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Obesity has a multifactorial origin. Among the behavioural risk factors, excessive consumption of unhealthy foods, skipping breakfast and reduced physical activity stand out. The main objective of this article was to identify trends in dietary habits and their association with overweight/obesity over a 12‐year period in schoolchildren aged 7 to 10 years in Florianópolis, southern Brazil. A cross‐sectional panel analysis study, using anthropometric, sociodemographic, physical activity and food consumption data of schoolchildren aged 7 to 10 years, collected in three waves of the Study of Prevalence of Obesity in Children and Adolescents (EPOCA), carried out during the years 2007, 2012/2013 and 2018/2019, was performed. To analyse the trend in dietary variables over the years, the 95% CIs were compared with the non‐overlap of intervals indicating statistical significance. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to test the association of weight status with dietary markers. The prevalence of overweight/obesity was 34.4%, 37.2% and 34.2% in 2007, 2012/2013 and 2018/2019, respectively, and there were no statistically significant differences among waves. There was a progressive and significant reduction in the consumption of soft drinks and sweets and in eating breakfast by schoolchildren, from 2007 to 2019. Breakfast consumption was inversely associated with the chance of overweight/obesity (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.59–0.93), and female students were less likely to have overweight/obesity when compared to boys (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.61–0.81). The reduction in the consumption of soft drinks and sweets over the years might be caused by efforts in public policies that intended to reduce the consumption of unhealthy foods among schoolchildren. The progressive and significant reduction in having breakfast should be better elucidated in future studies, to minimise the potential impact of this practice on schoolchildren's bodyweight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Childhood dyslipidaemia is associated with the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases in adulthood, so evaluating whether an individual has a genetic predisposition to this pathology is of great importance for early action of prevention and treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the association between the FTO (rs9939609), MC4R (rs17782313) and MTMR9 (rs2293855) polymorphisms, the obesity‐related genetic risk score and atherogenic risk in Brazilian children. This is a cross‐sectional study conducted in 544 children aged 4–9 years in the city of Viçosa, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. The single nucleotide polymorphisms rs9939609, rs17782313 and rs2293855, were identified by the system TaqMan SNP genotyping and the obesity‐related genetic risk score was determined. The lipid profile (serum total cholesterol [TC], high density lipoprotein [HDL] cholesterol, low density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol, triglycerides) was analysed and the atherogenic indices (Castelli I and II indices), atherogenic coefficient (AC), lipoprotein combined index (LCI) and plasma atherogenic index (PAI) were calculated. A semi‐structured questionnaire was applied, obtaining data on the sociodemographic, economic and lifestyle characteristics of the children. Weight and height measurements were performed in all children, and body composition was evaluated by Dual‐Energy X‐ray Absorptiometry (DXA). 55.5% of the sample had dyslipidaemia, while 28.5% of the sample had at least one polymorphism and 2.2% had three polymorphisms. Children with the AG/AA genotypes in the rs2293855 polymorphism had lower HDL cholesterol levels and higher TC/HDL cholesterol, LDL/HDL cholesterol ratios and AC. Those with one or more polymorphisms (rs9939609, rs17782313 and rs2293855) in the genetic risk score had lower HDL cholesterol levels and higher TC/HDL cholesterol ratios, AC, LCI and PAI. In conclusion, the risk allele of the rs2293855 polymorphism and a higher obesity‐related genetic risk score were positively associated with higher atherogenic risk in Brazilian children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There has been a decline in children's physical fitness in recent decades. Such concerns are largely based on evidence from North America, Europe, and Asia. The current study describes the secular trend and variation (spread) in the physical fitness scores of young Brazilians from 2005 to 2022. Methods: This study is a repeated, cross‐sectional surveillance study (1999–2022). Children and adolescents (n = 65 139; boys = 36 539) participated between 2005 and 2022. In each cohort six physical fitness tests were conducted: (1) 20‐m sprint speed (m s−1), (2) cardio‐respiratory 6‐min run test (m min−1), (3) abdominal strength test (sit‐ups per min), (4) horizontal jump test (cm), (5) the agility test (m s−1), and (6) the medicine ball throw test (cm). Means and distributional characteristics of the population were assessed using ANOVA, ANCOVA adopting BMI as the body‐size covariate, Levene's test of equality‐of‐error variances, and Box and whisker plots. Results: ANOVAs and ANCOVA's identified significant declines in physical fitness over time/year in 5 of the 6 physical fitness variables (e.g., 20‐m sprint speed slope B = −0.018 (m s−1 y−1); 95% CI −0.019 to −0.017; p < 0.001), the only exception being the medicine ball throw test (cm). The Levene's test of equality‐of‐error variances also identified a systematic increase in the variances/standard deviations over time/years. Conclusions: Results provide powerful evidence that children and adolescents' physical fitness is declining, a trend that is also diverging asymmetrically, becoming more extreme in more recent years. The "fit" appear to be getting fitter, but the fitness of the "less‐fit" appears to be declining further. These results have important implications for sports medicine and government policy makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of probable sleep bruxism (SB) in children aged 7–8 years and its association with sleep pattern and the time spent using devices with a screen. Material and Methods: A cross‐sectional study was conducted with children from Pelotas, Brazil (n = 556). Parents/caregivers were interviewed and provided demographic/socioeconomic information, children's daily screen time, nighttime tooth grinding or clenching, sleep duration and answered the Biological Rhythms Interview for Assessment in Neuropsychiatry for Kids (BRIAN‐K‐sleep domain). Probable SB was determined based on a positive clinical inspection with/without a positive parental/caregiver's reports of tooth clenching or grinding. Hierarchical Poisson regression was performed. Results: The prevalence of probable SB was 15.83% (n = 88). There was no difference in the probable SB prevalence according to the daily screen time (p = 0.744), and low family socioeconomic status was associated with higher SB prevalence (Prevalence Ratio [PR] = 1.95; 95% Confidence Interval [95% CI]: 1.21–3.17; p = 0.006). Higher scores in the sleep domain of the BRIAN‐K scale were associated with probable SB [PR = 1.07; 95% CI: 1.01–1.30; p = 0.013]. Conclusions: Difficulties in maintaining sleep and low family socioeconomic status were associated with probable SB in schoolchildren, while screen time spent using devices with a screen was not associated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brazil has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic with one of the largest numbers of youth impacted by school closure globally. This longitudinal online survey assessed emotional problems in children and adolescents aged 5–17 years living in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recruitment occurred between June to November 2020 and participants were invited for follow-up assessments every 15 days until June 2021. Participants were 5795 children and adolescents living across the country with mean age of 10.7 (SD 3.63) years at recruitment; 50.5% were boys and 69% of white ethnicity. Weighted prevalence rates of anxiety, depressive and total emotional symptoms at baseline were 29.7%, 36.1% and 36%, respectively. Longitudinal analysis included 3221 (55.6%) participants and revealed fluctuations in anxiety and depressive symptoms during one year follow-up, associated with periods of social mobility and mortality. Emotional problems significantly increased in July and September 2020 and decreased from December 2020 to February 2021 and then significantly increased in May 2021 relative to June 2020. Older age, feeling lonely, previous diagnosis of mental or neurodevelopmental disorder, previous exposure to traumatic events or psychological aggression, parental psychopathology, and sleeping less than 8/h a day were associated with increased rates of anxiety and depressive symptoms at baseline and over time. Food insecurity and less social contact with family and peers were associated with baseline anxiety and depressive symptoms, and lowest socio-economic strata, chronic disease requiring treatment and family members physically ill due to COVID-19 were associated with increasing rates over time. The pandemic severely affected youth, particularly those from vulnerable populations and in moments of increased mortality and decreased social mobility. Results underscore the need for allocation of resources to services and the continuous monitoring of mental health problems among children and adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Previous cohort studies have found a positive association between prolonged breastfeeding (≥12 months) on dental caries, but few of them analysed the mediated effect of sugar consumption on this association. This study investigated whether prolonged breastfeeding is a risk factor for caries at 2‐year follow‐up assessment (21–27 months of age) and whether this effect is mediated by sugar consumption. Methods: A birth cohort study was performed in the Brazilian Amazon (n = 800). Dental caries was assessed using the dmf‐t index. Prolonged breastfeeding was the main exposure. Data on baseline covariables and sugar consumption at follow‐up visits were analysed. We estimated the OR for total causal effect (TCE) and natural indirect effect (NIE) of prolonged breastfeeding on dental caries using the G‐formula. Results: The prevalence of caries was 22.8% (95% CI: 19.8%–25.8%). Children who were breastfed for 12–23 months (TCE = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.05–1.20) and for ≥24 months (TCE = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.14–1.40) presented