Validation of the Filipino translation of the impact of vision impairment for children (IVI_C) questionnaire among school children

Background@#Quality of life questionnaires provide valuable information in assessing the effects of health interventions and public health campaigns. In the Philippines, we only have a few validated questionnaires targeted specifically for children.@*Objective@#To translate to Filipino and validate the translated Impact of Vision Impairment for Children Questionnaire (IVI_C).@*Methods@#This is a translation and validation study of the IVI_C. The IVI_C was translated following international guidelines of forward–translation and back-translation methods. After completion of the Filipino IVI_C version, pretesting was performed on school-aged children 8 to 18 years old through convenience sampling in the outpatient department and Pediatric Ophthalmology and Motility Clinic at Sentro Oftalmologico Jose Rizal, Philippine General Hospital from January 1 to August 31, 2018.@*Results@#We included 130 participants in the study. The calculated Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.88 for the translated Filipino version of the IVI_C suggested high reliability and internal consistency. Rasch analysis showed comparability of the Filipino translation to the original English version of the questionnaire.@*Conclusion@#Our study showed that the Filipino version of IVI_C questionnaire was of high reliability and validity.

Clinical profile of genetically confirmed Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Among Filipino children less than 18 years old

@#Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is the most common inherited lethal disease in children. Confirmatory diagnosis is based on molecular genetic testing of survival motor neuron (SMN) genes. We aimed to describe the phenotypic presentation of Filipino infants and children with SMA based on the copy number analysis of SMN genes. Medical records of 17 Filipino children were reviewed from January 2017 to December 2019. De-identified clinical data fulfilled the diagnostic criteria defined by the International SMA Consortium. Among Filipino children, the predominant SMA type by copy number was type I having two copies of SMN2 gene. The clinical severity based on symptom onset and highest functional motor capacity attained correlated with SMN2 copy number congruent with existing data. A significant time lag between symptom onset to confirmation of genetic diagnosis was noted. Nine out of the 17 (52%) children did not have a family history of the disease, raising the possibility of mutation carriers in these families since the incidence of de novo mutations in literature is about 2%. These data offered the first epidemiological pattern of genetically confirmed SMA among Filipino children; provided additional information for genetic counselling; and an avenue to consider pre-symptomatic newborn screening and carrier testing that would change proactive measures and opportunities for therapy. These measures unavoidably will decrease the incidence and prevalence of disease in the future.

Existence of double burden of malnutrition among Filipino children in the same age-groups and comparison of their usual nutrient intake

@#Introduction: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of underweight and overweight children in the same age-groups and if differences existed in their usual nutrients intake. Methods: Data were obtained from 8992 children aged 3-12 years who participated in 2013 National Nutrition Survey. Dietary intake information was collected using two days non-consecutive dietary recall. Usual intakes and distributions of energy and nutrients were estimated in pre-schoolers (3-5 years, n=2427), younger (6-9 years, n=3594) and older schoolchildren (10-12 years, n=2971) using PC Software for Intake Distribution Estimation (PC-SIDE) from Iowa State University. Energy inadequacy was assessed by the Estimated Energy Requirements (EER) method calculated using the equation of Institute of Medicine. The prevalence of nutrient inadequacy was estimated as the proportion of individuals with usual food intakes below the estimated average requirement (EAR). Results: The prevalence of underweight among preschool, younger and older schoolchildren was 22%, 30% and 16%, respectively, and 4%, 9% and 10%, respectively, among overweight. The average usual energy and nutrient intake of underweight was significantly lower than overweight. The major source of energy of underweight and overweight was from carbohydrates. However, contribution of fats to total energy was higher among overweight. Most nutrients were below EAR in underweight while only folate (50-79%) and calcium (58-84%) in overweight. Conclusion: The double burden of malnutrition co-exists in children of the same age-groups with higher prevalence nutrient inadequacies in underweight children. Percentage of fat contribution to energy intake was higher among overweight than the underweight.

The prevalence of developmental delay among Filipino children at Ages 6, 12 and 24 months based on the Griffiths mental development scales

@#<p><strong>BACKGROUND:</strong> To determine prevalence of delay in 5 developmental domains among Filipino children at 6, 12 and 24 months and investigate influence of socioeconomic status, maternal intelligence, gender and home stimulation. Variations and developmental domains as reliable indicators of potential delay were determined.</p><p><strong>METHODS:</strong> 754 maternal/ infant dyads were followed up until 2 years old. The Griffiths Mental Development Scales determined sub-quotient scores in locomotor, personal/social, hearing/language, eye-hand coordination and performance subscales before averaging for General Quotient(GQ) score. Score < 85 was considered delayed.</p><p><strong>RESULTS:</strong> Low GQ scores were noted in 5.4% at 6 months, 19.1% at 12 months and 11.0% at 24 months old. GQ scores were lowered by performance subscale at 6 months, hearing/language and performance at 12 months and hearing/language at 24 months. No single subscale consistently lowered GQ across time. Only 4.2% maintained low GQ scores in all three ages.</p><p><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> Prevalence of developmental delay varied across 24 months with highest rates noted at 12 months of age. No developmental domain consistently lowered test scores and no test age was predictive of future outcome but focused early intervention according to age is suggested. Home environment, higher socioeconomic status, maternal IQ and supervision were associated with improved potential.</p>

Translation and validation of a Filipino version of the children’s visual function questionnaire

Objective@#The objectives of this study were to translate into Filipino the Children’s Visual Function Questionnaire for children 3 years and above (CVFQ3plus), and to validate the translated CVFQ3plus to be used locally to assess the quality of life (QoL) of Filipino children aged 3 to 7 years old with visual impairment. @*Methods@#Study Design: The study was a single-center, non-randomized translation and validation study. Translation: The CVFQ3plus translation into Filipino involved translation, reconciliation, pretesting, and small group discussion, based on the KIDSCREEN Group Translation and Validation procedures. Participants and Sampling: Convenience sampling was done to select the participants of the study. Participants were included in the study if they were parents or primary caregivers of children aged 3-7 years old who were noncompliant with treatment and/or those with non-treatable visual impairment defined as mild, moderate, severe unilateral, and severe bilateral. Procedure: All patients underwent complete ophthalmologic examination, including determination of the visual acuity using either the LEA chart or HOTV chart, prior to the administration of both the Filipino and English versions of the CVFQ3plus to their parents or caregivers. Participants were also asked to do a self-rating of their English proficiency, and their preferred version of the CVFQ. Statistical Analysis: Chronbach’s Alpha with a 95% confidence interval was used to determine the validity and internal consistency of the Filipino version of the CVFQ3plus questionnaire.@*Results@#A total of 122 participants were included in the study. Chronbach’s Alpha score (α=0.86, CI=95%) for the translated Filipino version of the CVFQ3plus suggests high reliability and internal consistency, comparable to the original English version of the questionnaire.@*Conclusion@#This study was able to produce a highly reliable and internally consistent Filipino version of the CVFQ3plus.