Preschool Life Research Articles

Impact of primary dentition malocclusion on the oral health-related quality of life in preschoolers

BackgroundMalocclusion is a condition frequently seen in primary dentition due to the interaction of environmental, genetic and behavioural factors. The occurrence of some types of malocclusions can have an impact on oral health-related quality of life in children. Hence, the present study aimed to verify the impact of primary dentition malocclusion on oral health-related quality of life in preschool children.MethodsA population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Florianopolis, Brazil, with a representative sample of 1050 preschoolers aged between 2 and 5 years, randomly selected. Parents answered the Brazilian version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale and also to a questionnaire on socio-economic indicators. Data obtained from the questionnaire were obtained by item response theory based on model of gradual response. The malocclusion assessed was: anterior open bite, increased overjet and posterior crossbite. Poisson regression model was employed for multivariate analysis (P < 0.05).ResultsMalocclusion was observed in 36.7% of the children. Of these, 11.4% were anterior open bite, 67.2% were increased overjet, and 21.4% were posterior crossbite. Malocclusion's impact on oral health-related quality of life was 28.6%. In children aged 4–5 years, the prevalence of malocclusion’s impact on quality of life was 49.5% higher than in children aged 2–3 years. Statistical analysis showed that preschool children with malocclusion showed no significant impact on quality of life.ConclusionsThe findings of the present study indicate that the occurrence of primary dentition malocclusion has no impact on the quality of life of children aged 2–5 years.

Association between environmental tobacco smoke exposure in early life and autistic-like behaviors in Chinese preschoolers

ObjectiveFew studies have evaluated the association between children's exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in early life (during pregnancy, from birth to one year and from one to three years) and autistic-like behaviors. This study aimed to explore this association. MethodsThis cross-sectional study analyzed data collected in 2017 as part of the Longhua Child Cohort Study. Autistic-like behaviors were measured using the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC). Data on ETS exposure and autistic-like behaviors of children were collected via self-administered questionnaires completed by the mothers. Multivariate logistic regression models were undertaken to assess the associations. ResultsOf the 65,243 participants included in this study, 1958 children met criteria for having autistic-like behaviors. The results showed that children were more likely to exhibit autistic-like behaviors when they were exposed to ETS in early life (AOR = 1.38; 95% CI = 1.26–1.52), compared to preschoolers without ETS exposure at any period of their early life. Compared with their unexposed counterparts, children who were exposed to ETS during gestation (AOR = 1.42; 95% CI = 1.29–1.57), or from birth to one year old (AOR = 1.42; 95% CI = 1.19–1.69) had significantly increased risk of autistic-like behaviors. In addition, with the increase in duration of exposure and average number of cigarettes smoked in the child's immediate environment, the risk of autistic-like behaviors increased. ConclusionOur study indicated that children's ETS exposure in early life was significantly associated with autistic-like behaviors. When children's exposure to cigarettes in early life increased in duration and number, the likelihood of the presence of autistic-like behaviors was higher.

Quality of Life of Infants, Toddlers and Preschoolers with Seborrhoeic, Allergic Contact and Atopic Dermatitis Before and During COVID-19 Pandemic.

IntroductionDifferent aspects of quality of life (QoL) of infants and children with atopic dermatitis (AD) are well studied but there is a lack of studies on seborrhoeic dermatitis (SD) and allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). The aim of this study was to compare the impact of SD, ACD and AD on young children. Parts of questionnaires were filled in during the COVID-19 pandemic and therefore we decided to check if the pandemic affected dermatology-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in our patients.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study approved by the local ethics committee of the Kiev City Clinical Dermatovenereologic Hospital parents of children with SD, ACD and AD from birth to 4 years old from the same department of dermatology were asked to fill in the dermatology-specific questionnaire the Infants and Toddlers Dermatology Quality of Life (InToDermQoL). Diagnoses were based on clinical manifestations and anamnesis. The study was carried out from 2018 till 2021.ResultsThe InToDermQoL questionnaire was filled in by 176 parents of children with SD, ACD and AD. Mean total InToDermQoL scores were significantly higher in children with AD than in SD and ACD (P < 0.01). HRQoL of children with AD during the COVID-19 pandemic was significantly worse than before pandemic (41.30 ± 24.40 and 28.51 ± 17.67 respectively, P = 0.02). Scores of the item on ‘sleep problems’ significantly decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic in children with SD (1.19 ± 1.01 and 0.64 ± 0.63, P < 0.05), as did scores of the item on ‘rejection by other children’ in children with AD (0.96 ± 0.98 and 0.20 ± 0.45, P < 0.05).ConclusionsTo the best of our knowledge this is the first study on HRQoL of the youngest children with SD and ACD. In our study children with SD and ACD had comparable but lower impact of skin disease on their HRQoL than children with AD. The COVID-19 pandemic led to more severe HRQoL impairment in patients with AD visiting a dermatology department.

