests. Testing through k-fold cross validation with k=10.