Group Of Normal Children Research Articles

Elevated modiolus density on high-resolution computed tomography as an indicator of cochlear neurodysplasia: a retrospective case-control study.

Cochlear neurodysplasia (CND) is recognized as a contributing factor to sensorineural hearing loss in children. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between modiolus density on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and CND, and to evaluate its performance in diagnosing CND. This retrospective study collected HRCT images of 34 patients diagnosed with unilateral neurological hearing loss in the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from March 2018 to December 2023, who were also diagnosed with unilateral CND by computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) hydroimaging. CT values of the modiolus and petrous bone were measured on the affected and healthy sides, in addition to determining the width of cochlear nerve foramina and the width of internal auditory tract. The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of these features. Simultaneously, comparisons were conducted with parameters obtained from normal children. A total of 29 patients without CND were randomly selected as a control group. The unilateral sensorineural hearing loss group had 34 patients, comprising 18 males and 16 females, with a median age of 4.5 years, ranging from 0.7 to 11 years. The normal children group consisted of 20 males and 9 females, with a median age of 5.9 years, ranging from 0.5 to 12.0 years. Statistically significant differences were observed in the CT values of the modiolus, modiolus/petrous bone CT value ratio, width of cochlear nerve foramina, and width of internal auditory tract between the affected and healthy sides in patients with unilateral sensorineural hearing loss (P<0.05). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the modiolus CT value and the width of cochlear nerve foramina for the diagnosis of unilateral sensorineural hearing loss was 0.98 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.95-1.00] and 0.99 (95% CI: 0.98-1.00), respectively. the modiolus density was significantly elevated in the affected sides in patients with unilateral CND. The optimal cut-off value of modiolus CT values was 983 Hounsfield unit (HU). The elevated density of the modiolus on HRCT holds significant value in diagnosing CND.

Projective technique “Bird’s Nest Drawing” in child clinical psychology

IntroductionThe “Bird’s Nest Drawing” technique is one of expressive drawing projective techniques. In Russia it has been used since the 2020s. We suggest the pilot version of using this projective technique in child clinical psychology. There were investigated the cognitive and emotional components of performance by children with different types of ontogenesis.Purpose: pilot application of the technique of “Bird’s Nest Drawing” (BND) in the psychological diagnosis of children with different types of ontogenesis.Objectives69 children and adolescents 6-17 years old (28 male), examined at the Mental Health Research Center. 1. hospital patients (11-16 years old, 18 persons) diagnoses F20.8, F21.4, 2) outpatient clients with psychological diagnostics (7-16 years old, 45 persons), most of them have psychiatric diagnoses and some of them came for a consultation independently of doctors (there were family and behavior problems). 3) children conceived with the help of assisted reproductive technologies (IVF) - participants in a program for studying cognitive and emotional-personal development (5-13 years old, 8 people). Control group of normal children (14 persons).MethodsBird’s Nest Drawing (D.Kaiser, 2003, Kuftyak, 2021) - clinical expert assessment of the drawing parameters (size, location, quality, compliance with instructions) and the emotional component (color, self-assessment of the drawing).Results Table 1.Frequency of different indicators of BND in compared groups of children. Groups N Central place High Quality of drawing Nest out of tree birds /eggs Different colors Safety of nest High Assessment by participants High positive emotional expression Assessment by expertsHospital patients18 (4 m)12410410**413**5**Outpatient clients45 (22 m)38131917321025**17Children IVF8 (2 m_72436**163Normal children14(6 m)1437412**413**11**** - significance of the differences (p≤0,05 by φ criterion).Based on the data obtained, it can be noted that the most different between groups turned out to be an indicator for using different colors, subject’s assessment his picture and emotional expression assessment of picture by experts. Other parameters are similar: please of drawing,DiscussionWe have obtained our own resalts about BND method in children with different type of ontogenesis. These data are similar to D.Kaiser and E.Kuftyak in opportunity of good diagnostic practice of BND method in children and adolescents with different type of ontogenesis in scientificConclusionsBND method is a good test for child clinical psychology as a projective one. Restrictions of this investigation - small groups, simple parameters for assessment. We plan to continue this work with more clinical (diagnosis, syndrome et cetera) and sex and age characteristics.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Application of speech induced ABR in rehabilitation intervention for hearing impaired children