Family intervention program for autism

Interventions can minimize the impact of developmental barriers on autism. Inconsistent interventions result in behavioral deterioration. Parents have a big role to provide consistent intervention to children. This study aims to review home intervention programs that family can do at home. The research method used is a literature review. The data collection method used is the literature related to home-based autism interventions and family intervention. The results of the study show several programs that can be applied by families at home. The results showed the intervention models that can be done by family are ABA, PLAY, dan TEACCH. Through this study, it can be concluded that ABA is the most effective technique that can be used as a basis for implementing family interventions. Comprehensive interventions are also highly recommended for home interventions, such as modifying the environment and providing preschool life skills.

Impact of hypomineralised second primary molar on preschoolers' oral health-related quality of life-A hierarchical approach.

Hypomineralised second primary molar (HSPM) is a developmental enamel defect associated with dental caries. To evaluate the impact of HSPM on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in preschoolers through hierarchical analysis. This population-based cross-sectional study assessed 834 5-year-old preschoolers, in Teresina, Piauí, Brazil, using sociodemographic questionnaires and Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS). Dental examination was performed by two calibrated examiners (κ≥0.80) for the diagnosis of HSPM (EAPD), dental caries (dmft and pufa indices), and malocclusion (Foster and Hamilton criteria). Analysis of the determinants of OHRQoL was stratified at three levels (P<.05). Severe HSPM was associated with OHRQoL in bivariate analysis (P<.05). In adjusted final multivariate analysis (model 1), the presence of dental caries with or without clinical consequences was associated with worse OHRQoL (P<.05). In model 2, after the removal of dental caries, preschoolers with severe HSPM had greater probability of having a negative impact on OHRQoL in the child impact section (RR=2.14; 95% CI=1.26-3.65), family impact section (RR=1.99; 95% CI=1.16-3.42), and total score (RR=2.09; 95% CI=1.25-3.49) of the ECOHIS. Severe HSPM had a negative impact on the OHRQoL of preschoolers and their families, but the presence of dental caries neutralised this impact.

Toddlers as social actors in early education

This article focuses on the interaction among young toddlers during their second year of life in a Swedish preschool, with the view of toddlers as social actors. The overall aim is to explore interaction, communication, and the creation of friendship between young children during self-initiated play activities. Play is looked upon as a rich arena for observing toddler interaction. The theoretical framework for the study is phenomenology, the view of the child as a social person and a child-oriented perspective. This article will also address the important concepts of methodology and research ethics, in relation to an ethnographic early childhood study, intended to investigate toddler’s life worlds. A close analysis of their worlds may reveal what was not visible before – like a kaleidoscope. Six one-year-old girls and boys in a setting, in a total of 15 children, were the focus of this study’s observations for nine months. Participatory methods, photos, field notes and video-recordings, were used for the data collection. The findings of the ethnographic study recognise theoretically the competence of the toddler as a social actor, the child as an active participant, and the strategic nonverbal and verbal actions of children to initiate friendship. Mutual awareness, joint attention, shared smiles, coordinated movements, as well as other types of synchronized actions are understood as parts of nonverbal elements in emerging friendship. The competencies of attunement, taking others’ perspectives and turn-taking were found in play among the young toddlers.

