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The COVID-19 pandemic is predicted to trigger a global economic and food supply crisis, which further affects children's nutritional status as a vulnerable group. This study aimed to observe alterations in nutritional status before and during the COVID-19 pandemic (during 2019-2021) and determinant factors involved in the improvement of nutritional status (based on the height-for-age Z-score (HAZ) index category) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings were intended as evidence-based suggestions for policy formulation concerning the improvement of child nutritional status and stunting reductions. This study was part of a cohort study of children's growth and development conducted by National Institute of Health Research and Development (NIHRD) in Bogor city-Indonesia. The analysis was conducted on 565 children under five in 2019 with height measurement data in 2019 and 2021, environmental conditions, parental education, consumption habits, and social assistance. Children were classified as having an improved nutritional status if the HAZ category increased in 2021 compared to 2019. In addition, multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to predict determinant factors involved in improving the child's nutritional status. In this study, 17.5% of children had improved nutritional status, and 79.3% had a steady nutritional status. However, there were 3.2% of children with decreased nutritional status. Model factors determinant related to improved nutritional status includes consumption more than once per week of red meat (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.15;95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06-4.35, p=0.034), milk consumption more than once per week (aOR = 1.56;95% CI: 0.89-2.74, p=0.119), and age under 5 years old (aOR = 1.86;95% CI: 1.14-3.15, p=0.016). Children under five years old, the consumption of red meat and milk more than once a week have the opportunity to improve nutritional status (by height-for-age index) in children.
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Introduction: The purpose of this case report is to describe the 7-year functional outcomes and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of the first successful pediatric bilateral hand transplantation. The report focuses on activity and participation. The authors suggest assessment methods that can be applied to future cases. Method(s): The child underwent quadrimembral amputation at age two years and received bilateral hand allografts at age eight. Rehabilitation included biomechanical, neurorehabilitation, and occupational approaches in acute and outpatient settings. Therapist observed outcomes assessments, patientreported and parent-reported outcome questionnaires were repeated over a 7-year period. Result(s): At 7-years post transplantation, the adolescent and his mother reported a high level of satisfaction with the outcomes. Therapist observed assessments showed the adolescent achieved functional gross motor dexterity with each upper extremity. Although left gross and fine dexterity was superior to the right at all timepoints observed, the adolescent used his right upper extremity as dominant and incorporated both extremities as appropriate for bimanual tasks. The adolescent achieved modified independence to full independence with self-care activities. The adolescent participated in diverse activities with a high level of enjoyment. Participation was more diverse, social, and communitybased prior to and after the initial COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. At 7-years post transplantation when the adolescent was 15-years of age, the parent rated more instrumental activities of daily living as somewhat difficult. Discussion and Conclusion(s): Therapist observed outcomes assessments, patient-reported and parent-reported outcome questionnaires, showed the child had incorporated his hands into various activities, was completing daily activities independently, and HRQOL outcomes in social, emotional, cognitive, and physical domains were favorable. Most results were stable over time. The decrease in right hand dexterity scores might reflect small kinesiological changes in the right hand. Difficulty with some instrumental activities of daily living were likely due to new activities typical of child development for this now 15-year-old patient.
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ObjectiveTo explore Young Persons (YP) and healthcare professionals (HCP) experiences of virtual consultations (VC) and establish whether developmentally appropriate healthcare can be delivered virtually.MethodYP and HCP questionnaire surveys were designed and piloted. Electronic questionnaire links were sent by post, email or text message January–April 2021 to YP aged 13–25 years old, with predefined chronic gastrointestinal conditions, attending a gastroenterology/hepatology VC. HCP undertaking VC were invited to complete staff questionnaire. Results were anonymous and collated using Excel version 2302.ResultsFive UK hospital trusts participated, with 35 HCP responses. Of the 100 YP completing the survey 66% were female and 34% male aged between 13 years and 25 years (median: 18 years). 13% were new appointments and 87% follow ups, 29% were by video, 69% by phone and 2% gave no response. 80% of HCP spoke to YP directly but not privately (69%). 87% of YP and 88% HCP found VC useful. 83% of YP want VC again, although 20% preferred face to face. 43% of HCP required improved phone/internet connection. 77% of YP required hospital appointments for tests following VC.ConclusionsOverall respondents were satisfied with VC, finding them useful, convenient and time saving. Successful VC rely on appropriate patient selection and availability of reliable technology. Patient preference is key which may alter with time.