Objective:Exploring the electrophysiological changes of auditory rehabilitation in young children with hearing impairment, providing more methods for early assessment and intervention. Methods:Twenty children aged 2-4 were enrolled, with moderate hearing loss and no other abnormalities in the ears. Divide them into group 1 with normal hearing, group 2 with abnormal hearing, group 3 with abnormal hearing receiving hearing aid intervention for one year, and group 4 with abnormal hearing receiving hearing aid and language training rehabilitation for one year. The SmartEP auditory evoked potential instrument was used to detect speech induced ABR and conduct screening for 'Standards and Evaluating Hearing and Language Abilities of Children with Hearing Impairment in 80 enrolled children after rehabilitation training, and the latency、amplitude of speech induced ABR waveform and evaluation scale scores for each group after rehabilitation intervention were compared. Results:Compared with the normal group, the latency of each wave in the other three groups was prolonged. The differences in each wave between Group 2 and Group 3 were statistically significant, while the differences in D and F waves between Group 3 and Group 4 were statistically significant. Compared with the normal group, the maximum amplitude at F0 decreased in the other three groups, and the differences in maximum amplitude between Group 2 and Group 3, Group 2 and Group 4, and Group 3 and Group 4 were statistically significant. Compared with the normal group, the scores of the auditory language assessment scale in the hearing intervention group and the hearing aid plus language training group were significantly higher than those in the abnormal group in terms of recognition rate. The recognition rates of hearing impaired children with language training foundation are similar to those of the normal group of children. Conclusion:Auditory rehabilitation can alter the electrophysiological aspects of hearing and serve as a basis for early assessment and intervention in young children.

Psychometric Properties of the Draw a Story (DAS) Test in Depressed and Normal Children

Objective: understanding the problems of depressed children is important, as they may express their issues through painting and storytelling, which can provide insight into their excitability and self-image. This study investigated the psychometric properties of the Draw a Story test in children with depression and normal ones.Material and methods. The participants of this study included 60 fourth and fifth grade students in Yazd province, who were divided into two groups; depressed and normal. Then, each group was evaluated by drawing a story test (DAS).Results. The results showed that there was a significant difference between the depressed and normal groups in terms of self-image and emotion content, as determined by a two-way analysis of variance. The normal group significantly demonstrated a stronger self-image and emotional state than the depressed group. There was no significant difference between boys and girls in terms of self-image. However, there was a significant difference in their emotional expression, with girls being more adept at expressing their emotions compared to boys. Convergent validity of the DAS was established by correlating it with the DSRS test for self-image and emotion, resulting in correlations of -0.67 and -0.74, respectively. The reliability of the DAS test was assessed using the test-retest method for self-image and emotion, yielding coefficients of 0.82, 0.90, respectively. Additionally, the raters' agreement coefficient was calculated for self-image and emotion, and was 0.68 and 0.82, respectively.Conclusions. The results of this study revealed the reliability and validity of the test (DAS) in the group of depressed and normal children. This test can be used to diagnose children with depression.

Lateral facial profile of β-thalassemia major in Javanese children: a photogrammetric analysis