a higher risk of caries at age of 2 years than those breastfed <12 months. However, this risk was slightly mediated by a decreased frequency of sugar consumption at age of 2 years only for breastfeeding from 12 to 23 months (NIE; OR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.91–0.97). Conclusions: In this study, the effect of prolonged breastfeeding on the increased risk of dental caries was slightly mediated by sugar consumption. Early feeding practices for caries prevention and promoting breastfeeding while avoiding sugar consumption should be targeted in the first 2 years of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We examined the association between childhood poverty and mental health disorders (MHD) in childhood and early adulthood. We also investigated whether the association between poverty in childhood and MHD is mediated by exposure to stressful life events (SLE). Methods: We used data from a prospective community cohort of young people assessed at baseline (M = 9.7 years, SD = 1.9), first (M = 13.5 years, SD = 1.9), and second (M = 18.2 years, SD = 2.0) follow-ups (N = 1,590) in Brazil. Poverty was assessed using a standardized classification. Exposure to 20 different SLE was measured using the Life History instrument. Psychiatric diagnoses were evaluated using the Development and Well-Being Assessment. Latent growth models investigated the association between poverty at baseline and the growth of any MHD, externalizing, and internalizing disorders. Mediation models evaluated whether the association between childhood poverty and MHD in early adulthood was mediated by exposure to SLE. Results: Poverty affected 11.4% of the sample at baseline and was associated with an increased propensity for presenting externalizing disorders in adolescence or early adulthood (standardized estimate = 0.27, p = 0.016). This association was not significant for any disorder or internalizing disorders. Childhood poverty increased the likelihood of externalizing disorders in early adulthood through higher exposure to SLE (OR = 1.07, 95 CI% 1.01–1.14). Results were only replicated among females in stratified analyses. Conclusions: Childhood poverty had detrimental consequences on externalizing MHD in adolescence, especially among females. Poverty and SLE are preventable risk factors that need to be tackled to reduce the burden of externalizing disorders in young people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem: The use of drugs by street children and adolescents is a problem found in most large cities around the world. Methods: This is a cross‐sectional study of street children and adolescents living in shelters in the Federal District, Brazil. An objective questionnaire was applied to 84 individuals from September 2016 to October 2017; 14 of them participated in the qualitative study. Findings: Most participants were adolescents (84.5%) and males (64.3%), with a history of abandonment, domestic violence, and family drug abuse. All spent some time on the street; boys had a higher chance of being behind the school level and using drugs than girls. Over 60% had used drugs in the previous year, mainly alcohol and marijuana. Over 70% understand the health consequences of this behavior, but most have never tried or failed to stop. About 40% consider themselves dependent on drugs. Conclusions: The results showed that street‐life experience, peer pressure, and exposure to drugs within the family had an important impact on respondent's drug use behavior, reinforcing the importance of education programs that focus on the family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Lymphomas related to HIV are generally aggressive and have a poor prognosis, despite the use of effective combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) and effective chemotherapy treatment. This study aimed to evaluate, for the first time, survival and prognostic factors in children and adolescents living with HIV (CLWH) with lymphomas in Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brazil. Our study population showed reduced overall, event-free, and disease-free survival probabilities. Performance status 4 (PS 4) and low CD4+ T-cell counts were considered poor prognostic factors. This study was designed to improve the quality of HIV-related lymphoma treatment in our population. Lymphomas related to HIV are generally aggressive and have a poor prognosis, despite the use of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) and effective chemotherapy treatment. To determine survival and prognostic factors in children and adolescents living with HIV (CLWH) in Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brazil, who developed lymphomas, we performed a retrospective and observational study of vertically infected CLWH aged from 0 to 20 incomplete years during1995 to 2018 at five reference centers for cancer and HIV/AIDS treatment. Of the 25 lymphomas, 19 were AIDS-defining malignancies (ADM) and 6 were non-AIDS-defining malignancies (NADM). The 5-year overall survival (OS) and 5-year event-free survival (EFS) probabilities were both 32.00% (95% CI = 13.72–50.23%), and the 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) probability was 53.30% (95% CI = 28.02–78.58%). In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, performance status 4 (PS 4) was considered a poor prognostic factor for OS (HR 4.85, 95% CI = 1.81–12.97, p = 0.002) and EFS (HR 4.95, 95% CI = 1.84–13.34, p = 0.002). For the DFS, higher CD4+ T-cell counts were considered a better prognostic factor (HR 0.86, 95% CI = 0.76–0.97, p = 0.017) in the multivariate Cox regression analysis. This study demonstrates, for the first time, survival and prognostic factors for CLWH who developed lymphomas in RJ, Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Apgar score is applied immediately after birth to clinically evaluate the newborn, at the first and fifth minutes of life. The Apgar score can help diagnose scenarios of neonatal anoxia or hypoxia. This is a retrospective, descriptive, and analytical study that used secondary data from DATASUS (Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System), from 1994 to 2018. The studied population includes all live births in Brazil during this period. The inclusion criteria were pregnant women over 15 years old, and the exclusion criteria were multiple pregnancies, pregnancies lasting less than 37 weeks, and newborns with congenital anomalies. These criteria were established to reduce potential confounding factors in the analysis that could lead to errors in interpretation of the results. The variables studied were place of delivery, type of delivery, and number of prenatal consultations. As results, having 7 or more prenatal consultations is a protective factor for alterations in the Apgar score, as well as cesarean delivery and hospital delivery. It was observed that pregnancy care, regarding the studied variables, influences the Apgar score. However, future studies in different populations are necessary to confirm these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Very few predictive models in Psychiatry had their performance validated in independent external samples. A previously developed multivariable demographic model for attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) accurately predicted young adulthood ADHD using clinical and demographical information collected in childhood in three samples from developed countries, but failed to replicate its performance in a sample from a developing country. Furthermore, consolidated risk factors for ADHD were not included among its predictors. Methods: Participants were 1905 children and adolescents from a community‐based sample and followed from ages 6 to 14 years at baseline to ages 14 to 23 years (mean age 18) at follow‐up. We applied the intercept and weights of the original model to the data, calculating the predicted probability of each participant according to the set of predictors collected in childhood, and compared the estimates with the actual outcome (ADHD) collected during adolescence and young adulthood. We explored the performance of the original model, and of models including novel predictors (prematurity, family history of ADHD, and polygenic risk score for ADHD). Results: The observed area under the curve of the original model was.76 (95% Confidence Interval.70 to.82). The multivariable demographical model outperformed single variable models using only prematurity, family history, or the ADHD PRS. Adding either of these variables, or all at once, did not improve the performance of the original demographical model. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the originally developed ADHD predictive model is suitable for use in different settings for clinical and research purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Investigate the association between sleep disorders and probable sleep bruxism (SB) in children eight to ten years of age. Methods: A cross‐sectional study was conducted with 739 schoolchildren in Brazil. Parents/guardians answered a sociodemographic questionnaire, the sleep disturbance scale for children, and the Circadian Energy Scale. Parafunctional habits were evaluated using the Nordic Orofacial Test‐Screening. Multivariate logistic regression was performed (α = 5%), and a directed acyclic graph was used in the statistical model. Results: The prevalence of probable SB was 9.1% and 58.6% of the children had sleep disorders. In the final model, having unmarried parents/guardians (OR = 1.98; 95% CI: 1.07–3.65), exhibiting parafunctional habits (OR = 2.02; CI: 1.01–4.06), not practicing sports (OR = 1.92; CI: 1.04–3.54), sleep‐wake transition disorders (SWTD) (OR = 2.01; 95%CI: 1.12–3.62), and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) (OR = 2.17; 95%CI: 1.11–4.29) were significant associated with probable SB. Conclusion: The occurrence of probable sleep bruxism was influenced by the marital status of the parents/guardians, parafunctional habits, the non‐practice of sports, and sleep disturbance (SWTD and EDS). This research contributes to the planning of public policies that include educational regimens at school to prevent sleep disorders and favor the reduction in sleep bruxism prevalence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Omission of breakfast starts at school age and can be explained as a reflection of the independent behaviour acquired in this phase of life. Breakfast has been investigated for its association with healthier diet quality, but few studies have investigated this relationship in schoolchildren aged 7 to 13 years. The objective of this study was to assess