Turkish Children Research Articles

Dental caries and associated factors among Turkish children and adults: Findings from the 3rd National Oral Health Survey.

Information on the current status of oral health and related risk factors is lacking in Turkiye. This study aimed to evaluate dental caries and associated factors among the Turkish population using the findings of the third national oral health survey. This cross-sectional epidemiological survey was carried out between March and September in 2018 including five index ages and age groups (5-, 12-, 15-year-olds, 35-44 and 65-74 age groups). A multistage cluster sampling design was used to obtain a national representative sample of these age groups. Participants were interviewed face-to-face using a structured questionnaire, and oral examinations were performed based on the methods and criteria suggested by the World Health Organization. The adjusted prevalence ratio for dental caries was estimated considering sociodemographic and behavioural characteristics by using log-binomial and robust Poisson regression analysis in R and SAS software. After data cleaning, a total of 11 091 participants remained. The prevalence of dental caries was 76.5% (95% confidence interval: 75.4%-77.7%) and determined to be associated with age, dental visit, and pain or discomfort history during the previous year among the Turkish population. Prevalence was also associated with the mother's education level among 5-, 12- and 15-year-olds. For the 35-44 age group, individuals living in urban areas had lower dental caries than those living in rural areas. For 65-74 age group, none of the factors were significantly associated with dental caries. A high prevalence of dental caries was observed in Turkish children and adults. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen current preventive oral health programs. Regular disease surveillance should be maintained. National oral health targets should be formulated in accordance with Turkiye's needs, resources and structure.

Psychometric Properties of the Turkish Version of the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Movement Skill Competence for Turkish Young Children

The aim of this study was to determine the psychometric properties of the pictorial scale of Perceived Movement Skill Competence for Turkish children. A total of 255 children aged 5–10 years (131 girls and 124 boys) participated in this study. One week later, a random subsample (n = 40) was implemented the scale again for test–retest reliability. We conducted confirmatory factor analysis to test the construct validity of the Turkish version of the scale and calculated the omega (ω) internal consistency and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) to ascertain reliabilities of the subscales. The confirmatory factor analysis showed good fit index values for the model with 13 items indicating a similar factor structure to the original scale’s two-factor structure (χ2/df = 1.56; root mean square error of approximation = .048; Tucker–Lewis index = .97; comparative-fit index = .97). The test–retest reliabilities were excellent for the perceived locomotor (ICC = .95) and object control (ICC = .93) skills. An adequate internal consistency coefficient was found for locomotor (ω = 0.69) and object control (ω = 0.82) skills. Subsequent analyses supported the construct, metric, partial scalar and strict invariance of responses to the scale as a function of sex. Overall, the pictorial scale of Perceived Movement Skill Competence has acceptable psychometric properties and can be confidently used in research or practice to assess Turkish children’s perceived movement skill competence.

Mediterranean Fever (MEFV) Gene Variants in Kawasaki Disease in Turkish Children: Do They Influence the Disease Course?

Mediterranean Fever (MEFV) Gene Variants in Kawasaki Disease in Turkish Children: Do They Influence the Disease Course?

Measurement and Construct-Level Invariance of the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS)

Abstract: Measurement and construct-level invariance of the Dutch Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale’s test scores (RCADS) across gender and ethnic (minority) backgrounds of the four largest ethnic groups of children living in the Netherlands (i.e., native Dutch; Moroccan; Turkish; or Surinamese/Antillean) was evaluated. Symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, separation anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and major depressive disorder were rated by 2,679 mainstream elementary schoolchildren ( Mage = 10.61). Results from discrete multiple-group confirmatory factor analyses showed that factor means were generally insensitive to gender bias. However, moderate violations of measurement invariance between native Dutch and the three ethnic minority groups were found for social phobia, panic disorder, and separation anxiety disorder symptoms. Girls had higher mean levels on all RCADS subscales compared to boys. Furthermore, with a few exceptions, children from ethnic minority groups reported higher levels of symptoms of panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder compared to native Dutch children. Scores derived from the RCADS are largely comparable between elementary school boys and girls, but for three out of six subscales, caution is warranted when comparing mean level differences of native Dutch children with children of Turkish, Moroccan, and Surinamese/Antillean ethnic backgrounds.

