School Performance Scores Research Articles

Health-Related Quality of Life Among Discharged Patients With Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis: A Follow-Up Study.

Evaluating the post-discharge health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and exploring its influencing factors. The study was conducted at a regional pediatric medical center and involved pediatric patients diagnosed with HLH between July 2017 and July 2022. Healthy children of the same age and sex were included as the control group. The HRQoL and its associated factors in pediatric patients were assessed using the PedsQL 4.0 Parent Proxy Report and a general information survey. In the first year following diagnosis, psychological health and overall score in HLH patients were worse than those of the control group. However, scores for emotional functioning, school functioning, physical health, psychosocial health, and overall scores in the HLH group increased over the years since diagnosis. By the 5-year post diagnosis, there were no significant differences between the HLH group and the control group in social functioning, school functioning, physical health, psychosocial health, and overall scores (p>0.05). Generalized linear model analysis revealed that HLH patients who underwent transplantation have worse social functioning, physical health, overall score, while HLH patients with HLH recurrence have worse social functioning, psychosocial health, overall score (p<0.05). The HRQoL of HLH patients is compromised after discharge; however, it progressively returns to levels comparable to those of healthy cohorts over time since diagnosis. Transplantation, and HLH recurrence are identified as factors affecting the HRQoL in HLH patients.

Socioeconomic Status and Local Biodiversity as Predictors of Attitudes towards Nature among High School Students in a Latin American Metropolis.

Urbanization and biodiversity loss disconnect humans from nature and may limit pro-environmental actions. Although, a growing body of knowledge exists on people's attitudes towards nature, the majority focuses on the influence of socio-environmental factors. Significant variations in socioeconomic and educational levels in urban areas affect access to biodiversity. In this study, we aim to identify the socio-environmental variables that are associated with people's attitudes towards nature (student's knowledge about urban birds and their participation in conservation actions). We collected data on local biodiversity, socioeconomical status, and high school students' attitudes towards nature (15 schools, n = 175 students) in a large Latin American capital city. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was utilized to identify relationships among all variables. Socioeconomic characterization was assessed using levels of socio-materiality and school performance scores. Definitions of ecological complexity were based on bird species richness and vegetation density. Knowledge of urban birds was evaluated using two indicators: urban bird identification (recognition of names) and identification of the biogeographic origin of urban birds (native or exotic). Participation in conservation actions by students was assessed based on implementation scale and implementation frequency. According to our results, respondents' knowledge of birds was poor: 42% of students identified only two species (the domestic pigeon and the monk parakeet, both exotic). Only 26% of total students participated in conservation actions. SEM analysis revealed that socioeconomic status was positively associated with the ecological complexity of surrounding areas. In turn, ecological complexity showed a positive relationship with students' knowledge on urban birds. Finally, students' knowledge of urban birds showed a positive influence on conservation actions. Our findings suggest that, the improvement of students' knowledge about local biodiversity and ensuring equitable access to biodiversity could be an effective way to foster students' involvement in conservation actions, especially in neighborhoods of lower socioeconomic levels.

Quality of life of children and young adults with Down syndrome from caregivers' perspective: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Down syndrome (DS) negatively impacts the well-being of affected individuals. This study aimed to summarise the evidence on quality of life (QOL) of children and young adults with DS using quantitative measures from caregivers' perspective and identify factors that affected their QOL. Database search was conducted on PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and CINAHL on 24 April 2024. Meta-analysis using random effects model was conducted where feasible. All studies underwent qualitative synthesis. The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023413532). Seventeen studies involving 3038 children with DS using various QOL measures were included: Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) (8 studies), KIDSCREEN (4 studies), KidsLife (2 studies), The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research Academic Medical Center Children's QOL (2 studies) and Personal Outcome Scale (1 study). Meta-analysis on PedsQL studies compared scores between children with DS and typically developing (TD) children. Total scale score was lower in children with DS (mean 70.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] 64.31-76.24) compared to TD children (mean 88.17, 95% CI 80.50-95.83). All subdomains of PedsQL were also lower in children with DS. Within the domain of psychosocial health, children with DS had statistically significant lower social functioning (standardised mean difference -1.40, 95% CI -2.27 to -0.53) and school functioning (standardised mean difference -1.09, 95% CI -1.55 to -0.62) scores, but similar emotional functioning scores. Qualitative synthesis revealed poorer subdomain QOL compared to TD children, especially in social functioning and cognitive functioning. QOL worsened during adolescent years. Family variables (parental education and occupation) did not affect parental perception of children's QOL. Children with DS who had higher intelligent quotient had better QOL. Children with DS have lower caregiver-reported QOL than TD children, especially in social functioning and school functioning subdomains.