breakfast consumption in schoolchildren aged 7 to 13 years and to examine associations with dietary patterns (DPs). It was a cross‐sectional study carried out in 2017 with 1069 students in Florianopolis, southern Brazil. Previous‐day food consumption, physical activity and screen activities were self‐reported. Factor analysis was used to identify DPs. Associations between breakfast consumption and overall DPs were evaluated using multivariate linear regression. Breakfast consumption was reported by 85% of the children, with the highest proportion observed among students on the afternoon school shift. Five DPs were identified explaining 41% of the total variance in daily food consumption: Ultra‐processed, Mixed, Traditional Brazilian Lunch, Healthy + Sweets and Traditional Brazilian Breakfast. Breakfast consumption was directly associated with a Traditional Brazilian Breakfast DP (β = 0.335; 95% CI = 0.227, 0.442), a Mixed DP (β = 0.241; 95% CI = 0.160, 0.323), and a Healthy + Sweets DP (β = 0.160; 95% CI = 0.061, 0.260), and inversely associated with an Ultra‐processed DP (β = −0.116; 95% CI = −0.207, −0.026). Breakfast consumption was associated with overall DPs, suggesting the importance of eating this meal by schoolchildren. We emphasise the relevance of offering a healthy breakfast at public schools for students who do not take this meal at home, contributing to health promotion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few studies have assessed frequency of maltreatment and other factors associated with maltreatment of deaf and hard of hearing children. The present study's objective was to verify the frequency of physical and psychological maltreatment and associated factors experienced by DHH children. DHH children from low-income families in Maceió, Brazil, were studied (N = 265). The Parent-Child Conflict Tactics Scales (Straus et al. 1998) were used to identify nonviolent discipline, psychological aggression, and physical assault (minor, severe, very severe). The study found that 221 children (83.4%) experienced physical assault; 238 (89.8%) experienced psychological aggression. Both physical and psychological aggression was reported for 94.3%. Most mothers (98.1%) reported using nonviolent discipline. Maltreatment was associated with male children, mothers' job dissatisfaction, religiously nonobservant families, and children born of unintended pregnancy. In conclusion, high frequencies of physical and psychological maltreatment of DHH children of low-income families were found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infant feeding practices impact children's nutritional and health status, influencing growth and development. This study aimed to analyse the evolution of infant feeding practices from 9 to 24 months of age, considering infant and young child feeding (IYCF) indicators and food processing. The infant feeding practices in children from the Brazilian site of the MAL‐ED study were evaluated at 9 (n = 193), 15 (n = 182) and 24 months (n = 164) using 24‐h dietary recalls. IYCF indicators were evaluated, and the extent of food processing was evaluated, using the NOVA classification. Breastfeeding declined significantly over time, from 77.6% at 9 months to 45.1% at 24 months. Although dietary diversity did not significantly change during the study period (80.5% at 24 months), the minimum acceptable diet significantly increased from 67.9% to 76.1% at 24 months (p < 0.0005). All the studied children consumed sweetened beverages from 9 months. Unhealthy food consumption and zero vegetable or fruit consumption significantly increased over time (p < 0.0005). Unprocessed food consumption decreased from 9 to 24 months of age (p < 0.0005), while ultra‐processed food consumption increased (p < 0.0005) during the study period. Logistic regressions showed that, at 9 months, breastfed children presented a lower risk for ultra‐processed food consumption (odds ratio [OR] = 0.31; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.13–0.77); and children reaching the minimum acceptable diet presented more risk for ultra‐processed food consumption (OR = 2.31; 95% CI = 1.01–5.27). In conclusion, data showed a reduction in the quality of infant feeding practices over the first 2 years of life, with a decrease in breastfeeding and an increase in the consumption of unhealthy and ultra‐processed foods. Key messages: Data showed a reduction in the quality of infant feeding practices over the first 2 years of life.Breastfeeding decreased over the studied period. There was an increase in the consumption of ultra‐processed and unhealthy foods, which occurred concomitantly to the increase of no consumption of fruits/vegetables.Breastfeeding was an important protective factor against a greater consumption of ultra‐processed food.National nutrition policy should consider promoting breastfeeding and increasing fresh and minimally processed food consumption in children under 2 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Obesity is a well‐recognized risk factor for critical illness and death among adult patients with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Objective: This study aimed to characterize the clinical outcomes and risk factors of death related to obesity in a cohort of hospitalized paediatric patients with COVID‐19. Methods: We performed an analysis of all paediatric patients with obesity and COVID‐19 registered in SIVEP‐Gripe, a Brazilian nationwide surveillance database, between February 2020 and May 2021. The primary outcome was time to death, which was evaluated by using cumulative incidence function. Results: Among 21 591 hospitalized paediatric patients with COVID‐19, 477 cases (2.2%) had obesity. Of them, 71 (14.9%) had a fatal outcome as compared with 7.5% for patients without obesity (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.59–2.53, p < 0.001). After adjustment, the factors associated with death among patients with obesity were female gender (HR = 2.8, 95% CI 1.70–4.61), oxygen saturation < 95% (HR = 2.58, 95% CI 1.38–4.79), presence of one (HR = 1.91, 95% CI 1.11–3.26), and two or more comorbidities (HR = 4.0, 95% CI 2.21–7.56). Conclusions: Children and adolescents with obesity had higher risk of death compared with those without obesity. The higher risk of death was associated with female gender, low oxygen saturation at admission, and presence of other comorbidities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The present study aims to verify the association between objectively measured physical activity (PA) of parents and child in the 2015 Pelotas Birth Cohort, a population‐based Brazilian birth cohort. Methods: The main exposures were paternal moderate‐to‐vigorous PA (MVPA) collected when children were 1‐year of age, and maternal MVPA when children were 2‐years. The outcome was children's overall PA (ENMO in mg) at 4‐years of age. PA was measured using wrist‐worn ActiGraph accelerometers during seven complete days. Potential confounders were maternal age, maternal and paternal education, and household asset index. Crude and adjusted analyses were performed using linear regressions. Results: Our analytical sample comprised 1326 children with valid accelerometer data and with both parents. Mean child PA was 48.1 mg, being higher among boys compared with girls (Boys: 50 mg, 95% CI: 49.1; 50.9; Girls: 46 mg, 95% CI: 45.2; 46.8). Children's PA at 4 years was positively associated with maternal MVPA at age 2 years (p < 0.001) and paternal MVPA at age 1 year (p < 0.001). A child with both parents in the highest tertile of unbouted MVPA presented higher overall PA (p = 0.001). Similar results were found for boys; however, for girls, paternal unbouted MVPA was not associated with overall PA. Conclusion: Overall, our results showed a positive impact of maternal and parental PA over 4‐year‐old children acceleration. These findings could be valuable when planning evidence‐based interventions and policies to promote PA in young children, providing a broader perspective over the role of parents over children's behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Medical adhesives are used to affix components to the skin. They are part of procedures performed by medical specialties because of their participation as constituents of different products, such as tapes, dressings, and electrodes. Aim: This study aims to assess the prevalence of, and factors associated with, the development of medical adhesive‐related skin injuries (MARSIs) in patients treated with medical tapes in the neonatology department of a large teaching hospital in Brazil. Study Design: Cohort study. Methods: All premature newborns (gestational age from 28 to <37 weeks) admitted in the neonatal intensive care unit of a teaching hospital, from March to August 2019, were followed up. Neonate skin condition was assessed based on the Neonatal Skin Condition Scale (NSCS). Data analyses were conducted in R software. Results: In total, 46 premature newborns were included in the study; 552 evaluations were performed—mean of 11.7 per patient. Most neonates (n = 41; 89.1%) used adhesive tapes, either paper tape (n = 37; 80.4%) or transparent film dressing (n = 34; 73.9%). Newborns' face and head were the most affected body regions (n = 125; 50.2%). Eight patients had MARSIs (19.5% of patients who used tape). NSCS scores (P value <.001) and the adopted warming system (P value =.01302) were associated with the occurrence of MARSIs. Incubators seem to be a protective factor for MARSI (OR = 0.048; IC95% = 0.0008‐0.75; P value =.013). Conclusion: Adhesive tapes in premature newborns should be considered a risk factor for injuries. Although NSCS showed mild‐to‐moderate impairment and lesion severity was low, this event is relatively frequent in neonatal units. Relevance to Clinical Practice: Awareness of the risk associated with adhesive tape application and removal in newborns allow health services to better address the problem by enforcing good practices, elaborating better protocols, qualifying the health care professionals, and potentially selecting softer tapes for neonates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-calorie sweeteners (LCSs) are increasingly being used worldwide, including in foods and beverages commonly consumed by children. To examine the prevalence of LCSs in packaged foods and beverages sold in Brazil, whether LCSs are added to products with advertising directed to children, and whether foods and beverages with LCSs include front-of-package (FoP) LCS-related health and nutrition claims. Cross-sectional study. A sample (n = 11,434) of packaged foods and beverages sold by the top 5 largest Brazilian food retailers was examined