BACKGROUND Impairment of globin chain synthesis in patients with β-thalassemia major causes ineffective erythropoiesis. This condition triggers bone marrow hyperplasia and can lead to craniofacial bone abnormalities. This study aimed to evaluate the lateral facial profile of β-thalassemia major, identify any differences when compared with a control group of similar age and ethnicity, and reveal the facial profile of β-thalassemia major in Javanese children.&#x0D; METHODS This cross-sectional study included 35 β-thalassemia major children aged 7–15 years. They were divided into 3 groups based on their age. Lateral facial photogrammetry was taken by measuring the forehead protrusion and nasolabial angle. Data were then mapped to the normal group of children in the same age group and descriptively analyzed using SPSS software.&#x0D; RESULTS The 1 and 2 SD group had a higher prevalence of β-thalassemia major in children aged 7–9 years for both sexes. The older age group had a closer mean value to those of children without thalassemia.&#x0D; CONCLUSIONS The forehead and maxillary profile of Javanese β-thalassemia major children tended to be protrusive, especially in the 7–9 years age group, while the older age groups had closer mean values to those of children without thalassemia.

Assessment of Pragmatic Aspect of Language in Children Diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract Background Assessment of the pragmatic language development in the Arabic speaking societies was a competence in the previous years. Recently, an Egyptian Arabic Pragmatic Language Test was developed (EAPLT). The relation between ADHD and language is especially intuitive in young children. No previous study used the EAPLT to evaluate pragmatic aspect of language in children with ADHD. Aim This study aimed to assess the pragmatic aspect of language in children with ADHD. Methods A case control study design was used. Fifty patients with ADHD were enrolled randomly from 4 to 8 years old and a normal group of children with the same age and number randomly selected by systemic random sampling from classrooms of different schools in Cairo. Data regarding the child’s age, sex, IQ, mental age, the expressive and the receptive language ages by the Modified PLS4, the pragmatic language age range, percentile, the acquired and the delayed pragmatic language skills according to EAPLT were collected. Results Results showed that Language in general was affected in children diagnosed with ADHD, receptive and expressive language age was significantly different than the normal group (p value for receptive=0.017) (p value for expressive=0.024). In the ADHD group 25 children (50%) of the group showed delayed receptive language, and 28 children (56%) of them showed delayed expressive language. The pragmatics aspect of language assessment (p &amp;lt; 0.001) showed significant difference between ADHD and control groups in almost all aspect of pragmatics. Also in conversation skills the results (p &amp;lt; 0.001) showed significant difference between ADHD and control group. Conclusion This study showed that children with ADHD had a delayed language, pragmatics and conversational skills compared to normal controls within the same age and IQ.

Comparative analysis of serum total IgE levels and specific IgE levels in children aged 6 to 9 years with tic disorder and normal children

ObjectiveThe study was to investigate serum total IgE levels and the distribution of specific IgE types in children aged 6–9 years with tic disorder, in order to provide knowledge for diagnosis and treatment of children with tic disorder.MethodsTotal serum IgE levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Specific IgE levels in 72 children with tic disorder and normal 31 children were detected by EUROblot, respectively.ResultsThe total serum IgE level of children with tic disorder aged 6–9 years was significantly higher than those of children in control group. Specific IgE distribution in tic disorder group was observed increased mainly including inhaled mugwort, dust mite combination 1 (house dust mite/dust mite), mold combination (penicillium point/mycobacteria/Aspergillus fumigatus/streptomyces), cockroaches in Germany respectively, and also food freshwater fish combination 1 (salmon/sea bass/carp), marine fish combination 1 (cod/lobster/scallop), egg white, and crab, while elevated specific IgE of normal children group was mainly food-based (egg white, milk, and soybean). The significant different specific IgE between two groups was dust mite combination 1 (house dust mite/dust mite) (P < 0.05).ConclusionThe total serum IgE level of children with tic disorder aged 6–9 years was significantly increased, which may be related to the disease. Specific IgE in children with tic disorder was mainly inhalation allergens, especially dust mite combination 1 (house dust mite/dust mite), which should be avoided in clinical diagnosis and daily life.

The benefits of role play in the development of drawing in preschool children.