Quality of life in children and adolescents after treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia according to the NOPHO ALL2008 protocol.

The improved outcome of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) over the last decades has increased the importance of assessing late effects and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), particularly when evaluating and comparing outcomes in clinical trials. This study aimed to assess HRQoL in children treated for ALL according to the NOPHO ALL2008 protocol. Children, aged 1 to less than 18years at diagnosis, alive in first remission, and their parents, were asked to complete PedsQL 4.0 Generic Core Scales (self- and proxy-report) at ≥6months after end of therapy. Data on socioeconomic factors and parent-reported toxicity were collected through a study-specific questionnaire, and the NOPHO ALL2008 database was used to identify eligible families and add additional disease- and treatment-related data. HRQoL data were collected during 2013-2019 in Sweden, Finland, and Denmark. A total of 299 children were included. The older children (8years and older) reported similar HRQoL scores compared to Finnish reference data, except lower scores for School Functioning in high-risk patients. Scores from the parent-proxy and self-reports from 5-7-year olds were notably lower than reference. Parent-reported toxicity was associated with lower total and physical HRQoL scores in adjusted models for younger as well as older children in the self-report and parent-proxy versions, and also with lower psychosocial score in the parent-proxy. Self-reported HRQoL was similar to reference population. The most important determinant for HRQoL after end of ALL treatment was parent-reported toxicity during treatment. Thus, minimizing complications is an obvious focus for future treatment protocols.

Predicting undergraduate academic performance in a leading Peruvian university: A machine learning approach

Despite improved higher education accessibility in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), challenges persist in student drop-out, especially for socio-economically disadvantaged students. While machine learning models have enhanced our understanding of this challenge by predicting academic performance, many studies overlook LMIC-specific institutional factors or focus on specific courses, limiting their generalizability and policy uses. To address these issues, the authors compiled a comprehensive database using administrative and census data to predict undergraduate academic performance at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru (PUCP). The study found that the most effective models were tree-based ensembles, particularly Random Forest, with key predictors including prior secondary school performance and university admission test scores. They present a high-performing model using only ten features that can predict future academic performance and potentially aid in reducing student drop-out at PUCP.

HRQoL Evaluation of Pediatric Osteogenesis Imperfecta with Zoledronic Acid Therapy

Background: Zoledronic acid as bisphosphonates could increase bone mineral density (BMD), which in osteogenesis imperfecta will reduce clinical manifestations. Pediatric patients with osteogenesis imperfecta given zoledronic acid therapy should improve their quality of life.Methods: A retrospective analytic study was conducted on 16 pediatric osteogenesis imperfecta patients who had received intravenous zoledronic acid. Interview using PedsQL 4.0 regarding the condition before and after therapy assessed the quality of life. A paired t-test was used to assess the contrast in each aspect of PedsQL 4.0. Results were expressed as an adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval. P-value &lt;0.05 is considered statistically significant.Results: A significant increase was found in the child report of social performance (+12.083, p=0.023), and proxy report of physical performance, social performance, and total score of the proxy report (+14.844, p=0.006; +10.625, p=0.010; +10.364, p=0.006). An insignificant increase was found in the child report of physical performance, school performance, and total score of the child report (+8.833, p=0.148; +5.000, p=0.359; +7.065, p=0.115), and proxy report of emotional performance and school performance (+2.500, p=0.669; +6.250, p=0.167). An insignificant decrease was found in child reports of emotional performance (-2.500, p=0.669).Conclusion: After receiving bisphosphonate therapy, pediatric patients with osteogenesis imperfecta experienced an increased quality of life in most aspects within every perception. Physical and social aspects experienced the greatest improvement. Emotional is the aspect that experienced the lowest increase in the child's perception and decreased parent perception of the value of quality of life after bisphosphonate therapy.

