Children's Quality Research Articles

Chinese children’s heterogeneous friendship quality trajectories: Relations with school adjustment.

Friendships affect children's development and adjustment. This longitudinal study examined the possible heterogeneity and gender differences in the trajectories of children's friendship quality, as well as the relations between distinct friendship quality trajectories and school adjustment. A total of 3,779 Chinese elementary school students (45.5% girls, Mage = 9.94 years, SD = 0.72 at Time 1) completed measures of relevant constructs on five occasions at 6-month intervals. Latent class growth modeling revealed four heterogeneous developmental trajectory classes of friendship quality: high-increasing (49.6%), moderate-decreasing (5.1%), moderate-increasing (31.9%), and low-stable (13.4%). Girls were more likely than boys to fall into the higher friendship quality trajectory classes in reference to the low-stable class. Children in the high-increasing class and low-stable class showed the best and the worst school adjustment, respectively. The identification of four heterogeneous developmental trajectories of friendship quality with differential school adjustment outcomes highlights the importance of intervention programs tailored to specific groups for promoting children's friendship quality and school adjustment. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Willingness to Pay and Time Trade-off in Thai Patients with Port-Wine Stains.

BackgroundPort-wine stains are congenital vascular abnormalities that impact children’s and parents’ quality of life (QoL). There are currently no established criteria for assessing the quality of life in PWS patients. Utility measures such as willingness-to-pay (WTP) and time trade-off (TTO) can be used to quantify disease burden, impact on QoL, and assess the cost-effectiveness of interventions.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey study in Thailand from July 2021 to April 2022. The questionnaire included sociodemographic data and preference-based measurement, WTP and TTO. The primary outcome was a WTP and TTO for PWS laser treatment. The subsample analysis for the primary outcome was based on gender (male and female) and age (<5 years and ≥5 years). The household income was measured for time trade-off outcome.ResultsOut of 46 respondents, WTP for the base case at 40% improvement cost 6109.01 baht per visit. Patients were willing to spend their time 9.95 hours per visit for a clinical improvement of 40%. Female was willing to pay and spend more time than male, while those aged≥5 years were willing to pay and spend more time than those aged <5 years. High household income >100k per month willing to spend less time than lower income groups.ConclusionThere were obvious correlations between WTP and TTO with clinical outcomes. Utility indicators such as WTP and TTO can be used to measure disease burden, impact on QoL, and assess the cost-effectiveness of interventions. WTP and TTO could provide a more personalized approach to improving QoL, considering each patient’s unique treatment plan and priority. This could help with patient uncertainty and long-term planning strategies to increase the QoL cost-effectively.

The effectiveness of an attention-based intervention for school-aged autistic children with anger regulating problems: A randomized controlled trial.

Anger regulation is a challenge for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). We investigated if attention-based cognitive behavioral treatment, based on mindfulness cognitive therapy (MBCT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), reduces aggressive behavior and improves anger coping in school-aged autistic children (n=51). Children were randomized to an active-control or a treatment condition. The treatment included nine weekly sessions attention-based individual therapy. Parents in both conditions received three weekly psychoeducation group sessions to heighten awareness of expressed emotion (EE). For aggressive behavior, treatment reduced temper tantrums and arguing. No effect was found on destroying things and physical violence. For anger coping, treatment increased adaptive coping strategies of diffusion and social support seeking, but had no effect on assertion, rumination, and maladaptive coping direct anger out and avoidance. Treatment did not impact secondary outcome measures concerning children's quality of life (QoL) and parental stress-levels and psychological well-being. In conclusion, school-aged autistic children are able to acquire self-regulation skills reducing temper tantrums and arguing and increasing the use of adaptive anger coping strategies. The intervention shows potential to improve behavior and regulation, but little transfer to other domains. Limitations and future directions involving the child's social environment, including parents, siblings, and teachers are discussed. LAY SUMMARY: Children on the autism spectrum often show aggressive behavior. Treatment can train children to be more aware of their emotions. This study found that this can help reducing temper tantrums and arguing and increasing some coping skills, though no impact was found on several other domains of aggression and coping.