Turkish Validation of the Rapid Interactive Screening Test for Autism in Toddlers.

It is important to diagnose autism spectrum disorder at an early age and to start an early intervention program without delay. In this study, we aimed to validate the Rapid Interactive Screening Test for Autism in Toddlers (RITA-T) in a group of Turkish children and found that the RITA-T which has been shown to be a valid and reliable screening test for 18- to 36-month-old children in studies conducted in different countries, is also valid in Turkish children. Similar to previous studies, our results showed that the RITA-T has good sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing children with autism spectrum disorder. We think that our study will contribute to the timely initiation of early intervention programs for many children with autism by enabling a valid test to be used in screening programs.

Evaluations on the Design Features of the Books Ready for Bilingual Turkish Children Abroad

Turkey has been working on teachers, students, curriculum and materials for 60 years for the teaching of Turkish and Turkish Culture for its bilingual population abroad, which started in the 1950s and intensified after the 1960s, reaching approximately 5 million today. The course and workbooks, which were prepared and sent in Turkey in 2019, are used as course materials by the Ministry of National Education. In addition to this, there are a large number and variety of course and reading books belonging to private publishing houses. There are some shortcomings in some of these books. The fact that some of the design-related elements in the book pages have negative qualities in various aspects negatively affect the teaching. In this qualitative study, in which the findings obtained through document scanning are interpreted and evaluated, the design aspects of the textbooks and reading books prepared for bilingual Turkish children living abroad; It has been tried to understand, see and show how bilingual Turkish children, who are in a different situation from their peers in Turkey in terms of readiness, infrastructure, perspective, universe of meaning and knowledge, are perceived, interpreted and what is learned, and the positive and negative contribution of styles to learning. It has been concluded that the design features of the materials prepared for bilingual children have case-specific subtleties, and what the elements mean and can convey in every respect should be carefully considered. Otherwise, it has been seen that the meaning may be far from what is meant or wrong. The designed element can complicate the subject/activity, make learning difficult, and distract from the purpose. For this reason, the educator/author should be actively involved in the design process.

The Relationship Between Anthropometric Z-Score Measurements and Ocular Structures in Turkish Children.

Objective (Aim): This study explores the contact between anthropometric Z-score values and ocular parameters in children. Recent studies investigated the relationship, and contact between anthropometric measurements and ocular parameters in children, and height, weight, body mass index, and percentile curves are mostly used as anthropometric data. However, today, different scoring systems such as "Z-score" classify anthropometric values. Methods: Height and body mass index Z-scores were calculated for 725 children. Biometric and refractive measurements of all children were noted. For different reference values, those with a Z-score below the negative value of the reference were defined as a low Z-score, those between the negative and positive value of the reference were defined as a normal Z-score, those with a Z-score greater than the positive value of the reference were defined as a high Z-score. The mean ocular measurement results in the low, normal, and high Z-score groups were compared, and they were pointed to reach the reference value in both negative and positive sides which created the foremost critical contrast between the groups. Results: For a value of "-1" and "+1.5" in the height Z-score, from low to normal and from there to high Z-score group, axial length, and average corneal radius increased, and average corneal power decreased significantly. Anterior chamber depth increased from normal to high Z-score group, but no critical distinction was made between low and normal Z-score groups. Moreover, no critical distinction was observed in spherical equivalent refraction, central corneal thickness for height, and all values of body mass index. Conclusion: Considering a Z-score value of "-1" and "+1.5" as a reference value in children and anticipating the changes that may happen in the ocular structures of children at both ends of the Z-score, it may be useful to understand the effect of body development on ocular development more. Abbreviations: AL = Axial Length, ACD = Anterior Chamber Depth, BMI = Body Mass Index, NCHS = The United States National Center for Health Statistics, WHO = World Health Organization, NFHS 2 = National Family Health Survey 2, SER = Spherical Equivalent Refraction, CR = Average Corneal Radius, CP = Average Corneal Power, CCT = Central Corneal Thickness, HFAsZ = Height for Age Z-Score, BMIsZ = BMI for Age Z-Score, L = Low Z-score, N = Normal Z-score, H = High Z-score.