Cross-sectional and prospective associations between children's 24-h time use and their health-related quality of life: a compositional isotemporal substitution approach

Promoting active, balanced lifestyles among children may be an important approach to optimising their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). However, the relationships between children's movement behaviours and HRQoL remain unclear. We examined the associations between movement behaviours (sleep, inactivity, light and moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity) assessed using accelerometers at ages 8 and 10 years and self-reported HRQoL scores (overall, and physical and emotional well-being, self-esteem, relationship with family and friends, and school functioning domains) at age 10 years among 370 children in a local birth cohort using compositional isotemporal substitution techniques. Cross-sectionally, light and moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activities were associated with better self-esteem (β=15.94 [2.71, 29.18]) and relationship with friends (β=10.28 [3.81, 16.74]) scores respectively. Prospectively, inactivity was associated with lower overall HRQoL (β=-10.00 [-19.13,-0.87]), relationship with friends (β=-16.41 [-31.60,-1.23]) and school functioning (β=-15.30 [-29.16,-1.44]) scores, while sleep showed a positive trend with overall HRQoL (β=10.76 [-1.09, 22.61]) and school functioning (β=17.12 [-0.87, 35.10]) scores. Children's movement behaviours were not associated with their physical and emotional well-being, or relationship with family scores. The isotemporal substitution analyses suggest that increasing time spent in physical activity and/or sleep at the expense of inactivity may benefit children's HRQoL. Our findings suggest that sleep and physical activity may be associated with better HRQoL, with the inverse for inactivity. However, the relationship between children's movement behaviours and HRQoL is complex and warrants further research. Singapore National Research Foundation, Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research.

Health-related quality of life of children with spinal muscular atrophy in Sweden: A prospective cohort study in the era of disease-modifying therapy.

The objective of this study was to estimate change over time in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in Sweden. Children with SMA were identified via the National Patient Register by the National Board of Health and Welfare in Sweden. Patient HRQoL was caregiver proxy-assessed using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 Generic Core Scales at baseline, as well as at 6, 12, and 18 months of follow-up. Results were stratified by SMA type. Mothers and fathers to 27 children with SMA (mean patient age: 9.17 years; 59% female) participated in the study. All patients received disease-modifying therapy. At baseline, across SMA types, the mean total score was estimated at between 52.68 and 59.19, Physical Functioning score at between 26.39 and 40.34, Emotional Functioning score at between 66.82 and 68.57, Social Functioning score at between 55.00 and 70.45, and School Functioning score at between 70.45 and 78.33. The mean annual total score change was estimated at-2.03 for SMA type I, 4.11 for SMA type II, and 1.12 for SMA type III. In conclusion, we show that SMA has a detrimental impact on HRQoL that extends above and beyond somatic disability. Children with SMA type II experienced a dramatic increase in HRQoL over time, predominantly related to improvement in physical and social functioning. Our data helps quantify the patient burden of disease and adds to the rapidly expanding body of evidence of the effectiveness of recently approved disease-modifying therapies for SMA.

Clinical manifestations and vision-related quality of life in pediatric uveitis

Purpose: To analyze clinical manifestations, visual ability, and quality of life in pediatric uveitis and to explore factors affecting visual ability and quality of life. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 40 patients with pediatric uveitis in the database of Ophthalmology of Peking University First Hospital. All patients completed the Cardiff visual ability questionnaire for children (CVAQC) and pediatric quality of life inventory measurement models (PedsQL4.0). Results: A total of 40 cases (68 eyes) with pediatric uveitis were included in this study. Better visual acuity in the better eye was predictive of lower CVAQC, education, and distance vision scores. Better visual acuity in the worse eye was predictive of a lower CVAQC score and distance vision. Better CVAQC scores were predictive of lower PedsQL4.0, physical health, psychosocial health, and school functioning scores. Conclusion: Patients with pediatric uveitis tend to be seriously affected by ocular complications. The visual ability of patients with pediatric uveitis decreases significantly. Better visual acuity in the better eye is associated with better total visual ability, education, and distance vision. Better visual acuity in the worse eye is associated with better total visual ability and distance vision. Health-related quality of life is related to vision ability in pediatric uveitis.