to identify LCSs and added sugars, and a subsample (n = 3491) was examined to determine the presence of advertising directed to children and FoP LCS-related claims in foods and beverages with LCSs. The prevalence of foods and beverages with different types of LCSs in the Brazilian food supply, among ultra-processed foods and beverages and among foods and beverages with added sugars, were measured. Foods and beverages with advertising directed to children were checked to see if these products had LCSs and how many products with LCSs had FoP labels with LCS-related claims. Mean and 95% CIs were used to determine the overall prevalence of foods and beverages with LCSs and in the different assessed stratifications. The prevalence of LCSs was 9.3% (95% CI 8.8-9.9) in Brazilian packaged foods and beverages, 14.6% (95% CI 13.8-15.4) in ultra-processed products alone, and 5.7% (95% CI 4.2-7.7) in foods and beverages with advertising directed to children. About 83% of food and beverage with LCSs were also sweetened with added sugars. LCSs were most frequently added to nonalcoholic sweetened beverages, breakfast cereals, and granola bars. Forty percent of foods and beverages with LCS did not present any FoP LCS-related claim. This study shows that LCSs are present in 15% of ultra-processed foods and beverages in Brazil, largely used in combination with added sugars, and are found in foods and beverages with advertising directed to children. Clearer FoP information regarding the presence of LCSs, in particular in products with advertising directed to children, can help consumers make more informed choices regarding LCS consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Diarrhea still causes high morbidity and mortality in children under five, requiring constant interventions. Thus, the study aims to evaluate the effects of educational technologies on maternal self-efficacy to prevent childhood diarrhea. Methods: Randomized clinical trial carried out in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, with four randomized groups of mothers of children under 5 years of age, as follows: control group (n = 61), group A (booklet, n = 60), group B (video, n = 60), and group AB (booklet and video, n = 60). From June to October 2015, data collection was carried out in three moments (the first in person and the others by telephone monitoring). Results: All groups improved their self-efficacy after the intervention, with higher scores in the group AB (booklet and video). A statistically significant association was found between the occurrence of diarrhea and maternal self-efficacy in groups A (booklet) (p = 0.023) and AB (booklet and video) (p = 0.042) at the second moment of data collection. From the second moment to the third moment, the risk of diarrhea decreased in group A, from 12.8 to 1.3, and in group AB, from 8.5 to 1.1. Conclusion: The technologies used, isolated or combined, were effective in improving maternal self-efficacy and decreasing the occurrence of childhood diarrhea; therefore, they can be used by nurses as health education tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dietary patterns can influence maternal and child health outcomes. The study aims to characterize dietary patterns during pregnancy as well as to identify their associations with gestational weight gain (GWG) and anthropometric measurements at birth. Methods: A minimum sample size of 95 nursing mothers was estimated for this work. Socioeconomic, anthropometric, physical activity, obstetric and food consumption (food frequency questionnaire) data was collected from mothers and their newborns in immediate postpartum (n = 260) at the maternity hospital. Maternal pregestational weight and GWG were self-reported and the neonatal data was obtained from their records. The patterns were derived posteriori by Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Multinomial Logistic Regression and Poisson Regression with Robust Variance were applied. Findings: Four dietary patterns were derived: "pattern 1", characterized by the consumption of meat and eggs, processed meat, vegetables and olive oil; "pattern 2", consisting of sweets, snacks and cookies; "pattern 3", which includes cereals and breads, coffee and tea, and processed fats; and "pattern 4", characterized by soft drinks, tubers and instant noodles. Together, the dietary patterns account for 49.16% of the total variance for food intake. Higher adherence to "pattern 3" was associated with inadequate birth weight (low and excessive birth weight); while greater adherence to "pattern 2" was associated with lower chances of inadequate GWG. Conclusion: The dietary patterns presented mixed composition and predominance of ultra-processed foods. They were associated with the investigated outcomes, denoting the importance of strategies to promote healthy eating habits during pregnancy in order to avoid possible complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The Brazilian Neonatal Resuscitation Program releases guidelines based on local interpretation of international consensus on science and treatment recommendations. We aimed to analyze whether guidelines for preterm newborns were applied to practice in the 20 Brazilian Network on Neonatal Research centers of this middle-income country. METHODS: Prospectively collected data from 2014 to 2020 were analyzed for 8514 infants born at 23 0/7 to 31 6/7 weeks' gestation. The frequency of procedures was evaluated by gestational age (GA) category, including use of a thermal care bundle, positive pressure ventilation (PPV), PPV with a T-piece resuscitator, maximum fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) concentration during PPV, tracheal intubation, chest compressions and medications, and use of continuous positive airway pressure in the delivery room. Logistic regression, adjusted by center and year, was used to estimate the probability of receiving recommended treatment. RESULTS: For 3644 infants 23 to 27 weeks' GA and 4870 infants 28 to 31 weeks' GA, respectively, the probability of receiving care consistent with guidelines per year increased, including thermal care (odds ratio [OR], 1.52 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.44-1.61] and 1.45 [1.38-1.52]) and PPV with a T-piece (OR, 1.45 [95% CI 1.37-1.55] and 1.41 [1.32-1.51]). The probability of receiving PPV with FiO2 1.00 decreased equally in both GA groups (OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.86-0.93). CONCLUSIONS: Between 2014 and 2020, the resuscitation guidelines for newborns <32 weeks' GA on thermal care, PPV with a T-piece resuscitator, and decreased use of FiO2 1.00 were translated into clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess the levels of empathy and self-confidence of pre- and post-doctoral dental students during the dental care of children of different facial types, sex and skin color. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 170 Brazilian dental students. Photos of four mesofacial pediatric patients of different sex (male, female) and skin color (white, black) were digitally altered to dolichofacial and brachyfacial facial types. The 12 photos obtained (four originals and eight digitally altered) were projected during lectures and students reported their level of empathy (scores from zero to 10) and self-confidence (not confident/confident) using a structured questionnaire, based exclusively on children's appearance. Bivariate analysis and Poisson robust regression were performed (P<0.05). Results: Students' lower empathy was observed among brachyfacial children (prevalence ratio [PR] = 0.940; 95 percent confidence interval [95 percent CI] = 0.904 to 0.978). Female (PR=1.202; 95 percent CI=1.162 to 1.243) and black children (PR=1.068; 95 percent CI=1.035 to 1.103) received students' higher empathy scores. Higher percentages of self-confidence were associated with mesofacial (P=0.049), female (P<0.001), and black (P=0.001) children. Students' lower self-confidence was associated with brachyfacial (PR=1.106; 95 percent CI=1.066 to 1.147), male (PR=1.202; 95 percent CI=1.165 to 1.239) and white (PR=1.056; 95 percent CI =1.025 to 1.088) pediatric patients. Conclusions: Brachyfacial children were associated with dental students' lower levels of empathy and self-confidence while female and black children received higher levels of empathy and self-confidence. However, dental students felt less confident regarding the dental care of white children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to identify meal and snack patterns in Brazilian schoolchildren and assess their stability over 3 years. This is a repeated cross‐sectional study carried out in 2013, 2014 and 2015 with 6353 schoolchildren aged 7–12 years from public schools in Florianópolis, Brazil. Previous‐day food consumption data for six pre‐defined meals (breakfast, mid‐morning snack, lunch, mid‐afternoon snack, dinner and evening snack) were collected using the validated Web‐CAAFE (Food Consumption and Physical Activity of Schoolchildren) questionnaire. Latent class analysis was performed to derive meal and snack patterns. The stability of patterns was analysed using multinomial logistic regression, and the probability of belonging to a meal pattern was calculated for each year. Three patterns were identified for breakfast and four patterns for a mid‐morning snack, lunch, mid‐afternoon snack, dinner and evening snack. Most meal and snack patterns were stable over the 3‐year evaluation period. In the total sample, for a mid‐afternoon snack, there was an increase in the probability of the children belonging to the 'Fruits and porridge' pattern (14.5%, 95% CI 12%–17% in 2015 vs. 9.2%, 95% CI 6.8%–11.7% in 2013) and a reduction in the 'Ultra‐processed' pattern (42.5%, 95% CI 39.4%–45.6% in 2015 vs. 51.3%, 95% CI 46.5%–56.1% in 2013). These results appear to be in line with the recommendations of the Brazilian Dietary Guidelines and regional policies to increase the intake of healthy foods and limit that of ultra‐processed, high fat, sugar and salt foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of dental caries on oral health‐related quality‐of‐life (OHRQoL) may be influenced by disease severity. This study evaluated the impact of caries severity on OHRQoL in preschool children. A school‐based, cross‐sectional study was conducted with 205 children (aged 2–5 years) in Southern Brazil. Parents answered the Brazilian version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (B‐ECOHIS) and provided sociodemographic information. The Caries Assessment Spectrum and Treatment criteria were used to evaluate caries severity, and Poisson regression with robust variance estimation conducted to