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Ab s t r ac t Aim: The aim of this study was to summarize different types of benefits that have been observed in the baby's development and the mother's psychological health during the postpartum period. Background(s): Breastfeeding is a natural process that plays a vital role in the physical as well as mental health of the mother and child. Breast milk is rich in contents such as proteins, fats, and vitamins, which are responsible for building the immune system of the baby. Lactation helps in decreasing the prevalence of infant mortality rate. It enhances the development of the physical health of the children. Breastfeeding protects the mother from many systemic conditions like endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, etc. It has been observed that with an increase in healthy breastfeeding practices, there is a decline in the cases of maternal mental health issues reported mainly in the postpartum period. Review result: The authors have explained various types of advantages of breastfeeding on the child's and mother's health, their mechanism of action, effects on the baby, and mother-child relationship. Conclusion(s): The mother's mental health plays a crucial role in a healthy infant, and breastfeeding is key to it. The role of breastfeeding is therefore considered a boon for the mother because if there is a decrease in health issues in the child, the mother's mental condition improves automatically. Therefore, breastfeeding should be promoted at the national level. Clinical significance: Breastfeeding not only helps in reducing maternal stress and postpartum depression but also improves the physical health of the child and mother during the postpartum period. The clinicians should teach mothers about the importance and also the correct positions of breastfeeding. "Breastfeeding week" is celebrated every year from August 1 to August 7, as implemented by the Indian government.Copyright © The Author(s). 2023 Open Access.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has had massive impacts across the globe. Children with developmental delays are an increasingly vulnerable population, highlighting the importance of ensuring they have access to high-quality virtual services during this time. The Early Discovery program currently provides therapeutic interventions for children with mild developmental delays. We sought to compare the outcomes of 2 cohorts within the Early Discovery program using different delivery approaches (n = 238 families): children who received services in person before the pandemic (n = 126) and children who received services via telehealth in the acute phase of the pandemic (n = 112). Both groups of children showed significant improvements in language skills posttreatment, and, with regard to auditory comprehension, both groups showed similar rates of improvement. However, children receiving in-person services before the pandemic showed greater improvements in expressive communication skills than children receiving telehealth services during the pandemic. Results indicate that the Early Discovery program was able to make adjustments during the pandemic that assisted families in maintaining progress in improving their child's language skills.
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Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on pregnant persons' mental health. Prepandemic data reports an impact of depression, anxiety, and stress on the emotional and behavioral development of the child. Objective(s): We aimed to evaluate the impact of gestational maternal depression, anxiety, and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic on the child's cognitive development at 18 months. Method(s): The CONCEPTION study is a prospective mother-child cohort, established since June 23, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Depression and anxiety were assessed during pregnancy using validated tools in French and English (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale [EPDS] and General Anxiety Disorder-7 [GAD-7]) as well as stress and antidepressant consumption. The child's cognitive development was reported by the mother using the third edition of Ages and stages questionnaires (ASQ-3) at 18 months of age. Data on other covariates were collected electronically. Multivariate linear regression models were built to assess the association between prenatal maternal depression, anxiety, stress, and child development across domains: communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem solving, and personal-social domains while adjusting for covariates. In addition, sensitivity analyses have been added like COVID-19 diagnosis. Result(s): Overall, 445 mother-child dyads were included in analyses (mean gestational age at delivery 39.2 weeks +/-1.8). Mean gestational scores were, for depression (EDPS, 7.8+/-5.4), anxiety (GAD-7, 4.4+/-4.0), and stress (4.3+/-2.1). Adjusting for potential confounders, as well as for maternal depression and anxiety during pregnancy, maternal prenatal stress was associated with communication skills (adjusted beta = 1.5, CI 95 % (0.34, 2.7)) and fine motor skills (adjusted beta = 1.06, CI 95 % (0.02, 2.6)) at 18 months age. Gestational depression, anxiety, and antidepressants use were not associated with any of the ASQ-3's domains. In addition, no significant association was found in stratified analysis for COVID-19 diagnosis. Conclusion(s): During the COVID-19 pandemic, gestational maternal stress was associated with some aspects of childhood cognitive problems, including communication and fine motor skills. Our results highlight the need to continue following-up on children until kindergarten to better understand the impact of maternal mental health during pregnancy on the child's cognitive development in the era of COVID-19.