Birth-weight centile at term and school performance at 12 years of age: linked cohort study.

Birth weight, fetal growth and placental function influence cognitive development. The gradient of these associations is understudied, especially among those with a birth weight considered appropriate-for-gestational age. The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between birth-weight centile and intellectual development in term/near-term infants across the entire birth-weight spectrum, in order to provide a basis for better understanding of the long-term implications of fetal growth restriction and reduced placental function. This was a population-based cohort study of 266 440 liveborn singletons from uncomplicated pregnancies, delivered between 36 and 42 weeks of gestation. Perinatal data were obtained from the Dutch Perinatal Registry over the period 2003-2008 and educational data for children aged approximately 12 years were obtained from Statistics Netherlands over the period 2016-2019. Regression analyses were conducted to assess the association of birth-weight centile with school performance. The primary outcomes were mean school performance score, on a scale of 501-550, and proportion of children who reached higher secondary school level. Mean school performance score increased gradually with increasing birth-weight centile, from 533.6 in the 1st -5th birth-weight-centile group to 536.8 in the 81st -85th birth-weight-centile group. Likewise, the proportion of children at higher secondary school level increased with birth-weight centile, from 43% to 57%. Compared with the 81st -85th birth-weight-centile group, mean school performance score and proportion of children at higher secondary school level were significantly lower in all birth-weight-centile groups below the 80th centile, after adjusting for confounding factors. Birth-weight centile is associated positively with school performance at 12 years of age across the entire birth-weight spectrum, well beyond the conventional and arbitrary cut-offs for suspected fetal growth restriction. This underlines the importance of developing better tools to diagnose fetal growth restriction and reduced placental function, and to identify those at risk for associated short- and long-term consequences. © 2023 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Offspring school performance at age 12 after induction of labor vs non-intervention at term: A linked cohort study.

The incidence of induction of labor, for both medical reasons and as an elective procedure, has been rising and a further increase in induction of labor following the ARRIVE trial may be expected. The effects of induction of labor at term on childhood neurodevelopment, however, are not well studied. We aimed to study the influence of elective induction of labor for each week of gestation separately from 37 to 42 weeks on offspring school performance at 12 years of age after uncomplicated pregnancies. We performed a population-based study among 226 684 liveborn children from uncomplicated singleton pregnancies, born from 37+0 to 42+0 weeks of gestation in cephalic presentation in 2003-2008 (no hypertensive disorders, diabetes or birthweight ≤p5) in the Netherlands. Children with congenital anomalies, of non-white mothers and born after planned cesarean section were excluded. Birth records were linked with national data on school achievement. We compared, using a fetus-at-risk approach and per week of gestation, school performance score and secondary school level at age 12 in those born after induction of labor to those born after non-intervention, ie spontaneous onset of labor in the same week plus all those born at later gestations. Education scores were standardized to a mean of 0 and a standard deviation of 1 and adjusted in the regression analyses. For each gestational age up to 41 weeks, induction of labor was associated with decreased school performance scores compared with non-intervention (at 37 weeks -0.05 SD, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.10 to -0.01 SD; adjusted for confounding factors). After induction of labor, fewer children reached higher secondary school level (at 38 weeks 48% vs 54%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.88, 95% CI 0.82-0.94). In women with uncomplicated pregnancies at term, consistently, at every week of gestation from 37 to 41 weeks, induction of labor is associated with lower offspring school performance at age 12 and lower secondary school level compared with non-intervention, although residual confounding may remain. These long-term effects of induction of labor should be incorporated in counseling and decision making.