Memantine for autism spectrum disorder.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD; also known as autism) is a developmental disability that begins in childhood and is typically seen in around 1% to 2% of children. It is characterised by social communication difficulties and repetitive and restricted behaviours and routines that can have a negative impact on a child's quality of life, achievement at school, and social interactions with others. It has been hypothesised that memantine, which is traditionally used to treat dementia, may be effective in reducingthe core symptoms of autism as well as some co-occurring symptoms such as hyperactivity and language difficulties. If memantine is being used to treat the core symptoms of autism, it is important to review the evidence of its effectiveness. To assess the effects of memantine on the core symptoms of autism, including, but not limited to, social communication and stereotypical behaviours. We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, nine other databases and three trials registers up to February 2022. We also checked reference lists of key studies and checked with experts in the field for any additional papers. We searched for retractions of the included studies in MEDLINE, Embase, and the Retraction Watch Database. No retractions or corrections were found. We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of any dose of memantine compared with placebo in autistic people. We also included RCTs in which only one group received memantine, but both groups received the same additional therapy (e.g. a behaviour intervention). We used standard Cochrane methods. Our primary outcomes were core autism symptoms and adverse effects. Secondary outcomes were language, intelligence, memory, adaptive behaviour, hyperactivity, and irritability. We used GRADE to assess certainty of evidence. We included three RCTs (two double-blind and one single-blind) with 204 participants that examined the short-term effect (immediately postintervention)of memantine in autistic people. Two studies took place in the USA and the other in Iran. All three studies focused on children and adolescents, with a mean age of 9.40 (standard deviation (SD) 2.26) years. Most participants were male (range across studies 73% to 87%). The diagnosis of ASD was based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th edition; 4th edition, text revision; or 5th edition). To confirm the diagnosis, one study used the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R); one used ADOS, ADI-R or the Autism Diagnostic Interview Screener; and one used the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale. Dosage of memantine was based on the child's weight and ranged from 3 mg to 15 mg per day. Comparisons Two studies examined memantine compared with placebo; in the other study, both groups had a behavioural intervention while only one group was given memantine. Risk of bias All studies were rated at high risk of bias overall, as they were at high or unclear risk of bias across all but four domains in one study, and all but two domains in the other two studies. One study was funded by Forest Laboratories, LLC, (Jersey City, New Jersey), Allergan. The study sponsor was involved in the study design, data collection (via contracted clinical investigator sites), analysis and interpretation of data, and the decision to present these results. The other two studies reported no financial support or sponsorship; though in one of the two, the study medication was an in-kind contribution from Forest Pharmaceuticals. Primary outcomes There was no clear evidence of a difference between memantine and placebo with respect to severity of core symptoms of autism, although we are very uncertain about the evidence. The standardised mean difference in autism symptoms score in the intervention group versus the control group was -0.74 standard deviations (95% confidence interval (CI) -2.07 to 0.58; 2 studies, 181 participants; very low-certainty evidence; medium effect size); lower scores indicate less severe autistic symptoms. Two studies (144 participants) recorded adverse effects that the authors deemed related to the study and found there may be no difference between memantine and placebo (odds ratio (OR) 0.64, 95% CI 0.17 to 2.39; low-certainty evidence). Secondary outcomes There may be no difference between memantine and placebo on language (2 studies, 144 participants; low-certainty evidence); memory or adaptive behaviour (1 study, 23 participants; both low-certainty evidence); or hyperactivity or irritability (1 study, 121 participants; both low-certainty evidence). It is unclear whether memantine is an effective treatment for autistic children. None of the three included trials reported on the effectiveness of memantine in adults. Further studies using rigorous designs, larger samples, longer follow-up and clinically meaningful outcome measures that are important to autistic people and their families will strengthen our knowledge of the effects of memantine in autism.

