Transitioning a Research Protocol for Videosomnography to Assess Sleep and Nighttime Caregiving Activities in School-Aged Children With Developmental Disabilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected children with developmental disabilities (DDs)' sleep. Videosomnography is a noninvasive, portable time-lapse video recording system to objectively obtain a child's sleep-wake behaviors and parents' caregiving activities in a natural environment. METHOD: From September 2020 to February 2021, we conducted a feasibility study using actigraphy (in mothers) and videosomnography in children with DDs for seven consecutive nights to assess sleep and nighttime caregiving activities. Because of the pandemic, we developed and implemented alternative data collection strategies, such as delivering a "study package" with easy-to-follow written instructions and emailed video-recorded instructions on recording a child's sleep. RESULTS: We aimed to enroll 10 mothers and 10 school-aged children with DDs and achieved this goal. Nine out of 10 mothers completed video recordings of their child's sleep, with only 10% missing data for videosomnography. DISCUSSION: This paper shared adaptations to our videosomnography protocol and lessons learned.

Methodological Analysis: Randomized Controlled Trials for Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines.

Critical appraisal of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) determines rigor, quality, and whether the findings are applicable to the populations served in clinical practices. The authors conducted a rigorous analysis using the RCT Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) Checklist for the two RCTs Pfizer (New York, NY) and Moderna (Cambridge, MA) conducted and the reporting of these RCTs using the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials checklist. The goals for this analysis were twofold: (1) enable health care providers to understand the methods and outcomes of these RCTs, and (2) enable health care providers and community leaders to become champions for the vaccines to reduce vaccine hesitancy among all populations. The analysis is presented using each of the 11 questions on the CASP tool while comparing the methodology and results for each vaccine. Most CASP tool items were positive or yes for both the Pfizer and Moderna RCTs. Items that were not scored as yes are discussed. The analysis outcomes revealed that both RCTs were rigorously conducted and provide an assurance to all health care providers and the public of the safety and efficacy of both vaccines to impact the astounding morbidity and mortality of COVID-19 disease. The authors believed that the analysis was an essential component of the distribution process to develop plans and communication strategies to reduce potential vaccine hesitancy and resistance.

Smartphone apps for weight control? How to choose

[...]the CDC guidance on July 23, 2020 does recommend masks for children and staff in school settings, except those under 2 years old, and those with some medical conditions. Since wearing masks has been met with controversy, the work of health care professionals (HCPs) is to gain the support of parents, children and school personnel to wear masks during school. "6 Indeed, the scientific evidence from COVID-19 public health measures supports wearing masks as the new norm for all adults and for all children older than 2 years. [...]we believe that wearing masks is an essential component of safe return to school. According to reports from the CDC, children who developed MIS-C may have been infected weeks before the appearance of MIS-C symptoms, and/or were symptomatic carriers. [...]based on these presentations of COVID-19 in children, testing strategies for children must be considered on all levels to protect all children, school personnel, and the communities in which they live. Screenings to identify problems in physical, emotional, social, and behavioral health are a critical strategy for the design and implementation of effective strategies for healthy children. [...]we encourage all HCPs, including school nurses, to assume a leadership role in the design and implementation of screenings for the identification of children and school personnel who may present with problems that may have arisen during stay-at-home orders (e.g., anxiety, school phobia, etc.).