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Background The Indian state of Jharkhand has the highest rate of wasting (29%) among young children. Mobile audio call follow-up can be used to assess such children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM). Aim This study evaluated SAM children during the COVID-19 outbreak and learn more about the status of their home/community care, and caregivers' awareness of integrated child development services (ICDS) and COVID-19 prevention. Methods Contact numbers of caregivers for discharged children were obtained from 54 malnutrition treatment centers (MTCs). In April and June 2020, mentors conducted follow-up interviews using mobile phone calls. Results Seven children (1.72%) were reported dead and 400 were alive, mostly girls (59.5%). Only a few caregivers observed post-discharge ailments (15.4%) and weight loss (7.7%) in their children. Children aged six to 24 months were characterized by continued breastfeeding (88.0%) at most five to six times a day (45.8%). Most of the children were not fed as per maternal infant and young child feeding protocols. Age in months with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 0.55 (1.00-1.11) as a 95% confidence interval (CI), age category, with an adjusted OR of 4.32 (1.71- 10.94) as 95% CI, and breastfeeding with adjusted OR 1.85 (1.07- 3.21) as 95% CI were three major predictors for a well-fed child. Conclusion Community involvement is crucial in the follow-up of children with SAM for effective rehabilitation. Mobile phone audio call follow-up is a relatively cost-effective approach to tackle geographic barriers and COVID-19 lockdown-induced situations. There are major gaps mainly in informing caregivers on how to manage COVID-19 with breastfeeding.
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The reason for the publication of this article was the increase in the number of children with long-standing organic foreign bodies in the respiratory tract, the late diagnosis of which causes severe complications. The article presents the three most significant cases from the general series, when the diagnosis and treatment tactics at the stages of treatment were associated with errors both at the prehospital stage and in the hospital. In the first clinical case, as it turned out, the child had aspired multiple foreign bodies. The first bronchoscopy revealed one solid foreign body. Due to severe fibrinous-purulent endobronchitis and contact bleeding, the bronchoscopy procedure was aborted. However, after 10 days, the child independently coughed up the second seed, which was a surprise to us. Control bronchoscopy after 3 weeks revealed no foreign bodies. In the second clinical observation, a child developed bronchiectasis due to a long stay of a foreign body in the respiratory tract. The third case demonstrates the diagnosis and treatment tactics in a child with a foreign body against the background of a coronavirus infection. In the first and third cases, the results of treatment were satisfactory. In the second case, a long stay of peanuts in the respiratory tract led to bronchiectasis in the lower lobe of the left lung, which required its removal. In the follow-up, there are no complaints, the child grows and develops according to age. The study analyzes the mistakes made at the stages of diagnosis and treatment of children with foreign bodies in the respiratory tract. Conclusion. Young children with long-term and atypically current respiratory diseases, dubious and even normal radiological picture with the absence of comprehensive information on the anamnesis of diseases should alert the doctor to the possibility of aspiration of a foreign body in the respiratory tract and serve as the basis for performing bronchoscopy.Copyright © 2023 National Academy of Pediatric Science and Innovation. All rights reserved.
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In caring for our pediatric patients, we will continue to live with the fact that the disruptions have not been uniformly felt, with increased impact on Black and Brown children and those living in poverty;additionally, levels of access to routine pediatric health services have varied throughout the pandemic.1 For all children, though, we have to make up much lost time when it comes to physical, mental, and academic concerns, as well as socialization issues. Because schools provide another resource for identifying and addressing mental health concerns, the complete or partial shift to virtual learning likely compounded the mental health crisis. According to one study, "the prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic has doubled, compared with prepan-demic estimates. Early childhood: A profound degree of development takes place from birth to 5 years of life. Because of the pandemic, children 5 years and younger have spent all or a significant portion of their lives in social isolation alongside parents or caregivers.
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Introduction: To examine caregiver's perception of their child falling behind on developmental milestones after canceled or delayed appointments in metropolitan Chicago during stay-at-home orders, from March 21-May 7, 2020. Methods: We fielded a web-based caregiver survey to understand the impact of the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's health care experiences characterizing proportions of caregiver perceptions of children falling behind in developmental milestones by canceled or delayed appointment types. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the likelihood of falling behind in milestones . Results: Overall, 229 (7.5%) caregivers reported children with canceled or delayed appointments falling behind in developmental milestones. Approximately 25.4% of caregivers reported children falling behind on milestones in the Missed Therapeutic group, compared with the Other Missed group (2.9%) (p<0.001). Children in the Missed Therapeutic group (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 10.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 7.60-14.0)) and caregivers who experienced job loss (aOR 1.59, CI 1.11-2.28) or reduced hours or pay (aOR 1.90, CI 1.28-2.82) had higher odds of falling behind on developmental milestones. Conclusions: Implementation of new strategies to address the social needs of families should be develop when disruptions in developmental or therapeutic services among children occurs, particularly among children living in households with job insecurity.