Effect of illuminated musical mobile on sleep quality of children hospitalized in pediatric emergency departments

PurposeThe aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of an illuminated musical mobile on the sleep quality of children hospitalized in a pediatric emergency department. Design and methodsIn this randomized controlled study, 124 children presenting to a pediatric emergency department who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Patients were randomized into two equal groups. In the intervention group, an illuminated musical mobile was used to help facilitate sleep. In the control group, routine sleep routines were continued. Groups were compared according to sleep quality as evaluated by mothers' observations. Evaluation was performed twice (before intervention – 1st day of hospitalization and on the intervention day – 2nd day of hospitalization). ResultsAverage age of children was 1.86 ± 0.78 years. On the intervention day, nighttime sleep duration was longer in the intervention group (p < .0001). Also, the frequency of spontaneous awakening (p < .0001), time to fall asleep after spontaneous awakening (p < .0001) and sleep time problems (p < .0001) were less in the intervention group. ConclusıonsAn illuminated musical mobile was used for the first time in the pediatric emergency department and was found to be effective in improving the sleep quality of hospitalized children aged between 1 and 3 years. Practice implicationsDuring hospitalization, children's sleep quality can be increased by using methods and objects suitable for the child's developmental level.

Antegrade continence enema stoppers: a pilot study on patient preferences.

Severe constipation can have a major impact on a child's quality of life and that of their families. Forming an antegrade continence enema (ACE) can be a transformational intervention to manage severe symptoms. However, operations can also have unpredictable negative consequences such as stomal stenosis or leaks from the ACE site. To investigate whether the choice of an ACE stopper can increase patient satisfaction and compliance. A service evaluation with a standardised questionnaire was completed to assess quality of life and explore factors that have an impact on the preference for which ACE stopper was used. In total, 17 patients completed the evaluation of all three ACE stopper devices. At least 75% of the children improved their stooling pattern with an overall satisfaction rate of 8.5 out of 10. More patients preferred a flexible stopper but no one device was strongly preferred over the others. The study shows that an ACE has a positive impact on quality of life. With regards to the choice of ACE stopper, results show that different stoppers suit different individuals, highlighting that there is a place for a choice. This is useful information for healthcare providers who wish to improve compliance and reduce the risk of complications in this patient group.

Knowledge of the Voice in the Teachers' Population and their Ability to Refer Children with Voice Disorders to a Speech-Language Pathologist

The objectives of this study were to investigate (1) the knowledge of primary school teachers regarding voice and voice disorders, (2) the primary school teacher's ability to identify and refer a dysphonic child to a speech-language pathologist (SLP), and (3) potential contributing factors that might affect this ability. Thirty-one primary school teachers (30 women, one man) with a mean age of 33 years (range: 22-57 years; SD: 11.1 years) were included in this study. They filled out an online questionnaire, gathering demographic information, estimations of their knowledge regarding voice and voice disorders, and their ability to refer a dysphonic child to an SLP. Furthermore, they completed an online quiz (maximum score: 9) with basic questions about the voice, vocal health and voice disorders. Most teachers (58.1%) rated their knowledge as basic, 16.1% as adequate and 25.8% as good. One out of four teachers (25.8%) received voice-related information during their education. A substantial part (38.7%) gathered information through other channels, such as voice therapy. Almost all participants (90%) reported to have no or little experience with dysphonic children. Half of them (51.6%) felt unsure about their ability to refer a dysphonic child to an SLP, and 54.8% were willing to attend extra voice workshops. A significant association was found between the estimated knowledge regarding voice (disorders) and attendance of voice therapy (P=0.020). More than half of the teachers who attended voice therapy (57.1%) estimated their voice-related knowledge as good, compared to only 16.7% of the teachers who did not attend voice therapy. Moreover, a significant association was found between the years of teaching experience and the quiz total score (P=0.040). The majority of the teachers with the least teaching experience (57.1%) achieved a score between 4 and 6, whereas the teachers with more experience achieved a score between 7 and 9. This study suggests that the voice-related knowledge of primary school teachers is limited. Consequently, teachers do not feel confident in referring a dysphonic child to an SLP. As teachers can be important sources in indirect assessment of pediatric dysphonia, they need to be well informed and extensively trained in using voice screening protocols. Interdisciplinary cooperation between SLPs and teachers should be optimized to provide the best available care and improve the children's quality of life.