determine the rate ratio (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of the mean OHRQoL scores according to severity level. Most children had at least one tooth in the morbidity (37%) or pre‐morbidity (35%) stages, and the prevalence of impacts on OHRQoL was 40%. Caries severity was associated with the impact scores: after adjustments, the mean B‐ECOHIS scores were 6.31 (95% CI: 4.24–9.38) higher for children in the morbidity stage, and 10.84 (95% CI: 6.51–18.05) higher in the severe morbidity stage, than for healthy children [RR = 10.84 (95% CI: 6.51–18.05)]. Children with carious lesions into dentine or with pulpally‐involved or abscessed teeth had poorer OHRQoL than children without such lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: to identify the frequency of reported cases of recurring violence against adolescents and their association with victim, violence, and aggressor characteristics. Method: cross-sectional study conducted with notified data on violence against adolescents, produced by Epidemiological Surveillance and registered in the Information System of Diseases and Notification (SINAN), from 2011 to 2018, in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. Results: the frequency of recurring violence against adolescents was 46.4%. Higher occurrence was observed among girls (PR: 1.26; 95%CI: 1.15 -- 1.38) between 10 and 14 years of age (PR: 1.20; 95%CI: 1.13 -- 1.28), and people with a disability or disorder (PR: 1.52; 95%CI: 1.42 -- 1.62). Psychological violence/neglect was 30% more prevalent in recurrence than self-harm. Most cases occurred at home (PR: 1.56; 95%CI: 1.37 -- 1.77). Results showed a 1.11 times higher prevalence of recurring violence perpetrated by aggressors aged 20 years or older and higher evidence in male aggressors (95%CI: 0.97 -- 1.17). Conclusion: recurring violence was associated with victim, aggressor, and event characteristics. Health intersectoriality is crucial to reduce cases of recurring violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of self-reported rape and its associations with other forms of violence and mental health outcomes. The Brazilian National Alcohol and Drugs Survey is a probabilistic household survey that collected data from 4,283 Brazilians aged 14 years and older in 2012. The prevalence of rape was 2.3% (n = 107) and the majority (n = 81) of rapes were reported by women. Female gender increased the chances of rape (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.7, 4.3]). Adults aged 35 to 46 years (AOR = 2.0, 95% CI = [1.2, 4.4]) and being without religion (AOR = 2.2, 95% CI = [1.3, 3.8]) were also associated with increased chances of rape. Participants with a history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) were 16.5 times (95% CI = [10.1, 26.7]) more likely to report having been raped. Other outcomes related to been raped were history of child prostitution (AOR = 5.1, 95% CI = [2.1, 13.4]) and witnesses of violence during childhood (AOR = 2.4, 95% CI = [1.5, 3.8]). People without social support (AOR≅3, 95% CI = [1.8, 4.3]), victims of multiple recent negative events (AOR = 3.7, 95% CI = [2.4, 5.8]), people with depression (AOR = 2.6, 95% CI = [1.7, 3.9]), history of suicidal ideation (AOR = 3.8, 95% CI = [2.0, 7.1]), and history of suicide attempts (AOR = 2.2, 95% CI = [1.1, 4.3]) are other outcomes related to having been raped. In this sample, rape was related to gender and to other forms of violence and victimization. Self-reports of rape appear to underestimate the true prevalence as the figures obtained from the survey were low. Other methods should be used to investigate this issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study analysed the association between caesarean section and early childhood caries (ECC), estimating the effects using regression and causal inference models. Methods: This was a historical cohort study of 697 mother‐child dyads, conducted in São Luís, Brazil. The caesarean section was the exposure, and the severity of ECC (dmft) was the outcome. Covariates household income, maternal schooling, maternal hypertension, maternal obesity and birth weight were adjusted for in the models. The effects were estimated by Poisson regression (Means Ratio‐MR) and causal inference using a marginal structural model (MSM) (MR and Average Treatment Effect‐ATE coefficients), weighted by the inverse probability (IPW) of exposure. Results: Caesarean section was protective against caries in the bivariate (MR 0.81; CI 0.70‐0.94; P = 0.005) and multivariate (MR 0.78; CI 0.67‐0.91; P = 0.002) models. In MSM analyses, the caesarean section had no effect on ECC (ATE = −0.35; P = 0.107), controlling for IPW of exposure. Conclusion: The apparent association between caesarean section and ECC severity seems spurious, as it did not persist after employing a superior approach to estimating causality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the effectiveness of a training program for health workers regarding infant feeding practices to reduce sugar consumption in children. A cluster randomized trial was conducted at 20 health centers in southern Brazil randomly assigned to an intervention (n = 9) or control (n = 11) group. The 715 pregnant women enrolled were assessed when their children were aged 6 months, 3 years, and 6 years. A training session for primary care workers based on the Brazilian National Guidelines for Children. Mothers were asked when sugar was first offered to children. Added sugars intake was obtained from dietary recalls. The effectiveness of the intervention was modeled using generalized estimation equations and Poisson regression with robust variance. Children attending intervention health centers had a 27% reduced risk of sugar introduction before 4 months of age (relative risk, 0.73; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.61-0.87) as well as lower added sugars consumption (difference, −6.36 g/d; 95% CI, −11.49 to −1.23) and total daily energy intake (difference, −116.90 kcal/d; 95% CI, −222.41 to −11.40) at 3 years of age. Health care worker training in infant feeding guidelines may be an effective intervention to delay the introduction of added sugars and lower the subsequent intake of added sugars in infants and toddlers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to describe and compare the phonological characteristics of European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese preschool and school age children with Speech Sound Disorders (SSD). Speech samples for the European Portuguese Group (EPG) (n = 13) were collected using Subteste Fonético e Fonológico of Teste Fonético e Fonológico Avaliação da Linguagem Pré-Escolar. For the Brazilian Portuguese Group (BPG) (n = 13) Prova de Nomeação de Fonologia of Teste de Linguagem Infantil ABFW was applied. Different phonological measures were considered. Groups were matched according to sex, age, and percentage of correct consonants (revised). EPG presented more weak syllable deletion (p =.00); absolute index and relative index had a higher number of omissions (p =.003). BPG had more substitutions (p =.004). Intragroup analysis showed differences between groups in the occurrence of phonological processes (p ≤ 0.00). The most occurring was gliding of liquids, cluster reduction and devoicing in both groups; for the absolute index and relative index, the EPG presented differences in omission (p =.003), and the BPG in substitution (p =.002). Results suggested differences between groups in phonological processes occurrence and a relation with the most frequent type of error. These findings may occur due to the variation of phonetic and phonological characteristics between European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese in the two phonological tests. Linguistic variations had not directly influenced the measures studied, which characterized SSD. European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese children with SSD demonstrated similar characteristics as to the type of errors and phonological processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective was to investigate the experience of dental caries and associated factors from the children's and adolescents' medical records who visited the Children's Dental Clinic of a College of southern Brazil. A cross-sectional study was carried out by analyzing 262 medical records. For data collection, information on demographic data, oral hygiene, food, breastfeeding and oral clinical data were used to investigate. A multivariate analysis was used to estimate the odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals, by the exposure variables in a Binary Logistic Regression model (p-value< 0.05). Of the sample, 86.3% had some teeth with experience of dental caries, with only 13.7% free of caries. The average dental caries was 5.3 ± 3.1 in children between 6 and 8 years and 2.0 ± 1.9 between 9 and 12 years. There was a statistically significant association between age and dental caries, with the largest age group being a protective factor for dental caries (OR 0.30; 95%CI 0.17-0.53). Children who were breastfed naturally had a protective factor for caries (OR 0.29; 95%CI 0.10-0.88). The experience of dental caries in children was high, especially in primary teeth, with a higher average of decayed teeth. Breastfeeding and age were a protective factor for dental caries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to identify main factors associated with child and adolescent access to chronic kidney disease (CKD) treatment in Brazil. Methods: Multi-center cross-sectional study conducted in eight pediatric nephrology centers across all Brazilian geographic regions. Information was collected on characteristics associated with referral and treatment of patients with CKD. The following outcomes were analyzed as follows: (1) age at first consultation, and (2) time elapsed between referral and treatment at the specialized service. Results: Three hundred thirty-five children were assessed. Variables associated with age at first consultation were as follows: CAKUT (HR=1.7; 95%CI 1.3–2.2, p<0.01); private health plan (HR=1.54; 95%CI 1.06–2.23, p=0.02); modified Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey mMOS-SS score (HR=1.02; 95%CI 1.00–1.03, p=0.024); maternal age (HR=0.96; 95%CI 0.95–0.97, p<0.01); and number of siblings in the household (HR=0.86; 95%CI 0.79–0.83, p<0.01). Significant variables associated with time elapsed between referral and treatment at the specialized service were as follows: each additional occupant sharing the household (HR=0.94; 95%CI:0.89–0.99, p=0.02), residing in the Northeast (HR=0.81; 95%CI:0.67–0.98, p=0.03) and having someone to take