Preventable Childhood Diseases Research Articles

Early childhood caries sequelae and relapse rates in an Australian public dental hospital.

Early childhood caries (ECC) remains one of the most prevalent childhood diseases in Australia, disproportionately affecting disadvantaged populations. To investigate the ECC experience including risk factors, incidence of caries, pain and infection as well as relapse rates of caries and secondary dental general anaesthesia (GA). A retrospective cohort study included dental records of children with ECC, aged <72 months at an Australian public dental hospital paediatric dentistry department from 2013 to 2015 (n= 102). Dental caries, pain, infection, referral patterns, demographic and caries risk factor data were recorded for 24 months. Descriptive statistics were used for patient characteristics and clinical data, and Kaplan-Meier curves and parametric exponential survival models for time-to-event series. The study population demonstrated higher-than-national average dmft and disease progression at baseline. Major risk factors for the development of caries, pain and infection were daily consumption of sweetened beverages, poor oral hygiene, residing in lower socio-economic areas, older age and being male. Rates of caries relapse and new referral for secondary treatment under general anaesthesia were relatively high. A high degree of ECC progression and recurrence in this population indicates a need for a more comprehensive approach to ECC addressing multilevel root causes and systemic risk factors.

“IMMUNIZATION TRENDS IN SHIVRAM NATHUJI TAK GOVERNMENT SATELITE HOSPITAL, MANDORE, JODHPUR”

Background: Immunization is one of the most well-known and effective methods of preventing childhood diseases. With the implementation of the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) by the Government of India, signicant achievements have been made in preventing and controlling vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs). Aims &amp; Objectives: The present study was undertaken:- 1. To know complete immunization of children against vaccine preventable diseases under Universal Immunization Programme. 2. To know month-wise trend of immunization of children against vaccine preventable diseases under UIP. Materials and methods: This is an Institutional based study and have been conducted in Shri Shivram Nathuji Tak Government Satellite Hospital st st Mandore, Jodhpur, Rajasthan from 1 January 01, 2020 to 31 December 2020. All the children who have been immunized during this period are included in the study. Results: During our study period of 12 months, a total of 575 children between the age of 0-1 year have been immunized. Minimum number of children (48) have been immunized in the month of February and March 2020. For the Pentavalent- 2, maximum number of children (82) have been immunized in the month of May 2020 and minimum number of children (43) have been immunized in the month of October 2020.

Risk factors for early childhood caries

Introduction: Early childhood caries is one of the most prevalent childhood diseases worldwide. Objective: To analyze the literature on factors associated with susceptibility to caries, such as dietary factors, factors related to breastfeeding, factors related to hygiene, factors related to oral microflora, sociodemographic factors. Methodology: Current literature review carried out using Pubmed and SCOPUS, with emphasis on the last 5 years

Developing competence to prevent children's diseases for preschool teachers in Vietnam

Objective of the study: to assess the current situation of preschool teachers' competence in preventing childhood diseases, from this situation, suggesting a direction to develop the competence of preschool teachers to cope with childhood diseases in Vietnam. Method of the study: We use consulting methods through telephone, email and through questionnaire designed by Google Form. The rating scale is divided into 5 levels (Good, Fair, Average, Weak, Poor). The survey was conducted directly and online with 25 administrators (officers of Education and Training, the Principal, the Vice Principal of Kindergarten) and 118 preschool teachers in Lao Cai city, Lao Cai province. Conducting period: From April 2021 to November 2021. Result of the study: The current situation of preschool teachers' ability to prevent childhood diseases in the area of the study has some limitations, such as: the competence of some members of the Board of Education, the management staff, who is directly the principal, still have some limitations; the awareness of a part of management staff and teachers is not very complete about the importance of fostering skills in preventing contagious diseases in children for teachers of Kindergarten.

