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The article discusses research which investigated effectiveness of a school-based education programme in reducing salt intake of children and their families. Topics explored include the measurement of salt intake through urinary sodium excretion measurement, the salt reduction message relayed to children and their families, and the salt intake changes recorded in both intervention and control groups studied.

The article discusses an Australian study which found that intervention families reported a greater decline in severity of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and fewer moderate-severe sleep problems at three months and six months compared with the control families. It cites the involvement of 244 children aged 5-12 years with ADHD in the study. It also mentions the participation of parents and teachers in reporting the severity of ADHD symptoms.

The article focuses on a study which assessed the effectiveness of Active for Life Year 5 (AFLY5), a school based intervention to increase physical activity, reduce sedentary behavior and increase fruit and vegetable consumption in children. Topics covered include the design of the randomized clinical trial, the participants and setting of the trial and the primary outcomes of the study. Offered as well are the bias, confounding and other reasons for caution for future studies.

The article summarizes a randomized controlled trial which investigated the effectiveness of helmet therapy in infants with positional skull deformation compared with the natural course of the condition. The observed primary outcome and results of the study cover the score for both plagiocephaly and brachycephaly, and the rate of patient recovery in the helmet therapy group compared to the natural course group.

The article describes the case study for determining if probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 reduce crying or fussing in infants aged less than 3 months with colic. The case study performed a double blind, placebo controlled randomised trial of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938, wherein randomisation was stratified by using block randomisation and computer generated allocation. It is determined that Lactobacillus reuteri treatment did not reduce crying of fussing in infants with colic.

The article offers information on a study of obesity management in younger children. It informs that a randomized control trial on body mass index (BMI) surveillance in 22 general practices in Mel­bourne, Australia on 1195 children aged 3-10 years over a 10 month period were carried out. It informs that the outcome had similar BMI and BMI z-scores.

STUDY QUESTION: Does dietary n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) supplementation of pregnant women with a fetus at high risk of allergic disease reduce immunoglobulin E associated eczema or food allergy at 1 year of age? SUMMARY ANSWER: n-3 LCPUFA supplementation in pregnancy did not reduce the overall incidence of immunoglobulin E associated allergies in the first year of life, although immunoglobulin E associated eczema was lower. WHAT IS KNOWN AND WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: Several mechanistic studies have suggested that higher intakes of n-3 LCPUFA during pregnancy modulate the neonatal immune response towards a less allergenic phenotype. n-3 LCPUFA supplementation in pregnancy did not reduce the incidence of immunoglobulin E associated food allergies in the first year of life, but the incidence of atopic eczema was lower. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The benefits of correctly using size-appropriate restraints for children travelling in cars are well established, and considerable research has focused on the determinants of appropriate restraint choice. There are few studies of the factors associated with incorrect use. Objective To determine predictors of incorrect restraint use by child occupants and how these differ from inappropriate use. Methods A stratified multistage cluster sample of child occupants aged 0-10 years in New South Wales, Australia was used. Observation of restraint type and inspection of correctness of use was performed on arrival at schools, childcare centres, and child health clinics. An interview was conducted with the driver. Logistic regression was performed to estimate the effects of parental, family, and other characteristics on the likelihood of moderate or serious incorrect restraint use for restraint classes (rear/forward facing, booster, and seatbelt). Results Significant factors varied depending on age and restraint class. Older child restraint users (OR per year of age 0.27, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.98) and seatbelt users (OR per year of age 0.54, 95% CI 0.45 to 0.64) were less likely to be incorrectly using their restraints than younger users. Child restraint and booster users from non-English speaking families were more likely to be incorrectly using their restraints. Having more children in the car appeared to reduce incorrect use for booster (OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.57) and seatbelt users (OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.93). Conclusions There is a need to reduce incorrect restraint use by both education and improved restraint design. Education aimed at reducing incorrect use may need to be targeted differently to appropriate use programmes, as the predictive factors differ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]