Relationship between oral health literacy of caregivers and the oral health-related quality of life of children: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundOral health literacy is the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate oral health decisions. However, scientific evidence about the oral health literacy of caregivers and the children’s oral health-related quality of life. The purpose of this study was to verify the relationship between the level of oral health literacy of caregivers and the children's oral health-related quality of life (OHRQOL).MethodsThis study was conducted with children aged 2 to 4 in Diadema, São Paulo, Brazil. Six hundred thirty children were examined to assess the prevalence of dental caries (dmft index). Parents were interviewed to obtain sociodemographic status, oral conditions, and oral health literacy (OHL). The variable outcome was the children's OHRQOL as assessed by the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS). We fitted zero-inflated negative binomial regression (ZINB) models to evaluate associations between the study outcome and covariates in terms of PR (Prevalence Ratios), RR (Rate Ratios), and their respective Confidence Intervals (95% CI).ResultsChildren's OHRQOL was not associated with OHL. Dental caries had a negative impact on the children's quality of life (p < 0.05). A reduced impact on OHRQOL is also associated with having siblings (PR = 0.70, 95% CI 0.52–0.95). A higher age of the mother reduced OHRQOL impacts (PR = 0.72, 95% CI 0.52–0.98).ConclusionsThe factors associated with children's OHRQOL were the number of siblings, the mothers' age, and dental caries. This study observed no association between parental OHL and children's OHRQOL.

Psychometric properties of the Thai version of the Scale of Oral Health Outcomes for 5-year-old children.

As caries prevalence in Thai preschool children is very high and its consequences have scarcely been evaluated, the Scale of Oral Health Outcomes for 5-year-old children (SOHO-5) is considered as an appropriate tool to measure the children's oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). To translate the SOHO-5 into Thai (Th-SOHO-5) and assess its psychometric characteristics. The cross-cultural adaptation of the SOHO-5 into Thai comprised forward-backward translation by experts and face validation by 20 child-parent dyads. To evaluate psychometric properties of the final version, a cross-sectional study was conducted on 306 child-parent pairs using an interview mode for children and a self-administered mode for parents. A trained investigator examined children's caries status. The Th-SOHO-5 showed satisfactory psychometric characteristics. Cronbach's alpha values were above 0.8 for both child and proxy reports. Overall intraclass correlation coefficients were > 0.9. Factor analysis supported a single-factor structure model of the Th-SOHO-5 and showed an excellent fit. Th-SOHO-5 scores were correlated with all global rating scales of oral health and well-being. Children with higher caries experience or caries with pulpal involvement demonstrated significantly higher Th-SOHO-5 scores. The Th-SOHO-5 possessed good reliability and validity. It can be used to evaluate the OHRQoL of preschool children in Thailand.

Pediatric Medical Traumatic Stress in Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Pancreatitis, and Cystic Fibrosis

Known as pediatric medical traumatic stress (PMTS), posttraumatic stress symptoms from medical experiences have not been explored in children with chronic gastrointestinal diseases. This cross-sectional study of children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease, chronic pancreatitis and cystic fibrosis, aimed to (1) estimate the prevalence of medical potentially traumatic events (PTEs) and PMTS, (2) explore potential risk factors for PMTS, and (3) explore potential consequences of PMTS. This cross-sectional study used validated, self-report measures to evaluate PTEs and PMTS. Descriptive statistics and regression analyses were used to achieve study objectives. Over two-thirds of children reported a medical potentially traumatic event (91 of 132, 69%). Forty-eight had PMTS symptoms (36%). PMTS was associated with medication burden, emergency and intensive care visits, and parent posttraumatic stress disorder in multivariate analysis. Potential consequences associated with PMTS included school absenteeism, home opioid use, poor quality of life, and parent missed work. A substantial portion of our cohort reported medical PTEs and PMTS. The exploratory analysis identified potential associations between PMTS and illness factors, parent posttraumatic stress disorder, and functional impairments. Further studies of PMTS detection, prevention and treatment are integral to optimizing these children's health and quality of life.

Abdominal massage alleviates functional diarrhea in immature rats via modulation of intestinal microbiota and tight junction protein.