The purpose of our study was to demonstrate the benefits of role play based on a Historical-Cultural perspective with the implementation of symbolic elements generated by the development of drawing of preschool children from suburban origin in a group of normal Mexican preschool children. We predict that the quality of the drawings will be improved after the preschoolers participate in such a role play program. A pre-experimental study was carried out, with pre-test and post-test assessments. The drawings were assessed with quantitative (frequencies of the quality of the parameters) and qualitative (characteristics of the children's drawings) methods. The role play program was based on Elkonin's method, activity theory, and P. Ya Galperin's formation by stages of mental actions. The program encouraged the use of graphic signs and symbols, with the intention of representing situations, actions, objects, and/or contents. Twenty-six preschool children participated in our study. To know the effect of the role play program with symbolic elements on the drawing of preschool children, we performed a quantitative and qualitative analysis, a Wilcoxon test contrast between the initial and final assessment. Both analyses showed a significant increase in the scores in all the tasks with a medium-large effect size, being the largest "Pictograms" and "Drawing of the route"; and in the analysis of the qualitative parameters, specifically in "Maintains the objective," a significant increase was found in all the tasks. Role play, being the main activity in preschool age, develops all aspects of the child's psychic life. The importance of role play in a preschool child makes it possible to work in the zone of proximal development with the regulatory function of language, with the planning, execution, and control of playful activity and, most importantly, with the use of various materials and perceptual-graphics tools. These findings showed an improvement in the development and complexity of the symbolic function in the drawings. Role play, as a work methodology in preschool age, leads to the use of new meaning systems that prepare the child to carry out present and future complex symbolic actions.

Relationship between serum sodium, serum potassium levels and ankle reflex grades in malnourished children

Background: Malnutrition among children is a major health issue in South East Asia presenting with stunting and wasting. Many research studies have been conducted to establish the signs, symptoms, corresponding effects of malnutrition on child health, growth and development and the current study focusses more specifically on the effects of electrolyte levels on ankle reflex grades in malnourished children.Methods: This is an observational case-control type of study conducted in two teaching hospitals in India. Cases of protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) (n=30), children with mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) lesser than 12.5 along with control group of normal healthy children (n=30), all aged between 1 and 5 years were selected. Ankle reflexes were noted using a knee hammer on three consecutive days and graded based on the NINDS reflex grading scale for cases and controls and noted against the corresponding serum sodium and serum potassium values obtained from the children.Results: A Chi square test performed and p=0.379 obtained for serum sodium and 0.026 for serum potassium for cases.Conclusions: A conclusion could be drawn that serum sodium levels and ankle reflex grades have no statistically significant relationship in cases of controls, while serum potassium levels and ankle reflex grades have statistically significant relationship in cases but not in control group indicating a plausible cause for hyporeflexia in the patients.

Study of ankle reflex grades in protein energy malnourished children aged between 1 and 5 years

Background: Malnutrition among children is a major health issue throughout India and South East Asia presenting with stunting and wasting. Many research studies have been conducted to establish the signs, symptoms, corresponding effects of malnutrition on child health, growth, and development. Objective: The objective of the current study is to find a difference in grading of Ankle reflex between children with Protein Energy Malnourishment (PEM) and normal healthy subjects. This will help draw a conclusive relationship between hyporeflexia and PEM. Methods: The study design is an observational case-control type of study conducted in two teaching hospitals in India. Cases of PEM (n = 30), children with Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) &lt;12.5 and weight for height Z score (WHZ) score of lesser than -2 along with control group of normal healthy children (n = 30), all aged between 1 and 5 years were selected for the study. Ankle reflexes were noted using a simple knee hammer on 3 consecutive days of cases and control group, graded based on the NINDS Reflex Grading Scale to determine any differences between cases and controls. Results: A Chi-square test was performed and a P value result of 0.002 was obtained rejecting the null hypothesis which states that there is no relation between ankle reflex grades and presence of malnutrition. Conclusion: A conclusion could be drawn where a significant association was observed between lower ankle reflex grades and cases of PEM as compared to those noted in the control group. The Achilles Tendon reflexes obtained from cases was significantly reduced. Eliciting the Deep Tendon reflexes and drawing a relation with PEM children can be used as an initial diagnosis for neurological deficits associated with PEM.