Evaluating the generality and social acceptability of early friendship skills.

The development of prosocial skills is considered pivotal to childhood development. The friendship unit of the Preschool Life Skills program teaches early prosocial skills likely to facilitate socially desirable behaviors in young children; however, the friendship unit is the most understudied unit and has produced modest, inconsistent outcomes across children. The current study aimed to evaluate procedures necessary to (a) teach friendship skills to 4 children, with and without developmental disabilities, in an applied context and (b) promote the use of these skills with a same-aged peer. Teaching 5 friendship skills in a 1-to-1 format with the addition of tangible reinforcement, if necessary, was efficacious at increasing the children's friendship skills with an adult. Additional tactics were necessary to promote prosociality with a peer. We discuss refinements to the teaching procedures and additional considerations to improve the social acceptability and durability of prosocial skills.

Cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric properties of the Mexican version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS)

BackgroundInstruments adapted for the Mexican population to assess oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in preschoolers remain lacking. This study aimed to cross-culturally adapt and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Mexican version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (M-ECOHIS).MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted with preschool children from southern Mexico. The investigation was divided into a transcultural adaptation phase and a validation phase. The M-ECOHIS was completed by the children’s guardians, and clinical data were also evaluated. Reliability was evaluated using tests of internal consistency and test–retest measures, while construct validity was assessed through Spearman’s correlation coefficient between M-ECOHIS scores and self-reported oral health, and through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Construct validity was also evaluated through discriminant validity of the M-ECOHIS, which was determined according to questionnaire scores on oral health measures (e.g., dental caries).ResultsA total of 303 preschool children participated in this study. Regarding internal consistency, Cronbach’s alpha was > 0.78 for the child section, family section, and general M-ECOHIS. The general intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for test–retest reliability was 0.95. The correlation between the scores obtained on the child and family impact sections was significant with the self-reported oral health status rating. In relation to CFA, all items of the M-ECOHIS confirmed the latent variables. Further, M-ECOHIS scores were associated with the presence of untreated dental caries, indicating that the questionnaire has good discriminant validity.ConclusionOur findings suggest that the M-ECOHIS is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing the impact of oral health on quality of life in Mexican preschool children.

Measuring the impact of burn injury on the parent-reported health outcomes of children 1-to-5 years: Item pool development for the Preschool1–5 Life Impact Burn Recovery Evaluation (LIBRE) Profile

Modern, reliable, and valid outcome measures are essential to understanding the health needs of young children with burn injuries. Burn-specific and age-appropriate legacy assessment tools exist for this population but are hindered by the limitations of existing paper-based instruments. The purpose of this study was to develop item pools comprised of questions appropriate for children aged 1–5 with burn injuries. Item development was based on a framework provided by previous work to develop the Preschool Life Impact Burn Recovery Evaluation (LIBRE) Conceptual Model. The Preschool LIBRE Conceptual Model work established four sub-domains of functioning for children with burns aged 1–5. Item development involved a systematic literature review, a qualitative item review process with clinical experts, and parent cognitive interviews. Four item pools were established: (1) communication and language development; (2) physical functioning; (3) psychological functioning and (4) social functioning for preschool-aged children with burn injuries. We selected and refined candidate items, recall periods, survey instructions, and response option choices through clinical and parental feedback during the qualitative review and cognitive interview processes. Item pools are currently being field-tested as part of the process to calibrate and validate the Preschool1–5 LIBRE Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) Profile.

Brief Report: Health-Related Quality of Life in Preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorder is Related to Diagnostic Age and Autistic Symptom Severity.

We conducted a cross-sectional study to explore whether clinical characteristics and autism diagnostic-traits severity are associated with caregiver-reported impairment of health-related quality of life (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Generic Core Scales, Fourth Edition) in 93 Chilean toddlers (age: 2-4years) with autism spectrum disorder. Median total scale, physical health, and psychosocial health scores were 76 (IQR 70-81), 88 (IQR 81-94), and 71 (IQR 62-79), respectively. In multiple-regression analysis, diagnostic age (β = 0.219; p 0.021) and Calibrated Severity Score of Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, second edition (β = - 0.434; p < 0.001) were independently correlated to the total scale score. Lower age and higher autistic traits severity at diagnosis are correlated with worse well-being perception by caregivers.