Cognitive Rehabilitation Training in Improving Executive Function, Antisocial Behaviors, and Legal Problems in Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Background:Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ ADHD) is one of the most prevalent childhood diseases, and it may substantially influence social behaviors, legal issues, and disputes. The goal was to see how cognitive rehabilitation training affected executive functioning and impulsivity in children with ADHD in Tehran, District 5. Methods: A quasi-experimental design was used, with two groups (experimental and control) and a pretest-posttest. All students with ADHD disorder aged 7 to 12 years were included in the statistical population. The sample comprised 30 kids who were age-matched and randomly split into two groups. They were tested for two months in February and March 2021. Slow cognitive rehabilitation training was given to the experimental group. Both groups were given a pretest and a posttest. Information was gathered using the BRIEF (parent form) and Conners’ (parent form) questionnaires. MANCOVA was used to analyze the data, using the SPSS software v. 26, with a significance threshold of 0.05. Results: There was a significant difference in executive function variables (inhibition, attention transfer, emotional control, initiation, working memory, planning, material organization, and control) and reduced impulsivity (attention deficit , hyperactivity, opposition, and ADHD) (P≤0.001). Conclusion: Cognitive rehabilitation improves executive skills and impulsivity in children with ADHD aged 7-12 years. Cognitive rehabilitation training should be utilized with other educational approaches to rectify social behaviors, minimize conflict, and improve executive functions.

The main criteria of dental morbidity in children under seven years of age living in regions with different fluoride content in drinking water

Relevance. Early caries is one of the most prevalent childhood diseases worldwide. Up to 32% of three-year-olds have tooth decay, the prevalence of caries in 6-7-year-old children in different cities of Russia increases to 65%, while 55.7% of children have caries of permanent teeth. In order to improve the quality of dental care, it is necessary to receive information about the prevalence and intensity of dental diseases, taking into account medical geography. Purpose – to assess caries and fluorosis incidence rate in primary teeth, to determine the hygiene index and the level of dental care for children under seven years old living in regions with different fluoride concentrations in drinking water.Materials and methods. The study conducted dental examinations of 150 children living in the South-Eastern Administrative District of Moscow aged 1 to 6 years and of 200 children living in Krasnogorsk aged 1 to 6 years. The study included the patients based on the developed inclusion criteria and informed voluntary parent consent. We entered the data into the registration card, which noted the dental formula, the prevalence and intensity of caries, the hygiene index according to Fedorov-Volodkina, the level of dental care according to P.A. Leus (1987).Results. Children living in an area with a low fluoride concentration in drinking water show the first signs of caries by the first year of age, then there is a significant increase, observed in the group of 3and 6-year-olds. The prevalence of caries in 1-year-old children living in an endemic focus of fluorosis is almost two times lower than in children living in an area with a reduced content of fluorides in drinking water, in 3-4-year-old children – 1.5 times lower, and in 5-6-year-old children 2 times lower. Along with this, 16-year-old children living in the focus of endemic fluorosis, Krasnogorsk, Moscow region, revealed fluorosis of primary teeth with a prevalence of 27%.Conclusions. The results indicates the need to increase the frequency and quality of patient education and increase the level of dental care.

Perspectives on Dental Caries: A Cross-Sectional Study among Parents of Primary School Children in Saudi Arabia

Background: Dental caries is one of the most prevalent chronic childhood diseases affecting many people worldwide. Many people do not recognize the early signs of dental caries or its causes, which is crucial for the prevention and early intervention of the disease and consequently less-invasive and cheaper treatment options. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the perspectives of parents about the meaning, causes, and early signs of dental caries, the association of tooth discoloration with decay, and the effect of different socio-demographic variables on the knowledge of patients regarding caries. Methods: Questionnaires were distributed to parents of primary school children in the region of Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Meaning of dental caries, early signs, causes of tooth discoloration related to decay, and the effect of different socio-demographic variables were calculated. Multiple linear regression analysis was carried out to identify significant predictor variables associated with caries knowledge scores. Results: There was a total of 2690 respondents. The majority had average caries knowledge scores. Lighter shades of tooth discoloration were reported to be associated with stains and warranted home care only, while darker shades were associated with caries and yielded a necessity for a visit to the dentist. Different socio-demographic variables had an effect on the caries knowledge of the parents. Conclusion: There is a need for increased knowledge about the early signs of dental caries among parents. Delayed recognition of signs of dental caries has a detrimental effect on the teeth of children and leads to seeking dental care at the later stages of the disease process. Community-oriented programs are fundamental for improving caries knowledge, its clinical presentations starting from its early signs, causes, and prevention.