Polysomnographic comparison of sleep in children with obesity and normal weight without suspected sleep-related breathing disorder.

Short sleep and obstructive apneas/hypopneas have been shown to be associated with childhood obesity. Still, few studies have compared sleep in children with obesity, without suspected sleep disordered breathing and normal weight peers by objective sleep measures and compared results with subjective parent assessment of sleep. Children with obesity aged 7-13 years (N= 44) and a matched group of normal weight children (N= 42) completed clinical polysomnography (Embla A10 Recording System). Parents scored their children's sleep on the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ). Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare groups. There was a higher obstructive apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) (median obesity=1.20 vs. median normal =0.66; z= -1.33, U= 560.50, p= 0.002) and number of oxygen desaturation events per hour (median obesity=0.7 vs. median normal =0.2; z= -3.45, U= 402.50, p= 0.001) in the children with obesity compared to children with normal weight. The children with obesity had a significantly longer sleep duration (median obesity 8:50 h=vs. median normal=8:32 h; z= -2.05, U= 687.00, p= 0.041), longer stage N2 sleep (median obesity=87 min vs. median normal=52 min; z= -2.87, U= 576.50, p= 0. 004) and shorter REM sleep (median obesity=94 min vs. median normal=121 min; z= 5.05, U= 1477.00, p≤ .001). No differences were observed for time in sleep stage N1 and N3, wake time after sleep onset or the total arousal index . Further, no group differences were found on the CSHQ sleep-disordered breathing sub-scale (p= 0.399). The children with obesity demonstrated significantly more mild to moderate sleep disordered breathing than children with normal weight, although this was not corroborated by parent report.

P055 Title: Standard rate of ASLO in healthy children with streptococcal (angina) or post-streptococcal (RAA) infection in Morocco

Abstract Background The antistreptolysins O “ASLO” are anti streptococcal antibodies directed against streptolysin O. The assay of ASLO can provide proof of infection of streptococcal origin. However, it cannot confirm the presence of RAA or the degree of severity of the disease. A level of ASLO less than or equal to a critical threshold of 200 IU/ml is considered normal in children. Several factors influence the ASLO title and therefore their standard rate such as age, geographic location and seasonal variation. The objective of this study is to determine the upper normal limit (ULN) of ASLO in healthy children with angina or RAA at the CHU Hassan II of Fez in Morocco. Methods This is a cross-sectional study carried out from January 2016 to July 2019 in the cardiopediatric unit of CHU Hassan II and the Anarjiss health center in Fez. Patients below 18 years of age were included in this study. The children are classified into 3 groups: group 1: 152 children with RAA and who are diagnosed according to the modified Jones criteria, group 2: 177 children with angina, group 3: 157 healthy children who did not have an RAA, a history of recurrent or recent pharyngitis. Patient data is collected on operating sheets. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v 21 software. To establish a normal upper limit for ASLOs, the 90 percentile was used as it is a value below which at least 90% of cases studied in each group. Results The most common age group in the 3 groups is the age group between 5 and 15 years old. The frequency of children of urban origin is greater than that of rural origin in all the groups studied. The ULN is 421.4U/ml in the group of normal children, 641.95 U/ml in the RAA group and 561.8 U/ml in the group of children with pharyngitis. The study of changes in ASLO rates over time shows that they increase significantly in angina and tend to decrease in RAA. The LSN of ASLOs by gender shows that it is higher for boys than for girls. The ULN according to the residence shows that it is higher in urban areas. As well as the LSN of ASLO according to the season shows that it is higher in the cold period, especially in winter and spring (P &amp;lt; 0.001). With regard to age, the ULN of ASLOs is higher in the 5–15 age group. Conclusion In this study, it can be concluded that an ASLO level less than or equal to 400 U/ml is the critical threshold in a normal child, while an ASLO level &amp;gt;400 U/ml is considered pathological in children. children in Morocco.

