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Promoting 'care closer to home' for ill children is a policy and practice objective internationally. Progress towards this goal is hampered by a perceived lack of evidence on effectiveness and costs. The aim of the work reported here was to establish the strength of current international evidence on the effectiveness and costs of paediatric home care by updating and extending an earlier systematic review. A systematic review following Centre for Reviews and Dissemination guidelines involved updating electronic searches, and extending them to cover paediatric home care for short-term acute conditions. Twenty-one databases were searched from 1990 to April 2007. Hand searching was also carried out. Pairs of team members, guided by an algorithm, selected randomized controlled trials (RCTs), other comparative studies and studies including health economics data. A third reviewer resolved any disagreements. The quality of RCTs was assessed, but a 'best-evidence' approach was taken overall. Data were extracted into specifically designed spreadsheets and a second team member checked all data. Narrative synthesis was used throughout. This paper reports findings from RCTs and studies with health economics data. In total, 16 570 publications were identified after de-duplication. Eleven new RCTs (reported in 17 papers) and 20 papers with health economics data were included and reviewed. Evidence on costs and effectiveness of paediatric home care has not grown substantially since the previous review, but this updated review adds weight to the conclusion that it can deliver equivalent clinical outcomes for children and not impose a greater burden on families. Indeed, in some cases, there is evidence of reduced burden and costs for families compared with hospital care. There is also growing evidence, albeit based on weaker evidence, that paediatric home care may reduce costs for health services, particularly for children with complex and long-term needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research groups across Europe have been networking to share information and ideas about research on preschool children with autism. The paper describes preliminary work to develop capacity for future multi-site randomized controlled trials of early intervention, with a specific focus on the need to measure treatment adherence where parents deliver therapy. The paper includes a review of randomized and controlled studies of parent-mediated early intervention from two sources, a recent Cochrane Collaboration review and a mapping of European early intervention studies in autism published since 2002. The data extracted focused on methods for describing parent adherence, that is, how and to what extent parents carry out the strategies taught them by therapists. Less than half of the 32 studies reviewed included any measure of parent adherence. Only seven included a direct assessment method. The challenges of developing pan- European early intervention evaluation studies are discussed, including choice of intervention model and of important outcomes, the need for translation of measurement tools and achievement of joint training to reliability of assessors. Measurement of parent-child interaction style and of adherence to strategies taught need further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Obesity prevention in young children is a public health priority. In the USA, nearly 10% of children less than 5 years of age are obese, and most attend some form of out-of-home child care. While a number of interventions have been conducted in early care and education settings, few have targeted the youngest children in care or the less formal types of child care like family child care homes. Additionally, only two previous studies provided recommendations to help inform future interventions. Methods This paper presents lessons learned from two distinct intervention studies in early care and education settings to help guide researchers and public health professionals interested in implementing and evaluating similar interventions. We highlight two studies: one targeting children ages 4 to 24 months in child care centres and the other intervening in children 18 months to 4 years in family child care homes. We include lessons from our pilot studies and the ongoing larger trials. Results To date, our experiences suggest that an intervention should have a firm basis in behaviour change theory; an advisory group should help evaluate intervention materials and plan for delivery; and realistic recruitment goals should recognize economic challenges of the business of child care. A flexible data collection approach and realistic sample size calculations are needed because of high rates of child (and sometimes facility) turnover. An intervention that is relatively easy to implement is more likely to appeal to a wide variety of early care and education providers. Conclusions Interventions to prevent obesity in early care and education have the potential to reach large numbers of children. It is important to consider the unique features and similarities of centres and family child care homes and take advantage of lessons learned from current studies in order to develop effective, evidence-based interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Teething, especially in their first child, continues to be a daunting problem for parents. Objective The objective of this paper was to assess the effects of providing first-time mothers with information about symptoms commonly associated with teething and ways to manage these. Methods In a randomized controlled trial to decrease the incidence of early childhood caries, we included information on teething as another issue in a child's oral health. Mothers in the intervention group received three rounds of printed information: at enrolment during pregnancy and when the child was 6 and 12 months old. Information on teething arrived when a child reached 6 months of age. Outcome assessment was at 20 ± 2.5 months of age. Data were complemented with a systematic search for evidence on teething symptoms and how to alleviate them in other populations. Results Of 649 expectant mothers enrolled in the study, 441 completed the 'Child's oral health' questionnaire. There were no significant differences in teething symptoms reported by mothers in the intervention ( n= 232) and control ( n= 209) groups. However, mothers in the intervention group were less likely to use topical and oral medications to manage teething problems ( P < 0.03) and relied more on rubbing the gums to ease discomfort ( P < 0.005) than mothers in the control group. Conclusions Providing mothers with information on how to address teething symptoms markedly reduced the use of medications for symptom relief. There is still need for better evidence, first, on what symptoms can or cannot be attributed to teething and, second, on what is effective in alleviating them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: We evaluated the feasibility and effectiveness of