Analysis of IL-1β, TGF-β, IL-5, ACE, PTPN22 gene polymorphisms, and gene expression levels in Turkish children with IgA vasculitis

Analysis of IL-1β, TGF-β, IL-5, ACE, PTPN22 gene polymorphisms, and gene expression levels in Turkish children with IgA vasculitis

SOCIAL PROFILES OF TURKISH CHILDREN AND YOUTH LITERATURE AUTHORS

When examined the national and international literature, there are very few studies on the social profiles of the artists working in the fields of children and youth literature. The scarcity of existing studies in the field in terms of quantity has been the starting point for this study. In this study, the profiles of 577 authors in Hasan Latif Sarıyüce's encyclopedia of Turkish children's and youth literature were examined in terms of gender, date and place of birth, educational status, father's profession, own profession, literary genre, the number of awards they received, and foreign expansion variables. The study was qualitative, and the data were analyzed using content analysis technique. According to the results obtained in the study, it is evident that the number of authors who wrote works in the field increased after the Republic period. The gender role of most authors was male. The artists were mainly born in the western provinces of Turkey. The fathers of the artists were mostly soldiers, teachers, and members of parliament. When the professions of the artists are examined, it is seen that they are mostly teachers, authors, and civil servants. It has been seen that artists mostly produce poems, stories, and novels. Few artists in the field have received awards. The number of authors whose works have been translated into foreign languages is also very low. Some suggestions are presented based on the findings obtained from the study.

Dynamic relations between mentalization techniques and therapeutic alliance in psychodynamic child therapy: An evidence-based case study.

Therapeutic alliance and mentalization are common factors inherent to all effective treatments. Mentalization-based interventions have the potential to create a safe relationship, which makes further mentalizing interventions possible. However, to date, no study has examined the bidirectional relationship between these variables in child psychotherapy. In an evidence-based case study design, psychodynamic therapy processes of two Turkish children (age: 9 and 10 years) who presented with social withdrawal problems were compared. All their sessions (34 sessions from Case No. 1 and 31 from Case No. 2) were coded using the Therapy Process Observational Coding System-Alliance Scale and Mentalization-Based Treatment for Children Adherence Scale. Outcome scales pertaining to symptoms, attachment, and mentalization were administered at baseline and at termination. Time-series Granger Causality tests revealed that in the case with clinically significant outcome, mentalization techniques predicted therapeutic alliance in the subsequent sessions, which predicted the use of further mentalization interventions. However, this relationship was not supported in the case with no significant improvement. Selected sessions were clinically analyzed with verbatim session vignettes. Our findings indicate that mentalization techniques in child therapy are closely related to the therapeutic relationship. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Optic neuritis in Turkish children and adolescents: A multicenter retrospective study