Development of receptive vocabulary and verbal intelligence in Japanese children with unilateral hearing loss

ObjectiveIn the past, it was believed that unilateral hearing loss has a minimal impact on the speech and language development in children. However, several studies have suggested that some school-age children with unilateral hearing loss have learning impairments in language. In the present study, we first examined whether preschool-age children with unilateral severe-to-profound hearing loss (UHL) have delays in the development of receptive vocabulary and verbal intelligence. In the follow-up study, we tested the children again after school admission. The objective of the present study was to reveal the development of receptive vocabulary and verbal intelligence from preschool to school years in children with UHL. MethodsFifteen Japanese preschool-age children with UHL and a control group of 20 age-matched Japanese children with bilateral normal hearing (NH), who were examined because articulation disorder was suspected, were enrolled in this study. The development of receptive vocabulary and verbal intelligence was evaluated using the Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised (PVT-R) and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale, respectively. The present retrospective study was approved by the Committee for Medical Ethics of Tokushima University Hospital (#3801). ResultsThe scaled score (SS) of the PVT-R and verbal intelligence quotient (VIQ)/verbal comprehension index (VCI), but not performance intelligence quotient/perceptual reasoning index in children with UHL were significantly lower than those in the control children with NH at preschool-age. The SS of the PVT-R and VIQ/VCI in children with UHL significantly improved after school admission. In the subgroup analysis, the SS of the PVT-R in the lower receptive vocabulary group of children with UHL at preschool-age was significantly increased after school admission, but the SS in the normal and higher receptive vocabulary group of children with UHL at preschool-age were still around the standardized mean of SS after school admission. ConclusionThese findings suggest that the development of receptive vocabulary and verbal intelligence was delayed in preschool-age children with UHL and that most of them caught up to exhibit normal language ability after school admission.

Scheimpflug Imaging in Operated Primary Congenital Glaucoma.

To report the corneal tomographic characteristics of eyes that had surgery for controlled primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) and to compare it with an age-matched group of normal children. The study was conducted on 44 (24 right) eyes of 27 children (18 boys) who had surgery for PCG and 60 (31 right) eyes of 32 age-matched control children (9 boys). Children with PCG had a thorough ophthalmic examination and the demographic and medical and surgical history was retrieved from the patients' clinical chart records. After clinical examination, the study participants underwent Scheimpflug imaging using the Pentacam (Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH). Both study and control children were approximately 9 years of age at the time of the study (P = .39). The eyes with PCG had a spherical equivalent mean ± standard deviation of -4.70 ± 3.50 diopters (D). Eyes with PCG demonstrated a cylinder of -2.80 ± 2.10 D, flatter corneas than control eyes (P = .0002 and .0012 for flat and steep keratometry, respectively), and statistically significantly higher astigmatism (P = .011) and thinner corneas, both at pupil center (P < .001) and thinnest location (P < .001). There was a statistically significant negative correlation between the postoperative axial length (at the time of the scan) and each of the Scheimpflug parameters flat keratometry (P = .002), steep keratometry (P = .003), pachymetry at pupil center (P = .01), and pachymetry at thinnest location (P = .009). The eyes of patients with PCG have thinner, flatter, and more astigmatic corneas than the eyes of age-matched control children. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2021;58(4):218-223.].

Normal intraocular pressure in Egyptian children and meta-analysis.