utilising government health supervisors to train and supervise primary health care workers (HWs) in community clinics to deliver parenting sessions as part of their usual duties. Methods: We randomly allocated 16 unions in the Mymensing district of Bangladesh 1:1 to an intervention or control group. HWs in clinics in the eight intervention unions (n = 59 health workers, n = 24 clinics) were trained to deliver a group‐based parenting intervention, with training and supervision provided by government supervisors. In each of the 24 intervention clinics, we recruited 24 mothers of children aged 6–24 months to participate in the parenting sessions (n = 576 mother/child dyads). Mother/child dyads attended fortnightly parenting sessions at the clinic in groups of four to five participants for 6 months (13 sessions). We collected data on supervisor and HW compliance in implementing the intervention, mothers' attendance and the observed quality of parenting sessions in all intervention clinics and HW burnout at endline in all clinics. We randomly selected 32 clinics (16 intervention, 16 control) and 384 mothers (192 intervention, 192 control) to participate in the evaluation on mother‐reported home stimulation, measured at baseline and endline. Results: Supervisors and HWs attended all training, 46/59 health workers (78%) conducted the majority of parenting sessions, (only two HWs [3.4%] refused) and mothers' attendance rate was 86%. However, supervision levels were low: only 32/57 (56.1%) of HWs received at least one supervisory visit. Intervention HWs delivered the parenting sessions with acceptable levels of quality on most items. The intervention significantly benefitted home stimulation (effect size = 0.53SD, 95% confidence interval: 0.50, 0.56, p < 0.001). HW burnout was low in both groups. Conclusion: Integration into the primary health care service is a promising approach for scaling early childhood development programmes in Bangladesh, although further research is required to identify feasible methods for facilitator supervision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Research has established a negative association between household material hardship and children's mental health. This study examines whether Child Development Accounts (CDAs), an economic intervention that encourages families to accumulate assets for children's long-term development, mitigate the association between material hardship and children's social-emotional development. Methods Researchers conducted a randomized experiment of CDAs in Oklahoma, USA, with a probability sample ( N = 7328) of all infants born in two 3-month periods in 2007. After agreeing to participate in the experiment, caregivers of 2704 infants completed a baseline survey and were assigned randomly to the treatment ( n = 1358) or control group ( n = 1346). The intervention exposed the treatment group to a CDA, which consisted of an Oklahoma 529 College Savings Plan account, financial incentives and financial information. Results Material hardship has a negative association with the social-emotional development of children around the age of 4 years. Estimates from regression analysis indicate that CDAs mitigate about 50% of the negative association between material hardship and children's social-emotional development. Conclusions Although they do not provide direct support for consumption in households experiencing material hardship, CDAs may improve child development by influencing parenting practices and parents' expectations for their children. We discuss the implications of using asset-building programmes to improve child development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Early risk factors for poor child outcomes are well established, and some group parenting programmes have demonstrated good outcomes for children under 3 years of age. This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of the Incredible Years® Toddler Parenting Programme with parents of 1-year-old and 2-year-old children recruited by staff in disadvantaged Flying Start areas across Wales. Methods Eighty-nine families with a child aged between 12 and 36 months at baseline participated in a pragmatic community-based trial of the programme in eight Flying Start areas. Outcomes were measured at baseline, 6 months and 12 months using measures of parental mental health, competence, child behaviour, child development, home environment and blinded-observation of parent-child interactions. Results Significant intervention group improvements were found in parental mental well-being and observed praise at 6 months. Significant improvements for the intervention group at 12 months included child development, home environment and parental depression. Conclusion The study provides preliminary evidence for programme attendance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The preference amongst parents for heavier infants is in contrast to obesity prevention efforts worldwide. Parents are poor at identifying overweight in older children, but few studies have investigated maternal perception of weight status amongst toddlers and none in the Australian setting. Methods Mothers ( n = 290) completed a self-administered questionnaire at child age 12-16 months, defining their child's weight status as underweight, normal weight, somewhat overweight or very overweight. Weight-for-length z-score was derived from measured weight and length, and children categorized as underweight, normal weight, at risk overweight or obese (WHO standards). Objective classification was compared with maternal perception of weight status. Mean weight-for-length z-score was compared across categories of maternal perception using one-way ANOVA. Multinomial logistic regression was used to determine child or maternal characteristics associated with inaccurate weight perception. Results Most children (83%) were perceived as normal weight. Twenty nine were described as underweight, although none were. Sixty-six children were at risk of overweight, but 57 of these perceived as normal weight. Of the 14 children who were overweight, only 4 were identified as somewhat overweight by their mother. Compared with mothers who could accurately classify their normal weight child, mothers who were older had higher odds of perceiving their normal weight child as underweight, while mothers with higher body mass index had slightly higher odds of describing their overweight/at risk child as normal weight. Conclusion The leaner but healthy weight toddler was perceived as underweight, while only the heaviest children were recognized as overweight. Mothers unable to accurately identify children at risk are unlikely to act to prevent further excess weight gain. Practitioners can lead a shift in attitudes towards weight in infants and young children, promoting routine growth monitoring and adequate but not rapid weight gain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background A rationale for, and pilot of a children's patient request form developed specifically for dental visits, has been previously