BackgroundVarious etiologies may underlie optic neuritis, including autoantibody-mediated disorders described in the last decade. We re-examined demographic, clinical, laboratory features and prognostic factors in pediatric patients with autoimmune optic neuritis according to current knowledge. MethodsCases of pediatric ON from 27 centers in Türkiye diagnosed between 2009 and 2022 were included for retrospective evaluation. ResultsThe study included 279 patients, 174 females and 105 males, with a female-to-male ratio of 1.65. The average age at onset was 12.8 ± 3.4 years, and mean follow-up, 2.1 years (range: 1–12.1 years). Patients <10 years old were grouped as "prepubertal" and those ≥10 years old as "others”. The diagnoses made at the end of follow-up were multiple sclerosis associated optic neuritis (n = 90, 32.3 %), single isolated optic neuritis (n = 86, 31 %), clinically isolated syndrome (n = 41, 14.7 %), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody associated optic neuritis (n = 22, 7.9 %), and relapsing isolated optic neuritis (n = 18, 6.5 %). Predominant diagnoses were myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody associated optic neuritis and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis associated optic neuritis in the prepubertal group and multiple sclerosis associated optic neuritis in the older group. Recurrences were observed in 67 (24 %) patients, including 28 with multiple sclerosis associated optic neuritis, 18 with relapsing isolated optic neuritis, 11 with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody associated optic neuritis, 8 with aquaporin-4 antibody related optic neuritis, and 2 with chronic relapsing inflammatory optic neuropathy. Recurrences were more common among female patients. Findings supporting the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis included age of onset ≥ 10 years (OR=1.24, p = 0.027), the presence of cranial MRI lesions (OR=26.92, p<0.001), and oligoclonal bands (OR=9.7, p = 0.001). Treatment in the acute phase consisted of intravenous pulse methylprednisolone (n = 46, 16.5 %), pulse methylprednisolone with an oral taper (n = 212, 76 %), and combinations of pulse methylprednisolone, plasmapheresis, or intravenous immunoglobulin (n = 21, 7.5 %). Outcome at 12 months was satisfactory, with 247 out of 279 patients (88.5 %) demonstrating complete recovery. Thirty-two patients exhibited incomplete recovery and further combination treatments were applied. Specifically, patients with relapsing isolated optic neuritis and aquaporin-4 antibody related optic neuritis displayed a less favorable prognosis. ConclusionOur results suggest optic neuritis is frequently bilateral in prepubertal and unilateral in peri‑ or postpubertal patients. Age of onset 10 or older, presence of oligoclonal bands, and brain MRI findings reliably predict the development of multiple sclerosis. The risk of developing multiple sclerosis increases mostly during the second and third years of follow-up. Relapsing isolated optic neuritis remains a separate group where the pathogenesis and outcome remain unclear. Investigation of predisposing and diagnostic biomarkers and long follow-up could help to define this group.

Turkey's Humanitarian Aid Through Education Provision of the Syrian Children School-Aged Refugees

The article explains how the Turkish government carries out a policy of providing education for Syrian school-age refugees. Turkey is the largest recipient and the second largest contributor of Syrian refugee aid, primarily as a transit country with many refugees bound for Europe via Turkey before continuing to their destination countries. As the host of refugees, a significant amount requires Turkey to help and facilitate them to access various services, such as social services, health, and especially education for school-age children. The study uses qualitative methods through data collection in literature studies and descriptive data analysis. The study uses qualitative methods through data collection in literature studies and descriptive data analysis. Research has found that Turkey's education policy has shown significant results, helping Syrian refugees at school age because of the ease of access to education that can be obtained, including rights and benefits equal to other Turkish children. Policies imposed by Turkey, such as psychological assistance for children who are still experiencing trauma and the provision of facilities in temporary education or Turkish public schools, have been successfully adopted.

A Content Analysis of Gender Portrayals in Turkish Children’s Picturebooks

A Content Analysis of Gender Portrayals in Turkish Children’s Picturebooks

How close are children with obesity to becoming an adult with chronic illnesses?

Childhood obesity has become a global threat due to its serious negative consequences. We aimed to determine the patterns of metabolic syndrome and cardio-metabolic risk factors in Turkish children with obesity. We examined 169 schoolchildren with obesity in April and May 2019 in Samsun, Turkey. After clinical evaluation and anthropometric measurements, fasting blood samples were collected to measure total cholesterol, low and high-density lipoprotein, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, and insulin levels. The proportion of those who met the metabolic syndrome criteria in boys was 14.3%, but it was twice as high in girls (28.2%). The most prevalent component of cardio-metabolic risk factor was increased waist circumference (96.4%) followed by a high homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index (74.6%) and high blood pressure (29.0%). While the average high-density lipoprotein was higher in boys than in girls, on the contrary, insulin, HbA1c, and homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance concentrations were higher in girls. The prevalence of dyslipidemia was also higher in girls (67.1%) than in boys (47.6%), as were all impaired metabolic syndrome components. One in five children with obesity was at risk of metabolic syndrome. For early intervention and prevention, children with obesity should be monitored in terms of cardio-metabolic risk factors, but obese girls are more prioritized.