Functional diarrhea (FD) is a common type of chronic diarrhea in children. Recurrent diarrhea can negatively impact children's quality of life and raise healthcare costs significantly. However, conventional treatments are ineffective and limited. Moreover, children with chronic conditions have poor medication compliance. Therefore, non-pharmacological and complementary treatments are urgently needed. In China, abdominal massage is widely used to treat diarrhea in children. Numerous clinical studies have verified its usefulness in treating gastrointestinal disorders as well. Nevertheless, its intrinsic mechanisms are still unclear, and the impact of massage direction on treatment effects has received less attention. In our study, we found that FD was not associated with pathogen infection. A dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota and disruption of the intestinal barrier are most likely to cause FD. Moreover, this study also substantiates that abdominal massage can mitigate functional diarrhea by altering the intestinal microbiota structure and decreasing the number of bacteria that damage intestinal mucosal barriers. The reduction of Ruminococcus_torques_group and Clostridium_innocuum_group at the genus level potentially mediated the beneficial effects of abdominal massage on alleviating diarrhea. Furthermore, massaging from two different directions, clockwise (CW) and counter-clockwise (CCW) massage, would not significantly influence the effect of the massage on intestinal microbiota or tight junction proteins. In summary, abdominal massage is an effective complementary therapy for children suffering from functional diarrhea.

The association between school-aged children’s self-reported levels of playfulness and quality of life: a pilot investigation

ABSTRACT Playfulness and quality of life (QoL) appear to be related constructs; however, no studies have explored the potential association between them to date. Playfulness and QoL are important practice-related concepts for education and therapy professionals who work with children and their families. This study examined the potential links between children's self-reported playfulness and QoL. Thirty-one typically developing children aged 8–12 years (average age 10 years and 9 months, standard deviation = 1.12; 61.29% female) completed the Children's Perceptions of Their Play and the KIDSCREEN-52 instruments. It is noted that the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020 made participant recruitment and the execution of the study challenging. Data were analyzed using Spearman rho correlations and linear regression with bootstrapping. Data analysis results revealed statistically significant associations and predictive relationships between QoL-related physical wellbeing to active play and free time; QoL-related psychological wellbeing to the child's overall playfulness; the child's reported levels of QoL-related autonomy and their free time; and the child's QoL-related school environment to planned activities (p < .05 & p < .01). The study findings provide preliminary evidence that significant correlation and predictive relationships exist between aspects of children's self-reported playfulness and quality of life.

ESTHETIC MANAGEMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL ENAMEL DEFECT WITH RESIN INFILTRATION TECHNIQUE

Developmental defects cause color changes in enamel, compromising the esthetic appearance of the tooth and therefore affecting the child's quality of life. The resin inltration technique has shown a positive esthetic effect in the treatment of developmental enamel defects with different etiologies and is regarded as micro invasive procedure since only a small amount of enamel is removed in this procedure. The present paper reports the effectiveness of the resin inltration technique (Icon, DMG) in the management of localised enamel hypomineralisation of permanent teeth after trauma to the primary predecessor.

Impact of Bronchial Asthma on the Child's Quality of Life

Impact of Bronchial Asthma on the Child's Quality of Life

P008 ArFoods in the Garden: A SNAP-Ed Educational/PSE Strategy

<h3>Objective</h3> To implement a nutrition, gardening-based pilot project in SNAP-Ed eligible schools that incorporates direct education, indirect education, and PSE <h3>Use of Theory or Research</h3> Studies show garden-based nutrition education combined with healthy food marketing has potential to improve children's diet quality and is associated with more positive food choices. <h3>Target Audience</h3> K-5th grade students, teachers in 4 SNAP-Ed eligible schools. <h3>Program Description</h3> University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service SNAP-Ed Program developed Arkansas Foods (ArFoods) to highlight locally grown foods. ArFoods consists of nutrition education posters, newsletters, and taste-testing activities that can be used alone or in conjunction with evidence-based curriculum. During Farm to School month 2021, ArFoods was used in school gardens. "ArFoods in the Garden" pilot project consisted of 34 individual events in 4 schools reaching 713 youth. Nutrition education posters featuring spinach were printed on corrugated plastic and used as crop markers. MyPlate resources were used, along with taste tests and physical activity breaks. Posters were displayed in cafeterias, and parent newsletters were sent home with students. <h3>Evaluation Methods</h3> Post-teacher survey used to assess value and effectiveness of pilot project, changes in eating habits of students and teachers, and PSE changes adopted. Students surveyed about whether they would try spinach again. <h3>Results</h3> All teachers (n = 6) reported the program was very valuable to their students; their students seemed more willing to try new foods. Among student respondents (n = 288), 80.9% indicated they would try spinach again. Among teachers, five (83%) reported because of program they were motivated to try new foods, eat healthier, and/or be more physically active; four (67%) reported making changes in classrooms. <h3>Conclusions</h3> This pilot project was an example of how multiple delivery methods (direct education, indirect education, policy, systems, and environmental) can be incorporated into SNAP-Ed approaches. The project was successful in increasing students' and teachers' willingness to try new healthy foods and/or be more physically active. <h3>Funding</h3> Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - Education