them to the physician (HR=1.36; 95%CI 1.07–1.74, p=0.01). The median time interval between patient referral and treatment by the service was 11 days (IQR 10–31). Conclusion: There are potentially modifiable factors hampering access of children with CKD to specialized treatment. The importance of the role of social support for the two outcomes should serve as an alert for health managers and professionals to consider this aspect throughout all steps of the care process of children with CKD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine the psychological well-being of primary caregivers of infants and toddlers with Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS), and the roles of family resources, parenting stress, and coping strategies in caregivers' adaptation. Family caregivers (N = 50) of children with CZS who were receiving treatment at a rehabilitation hospital in Recife, Brazil participated a cross-sectional survey study. Caregivers completed measures of anxiety and depression, coping strategies, family resources, and parenting stress. Mild to severe symptoms of depression were identified in 40% of caregivers and were a more prominent concern than symptoms of anxiety. Fewer family resources and high levels of parenting stress were significantly associated with both anxiety and depression. The association between parenting stress and depression was moderated by coping, such that parenting stress was associated with higher caregiver depression at low but not high levels of coping strategy use. Practitioners in Brazil should consider the role of family coping and resources as important resilience promoting factors in the development of new programs designed to promote psychological adaptation in caregivers to children with CZS. It is recommended that caregiver mental health support services be integrated into existing early intervention programs targeting children with CZS. Parents and other primary caregivers are encouraged to take an active role in the care and developmental monitoring of children born with CZS, but their ability to provide care may be compromised by difficulties in psychological adaptation. Moderate and severe symptoms of depression were more prominent in caregivers than moderate and severe symptoms of anxiety (20% versus 6%, respectively). Practitioners should include assessment of coping strategies, parenting stress and family resources conjointly with evaluation of symptoms of depression and anxiety as part of routine CZS family evaluations. A useful approach for caregivers in Brazil may be to more fully integrate caregiver mental health support services into existing early intervention programs for children with CZS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Educational material can facilitate familiarization with the hospital and surgical contexts for children and guardians and minimize potential difficulties experienced during hospitalization. This study aimed to construct and validate a comic book for guiding children in perioperative care. Design and Methods: A descriptive study was conducted at a pediatric ward in a university hospital in Brazil. A content validity index with a concordance of 0.8 was used for validation. Results: The content was validated with the participation of 19 content judges (nurses, anesthesiologists, and surgeons); face validity was achieved with the participation of 22 parents and their respective children aged 7–12 years old. The contents of the comic book included perioperative care (hospitalization, fasting, surgical team, operating room, and anesthesia). Universal content validity indices of 0.89 and 0.99 were obtained for content and face validity, respectively. Free Portuguese educational material titled "Getting to know the Surgery Center" was created in the form of a 19‐page comic book in print and digital formats. The comic book was face and content validated and considered relevant for children in perioperative care. The suggestions of the healthcare professional and families who participated contributed toward the final version of this educational comic book. Practice Implications: This study aimed to further the development of educational materials that help alleviate stress, fear, and anxiety among children awaiting surgery, as well as their parents/guardians. As such, it offers a positive and appropriate contribution to perioperative nursing. The study further contributes to a discussion on pediatric nursing, which goes beyond clinical care and procedure. In the context of pediatric surgery and the children themselves, the results indicate that the family must be included in the surgical process and that the language employed must be appropriate to the target audience. Our comic book can be used by nurses to develop similar resources for diverse needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Breastfeeding is an evidence-based recommendation for all countries, but breastfeeding rates have been declining in many middle-income settings. One reason behind this decline is the perception that breastfeeding may not be necessary in modern urban settings, where clean water is available and alternative foods are abundant. We investigate the importance of breastfeeding for early childhood development in the modern urban context of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: In our study, we used data from the ongoing prospective Western Region Birth cohort in São Paulo, Brazil. Children were recruited at birth and managed for 3 years. Durations of exclusive and mixed breastfeeding were our primary independent variables. Our secondary independent variable was an indicator for compliance with World Health Organization (WHO) breastfeeding recommendations. Our primary outcomes of interest were indicators of children's physical, cognitive, language, and social-emotional development at 3 years of age. Adjusted estimates and 95% confidence intervals were calculated by using linear and logistic regression. RESULTS: Complying with WHO recommendations to exclusively breastfeed for 6 months followed by complementary feeding until 2 years of age was associated with a 0.4-SD increase in overall child development (β: .38; confidence limit = 0.23 to 0.53), a 0.6-SD increase in height-for-age z score (β: .55; confidence limit = 0.31 to 0.79), and a 67% decrease in the odds of stunting (odds ratio = 0.33; 95% confidence interval = 0.20 to 0.54). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that even in settings with easy access to complementary foods, complying with WHO breastfeeding recommendations is important for healthy physical growth and cognitive development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The CMTPedS-Br is culturally appropriate for the Brazilian population. • The CMTPedS-Br showed adequate reliability and face validity. • The CMTPedS-Br will allow Brazil to be part of multicentered studies on such a rare but debilitating condition. The Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease Pediatric Scale (CMTPedS) has been used to measure aspects of disability in children with all types of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT). To translate and cross-culturally adapt the CMTPedS into Brazilian–Portuguese and determine its reliability and validity. The translation and cross-cultural adaptation followed international guidelines recommendations. Twenty individuals with CMT were assessed. Two examiners assessed the participants for inter-rater reliability. Face validity was assessed by eight physical therapists that judged the relevance of each test item. The Bland-Altman analysis (bias) and standard error of measurement (SEM) complemented the analysis. Furthermore, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), weighted kappa (k), and internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) was determined. The CMTPedS was successfully translated and cross-culturally adapted. Twenty children/youth were enrolled in the study. Of these, the majority (55%) were girls with a mean age of 13.9 (range: from 6 to 18) years. Regarding face validity, the CMTPedS-Br showed relevant items for assessing children and youth with CMT. The ICC for the total score showed excellent reliability (ICC 2.1 = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.84, 0.97). The most reliable items were grip, dorsiflexion and plantar flexion strength while the least reliable items were pinprick, vibration, and gait. The internal consistency was excellent (α = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.91, 0.99) and the agreement showed small variability (bias = 0.15, 95% CI= -4.28, 4.60). The CMTPedS-Br showed adequate reliability and face validity to measure disability in individuals with CMT. This tool will allow Brazil to be part of multicentered studies on such a rare but debilitating condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. The present study is aimed at assessing heart rate variability (HRV) and its correlation with visual acuity (VA) assessment of preterm newborns (PTNB) in neonatal intensive care units. Method. Cross-sectional study analyzing HRV during assessment of VA with the aid of a Polar RS800CX heart rate monitor (Polar Electro Oy, Finland). HRV was analyzed according to time and frequency domains and the chaos domain used the autocorrelation coefficient and entropy. The sample consisted of hospitalized PTNB, and static analysis included simple regression diagnosis. Results. A total of 14 PTNB were included in the sample. VA varied between 0.23 and 1.60 cpd, and only five PTNB obtained below-expected values for age. Statistical analysis demonstrated a negative correlation between VA and time domain (SDDN and SD2) and a positive correlation between frequency domain (heart rate and hertz), but in simple linear regression analysis, these variables did not influence VA. Conclusion. The results of the study demonstrate that visual acuity was inversely correlated with SDNN and SD2 and during stimulation, showing that the higher the visual performance, the lower the autonomic modulation response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the classification of the adequacy of birth weight for gestational age applying INTERGROWTH-21 (IG-21) and Fenton growth curves in preterm infants, and to relate this classification to the nutritional status at 12 months corrected age. Methods: This is a retrospective study with 173 preterm infants aged between 26 and 33 weeks. Data was collected on maternal health conditions, birth and gestational age anthropometric information, and anthropometry (weight, height, and head circumference) at 12 months corrected age. Results: The mean birth weight and gestational age were 