The prevalence of monogenic obesity in Turkish children with non-syndromic early onset obesity. A multicenter study

The prevalence of monogenic obesity in Turkish children with non-syndromic early onset obesity. A multicenter study

The Plural is Unmarked: Evidence from Turkish, Hungarian and German

Quantity distinctions are morphologically indicated in the majority of languages.However, the marking of these distinctions exhibits a high degree of cross-linguistic variation with respect to the number of quantity categories, their agreement properties, and the morphemes themselves. Furthermore, number marking on numerically quantified nouns varies across languages: for instance, while German and English use plural number marking with numerals other than “one” (for example, “two books”), Turkish and Hungarian use singular number marking with all numerals. Recent work has discussed how to explain number marking with numerals. In particular, Bale and Khanjian (2014) propose that the quantity concepts of the two types of languages vary semantically. We present novel evidence from a cross-linguistic study of Hungarian, Turkish and German child language, and argue that the quantity concepts do not vary, and the variation between languages must have a morphosyntactic explanation.&amp;nbsp;

The reading skills of Turkish children in the world scale in the 100th anniversary of the Republic: PISA and what we should think about

Giderek küçülen ve daha fazla yakınlaştıran dünyada, iletişim ağları giderek büyümektedir. Geçmişte birbirlerine uzak olmalarından dolayı iletişimleri imkânsız kabul edilen ülkelerin, günümüzde yoğun ve kesintisiz ilişkiler kurduklarına şahit olmaktayız. Bu ilişkiler, geniş ve kapsamlı veri alışverişini sağlarken, ülkeler özellikle kalkınma göstergesi olarak eğitimlerini değerlendirmek ihtiyacı duymaktadırlar. Eğitimde uluslararasılaşma dediğimiz bu ilişki türü, ülkelerin eğitim sistemlerini karşılaştırmalarını sağlayan, standart test niteliği taşıyan dünya ölçekli sınavları meydana getirmiştir. OECD, PISA ve PIRLS gibi testlerle, ülkelerarası okuduğunu anlama, matematiksel muhakeme ve bilimsel düşünebilme gibi becerileri ölçmeye başlamıştır. Ölçüm sonuçları ise, uluslararası karşılaştırmaları ortaya koymuştur. Çalışmada, PISA’nın okuma becerileri ölçümlerinin ne ifade ettiği, ne ifade etmesi gerektiği ve bu sınavın dünya çapındaki eleştirisi yapılmaktadır. Sayısal verilerden çok, sınavla ilgili felsefi sorgulama ve eleştiri, sınavın olumlu ve olumsuz yönleri tartışmaya açılmış, Cumhuriyet’in 100. yılında, Türkiye’nin PISA’ya dahil olmakla, ne kazanabileceği, neye dikkat etmesi gerektiği, eğitimsel bir bakış açısıyla değerlendirilmeye çalışılmıştır. Çalışmayla, aynı zamanda geleceğin dünyasının eğitimi nereye taşıdığına ilişkin olarak, bir farkındalık yaratılmaya da çalışılmaktadır. Çalışmanın sonuçlarına göre, Türkiye PISA okuma becerileri açısından OECD ülkeleri arasında oldukça arka sıralarda yer almaktadır. Sınav uygulanırken, üst sıralarda yer alabilme kaygısı ve yarışı yerine, daha niteliksel kaygıların önemli olduğu ortaya çıkmıştır. Önemli olan Türk çocuklarının okuduğunu anlama becerilerinin geliştirilmesi ve bu durumu sağlayacak olan öğretmenlerin nitelikli olarak eğitilmeleridir.

Determination of malnutrition status in hospitalized Turkish Republic citizen and refugee children with different diagnoses