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BackgroundSocial isolation can be defined as the absence of social interactions, contacts, and relationships with family, friends, and neighbors. According to some studies, social isolation was associated with depressive symptoms. At least one out of every five teenagers suffer from a diagnosable mental health problem that impairs their function. Saudi Arabia has a significant adolescent population;however, there are few studies conducted in Saudi Arabia to assess social isolation and its psychological impact among adolescents. This research is intended to study the prevalence of social isolation among adolescents in Riyadh and its association with depression symptoms.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 483 adolescents living in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. An online self-administered questionnaire was used, and it was composed of three sections which are sociodemographic characteristics, assessment of social isolation, and assessment of depression symptoms.ResultsThe study reported the prevalence of social isolation among adolescents was 10.14%. The prevalence of depression symptoms among adolescents was high (31.68%). There was a significant association between social isolation and symptoms of depression among the studied sample (χ2 = 12.3, p = 0.002). It was found that being a male, living with both parents, and having low income are significant predictors of social isolation among adolescents;with r2 = 0.08 and p-value < .0001. It was also found that low-income level had a more impact on social isolation among adolescents than other factors (estimate = 1.6).ConclusionsA total of 10% of adolescents in Riyadh are socially isolated. There is a significant association between social isolation and symptoms of depression among the studied adolescents. Symptoms of depression can be predicted by social isolation. RecommendationsThe Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia should work together to conduct educational intervention programs for adolescents about mental health, the importance of social interaction, and the drawbacks of social isolation. These topics should also be involved in the curriculum of secondary schools.
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INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a rapid shift to telehealth implementation across paediatric occupational therapy services. Although telehealth can be an appealing option, access is conditional, and the delivery of a telehealth service differs from face-to-face. If telehealth is to be a viable and equitable option for families, insight is needed into why the service might be declined. The purpose of our study was to explore barriers to paediatric occupational therapy telehealth services from client and therapist perspectives in a Greater Sydney local health district. METHOD: A mixed method approach was used, including (i) retrospective review of clinical records for 250 clients seeking occupational therapy who declined the service and (ii) a focus group with four therapists providing the service. Client demographic information was summarised using descriptive statistics. Open-text responses about reasons for declining telehealth were analysed using qualitative content analysis, whereas thematic analysis was used to explore focus group data. FINDINGS: Key findings from the mixed methods analysis identified barriers and issues to consider when working to ensure equitable access to telehealth for children and families. These issues included child engagement, family complexity, the nature of assessments, interventions, and overarching service characteristics as well as the family's digital inclusion. Digital inclusion comprises affordable access to the internet, data, and devices and the capacity of a child and/or family to engage online. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that telehealth is not a panacea when face-to-face services are not available. Multiple barriers confounded uptake of telehealth prompting a call to action to ensure equitable access to occupational therapy services for all children.
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This conference proceedings contains 15 articles that discuss various topics in the fields of medicine, psychology, and technology. The articles focus on the adaptation and validation of psychological scales, the effects of COVID-19 on physical and psychological health, the development of biomedical applications, and the evaluation of obstetric risks during the pandemic. It also covers topics related to family influence on child development, coping strategies for infertile couples, and the antioxidant potential of natural products. The pedagogical works included in the proceedings focus on neuropsychological interventions and vulnerability to successful aging and mental health. A literature review delves into the theoretical considerations regarding the study of family, self-determination, and disability in health contexts.
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Adolescence is the most formative stage in the life of any human. As a result, adolescents are at an increased risk of developing mental health disorders. Even before the pandemic, the global incidence of mental health problems in the young teenage population rapidly increased. COVID-19 led to disruption in the lifestyle of adolescents, and identifying mental health problems and implementing timely interventions can reduce detrimental effects on adolescents' mental health.COVID-19 substantially impacted adolescents' mental health, and some studies report depression as high as 43.7%. This article describes the positive and negative effects of COVID-19 on adolescent mental health. Additionally, non-pharmacological interventions to help adolescents cope with the restrictions of COVID-19 were reviewed.