reported. The SAID (survey of anxiety and information for dentists) is a questionnaire with three embedded subscales: dental anxiety, coping style and dental neglect. It includes children's requests for emotional support, information and treatment. The main, but not sole, response format is a facial image scale. A randomized control trial of a computer version is now reported. The aims were to validate items in the e- SAID, and to assess it as an intervention in dental anxiety. Method A total of 168 children aged 10-13, attending for routine dental checks in a community dental clinic, were randomly assigned to intervention (83) or control (85) groups. The intervention group completed the e- SAID, in which the first and last questions measured anxiety; and printed a summary of their responses for the dentist. Control group children completed the same anxiety questions, but with a time-lapse. Results Means and SD were summarized for the 11 items showing a generally positive skew on the seven point scale. After removing the two-item dental neglect subscale, the anxiety and coping subscales were shown to be relatively independent ( r = 0.14) and factorially pure. The intervention group mean anxiety score decreased following completion of the e- SAID, while the control group mean anxiety score increased with a small significant interaction effect; however, much of the change occurred in the positive-affect end of the scale. Conclusions Two problems are discussed: defining anxiety as a bipolar score; and some children being so keen to be assigned to the intervention group that they circumvented the computer allocation process. Children wanted to actively engage in discussion of their dental treatment. The e- SAID was an effective tool for that, regardless of initial low anxiety levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Limited capacity for social engagement is a core feature of autism spectrum disorder ( ASD), often evident early in the child's development. While these skills are difficult to train, there is some evidence that active involvement in music-making provides unique opportunities for social interaction between participants. Family-centred music therapy ( FCMT) endeavours to support social engagement between child and parent within active music-making, yet the extent of benefits provided is unknown. Aim This study investigated the impacts of FCMT on social engagement abilities. Methods Twenty-three children (36-60 months) with severe ASD received either 16 weeks of FCMT in addition to their early intervention programmes ( n = 12), or their early intervention programme only ( n = 11). Change in social engagement was measured with standardized parent-report assessments, parent interviews and clinician observation. Results Intention-to-treat analysis for the Vineland Social Emotional Early Childhood Scale indicated a significant effect in favour of FCMT. Thematic qualitative analysis of the parent interviews showed that the parent-child relationship grew stronger. Conclusion FCMT improves social interactions in the home and community and the parent-child relationship, but not language skills or general social responsiveness. This study provides preliminary support for the use of FCMT to promote social engagement in children with severe ASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background It is well recognized that breast milk is the best form of nutrition for babies. However, many women do not breastfeed or give up soon after birth. Some report feeling unsupported in the post-natal period and many stop breastfeeding earlier than they would have wished. This study aimed to estimate the separate effects of midwifery factors in the overall context of sociodemographic and clinical influences on breastfeeding. Methods Data from a national survey conducted in England in 2006 were used. Questionnaires were sent to a random sample of 4800 new mothers (63% response rate). Questions relating to infant feeding allowed calculation of rates of initiation of breastfeeding and rates of exclusive and any breastfeeding in the first few days and at 3 months. Univariate analyses were carried out to estimate the associations between sociodemographic, clinical and midwifery factors and breastfeeding. Logistic regression was used to estimate the specific effects of midwifery factors, while adjusting for other significant variables. Results The most powerful explanatory factor was antenatal feeding intention. Maternal age, absence of clinical problems in the baby and a short post-natal stay were important in the early days. At 3 months, breastfeeding was associated with sociodemographic and intrapartum factors. At all stages, breastfeeding was significantly associated with either receiving consistent advice, practical help and/or active support and encouragement from midwives. Conclusions The antenatal decision about infant feeding is the most powerful predictor of infant feeding behaviour. Some sociodemographic and clinical factors are also important influences on breastfeeding. However, after adjusting for these, midwifery factors are still influential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

the incidence of conduct disorder in young children is 10% in the general population and 37% among fostered children. Up to 40% of untreated children diagnosed with conduct disorder develop problems later in life including drug misuse, criminal and violent behaviour. There are more than 80 000 looked after children in the UK, with 5000 in Wales. Challenging child behaviour is the main reason for placement breakdown and has huge cost implications as challenging children cost up to 10 times more in service use than children without conduct disorder. The Incredible Years (IY) evidence-based parenting programme is an effective, low cost solution in improving child behaviour and social competence in 'conventional' families and thus has the potential to support foster carers in managing difficult behaviours. Our main aims were to establish: This was a 12-month trial platform study with 46 foster carers in three authorities in Wales. Carers were allocated 2:1 intervention to waiting-list control. Validated measures were used to assess 'parenting' competency, carers' depression levels, child behaviour and service use. Measures were administered at baseline and 6-month follow-up. Intervention carers received the programme between baseline and follow-up. Analyses showed a significant reduction in child problem behaviour and improvement in carers' depression levels for intervention families at follow-up, compared with control. Unexpectedly, there was a significant improvement in control carers' self-reported 'parenting' strategies. Special education was the greatest service cost for looked after children. Initial foster carer training could incorporate the IY programme to support carers in establishing positive relationships and managing difficult child behaviour. Programme participation may lead to reduced service use and improved placement stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]