Perspectives on Dental Caries: A Cross-Sectional Study among Parents of Primary School Children in Saudi Arabia

Background: Dental caries is one of the most prevalent chronic childhood diseases affecting many people worldwide. Many people do not recognize the early signs of dental caries or its causes, which is crucial for the prevention and early intervention of the disease and consequently less-invasive and cheaper treatment options. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the perspectives of parents about the meaning, causes, and early signs of dental caries, the association of tooth discoloration with decay, and the effect of different socio-demographic variables on the knowledge of patients regarding caries. Methods: Questionnaires were distributed to parents of primary school children in the region of Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Meaning of dental caries, early signs, causes of tooth discoloration related to decay, and the effect of different socio-demographic variables were calculated. Multiple linear regression analysis was carried out to identify significant predictor variables associated with caries knowledge scores. Results: There was a total of 2690 respondents. The majority had average caries knowledge scores. Lighter shades of tooth discoloration were reported to be associated with stains and warranted home care only, while darker shades were associated with caries and yielded a necessity for a visit to the dentist. Different socio-demographic variables had an effect on the caries knowledge of the parents. Conclusion: There is a need for increased knowledge about the early signs of dental caries among parents. Delayed recognition of signs of dental caries has a detrimental effect on the teeth of children and leads to seeking dental care at the later stages of the disease process. Community-oriented programs are fundamental for improving caries knowledge, its clinical presentations starting from its early signs, causes, and prevention.

Breastfeeding and diseases prevalent in the first two years of a child's life: a cross-sectional study.

to assess the association between breastfeeding and diseases prevalent in the first two years of a child's life. a retrospective cross-sectional study that analyzed electronic medical records of 401 children. Data on birth, growth, breastfeeding and medical care in the first two years of life were collected. In the analysis, Poisson regression with robust variance was used. 27.9% of children were exclusively breastfed until six months, and, at 24 months, 93.3% had already had some prevalent childhood disease. In the crude analysis, 5-minute Apgar association, length, weight at 12 months, exclusive and non-exclusive breastfeeding time had association. In the adjusted analysis, only the variable breastfeeding at six months maintained the association with prevalent childhood diseases. children who were not breastfed, exclusively or not, up to six months of age, had a higher prevalence of diseases compared to breastfed children.

Healthy Children - A Healthy Nation: Modern Approaches of Pediatricians to The Prevention of Childhood Diseases

The article investigates modern approaches in pediatrics to the prevention of childhood diseases. The author notes that today it is necessary to monitor the health of the younger generation, because in the future children should become full-fledged citizens of their country, and their health is a potential, which in the full sense of the word is the “building material” of the foundation of any state. It must be remembered that lifestyle-related variables and inadequate environment that surround children and adolescents can affect their cardiovascular health, which can cause serious health problems in the future. The connection between obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia in childhood and cardiovascular risk in adults is quite consistent, and it is possible to overcome the negative impact of the above factors if appropriate prevention programs for childhood diseases are developed already in childhood, within which not only medical professionals, but also parents and educational organizations should act

Vaccine serocoverage under the expanded program on immunization among hill tribe children in Thailand: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundExpanded programs on immunization (EPIs) are country-specific vaccine programs designed and implemented to prevent childhood diseases globally, including in Thailand. Hill tribe children in Thailand live in remote areas with underdeveloped education systems and low economic status. This study aimed to assess serocoverage under the EPI and access to vaccination clinics. MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed to assess serocoverage after childhood vaccination among hill tribe children who lived in 34 selected villages in Chiang Rai Province, Thailand. A validated questionnaire was administered, and 3-mL blood specimens were collected. Antibodies against hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs), hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc), measles, Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), and tetanus were detected. Chi-square tests were performed to detect the different proportion of patients with antibodies with different characteristics. ResultsHalf of the hill tribe children aged 1–18 years did not have medical evidence (logbook) of immunization. More than 98.0% of the children who had medical evidence received the recommended immunizations. Only half of the children had anti-HBs (51.1%), and 22.3% had antibodies against JEV. The majority were found to be positive for antibodies against measles (83.3%) and tetanus (91.4%). Sex (p-value = 0.028), tribe (p-value < 0.001), age (p-value < 0.001), and parents’ monthly income (p-value = 0.008) were associated with a lack of medical evidence. ConclusionsExisting immunization programs for hill tribe children in Thailand should be urgently evaluated and monitored for effectiveness.