Economically Disadvantaged, Incoming Readiness and School Achievement: Implications for Building High-Performing and Effective Schools

As a result of the 2002 No Child Left Behind Act, North Carolina, like many other states, has created standards and yearly student assessments for K-12 students. Student and school yearly assessments are reported via the North Carolina School Report Cards. Based on the North Carolina School Report Cards, there are several low-performing and failing schools at all levels; schools designated by the State of North Carolina as D or F in the Report Card. This study centered on two research questions: (a) Is there a relationship between incoming readiness and school performance in NC public middle schools? (b) Is there a relationship between economically disadvantaged students and school performance in NC public middle schools? Data was collected from the North Carolina School Report Cards (SRC) datasets (NCDPI, 2019). SRCs are offered for each public school in NC. NC public schools get a report card with their individual school performance score, in addition to other pertinent information, such as teacher and student characteristics. The analysis sample contains two years of data, namely for 2018 and 2017. The dataset includes 850 observations for 425 middle schools. The analysis and results are presented as follows: First, the frequencies of particular performance grades earned by NC middle schools are presented. Second, descriptive statistics are provided and data visuals for the variables associated with the specific research questions a and b, followed by the hypotheses. Third, the hypotheses are tested with the results from the linear regression and ordered logit. Analysis showed evidence of a relationship between incoming student readiness and school performance in NC public middle schools. Larger shares of incoming students considered ready significantly predicts school performance. It is possible to find evidence of a relationship between economically disadvantaged students and school performance in NC public middle schools. Having larger shares of economically disadvantaged students significantly predicts school performance. Based on these findings, a recommendation would be that teachers and schools work to get students ready for middle school in order to improve student performance.

Caregiver-Child Agreement in Health-Related Quality of Life of Autistic Children and Adolescents.

This study examined the agreement of perceived health-related quality of life (HRQOL) between caregivers and autistic children and adolescents (n = 133, 5–12 years) using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Generic Core Scales, Fourth Edition (PedsQL 4.0). Results reveal good to excellent agreement over this age range across the total, physical, and psychosocial health scales. However, the emotional, social, and school functioning scores demonstrated lower agreement in dyads with children aged 5–7 than in dyads with children aged 8–12 years. Despite these differences in agreement, overall, the PedsQL 4.0 caregiver-module is a reliable instrument for measuring HRQOL in autistic individuals aged 5–12 years.

Health Related Quality of Life of Children Aged 2-18 Years With Familial Mediterranean Fever

Objective: We aimed to evaluate both child-self reported and parents proxy reported health related quality of life of children with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) aged between 2-18 years old and to compare the scores with their healthy peers. Material and Methods: Fifty -one patients with FMF and fifty one gender and age matched controls were enrolled in the study. Children aged 8-18 years completed the PedsQL4.0 child form questionnaires. Parents of all cases completed the PedsQL4.0 parent form. Results: Lower scores in the FMF group, with no statistical significance, was found between the FMF cases and healthy volunteers aged 8-18 years for the physical health, social health, school functioning, psychosocial total and scale total score of PEDsQL4.0 child self-report. The parent proxy report PedsQL4.0 scores of all patients with FMF were lower than the healthy group for physical, emotional, social, psycho-social, school functioning scores and scale total score but the difference was not statistically significant. A significant correlation was present between PedsQL4.0 child self-report and parent PedsQL4.0 report in all subscales except for social health total score. There was not a significant correlation between the demographic variables and clinical features of the patients and the child subscales of PedsQL4.0. Conclusion: The scores of FMF cases from the scales were lower than those of the healthy volunteers from the questionnaires but this difference was not statistically significant. Considering the relatively small sample size of the study it is obvious that more comprehensive prospective studies are required on this subject.

Health-Related Quality of Life Assessments by Children and Adolescents with Sickle Cell Disease and Their Parents in Portugal.

Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL) can be used to measure the impact of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) on the child and their family and is generally reduced. No research has yet measured HRQL in Portuguese pediatric SCD patients. Objectives: (1) Describe and compare HRQL of children with SCD reported by them and their parents; (2) Compare with a pediatric population with no SCD; (3) Find predictive factors of HRQL in SCD children. Methods: Descriptive, case-control study that included sixty-eight children and adolescents with SCD (aged 3 to 18 years) and their parents. Control group—children with no SCD, matched by age, gender and ethnic background. HRQL was assessed using the multidimensional self-report PedsQL® 4.0 Generic Scales. Summary scores for overall HRQL and subscale scores for physical, emotional, social and school functioning were compared within groups (children-parents) and with the control group. Clinical and socio-demographic variables were analyzed to find predictive factors of HRQL in pediatric SCD patients. Results: Children with SCD and their parents had significantly lower overall and all subdomains of HRQL, compared with the control group. Children with SCD also rated lower when compared with their parents (only significant for social functioning), with low to moderate correlations. Children and parent reports declined with increasing age. Higher pain frequency was associated with worse total and psychosocial domains of HRQL. The number of hospitalizations was a predictor of worse school score, and female gender was a predictor of worse emotional score. Conclusions: SCD significantly affects children’s HRQL. Parents can provide a good proxy report, although both evaluations are beneficial. Disease status, like number of hospitalizations and frequency of pain, influences HRQL. Interventions in SCD should consider improvements in HRQL as an important outcome.

Home-based exercise program for adolescents with juvenile dermatomyositis quarantined during COVID-19 pandemic: a mixed methods study

BackgroundExercise has been suggested to prevent deterioration of health-related quality of life (HRQL) and overall health in pediatric rheumatologic diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic. Herein we describe the effects of a 12-week, home-based, exercise program on overall health and quality of life among quarantined patients with juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM).MethodThis prospective, quasi-experimental, mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative) study was conducted between July and December 2020, during the most restricted period of COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. The home-based exercise program consisted of a 12-week, three-times-a-week, aerobic and strengthening (bodyweight) training program. Qualitative data were systematically evaluated. Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQOL) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) evaluate symptoms of mental health disorder, HRQL, and quality of sleep.Findings11 patients (out of 27) met the inclusion criteria (91% female; mean ± SD age: 13.5 ± 3.2 years). Adherence to the intervention was 72.6%. Barriers to exercise involved poor internet connectivity, excessive weekly sessions, and other commitments. Even though not statistically significant, Self-report SDQ subscales Total Difficulties Score, Emotional Problems Score, and PedsQOL School Functioning Score improved after intervention (− 2.4; 95%confidence interval [CI] -5.1; 0.2, p = 0.06; − 1.0; 95%CI -2.2; 0.2, p = 0.09 and; 11.7; 95%CI -2.5; 25.8, p = 0.09, respectively). Remaining SDQ subscales were not altered. Six themes emerged from patients’ and parents’ comments (qualitative results). Patients engaged in exercise reported other health-related benefits including increased motivation, concentration and strength.InterpretationA home-based exercise program was associated with qualitative perceptions of improvements in overall health and HRQL by quarantined adolescents with JDM during COVID-19 pandemic. Lessons from this trial may help developing interventions focused on tackling physical inactivity in JDM.

First report on health-related quality of life among children with chronic immune thrombocytopenia in Vietnam

BackgroundImmune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a benign childhood disease. The aim of this study was to assess Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) among chronic ITP children in Vietnam. MethodsA case - control study was conducted from January 2020 to April 2021. Case group consisted of 56 children with chronic ITP aged from 2 to 18 years and their parents selected in the Department of Nephrology-Hematology – Endocrinology, Haiphong Children's Hospital, Hai Phong city. Controls included 170 healthy children matched with the patients on sex, and age recruited from schools in the same city. The validated Vietnamese version of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) 4.0 Generic Core Scale was used to assess QoL of the participants. ResultsThe mean HRQoL physical, emotional, social, school functioning domains and total scores of the chronic ITP patients were significantly lower compared with that of the controls (p < 0.001 for all). Children in the age group 13–18 had the lowest overall HRQoL score compared other age groups (60.87 ± 7.66, p = 0.023), especially in the emotional and social functioning domains (58.33 ± 6.83; 64.17 ± 11.58, respectively) (p < 0.001). Chronic ITP patients with older age, longer treatment duration, and ongoing treatment status showed to be having lower HRQoL scores than the younger one, shorter treatment duration, and the stopped treatment group. ConclusionChronic ITP has a negative impact on HRQoL in terms of physical functioning, emotional, social, school functioning, and overall scores when compared with the healthy sex, age-matched children.