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More than a year since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the global administration of the COVID-19 vaccines hopes to confer sustained protection against SARS-CoV-2 and stop this difficult to predict situation. They are highly effective, especially at preventing the severe form of disease and reducing the death rate from COVID-19. Pregnant women represent a high-risk category of population for infectious diseases, including COVID-19, and need to be considered for vaccination. Because the results of clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccines in pregnant women are not yet published, many questions remain to be answered. There are now available data and information in real-life data, including healthcare pregnant women or in women who did not know they were pregnant at the time of vaccination. This work aims to present the current state of knowledge about COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy based on reported cases from medical literature. These cases of COVID-19 vaccination will be more and more, and in the future, we will be supplementarily adding data about the benefits and effects of vaccination on pregnancy, fetal and infant development, and their immunity. Today we affirm: anti-COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy are reported to be as safe and effective as in the general population. Because a higher rate of miscarriage in early pregnancy has been observed to be associated with COVID-19, it may seem sagacious to recommend vaccination before planning a pregnancy to gain immunity at the time of conception.Copyright © 2021.
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Caregivers are especially likely to be more psychologically affected during the social and health care system constraints generated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Caregivers of children with neurodevelopmental disorders (i.e., autism, intellectual disability, attention deficit, hyperactivity, motor disability) have a more essential role than caregivers of healthy children. A quantitative cross-sectional study was designed, using descriptive, comparative and correlational statistical techniques to analyze health-related quality of life, emotional distress and overload in four subgroups of caregivers, classified according to the child's diagnosis. A total of 132 caregivers (86.4% women) were included. In group 1 (cognitive disability), 28 caregivers participated;in group 2 (ADHD), 51 were included;in group 3 (autism spectrum disorder), 33 caregivers participated, and in group 4 (motor disability), 20 were included. The main findings of this study were: i) alterations in physical role, bodily pain, general health and vitality;ii) very low percentages of depression, anxiety, stress and overload symptomatology;iii) differences in social functioning between the motor disability and ADHD groups;and in stress and overload between the autism and motor disability groups;and iv) moderate correlations between the dimensions of bodily pain and emotional role and depression, anxiety, stress and overload. It was concluded that there is more impairment in variables associated with physical health than with mental health.Copyright © 2023
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COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the lives of everyone from young children to the aged. Children especially preschoolers are highly energetic and love to go to school and do different types of activities. But because of corona pandemic lockdown, they only have their parents and siblings to interact with, play with, and do all other different types of activities. This qualitative study was conducted to explore the different types of changes that occurred in the lives of preschoolers and how their parents' roles, responsibilities got influenced, and how they were handling their young children during this trying time of being confined at home. The objectives of the study were to explore that how children at home during the time of the pandemic spent their time and to map the changes in their routine life and its effect on their life and development along with this it was also tried to document the ways in which parents are engaging children during this pandemic. Interviews were conducted through audio and video calls. The responses were subjected to thematic analysis. The key findings highlighted that education plays a significant role in preschoolers but because of the negative impact of screen time parents were not interested in online classes. The children have become more engaged in digital media due to being confined at home without school for a long duration of around ten months and because of this the aggression level has increased as they had a low social development environment, and no peer at all.
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In a cross-sectional study of 100 parents of children with infantile spasms, the median time from spasm onset to first visit with any health care provider was 5 days, but the median time from onset to first visit with an "effective provider" (one who provided both accurate diagnosis and prescription for appropriate first-line treatment) was 24 days,5 a delay attributed at least in part to poor awareness of the condition among providers.5 Given that worse outcomes may be associated with even a 1-week delay in treatment from onset, it is critical that pediatric health care providers are proficient in recognizing this condition.67 Clinical features Infantile spasms An infantile spasm is brief and abrupt, generally 1 to 3 seconds, with muscle contraction that can include the head, neck, trunk, and/or extremities. Home video recording, first advised by the Child Neurology Society to streamline IESS management at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, has since been endorsed as a continued recommendation toward timely intervention.4 In preparing to evaluate a patient with possible IESS, pediatricians should ask caregivers to record suspected events. The EEG pattern during the spasm itself is a high-amplitude sharp or slow wave followed by a relative electrodecrement. Because the interictal EEG is generally abnormal, it is not necessary to capture a spasm during the EEG recording to support the diagnosis. Workup for an underlying etiology if not known is important not only because some are associated with other health concerns requiring monitoring and intervention, but also because it can guide management, as some etiologies may respond better to different treatment approaches.9 Identification may also guide appropriate counseling of families, including prognostication and possible genetic counseling.