The wealth gradient in diarrhoea, acute respiratory infections, and malaria in childhood over time: A descriptive analysis using DHS and MICS from Western and Central Africa between 1995 and 2017.

BackgroundWhile the prevalence of childhood diseases and related mortality have been decreasing over the past decades, progress has been unequally distributed. The poorest households often carry the highest disease burden. As morbidity and mortality also decline most slowly among children of the poorest households, socioeconomic status may become a more relevant risk factor for childhood diseases.MethodsWe analysed the association between socioeconomic status and highly prevalent childhood diseases, specifically diarrhoea, acute respiratory infections (ARI), and malaria, and how this association changed over time. For this observational study, we used repeated cross-sectional data, namely all available Demographic and Health Surveys as well as Multi-Indicator Cluster Surveys from Western and Central Africa between 1995 and 2017. We estimated the predicted prevalence of each disease for the entire region in three time periods. We repeated the analysis separately for each country to highlight heterogeneity between countries.ResultsA notable wealth gradient can be seen in the prevalence rates of diarrhoea, ARI, and malaria in Western and Central Africa. Children in the poorest quartile have a much higher morbidity than children in the richest quartile and have experienced a considerably slower decline in prevalence rates. In the period 2010-2017, predicted prevalence of diarrhoea was 17.5% for children in the poorest quartile and 12.5% for children in the richest quartile. Similarly, the predicted prevalence was 11.1% and 8.6% for ARI, and 54.1% and 24.4% for malaria in endemic countries. The pattern does not differ between boys and girls. While exact prevalence rates vary between countries, only few countries have seen a decline in the wealth gradient for childhood diseases.ConclusionsThe increasing wealth gradient in health raises concerns of increasing inequality that goes beyond wealth. It suggests a need to further improve targeting of health programmes. Moreover, these programmes should be adapted to address the interlinked challenges which burden the poorest households.

Long-lived immunity to genetically detoxified pertussis vaccines.

Despite a global vaccination coverage of more than 85%, pertussis is still circulating, even in highly immunized populations. It is today still one of the most prevalent vaccine-preventable childhood diseases, for which less than 5-year-olds pay the highest toll [1]. However, adolescents and adults are also susceptible to the disease and constitute an important reservoir for transmission to infants [2]. One of the major issues of current pertussis vaccines, especially of acellular vaccines, is fast waning of vaccine-induced immunity [3], a problem addressed by Pitisuttithum et al.

Organizational Barriers to Oral Health Conversations Between Health Visitors and Parents of Children Aged 9-12 Months Old.

Background: Dental caries is the most prevalent preventable childhood disease and a major public health priority. Local authorities in England have a statutory responsibility to improve child health, including oral health, through the “Healthy Child Programme.” The “Healthy Child Programme,” which includes the provision of oral health advice is delivered by health visitors to parents of young children. To date, research has mainly concentrated on individual interactions between health visitors and parents, with less attention given to the broader context in which these oral health conversations between health visitor and parents take place.Objective: Our study explored the organizational factors that obstruct health visitors from engaging in meaningful conversations with parents about young children's oral health.Methods: Qualitative interviews and focus groups were held with health visiting teams (n = 18) conducting home visits with parents of 9–12-month olds in a deprived, urban area in England.Results: The study revealed the wide variation in what and how oral health advice is delivered to parents at home visits. Several barriers were identified and grouped into four key themes: (1) Priority of topics discussed in the home visits; (2) Finance cuts and limited resources; (3) Oral health knowledge and skills; and (4) Collaborative working with other professionals. It was evident that organizational factors in current public health policy and service provision play an important role in shaping oral health practices and opportunities for behavior change.Conclusion: Organizational practices and procedures play an important role in creating interaction patterns between health visiting teams and parents of young children. They often limit effective engagement with and positive change in oral health. For future oral health interventions to be effective, awareness of these barriers is essential alongside them being founded on evidence-based advice and underpinned by appropriate theory.