Social and Educational Outcomes in Patients With Biliary Atresia: A Systematic Review.

To systematically review the social outcomes of patients with biliary atresia (BA), including educational, employment and family outcomes. We conducted a systematic review of Medline, EMBASE, Global Health, Maternity and Infant Care Database, supplemented by reference searching. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute scoring was conducted for quality assessment. The PROSPERO registration ID was CRD42020178846. Fifty-one studies were included (41 cohort, 10 cross-sectional), including 4631 participants across 16 countries. Cohorts were BA post-liver transplant (LT) (18 studies), native liver survivors (NLS) (16 studies), mixed (13 studies) and four other cohorts. Outcomes covered; education (n = 35), employment (n = 16), family outcomes (n = 22), and social functioning (n = 22). BA patients had lower school functioning scores than controls, with no difference between NLS versus post-LT. Between 2% and 48% of children required additional educational support. Between 60% and 100% of adult patients with BA were employed. Pregnancies were described in 17 studies, with small samples, and some noted complications. Social functioning scores were similar to healthy controls in 8 of 11 comparisons. Despite BA being the primary indication for liver transplantation in childhood, social outcomes for children and adolescents are predominantly reported in non-controlled, single-centre survey-based studies. School functioning is lower compared to peer groups, with no evidence of a difference for those having a liver transplant. We recommend routine psychosocial assessment of these patients during follow-up, alongside multi-centre collaborations, to maximise the quality of evidence for future patients.

Food and nutrition literacy status and its correlates in Iranian senior high-school students

BackgroundPlanning interventions to promote food and nutrition literacy (FNL) require a better understanding of the FNL status of the target group and its correlates.AimsThis study aimed to examine the FNL status and its determinants in Iranian senior high-school students.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, FNL and its components (food and nutrition knowledge, functional skills, interactive skills, advocacy, critical analysis of information, and food label reading skill) were evaluated by a locally designed and validated, self-administered questionnaire. Besides, socioeconomic, demographic, anthropometric measures, as well as academic performance of 626 senior high-school students were assessed.ResultsThe mean ± SD of the total FNL score (within potential range of 0 to 100) was 52.1 ± 10.96, which is below the minimum adequate level of 60. The probability of high FNL knowledge score was significantly higher among students who majored in Natural Sciences (OR = 1.73, CI = 1.09–2.75), had better school performance (OR = 1.13, CI = 1.06–1.20) and higher SES score (OR = 1.20, CI = 1.01–1.44). The score for food label reading was significantly lower in girls (OR = 0.45, CI = 0.31–0.67), while those who had a family member with the nutrition-related disease were more likely to have a higher score of food label reading skill (OR = 1.48, CI = 1.01–1.64).ConclusionThe level of FNL in senior high-school students in Tehran was relatively low. These findings have key messages for the education system and curriculum designers to have more consideration for food and nutrition-related knowledge and skills in schools.

Academic achievement and the effects of the student’s learning context: a study on PISA data

Abstract School achievement is under a multiple factorial context related to student, school and family (SSF). Based on 23.141 Brazilians self-reports, obtained from PISA 2015, representative SSF measures were selected, and their impacts measured on school performance scores in mathematics, reading and science. The feeling of belonging to the school (BELONG) and parents’ emotional support (EMOSUPS) were strongly correlated with the three investigated performances. EMOSUPS affected how the student feels at school and when being assessed. And the educational and cultural resources of the home affected EEC three dimensions, increasing EMOSUPS, BELONG and school performance, and decreasing anxiety during assessments. Thus, the importance of the school and family environments on students’ performance is reiterated and calls for public policies in education that considers the three dimensions.