1151.4 ± 227.2 g and 30.2 ± 2.4 weeks, respectively. Using percentiles of IG-21 and Fenton curves, the proportion of SGA and LGA preterm infants was 39.2% vs. 35.2%, and 3.5% vs. 3.5%, respectively (p = 0.520). At 12 months corrected age, short stature, overweight, and thinness were observed in 33.5%, 9.9%, and 11% of preterm infants, respectively. The ROC curve evidenced that the IG-21 was slightly better than Fenton to predict short stature (AUC = 0.626, 95% CI 0.537–0.715 and AUC = 0.600, 95% CI 0.506–0.694) and overweight (AUC = 0.648, 95% CI 0.527–0.769 and AUC = 0.618, 95% CI 0.486–0.750) at 12 months corrected age. In contrast, the ROC curve did not show an association of IG-21 and Fenton percentiles with thinness. Conclusions for Practice: This study showed that IG-21 and Fenton were similar for the classification of birth weight for gestational age in preterm infants. IG-21 was slightly better than Fenton to predict overweight and short stature in preterm infants at 12 months corrected age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This cross‐sectional study assessed the correlation between individual and school‐related social environment variables with dental anxiety in Brazilian schoolchildren aged 8‐12 years. Methods: A sample of children from 20 private and public schools (n = 1211) from Pelotas, Brazil, were selected. Socioeconomic data were collected from parents, and data regarding children characteristics were collected using a questionnaire. Dental anxiety (the outcome) was assessed by the following question: 'Are you afraid of going to the dentist?' Dental examinations were performed to assess caries experience (DMFT ≥ 1). The social school environment was assessed by a questionnaire administered to schools' coordinators and considered: type of school, verbal violence between students, presence of gangs at school and cyberbullying episodes. Multilevel Poisson regression was used to investigate the association between school social environment and dental anxiety. Results: The prevalence of dental anxiety was 9.1% (95%CI 7.5‐10.8). For the individual variables, anxiety was more prevalent in girls [1.85 (1.21‐2.81)], in children with less‐educated mothers [1.50 (1.00‐2.27)] and in children who never attended to the dentist [2.48 (1.65‐3.72)]. For contextual variables, episodes of cyberbullying in school increased the prevalence of dental anxiety by almost 80% [1.78 (1.14‐2.78)]. Conclusions: The school social environment influences dental anxiety. The results suggest that it is important to establish strategies focused on promoting healthier environments and preventing cyberbullying in order to reduce the occurrence of dental anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Studies that establish the indicators of clinical status deterioration of Ineffective airway clearance remain scarce. Prognostic studies provide data for nurses identify clinical indicators that suggest a higher chance of early development of a nursing diagnosis. Objective: To identify the prognostic indicators of short-term survival of ineffective airway clearance (IAC) in children with acute respiratory infection (ARI). Design: A prospective open cohort study. Methods: This study was with a group of 136 children with acute respiratory infection who were followed for a minimum of six and a maximum of ten consecutive days. Children who had not completed six days of monitoring or who were carriers of diseases that would alter the specific symptoms of respiratory infection were excluded. The survival rate of ineffective airway clearance was calculated using Nelson-Aalen's method. A Cox regression model was used to analyze the influence of clinical indicators on survival time of this diagnosis. Results: The diagnosis survival rate was extremely low (only 0.4% on the 5th day of follow-up). The greatest reduction in survival rate was observed in the first 48 h (survival rate = 2.5%). Four defining characteristics associated with a worse prognosis of IAC among children with ARI: ineffective cough (RR = 5.86; 95% CI: 3.53–9.72), absence of cough (RR = 2.92; 95% CI: 1.68–5.08), adventitious breath sounds (RR = 2.47; 95% CI: 2.01–3.03), and diminished breath sounds (RR = 1.23; 95% CI: 1.05–1.45). Conclusion: Four clinical indicators showed a strong relationship with an increased risk of worsening clinical status associated with this nursing diagnosis. Impact statement: Clinical deterioration related to ineffective airway clearance among children with acute respiratory infection is fast and requires particular attention from nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to examine the association between breastfeeding and childhood obesity. A multinational cross‐sectional study of 4,740 children aged 9–11 years was conducted from 12 countries. Infant breastfeeding was recalled by parents or legal guardians. Height, weight, waist circumference, and body fat were obtained using standardized methods. The overall prevalence of obesity, central obesity, and high body fat were 12.3%, 9.9%, and 8.1%, respectively. After adjustment for maternal age at delivery, body mass index (BMI), highest maternal education, history of gestational diabetes, gestational age, and child's age, sex, birth weight, unhealthy diet pattern scores, moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity, sleeping, and sedentary time, exclusive breastfeeding was associated with lower odds of obesity (odds ratio [OR] 0.76, 95% confidence interval, CI [0.57, 1.00]) and high body fat (OR 0.60, 95% CI [0.43, 0.84]) compared with exclusive formula feeding. The multivariable‐adjusted ORs based on different breastfeeding durations (none, 1–6, 6–12, and > 12 months) were 1.00, 0.74, 0.70, and 0.60 for obesity (Ptrend =.020) and 1.00, 0.64, 047, and 0.64 for high body fat (Ptrend =.012), respectively. These associations were no longer significant after adjustment for maternal BMI. Breastfeeding may be a protective factor for obesity and high body fat in 9‐ to 11‐year‐old children from 12 countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Zika-exposed infants with microcephaly (proportional or disproportional) and those who are small for gestational age without microcephaly should be closely followed, particularly their growth trajectories. They are at high risk of adverse outcomes in the first year of life. Antenatal Zika virus (ZIKV) exposure may lead to adverse infant outcomes including microcephaly and being small for gestational age (SGA). ZIKV-exposed infants with a diagnosis of microcephaly (proportional [PM] or disproportional [DM]) or SGA at birth were evaluated with anthropometric measurements and health outcomes. Methods Infants had laboratory-confirmed ZIKV exposure in Brazil. PM, DM, or SGA classification was based on head circumference and weight. First-year growth parameters and clinical outcomes were recorded with analyses performed. Results Among the 156 ZIKV-exposed infants, 14 (9.0%) were SGA, 13 (8.3%) PM, 13 (8.3%) DM, and 116 (74.4%) were neither SGA nor had microcephaly (NSNM). High rates of any neurologic, ophthalmologic, and hearing abnormalities were observed for PM (100%), DM (100%), and SGA (42.9%) vs NSNM infants (18.3%; P <.001); odds ratio [OR], 3.4 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1–10.7) for SGA vs NSNM. Neuroimaging abnormalities were seen in 100% of PM and DM and in 42.9% of SGA vs NSNM infants 16%; (P <.001); OR 3.9 (95% CI, 1.2–12.8) for SGA vs NSNM. Growth rates by z score, particularly for microcephaly infants, were poor after birth but showed improvement beyond 4 months of life. Conclusions ZIKV-exposed infants with microcephaly (PM and DM) had similarly high rates of adverse outcomes but showed improvement in growth measurements beyond 4 months of life. While SGA infants had fewer adverse outcomes compared with microcephaly infants, notable adverse outcomes were observed in some; their odds of having adverse outcomes were 3 to 4 times greater compared to NSNM infants. Zika-exposed infants with microcephaly, irrespective of being proportional or disproportional, and those who are small for gestational age without microcephaly should be closely followed, particularly their growth trajectories. They are at high risk of adverse outcomes in the first year of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the prevalence of signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in children and the impact on their oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Methods: Data were collected by means of a questionnaire to evaluate the presence of TMD symptoms in eight to 10-year-old children. For those who answered at least one of the four questions in a positive manner, a clinical exam was done to confirm the diagnosis. The Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ8-10) was applied to evaluate the OHRQoL. Poisson regression was used to associate the total scores and individual domains of the CPQ8-10 with sociodemographic factors and clinical conditions. Results: A total of 245 children participated in this cross-sectional study. One hundred and twenty-one (49.4 percent) were diagnosed with TMD; 57.9 percent were females and 42.1 percent were males. Children with a diagnosis of disc displacement with reduction had a negative impact on the domain of functional limitations (rate ratio=2.61, 95 percent confidence interval=1.19 to 5.75, P=0.017). Conclusion: The prevalence of signs and symptoms of TMD was high in our sample, and signs and symptoms of TMD had a negative impact on children's OHRQoL in the domain of functional limitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The exact contribution of congenital cytomegalovirus infection (cCMVI) to permanent hearing loss (HL) in highly seropositive populations is unknown. We determined the contribution of cCMVI to HL and estimated the effectiveness of newborn hearing screening (HS) in identifying neonates with CMV-related HL. Methods A total of 11 900 neonates born from a population with ≥97% maternal seroprevalence were screened for cCMVI and HL. cCMVI was confirmed by detection of CMV-DNA in saliva and urine at age <3 weeks. Results Overall, 68 (0.