Big Data Analytics Framework for Childhood Infectious Disease Surveillance and Response System using Modified MapReduce Algorithm

Tanzania, like most East African countries, faces a great burden from the spread of preventable infectious childhood diseases. Diarrhea, acute respiratory infections (ARI), pneumonia, malnutrition, hepatitis, and measles are responsible for the majority of deaths amongst children aged 0-5 years. Infectious disease surveillance and response is the foundation of public healthcare practices, and it is increasingly being undertaken using information technology. Tanzania however, due to challenges in information technology infrastructure and public health resources, still relies on paper-based disease surveillance. Thus, only traditional clinical patient data is used. Nontraditional and pre-diagnostic infectious disease report case data are excluded. In this paper, the development of the Big Data Analytics Framework for Childhood Infectious Disease Surveillance and Response System is presented. The framework was designed to guide healthcare professionals to track, monitor, and analyze infectious disease report cases from sources such as social media for prevention and control of infectious diseases affecting children. The proposed framework was validated through use-cases scenario and performance-based comparison.

Assessment of Vitamin A Supplementation Practices in Countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region: Evidence to Implementation.

Vitamin A is an essential nutrient necessary for human growth and development, with critical roles in vision, immune function reproduction and maintenance of epithelial cellular integrity. Inadequate intake of vitamin A places populations at risk of developing diseases associated with vitamin A deficiency (VAD). VAD is highly prevalent across the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) in children under 5 y and women of childbearing age. Therefore, infants and young children, pregnant women and postpartum women are commonly targeted by supplementation programs. Although, vitamin A supplementation has been shown to decrease preventable childhood diseases and deaths related to VAD, supplementation of vitamin A has been greatly misused in several countries within the EMR raising concern around the process of supplementing the target population. Countries across the EMR have reported different supplementation practices depending on the income level of the country, the availability of vitamin A and the prevalence rates of VAD. Although some countries had higher supplementation rates than others, the concern lies in the middle-income countries and their supplementation practices. Some of the countries across the region do not follow the World Health Organization's (WHO) guidelines for vitamin A supplementation for the recommended age groups. The objective of this study is to assess the vitamin A supplementation practices across the countries in the EMR, determine the gaps in the supplementation practices and the issue with supplementing to healthy populations where VAD is not a public health concern, and provide recommendations for proper vitamin A supplementation within the region.

Immunisation-related Knowledge, Attitudes and Promotive Practices among Mothers in an Urban Primary Health Care Centre in South-East Nigeria: a Call for Improved Clinic-based Education

Background: Nigeria is among the five countries accounting for half of the world’s unimmunised children. Maternal knowledge and attitude play key roles in uptake and timeliness of routine childhood vaccination. This study assessed immunisation-related knowledge, attitudes and promotive practices among mothers in Abakaliki Ebonyi State Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study among 117 mothers with children aged 0-23 months attending a Primary Health Care Centre in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and analysed using SPSS version 20 with a p value of ≤ 0.05 considered statistically significant.Results: Over half (55.6%) of the respondents were aged 26-35years while 47% had secondary school education. Majority (91.5%) had previously vaccinated their children, but only 31.7% knew the dosing of polio vaccine. Less than half (42%) of the mothers had adequate knowledge about routes of vaccine administration. About half (49.7%) had adequate knowledge about the children’s next vaccination appointments. Most (94%) considered immunisation important in preventing childhood diseases with up to 95% of them willing to bring their children for immunisation. Only 57.3% were satisfied with the adequacy of immunisation-related information received from the clinic. Majority (81.2%) were timely in accessing immunisation for their babies. Educational status (P=0.035) and child’s age (P=0.008) were associated with knowledge and practice of immunisation respectively. Conclusion: Mothers in this study had good immunisation-related practices and positive attitude towards immunisation. Although majority had good knowledge, some knowledge gaps were identified. We recommend improved maternal education and content of clinic-based education on immunisation.