P121 Multi-Prong Formative Evaluation of a Pediatric Clinical-Community Food Assistance and Education Intervention

<h3>Background</h3> Food insecurity has profound impacts on children's health and diet quality. Pediatric clinics routinely screen for food insecurity, presenting a unique opportunity to intervene; however, food assistance and education interventions targeting families in clinical settings are lacking. <h3>Objective</h3> The objective of this study was to understand the current landscape and perceptions of clinical-community partnerships to address food insecurity among pediatricians and food assistance program community partners (CPs), to inform the development of a food assistance and education intervention. <h3>Study Design, Setting, Participants</h3> Pediatricians at a primary care clinic in Rhode Island participated in a cross-sectional survey (n = 28), and a subsequent structured virtual interview (n = 14). CPs (n = 8) participated in interviews in the spring of 2021. <h3>Measurable Outcome/Analysis</h3> Pediatricians reported on their demographics and previous nutrition training, including six nutrition/food assistance knowledge questions and comfort in assessing food security on a scale of 1-10, from "not at all comfortable" to "incredibly comfortable". Descriptive statistics were used to characterize survey responses. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and double-coded to identify emerging themes through an inductive approach using NVivo. <h3>Results</h3> Survey participants were 82% female and 79% White, with 89% reporting no formal nutrition training or education. Approximately 73% of pediatricians responded correctly to nutrition/food assistance knowledge questions. When asked to rate their comfort with explaining food resource programs to patients, pediatricians rated themselves as 3 out of 10, on average. Two-thirds of CPs reported communicating with healthcare providers about their programs, and many perceived their programs and services as unknown to pediatricians. Preliminary themes included: shared responsibility of addressing food insecurity, the need for effective clinical-community partnerships and communication, and more food assistance training opportunities for pediatricians. <h3>Conclusions</h3> There appears to be a lack of coordinated clinical-community approaches to addressing food insecurity. These results underscore the need for interventions to enhance pediatrician knowledge and comfort discussing nutrition/food assistance programs. <h3>Funding</h3> Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education; Rhode Island Foundation

Quality Of Life of Children with Thalassemia in Indonesia: Review

Background: Thalassemia is an inherited disorder of hemoglobin (Hb) synthesis. Treatment of thalassemia has not yet reached the level of cure. Globally, the management of thalassemia is symptomatic in the form of lifelong blood transfusions. Data on children with thalassemia major in Indonesia has not been widely published. However, various studies clearly showed growth and development disorders and behavior that greatly affected the quality of life of children with thalassemia. Blood transfusions and lifelong use of drugs often lead to feelings of boredom of treatment, not to mention physical changes and the feeling of being different from relatives or friends that will cause the feeling of inferiority. They often drop out of school and do not find work, which causes highly severe psychosocial effects. Objective: This paper aims to provide an overview of the quality of life of children with thalassemia in Indonesia so that it can be used as a reference in providing appropriate management regarding the quality of life of children with thalassemia. Methods: This literature search used google scholar and pubmed for complete publications in 2010-2020 with the keywords "quality of life", "thalassemia children," and "Indonesia”. Result: There were six research articles related to this search. Indonesia's average quality of life for children with thalassemia ranged from 50% to 67.2%.Conclusion: Of the four domains assessed, school function had the lowest average, followed by emotional, physical and social function. Child health services need to optimize children's functional abilities and quality of life.