To determine the normal intraocular pressure in a sample of Egyptian children 0-12 years of age, and compare it to that recorded in previous studies. This is a prospective cross-sectional study, including 345 eyes. All children underwent complete history taking and ophthalmic examination. Any glaucomatous patients or glaucoma suspects were excluded. Intraocular pressure was measured using Haag Streit Perkins M2 handheld applanation tonometer under topical or general anaesthesia. Three readings were recorded for each eye and the average was calculated. Central corneal thickness was measured, using handheld pachymeter (Pachmate 2), whenever possible. The study included 345 eyes of 187 children (101 males and 86 females), aged 2 months to 12 years (mean: 5.69 ± 3.42 years). The recorded IOP was 5-20 mm Hg (mean: 11.5 ± 2.34 mm Hg). Central corneal thickness was 469-742 μm (mean: 564.8 ± 42.72 μm). The mean recorded intraocular pressure showed positive correlation with increased age (p = 0.026) and increased central corneal thickness (p = 0.037), with a difference of 1 mm Hg for every 100-μm change in central corneal thickness. The mean IOP was significantly lower than that recorded by most previous studies. A detailed comparative analysis is presented comparing our findings with other studies including grouped analysis, by country, ethnicity and tonometers used. The mean IOP in a group of normal Egyptian children was 11.5 ± 2.34 mm Hg, with positive correlation to age and central corneal thickness. This mean intraocular pressure was lower than that previously reported in any other population.

Oral health of overweight and obese children and adolescents: a comparative study with a multivariate analysis of risk indicators.

The aim of this study was to investigate the oral health status of overweight and obese children compared to normal weight children and to explore the effect of risk indicators, including stress, on the oral health of the children. For this cross-sectional study, 7-15-year-old children were enrolled: divided into a group of overweight and obese and a group of normal weight children. Parent-reported questionnaires were used to for data collection demographic data, children's medical and developmental history, brushing frequency and dietary habits. Participants' state and trait anxiety levels were evaluated using STAIC questionnaires while saliva cortisol was measured as a biomarker of stress. Dental Caries (DMFT/dmft), periodontal health (plaque index-PI and gingival index-GI), saliva flow rate and buffer capacity were recorded at the dental clinic by two calibrated examiners. Student's t-test, Pearson's r and Fisher's exact test were used for bivariate associations and backward stepwise multivariate regression analysis for each oral health outcome was performed (P ≤ 0.05). Overweight and obese children had significantly higher DMFT (3.92 ± 4.69 vs. 1.30 ± 2.49, P < 0.001), PI (0.9 ± 0.5 vs. 0.45 ± 0.52, P < 0,001) and GI (0.38 ± 0.39 vs. 0.18 ± 0.47, P < 0,001), salivary cortisol AUC (128.3 ± 55.5 vs. 99.4 ± 35.7, P = 0.004), lower saliva flow rate and decreased "high" saliva buffer capacity. There were no differences for the STAIC measures between the groups. Child's weight affected periodontal parameters but not dental caries, when controlling for other risk indicators. Oral status of overweight and obese children was worse compared to normal weight children and this did not correlate to stress variables.

Attitudes Toward Epilepsy Among Parents of Children With Epilepsy in Southern China.

Purpose: To evaluate the attitudes toward epilepsy among parents of children with epilepsy (CWE) in China and identify some related factors for future interventions for parents to offer more social support for CWE.Method: The Chinese Public Attitudes Toward Epilepsy (CPATE) scale was administered to 234 parents of CWE and 203 parents of normal children in Xiangya hospital during 2019–2020.Results: The cumulative score of the parents of CWE (26.427 ± 6.688) was significantly lower than that of the normal children group (32.330 ± 7.234, p < 0.001). Subanalysis showed more positive attitudes among parents of CWE than the control group (p < 0.001) toward education (4.765 ± 1.985 vs. 6.621 ± 2.419), social life (6.556 ± 2.456 vs. 8.010 ± 2.683), marriage (9.586 ± 2.675 vs. 11.025 ± 2.900), and employment (3.876 ± 1.364 vs. 4.5123 ± 1.283). The attitudes toward epilepsy among parents of CWE with seizures in public (27.16 ± 6.66) or during sleep (27.10 ± 6.38) were more negative than those without (25.35 ± 6.62 and 25.08 ± 7.10, respectively) (p < 0.05). In addition, female and low income were negatively related to parents' attitudes toward epilepsy.Conclusions: More active policy guidance and adequate social support should be given to parents of children with seizures in public or during sleep to instruct their children to form a positive perception about epilepsy, which is expected to have a positive impact on their social abilities in the future.