Factors contributing to the uptake of childhood vaccination in Galkayo District, Puntland, Somalia

ABSTRACT Background As in many Sub-Saharan African countries, the health system in Somalia is not operating at the capacity needed to lift childhood vaccination coverage to ninety percent or above, as recommended by United Nations Children’s Fund. Current national estimates of coverage for the six major vaccine preventable childhood diseases range from thirty to sixty percent. Infectious disease outbreaks continue to pose significant challenges for the country’s health authorities. Objective This important qualitative study, conducted in Galkayo District, Somalia, investigates limiting factors associated with childhood vaccination uptake from the perspective of both communities and health care workers. Methods Qualitative information was collected through six focus group discussions with parents (n = 48) and five one-to-one interviews with health workers (n = 15) between March and May 2017, in three settings in the Galkayo District – Galkayo city, Bayra and Bacadwayn. Results From a health system perspective, the factors are: awareness raising, hard to reach areas, negative attitudes and perceived knowledge of health workers, inadequate supplies and infrastructure, and missed vaccination opportunities. From the perspective of individuals and communities the factors are: low trust in vaccines, misinterpretation of religious beliefs, vaccine refusals, Somalia’s patriarchal system and rumours and misinformation. Parents mostly received immunization information from social mobilizers and health facilities. Fathers, who are typically family decision-makers, were poorly informed. The findings highlight the need for in-service training to enable health workers to improve communication with parents, particularly fathers, peripheral communities and local religious leaders. Conclusions Enhancing knowledge and awareness of vaccination among parents is crucial. Fathers’ involvement is lacking. This may be boosted by highlighting fathers’ obligation to protect their children’s health through vaccination. It is also important that men engage with the wider community in decision-making and advance towards the global vaccination targets.

Why is noma a neglected-neglected tropical disease?

Noma is an orofacial gangrene affecting primarily children living in extreme poverty in remote parts of subtropical and tropical countries. Mortality and disability are high, and survivors often have physical and functional deformities resulting in stigma and isolation. Many healthcare professionals and primary healthcare workers where noma risk factors exist have no knowledge about noma and its implications. Public health measures to improve nutrition, immunizations, sanitation, and access to healthcare and measures to eliminate extreme poverty can lead to the eradication of noma. Research allocation has been insufficient to study the epidemiology, treatment, and prevention of noma. In a recent editorial by Hotez and colleagues in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), “What constitutes an NTD?” Noma is not included. The exclusion of noma from NTDs constitutes this preventable childhood disease as a neglected neglected disease. The purpose of this article is the inclusion of noma with the PLOS NTDs. Increased awareness and attention to noma can lead to the eradication of this disease affecting the world’s most vulnerable.

GABA and glutamate in pediatric migraine.

Migraine is one of the top 5 most prevalent childhood diseases; however, effective treatment strategies for pediatric migraine are limited. For example, standard adult pharmaceutical therapies are less effective in children and can carry undesirable side effects. To develop more effective treatments, improved knowledge of the biology underlying pediatric migraine is necessary. One theory is that migraine results from an imbalance in cortical excitability. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) studies show changes in GABA and glutamate levels (the primary inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters in the brain, respectively) in multiple brain regions in adults with migraine; however, they have yet to be assessed in children with migraine. Using MRS and GABA-edited MRS, we show that children (7-13 years) with migraine and aura had significantly lower glutamate levels in the visual cortex compared to controls, the opposite to results seen in adults. In addition, we found significant correlations between metabolite levels and migraine characteristics; higher GABA levels were associated with higher migraine burden. We also found that higher glutamate in the thalamus and higher GABA/Glx ratios in the sensorimotor cortex were associated with duration since diagnosis, i.e., having migraines longer. Lower GABA levels in the sensorimotor cortex were associated with being closer to their next migraine attack. Together, this indicates that GABA and glutamate disturbances occur early in migraine pathophysiology and emphasizes that evidence from adults with migraine cannot be immediately translated to pediatric sufferers. This highlights the need for further mechanistic studies of migraine in children, to aid in development of more effective treatments.