Quality of Life of Children age from (8- lessthan13) years with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Undergoing Chemotherapy at Hematology Center in Medical City

Objective (s): To assess the QoL of children age from (8- lessthan13) years with acute lymphocytic leukemia undergoing chemotherapy and to find out the relationship between the QoL of children with acute lymphocytic leukemia and their illness history.&#x0D; Methodology: A descriptive study included (40) children with acute lymphocytic leukemia who were ranged between (8 - less than 13 years) at the Hematology Center in Medical City for the period from 4th March 2021 to 1st September 2021. The sample was non-probability (purposive) sample of children (male and female). A questionnaire designed with 2 main parts was used. The first part focused on sociodemographic characteristic for children. The second part, which consisted of four domains, focused on the quality of children with acute lymphocytic leukemia. The data were analyzed by applying statistical methods (descriptive and inferential) that were applied by using SPSS version 20.&#x0D; Results: The study's findings that children aged from 8 to less than 13 years have moderate effects on all domains of the quality of life in which 90% of them are showing a moderate level in the physical functioning domain,70% are showing a moderate level in the emotional functioning domain, in regard to the social functioning domain 52.5% are showing a moderate level and 67.5% of them are showing a moderate level in school functioning domain.&#x0D; Conclusion: According to the finding of the present study, the researchers concludes that acute lymphocytic leukemia is more prevalent in males than females. In children aged 8 to less than 13 years, all domains of quality of life are moderately affected.&#x0D; Recommendations: The study recommended that all children with ALL and their parents get counseling and education programs about leukemia, medical care, efforts to overcome side effects, and nutrition, all of which help to improve the children's quality of life.

The Relationship Between Physical Activity Level And Quality of Life of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the quality of life levels of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and the relationship between quality of life and physical activity level. Materials and Methods: 28 children with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder participated in the study. A sociodemographic form consisting of 25 questions about the child and parents, the " Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory- Parent Form " consisting of 23 questions to assess the quality of life of children and adolescents, and the "Physical Activity Scale for Children" consisting of 9 questions to determine the level of physical activity was administered to the participants. Results: 28 children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, including 8 girls and 20 boys, participated in the study. The mean PedsQL score of the children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder was found to be 49.87±19.08. Pearson Correlation analysis was performed to determine the relationship between children's physical activity level and quality of life. No statistically significant correlation was found between the PedsQL total score and the PAQ-C score (p&amp;gt;0.05). A statistically significant positive correlation was found between psychosocial health and PAQ-C, one of the sub-scores of PedsQL. (p&amp;lt;0.05) Conclusion: According to the findings; We can state that the psychosocial health of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and the social function parameter among the sub-parameters are more negatively affected. There is no significant relationship between children's physical activity levels and quality of life, but there is a significant relationship between psychosocial quality of life and physical activity levels.

Barriers and enablers in the implementation and sustainability of toothbrushing programs in early childhood settings and primary schools: a systematic review

BackgroundUntreated dental caries negatively impacts a child's quality of life including overall health and wellbeing, growth and development, social interaction ability, and school attendance. School-based toothbrushing programs have been recognised as an effective intervention to reduce the burden of dental caries. However, limited information is available to understand the real-world enablers and challenges in the implementation and sustainability of toothbrushing programs. This review aims to understand the barriers and enablers in the implementation and sustainability of toothbrushing programs in early childhood settings and primary schools.MethodsFive electronic databases [i.e., CINAHL (EBSCO), Medline (EBSCO), EMBASE (Ovid), Web of Science, and PsycINFO] and backward citation chasing were performed. The last updated databases searches were conducted in May 2022. Studies reporting on barriers and enablers in the implementation and sustainability of toothbrushing programs in early childhood settings or primary schools were included in the review. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed by using Joanna Briggs Institute [JBI] and mixed methods appraisal tool [MMAT] critical appraisal tools and results were reported in accordance with PRISMA guidelines.ResultsA total of six studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the review. Toothbrushing programs in early childhood settings and primary schools were mostly implemented under the supervision of staff and teachers. A positive attitude of the staff, the flexibility of toothbrushing sessions, involvement of community volunteers and parents were a few of the identified enablers. However, the timing of the communication of the program, inadequate transfer of information among staff, frequent staffing turnover, lack of parental support, and staff feeling overburdened while acting as pseudo parents were frequently reported as barriers.ConclusionThe results of this systematic review identify key enablers and barriers for toothbrushing programs in early childhood settings and primary schools which need to be considered for developing oral health promotion initiatives.