Coping Strategies and Mental Well Being of Caregivers of Children with Autism and Normal: AComparative Study

Background: The caregivers are vulnerable to develop depression and anxiety due to increased workload and multiple stressors associated with care giving role. The understanding of coping strategies among caregivers of children with autism and normal would offer a comprehensive understanding of mental health of caregivers and coping strategies can offer protective and remedial mechanism. Objective: The present study investigated the differences in Mental Well Being and Coping Strategies of caregivers of children with Autism and Normal children. Sample: The sample size comprised of thirty caregivers of children with Autism and thirty caregivers of normal children. Tools Used: The tools used for data collection was Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS) the Coping Strategies scale. Result: Results indicated the significant differences in Approach Behavioural coping strategy among Caregivers of Autistic children group and Caregivers of Normal Group. However, no significant differences between Mental Well Being and Approach Cognitive Coping Strategies of Caregivers of children with Autism and Caregiver group of Normal children.

The Quality of Life in Mothers of Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Comparative Study in Tehran, Iran

Background &amp; Aim: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common mental health disorder among young children that affects the mothers’ lifestyles The aim of the present study was to consider the quality of life in Iranian mothers with ADHD children. Objective: In this comparative study, we compared the quality of life between mothers of ADHD children and mothers of normal children. Methods: In this descriptive study (2018-2019), a total of 75 mothers with ADHD children and 75 mothers with normal children, who were referred to referral educational hospital (Rasoul Hospital; Tehran, Iran) were evaluated. ADHD criteria were assessed by means of the SNAP-IV questionnaire, while the quality of life was evaluated by the SF-36 questionnaire. All data were analyzed by SPSS software. The environmental, mental, social physical, health and quality of life were compared between 2 groups. Results: The economic situation of mothers with normal children was average (73.3%) to good (16%), while in mothers with ADHD children the economic situation was average (45.3%) to poor (37.3%). Mothers’ employment in normal children group was 41.3%, but it was 14.6% in mothers with ADHD children. A significant difference was reported between two groups in the mean of environmental health score (p&lt;0.05), social relationships (p&lt;0.05), mental health (p&lt;0.05), physical health (p&lt;0.01) and quality of life (p&lt;0.01). The mean score of environmental health, social relationships, mental health, physical health and quality of life in ADHD mothers was significantly lower than mothers with normal children. Conclusion: The difficulties in the management of ADHD children negatively affect the quality of mothers’ lifestyles. Therefore, preventive, educational and therapeutic interventions are recommended to improve the mental health and the quality of life of mothers.

GC-MS and metabolomics analysis of amino acids, glucose and urinary metabolic pathways and characteristics in children with spleen-deficiency diarrhea

Diarrhea is a disease, and patients must have bowel movements at least three times per day. This condition may last for several days and may cause dehydration due to fluid loss. Spleen-deficiency makes a person more vulnerable to some infectious diseases. Persistent diarrhea due to spleen-deficiency may affect amino acids and glucose metabolic pathways, and urinary metabolic characteristics. For this purpose, this research was carried out to investigate the pathogenesis and changes of metabolic profiling in urine samples that come from 3 months to 3 years old children with persistent diarrhea due to Spleen-deficiency were analyzed by metabolomics methods based on gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The urine samples were collected and divided into normal children group (NC group, n=30), persistent diarrhea group (PD group, n=30)．The endogenous metabolites in urine were obtained by GC-MS. Principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) was used to analyze the data．The results were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and Fold change．Finally，there was a significant difference between the normal group and the diarrhea group, and the significant metabolites, glutamic acid, serine，phenylalanine, histidine, and et al. were identified between two groups. The metabolism of glycine, serine and threonine, arginine and proline, glutathione and pentose phosphate were involved. The result demonstrated that amino acid metabolism and glucose metabolism were the main metabolic pathways and responsible for persistent diarrhea due to Spleen-deficiency.