Aims: Malnutrition is defined as changes in the normal body structure due to inadequate nutrition. This study aimed to determine the malnutrition status of Turkish children and refugee children.&#x0D; Methods: A total of 5528 patients between the ages of 1 month and 18 years who were admitted and followed up in our pediatric health and diseases department between January 2017 and January 2020 were evaluated. The Gomez classification was used to assess malnutrition status. Demographic data, admission diagnoses, and the degree of malnutrition were retrospectively recorded by examining medical records. Both groups were compared in terms of these parameters.&#x0D; Results: In our study, 5528 patients between the ages between 1 month and 18 years were evaluated. The median age was 4.1 years (min:1 month, max:17 years), with 2274 (41.1%) being female and 3254 (58.9%) being male. Among the cases, 4994 (90.5%) were Turkish, 160 (2.8%) were Afghan, 198 (3.5%) were Iraqi, and 176 (3.2%) were Syrian. According to the Gomez classification, 4379 patients (79.2%) were normal and 1148 patients (20.8%) were malnourished. Among the malnourished patients, 995 (86.7%) were mildly malnourished, 117 (10.2%) were moderately malnourished, and 36 (3.1%) were severely malnourished. 44% (n=16) of severely malnourished patients were under the age of two. The malnutrition rates were 19.7%, 22.5 %, 30.8 %, and 36.4% in Turkish, Afghan, Iraqi, and Syrian patients, respectively. There was a significant difference between Syrian and Turkish patients with mild and moderate malnutrition (P

Turkish children myopia progression in the urban area, a retrospective evaluation

Aims: To investigate myopia trends and progression in urban school-aged myopic children in Turkey.&#x0D; Methods: This retrospective study included myopic children aged 6-18 years attending the ophthalmology clinic for regular eye and refractive examinations between 2003 and 2021. Myopia progression was calculated as the difference between the baseline and the last visit spherical equivalent refractive (SER) values. Individuals were further categorized to determine the age-specific myopia progression as 6-11, 12-16, and 17-18 age groups based on the school periods of the country. According to the SER values, individuals were classified into mild, moderate, and high myopic groups. &#x0D; Results: A total of 602 eyes of 301 children (191 female, 110 male) with a mean age of 11.64±2.81 (6-18) years were included in the study. The mean follow-up time of patients was 37.51±19.18 (6-98) months. The baseline mean SER value was -1.5±1.07 D (range: -0.50 and -5.62) and -2.55±1.50 at the final visit. The overall mean myopia progression was -0.35±0.37 D (range: +0.35 D and -3.75 D/year. There were 46 children between 6-11 years, 173 children between 12-16 years, 82 children between 17-18 years, and the annual SER changes were -0.46±0.40 D; -0.37±0.39 D and -0.26±0.29 D in the groups, respectively (p &lt; 0.001). Baseline, final, and annual myopia progression were greater in females. Although there was no statistical significance, myopia progression was faster in moderate myopes (-0.39±0.33 D/a year), followed by mild (-0.35±0.37 D/a year) and high myopes (-0.21±0.20 D/a year) (p=0.37).&#x0D; Conclusion: The progression of myopia in school-aged Turkish children from the Western Black Sea Region is comparable to the world. Our study revealed the greater myopia progression in the youngest children, moderate myopia group, and females. Myopia prevention recommendations should be carefully advised to the youngest female ones to reduce myopia progression.

Unraveling the interplay: Exploring the relationship between children's obesity, sleep disorders, depressive symptoms, and age dynamics

&lt;b&gt;Objective: &lt;/b&gt;This study explores the relationships between sleep disorders, depressive symptoms, and obesity among children of different ages.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;b&gt;Material and methods: &lt;/b&gt;The data for this study were collected from 163 Turkish children aged 7 to 10 and 11 to 15 years (mean age=9.4, SD=1.9) who were attending well-child visits. Parents completed an online questionnaire on sociodemographic data, while children completed the Children Depression Inventory and The Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;b&gt;Results: &lt;/b&gt;The regression model for the 7-10 years group included sleep resistance, sleep onset delay, nighttime awakenings, and daytime sleepiness, and explained 33.8% of the variance in Children Depression Inventory scores (R&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;=0.338, F=9.779, p&amp;lt;0.001). For the 11-15 age group, the regression model included obesity status, Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire scores, sleep onset delay, sleep-related anxiety, and sleep-disordered breathing, and explained 80.3% of the variance in Children Depression Inventory scores (R&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;=0.803, F=28.489, p&amp;lt;0.001).&lt;br /&gt; &lt;b&gt;Conclusion: &lt;/b&gt;Overall, the results of this study emphasize the significance of addressing sleep disorders, obesity, and depressive symptoms in children, particularly in adolescents, to promote better mental health outcomes.