Dental pain, parental SARS-CoV-2 fear and distress on quality of life of 2 to 6 year-old children during COVID-19.

BackgroundCoronavirus disease (COVID‐19) has crippled life, families and oral healthcare delivery in India due to nationwide lockdown.AimThrough cross‐sectional design, we investigated the impact of child's dental pain, caregiver's fear of SARS‐CoV‐2 and parental distress on oral health–related quality of life (OHRQOL) of preschoolers during the nationwide COVID‐19 pandemic lockdown.DesignPreschool children self‐reported their pain using Pieces of Hurt scale; caregiver SARS‐CoV‐2 fear was assessed using Fear of COVID‐19 scale and parental distress evaluated using 4‐item scale. Child's oral health was assessed using the dmft index and OHRQOL evaluated using early childhood oral health impact scale. Bivariate, multivariate regression analysis was conducted to identify predictors; statistical significance was set at 5%.ResultsSample mean age was 4.58 years, and about 69% were boys. Children reporting higher pain scores (OR = 1.9) due to decayed teeth and having dmft > 5 (OR = 4.25), followed by greater parental distress (OR = 4.13) and fear of SARS‐CoV‐2 (OR = 3.84), were significantly associated with poor OHRQOL during the COVID‐19 pandemic.ConclusionsGreater parental distress and fear of COVID‐19 among caregivers, higher self‐perceived dental pain among children and caries experience are associated with poor OHRQOL of preschool children during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Impact of Oral Health on the Quality of Life of Preschoolers and Their Families.

The aim of this study was to evaluate how the oral hygiene condition can influence the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) of preschoolers and their families. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 446 children aged 2 to 6 years from public schools located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The groups were dichotomized: regular/poor oral hygiene condition (RPOH) or good oral hygiene condition (GOH). The caregivers answered the Brazilian version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (B-ECOHIS). The average score in the RPOH group was 6.36 (6.35 DP) and GOH was 4.43 (5.35 SD) (P < .01). In the child subscale, the average of the RPOH and GOH group were, respectively, 4.12 (4.14 DP) and 3.13 (3.66 DP) (P = .01). In the family subscale, RPOH and GOH group were, respectively, 2.24 (3.12 DP) and 1.29 (2.52 DP) (P = .01). RPOH group had the greatest impact on OHRQoL.

Коллекционирование как элемент субкультуры современных дошкольников

The article discusses collecting as an element of children’s subculture and its specifics in the life of modern preschoolers. The results obtained from interviews with 160 preschoolers of different ages, parents and educators are presented. The data suggests that collecting is an important activity at preschool age. We identify the priorities in the content of children's collections in different preschool ages; describe the modern phenomena of collecting in a virtual space and online collecting; explore the formation of children's independence within this type of activity; and reveal the functions of collecting at preschool age. It is shown that at preschool age collecting becomes an increasingly independent activity and even acquires the form of a cultural activity, as in its content that reflects existing cultural values, as in its functions that reflect social orientation. Basing on the analysis of the obtained data, we conclude that supporting the child’s cognitive orientation and independence at preschool age through collecting may contribute to his/her development and open up new possibilities for communicative interaction.

Timing of sugar introduction in diet and early childhood caries: a population-based study in preschoolers

Abstract Introduction Sugar ingestion is the most important isolated factor related to dental caries. Contact with sugary foods at an early age may represent a risk to the oral health of preschool children. Objective To evaluate the timing of the introduction of sugar in the diet of preschoolers and its association with early childhood caries. Material and method Cross-sectional population-based study with 888 five-year-old preschoolers from public and private schools. Parents answered a questionnaire on sociodemographic data, eating habits and oral health. The variables timing of sugar introduction (&gt;1 year and ≤1 year) and dental caries experience were dichotomized and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Poisson regression (p&lt;0.05). Result The introduction of sugar in the diet occurred during the first twelve months of life for 73.8% of preschoolers. There was no association between the timing of sugar introduction and early childhood caries (p&gt;0.05). The interruption of exclusive breastfeeding and low family income increased the prevalence of preschoolers having early contact with sugar by 32% and 23%, respectively (p&lt;0.05). The prevalence of early childhood caries was 42.3% and was associated with a lower level of maternal education, low income, increased frequency of ingestion of candy and the use of nonfluoridated toothpaste (p&lt;0.05). Conclusion The introduction of sugar in the diet occurred during the first year of life in most preschoolers and there was no association with early childhood caries.