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.4–0.7) neonates were identified with cCMVI. Of the 91 (0.8%) newborns who failed the HS, 24 (26.4%) were confirmed with HL, including 7 (29.2%; 95% CI, 17.2–59.3) with cCMVI. Another newborn with cCMVI passed the HS but was confirmed with HL at age 21 days. Of the 62 neonates with cCMVI who underwent a complete hearing evaluation, 8 (12.9%; 95% CI, 6.7–23.4) had HL and most (7/8; 87.5%; 95% CI, 46.6–99.7) were identified by HS. The rate of CMV-related HL was 8 per 11 887 neonates (0.7 per 1000 live births). The prevalence ratio of HL among neonates with cCMVI compared to CMV-uninfected neonates was 89.5 (95% CI, 39.7–202.0). No late-onset cCMVI-related HL was detected during a median follow-up of 36 months. Conclusions cCMVI is an important cause of HL in childhood in all settings. Integrating targeted cCMVI screening among neonates who fail a HS could be a reasonable, cost-effective strategy to identify newborns with early-onset cCMVI-related HL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There has been little evidence of the influence of breastfeeding on childhood eating habits. Aim: To evaluate the association between duration of exclusive breastfeeding (EB) and consumption of ultra-processed foods, fruits and vegetables by Brazilian children. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study nested in a cohort of 403 children age 4–7 years. Food consumption was evaluated by three food records and the foods were grouped by the amount of processing involved (minimal, including fruit and vegetables to ultra-processed foods). Adjusted linear and multinomial regression models were proposed to evaluate the association of EB with children's food intake. Median duration of EB was 4.0 (2.0–6.0) months and the prevalence of EB of 4 months or more was 60.9%. Results: Mean energy consumption was 1536 kcal/day, 38% of energy was from ultra-processed foods. Mean intake of fruit and vegetables was 130 g/day. For each 1-month increase in duration of EB there was a 0.7% decrease in energy from ultra-processed foods (β: − 0.7; 95% CI: − 1.3 to 0.1; p = 0.038). EB of less than 4 months was associated with the child being in the lowest tercile for consumption of fruit and vegetables (Adjusted OR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.1–3.0; p = 0.030) and the highest for consumption of ultra-processed foods (adjusted OR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.1–2.9; p = 0.040). Conclusions: In addition to other benefits of EB, we emphasize its importance for the formation of healthy eating habits, contributing to a higher consumption of fruit and vegetables and lower consumption of ultra-processed foods in childhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study used data from the 1982 Pelotas Birth Cohort Study, Brazil, to estimate the controlled direct effect of early-life socioeconomic position (SEP) on periodontitis at age 31 years, controlling for adulthood income and education, smoking, and dental hygiene. Sex was included as a covariate. Early-life SEP was measured at participant birth based on income, health services payment mode, maternal education, height, and skin color (lower versus middle/higher SEP). Periodontitis was assessed through clinical examination at age 31 years (healthy, mild periodontitis, or moderate-to-severe disease). Adulthood behaviors (smoking, dental hygiene) were the mediators, and adulthood SEP (education and income) represented the exposure-induced mediator-outcome confounders. A regression-based approach was used to assess the controlled direct effect of early-life SEP on periodontitis. Multinomial regression models were used to estimate risk ratios and their 95% confidence intervals. The prevalences of mild and moderate-to-severe periodontitis were 23.0% and 14.3%, respectively (n = 539). Individuals from the lowest early-life SEP had a higher risk of moderate-to-severe periodontitis controlled for mediators and exposure-induced mediator-outcome confounders: risk ratio = 1.85 (95% confidence interval: 1.06, 3.24), E value 3.1. We found that early-life SEP was associated with the development of periodontitis in adulthood that was not mediated by adulthood SEP and behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) is the main route of transmission for HIV among under 5 children in Brazil. National data indicate that missed opportunities for HIV prevention of MTCT are still common in antenatal care (ANC). We studied variables related to target process indicators in a cohort of HIV exposed children. We used data from 1996 to 2013 related to HIV exposed uninfected and HIV-infected children attended in an HIV reference hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Data were collected from baseline questionnaires applied to all children followed-up in the hospital. Gestational and perinatal history were extracted from the mother's ANC card. Infants were categorized according to dates of first HIV care at the unit (1996-2000, 2001-2006 and 2007-2013). Distances between recorded addresses and the nearest maternity/hospital were measured by Euclidean distance, the shortest car route calculated in Google Maps and the route of the available bus line. Of the 599 children who fulfilled the inclusion criteria, 178 (29.7%) were HIV-infected. Approximately 70% of infants exposed to the virus from 1996-2000 were infected, dropping to 15.2% from 2001-2006 and rebounding to 30.1% from 2007-2013. Birth cohort was associated with ANC, and mothers from 2007-2013 had a lower chance of attending ANC (OR = 0.16; 95%CI 0.08-0.30). In addition, when the distance home-birthplace was higher than 9.5 km, there was a lower chance that the mother had attended ANC (OR = 0.35; 95%CI 0.18-0.68). Birth cohort was associated to HIV and ANC, and our data showed that a reduction of ANC might be related to rebound in HIV cases. There seems to have an association between larger distances from home to the birthplace and absence of ANC, which suggests that ANC was being performed in the tertiary units instead of in the primary care facilities as recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: to evaluate anthropometric and demographic indicators associated with high blood pressure in children aged 6 to 10 years in urban and rural areas of Minas Gerais. Method: this is a cross-sectional study with 335 children. Anthropometric, demographic and blood pressure data were collected. The statistics analyzes were performed using the chi-square, t-student, Mann-Whitney and logistic regression tests, and the odds ratio was the association measure. Results: the prevalence of high blood pressure was significantly higher among rural children. In the urban area, the chance of high blood pressure was higher in children who had a high body mass index (2.97 [1.13-7.67]) and in the rural area, in those who had increased waist circumference (35.4 [3.0-406.2]) and the age range of 9-10 years (4.29 [1.46-12.6]). Conclusion: elevated body mass index and waist circumference were important anthropometric indicators for high blood pressure, as well as age in children living in rural area. The evaluation of body mass index and waist circumference, in addition to nutritional assessments, represents an important action for the screening of high blood pressure in children from different territorial contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between type and duration of breastfeeding and the development of malocclusion in primary dentition. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with children of both sexes, aged 30 to 48 months, who attended to a dental program for maternal and child care. The mothers completed a questionnaire about the form (exclusive breastfeeding or not) and duration of breastfeeding, their children's non-nutritive sucking habits, and their sociodemographic information. The clinical examination was done by a calibrated examiner in the knee-to-knee position and under indirect light to evaluate the primary occlusion. Pearson's chi-square test or Fisher's exact test and Poisson regression were performed for statistical analysis. Results: Over 45 percent of 252 children who were evaluated had malocclusion, such as anterior open bite (13.6 percent), posterior crossbite (3.6 percent), anterior crossbite (2.8 percent), midline shift (21.5 percent), overbite (19.8 percent), and overjet (32.9 percent). Children who were exclusively breastfed for less than six months had a 50 percent higher prevalence of anterior open bite (P=0.009) compared to those who had exclusive breastfeeding for more than six months. Conclusion: Exclusive breastfeeding for less than six months was associated with anterior open bite. The other malocclusion types were not associated with the time and type of feeding the children received in the early phase of the primary dentition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objectives Many factors are associated with the increase in total and central body adiposity in children, especially eating habits. This has led to an increasing number of studies analysing food patterns, which consider the synergistic effect of food and nutrient intake on the nutritional status. The objective of this study was to identify the dietary patterns of children aged 4–7 years and associate these with different indicators of total and central body adiposity. Study design Cross-sectional study Methods The study consisted of 403 children from a retrospective cohort in Minas Geraes, Brazil. Four indicators of body adiposity were evaluated: body mass index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and percentages of total and central body fat (assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry). The dietary habits of the children were evaluated by identifying the dietary patterns using principal component analysis. The adjustment predictor variables were related to the socio-economic characteristics, lifestyle and duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Food patterns were identified by factor analysis. Linear regression was used to estimate the regression coefficient and the confidence interval, considering statistical significance of α = 5%. Results Five dietary patterns were identified, which explained 42.3% of the data variance: 'Traditional', 'Unhealthy', 'Milk and chocolate', 'Snack' and 'Healthy'. The multiple linear regression model showed that a greater adherence to the 'Traditional' and 'Unhealthy' patterns was related to higher BMI, WHtR, and total and central body adiposity. Conclusion Children with a higher intake of food from the 'Traditional' and 'Unhealthy' patterns showed an increase in total and central body adiposity. Highlights • Dietary pattern is an indicator of body adiposity in school-aged children. • Unhealthy dietary patterns are associated with body adiposity in children. • Unhealthy patterns are related to higher body mass index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and body adiposity. • The 'Traditional' dietary pattern was related to higher BMI, WHtR and percentage of total body fat. • The 'Healthy' dietary pattern represented natural foods (fruits and vegetables). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]