The effects of individualized teaching of school readiness skills to children in preschool with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms

AbstractAttention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders diagnosed among children and adolescents. ADHD is associated with a wide range of health and developmental risks, emotional and behavioral disorders, lack of social skills, and academic underachievement. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the preschool life skills (PLS) program in teaching important life skills to a 5‐year old girl being assessed for ADHD. The participant was taught eight PLS, divided into three units that focused on instruction following, functional communication, and tolerance skills. Teaching included instructions, modeling, role‐play, and feedback/descriptive praise. The PLS program effectively increased PLS, and skill achievement was only evident when teaching targeted each unit of skills.

Yaşam Becerileri Eğitim Programının Anasınıfına Devam Eden Çocukların Yaşam Becerilerine ve Sosyal Uyumlarına Etkisinin İncelenmesi

Araştırma deseni olarak öntest-sontest kontrol gruplu yarı deneysel desende tasarlanan bu çalışmanın amacı, okul öncesi dönem 5-6 yaş çocuklarına uygulanan yaşam becerileri eğitimi programının çocukların yaşam becerilerine ve sosyal uyumlarına etkililiğini incelemektir. Araştırmanın çalışma grubunu, Ankara il merkezindeki bir vakıf/özel anaokulunda eğitim görmekte olan 5-6 (60-72 aylık) yaş aralığındaki çocuklar oluşturmuştur. Çalışma grubundaki çocuklardan deney ve kontrol grubu olmak üzere iki grup belirlenmiştir. Deney Grubuna (DG) ve Kontrol Grubuna (KG) ön uygulama aşamasında; sırasıyla, Yaşam Becerilerini ölçmek amacıyla, “Okul Öncesi Dönem Yaşam Becerileri Ölçeği”, Sosyal Uyum Becerilerini ölçmek amacıyla, “Sosyal Uyum Beceri Ölçeği” uygulanmıştır. Ön uygulamalardan sonra deney grubuna, araştırmanın amacı doğrultusunda araştırmacılar tarafından okul öncesi dönem (5-6 yaş) çocuklarının gelişim düzeylerine uygun olarak mevcut okul öncesi eğitim programındaki kazanım ve göstergeler de dikkate alınarak hazırlanan, 18 oturum ve 36 bağımsız yaşam becerisi etkinliğinden oluşan “Yaşam Becerileri Eğitim Programı”nın 12 hafta süreyle uygulaması yapılmıştır. Araştırmadan elde edilen bulgulara göre; deney grubunda yer alan çocukların kontrol grubunda yer alan çocuklara oranla öntest ve sontest puanları arasında pozitif yönde anlamlı düzeyde farklılaşma olduğu saptanmıştır.

ЕМОЦИИТЕ НА ДЕЦАТА ПРЕЗ ПОГЛЕДА НА ПРЕДУЧИЛИЩНИЯ ПЕДАГОГ

The article presents a recent theoretical and empirical study on the emotional manifestations of the child at pre-school age. Emotions occupy an important and essential place in the child’s pre-school life and play a decisive role in their psychological, physical and social development because they are related to the natural and social world. It is through them that the child perceives and understands the environment, reacts and expresses his/her attitude to it, enters the world of human relations, learns to communicate with adults and peers, understands them, shares with them, seeks and expects their support and understanding The problem of the emotional well-being of children in the pre-school educational institutions is current, as the positive emotional state is one of the most important conditions for the full development of the forming child’s personality. Taking into account the importance of emotional for the development and formation of the child at pre-school age, a survey was conducted with teachers. The aim of the study is to explore the teachers’ opinion about the emotional manifestations of the children in the kindergarten group.

776 A New Outcome Metric for Young Children with Burns: Item Pool Development for the Preschool Life Impact Burn Recovery Evaluation (LIBRE) Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) Profile

Abstract Introduction The assessment of recovery from burn injury is critical to improving pediatric health. However, there is a lack of brief, burn-specific measures to assess preschool-aged burn survivors’ health outcomes. We developed items pools for a new, parent-reported computer adaptive test based assessment of preschool-aged children’s burn outcomes. Methods Initial item pools were informed by the Preschool LIBRE Conceptual Model based on the International Classification for Children (ICF) and the Burn Outcomes Questionnaires (BOQ 0–5) and generated from a review of existing instruments assessing health and developmental outcomes in children 1–5 years. Candidate items underwent a review process to bin items together based on the underlying construct they assessed. Items were then winnowed down and further refined based on clinical expert consensus meetings. The winnowing process focused on ensuring items assessed abilities and behaviors that could be reliably determined by parent report, were age-relevant, and focused on health and developmental concepts that are important in the assessment of children’s burn recovery. To ensure item quality, we conducted parent cognitive interviews. In final reviews, we standardized item recall periods, response options, verb tense, and literacy demands. Results A total of 9,509 items were identified and extracted. Four item pool domains were established: communication and language development (42 items), physical functioning (53 items), psychological functioning (56 items), and social functioning (37 items). The respective item pools aim to assess: children’s ability to receive meaning and produce language; children’s gross and fine motor abilities; children’s emotions and behavior (internalizing and externalizing behaviors, dysregulation, toileting, response to trauma and resilience); and children’s social participation and abilities. Recall period and response options were refined for consistency for all 188 final items. Conclusions Four item pools were developed assessing four domains 1) communication and language development, 2) physical functioning, 3) psychological functioning and 4) social functioning for preschool-aged children. The item pools are currently being field-tested for the calibration and validation of the Preschool LIBRE CAT Profile. Applicability of Research to Practice This work is relevant to researchers and practitioners evaluating the effects of burn injury on preschool-aged children’s health and developmental outcomes.

An evaluation of parents as behavior change agents in the Preschool Life Skills program.

Parental involvement in intervention can support intervention efficacy, improve generalization, and increase accessibility. The Preschool Life Skills (PLS) program is designed to teach 13 preschool life skills and prevent problem behavior. The current study explores the utility of the PLS program as delivered by parents. In Experiment 1, 6 parents were taught to use the PLS program at home with their typically developing children (3 years 3 months to 4 years 11 months). This application of the PLS program led to an increase in preschool life skills and a decrease in problem behavior and supported some generalization of the target preschool life skills from the home to preschool settings. In Experiment 2, 7 parents were taught to use the PLS program with their children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD; 3 years 11 months to 6 years 9 months). Results overall supported the parent implementation of the program and highlighted modifications required to support positive outcomes for children with ASD.

Impact of dental caries on the quality of life of preschoolers measured by PedsQL questionnaire.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of dental caries on the quality of life of preschool children. The population was made up of preschoolers aged 5 years, enrolled in public and private institutions of Teresina, PI, Brazil. The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL™) was applied to children and caregivers, as well as a socioeconomic-demographic questionnaire for those responsible. In the dental examination the ceod index was used to evaluate the caries experience. Of the 566 children examined, 50.2% presented with caries experience. It was observed an association between caries experience and poorer quality of life in the oral health domain in the children's perception (RR = 0.981, 95% CI = 0.97-0.99) and parents (RR = 0.955, 95% CI = 0, 94-0.97). According to the children's perception, caries in the posterior teeth was associated with poorer quality of life in the physical capacity domain (RR = 0.985, 95% CI = 0.97-0.99). It was concluded that caries experience had a negative impact on the OHRQoL (oral health-related quality of life) in children's oral health according to the perception of children and parents. Caries located in molars had a negative impact on HRQoL in the physical ability domain according to the children's perception.