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Background: Lockdown was a unique experience that affected many aspects of life, particularly during the challenge of Ramadan fasting (RF). Studying this can increase understanding of the effects of lifestyle changes on quality of life (QoL) for children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) during RF. Methods: A cross-sectional study that assessed the effect of lockdown on lifestyle and QoL on fasting children living with T1D during Ramadan in the Middle East and North Africa region (2020-2021). We compared the child (self) and parent (proxy) reports using PEDQoL v3.0 disease specific questionnaire during lockdown and non-lockdown periods, and assessed correlations with lifestyle changes using regression and gap analyses. Results: A total of 998 reports from 499 children with T1D aged 8 to 18 years (study = 276, control = 223), and their parents during RF in lockdown and non-lockdown periods. Fathers were more involved in their children's care during lockdown (P =.019). Patients had better compliance with treatment (P =.002), a reversed sleep pattern (P =.033), increased food intake (P ⩽.001), and less exercise (P <.001). Children and parents perceived better QoL during lockdown (P ⩽.001) with no differences between their reports in "Diabetes Symptoms", "Treatment Adherence," and "Communication" domains. Self and proxy reports were different in all domains during non-lockdown (P = <.001-.009). In gap analysis, although not statistically significant, the gap was approximated between children's and parents' perceptions in all domains during lockdown. Conclusion: COVID-19 lockdown had a positive impact on QoL of children living with T1D during RF, possibly due to lifestyle changes and superior psychosocial family dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite the well-established diagnostic and therapeutic applications of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in adults, data about its use in children are limited. In this study, we tried to assess the feasibility, safety, and clinical impact of EUS in pediatric patients. Methods: Data of pediatric patients (<18 years) referred for EUS over a 3-year period to the endoscopy units of four Egyptian tertiary centers were retrospectively analyzed. Significant impact was defined as a new diagnosis or treatment attributed to the EUS procedure. Results: Twenty-four diagnostic and five therapeutic EUS procedures were conducted in 29 children with a median age of 9 years. Indications for EUS included assessment of solid pancreatic mass (n = 3), pancreatic cyst (n = 2), suspected chronic pancreatitis (n = 9), pancreatic pseudocyst (PPC) (n = 5), recurrent hypoglycemia (n = 1), bile duct mass (n = 1), subepithelial lesion (esophageal, duodenal or anorectal) (n = 4), mediastinal mass (n = 1), pelvic mass (n = 3), and mass at splenic hilum (n = 1). Therapeutically, five patients underwent cystogastrostomy for symptomatic PPC with 100% technical and clinical success. EUS was able to diagnose 21 out of the other 24 patients. EUS-guided tissue acquisition was performed in 11 patients with definitive histopathological diagnosis in 10 patients (91%). There was no procedure-related major complication, while minor complications occurred in two cases (transient pain in one case, temporary fever, and vomiting in two cases). Conclusion: Standard linear EUS equipment and accessories can be used safely and effectively in selected pediatric patients for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite the well-established diagnostic and therapeutic applications of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in adults, data about its use in children are limited. In this study, we tried to assess the feasibility, safety, and clinical impact of EUS in pediatric patients. Methods: Data of pediatric patients (<18 years) referred for EUS over a 3-year period to the endoscopy units of four Egyptian tertiary centers were retrospectively analyzed. Significant impact was defined as a new diagnosis or treatment attributed to the EUS procedure. Results: Twenty-four diagnostic and five therapeutic EUS procedures were conducted in 29 children with a median age of 9 years. Indications for EUS included assessment of solid pancreatic mass (n = 3), pancreatic cyst (n = 2), suspected chronic pancreatitis (n = 9), pancreatic pseudocyst (PPC) (n = 5), recurrent hypoglycemia (n = 1), bile duct mass (n = 1), subepithelial lesion (esophageal, duodenal or anorectal) (n = 4), mediastinal mass (n = 1), pelvic mass (n = 3), and mass at splenic hilum (n = 1). Therapeutically, five patients underwent cystogastrostomy for symptomatic PPC with 100% technical and clinical success. EUS was able to diagnose 21 out of the other 24 patients. EUS-guided tissue acquisition was performed in 11 patients with definitive histopathological diagnosis in 10 patients (91%). There was no procedure-related major complication, while minor complications occurred in two cases (transient pain in one case, temporary fever, and vomiting in two cases). Conclusion: Standard linear EUS equipment and accessories can be used safely and effectively in selected pediatric patients for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substance abuse in childhood and adolescence is a major problem defining the future of the youth in both developed as well as developing nations. Studies in developed nations have focussed on this issue since long, and the trend is now taking direction towards the developing nations specially India. Even though a large number of studies are not available on this topic from India, but a review of these studies can define the future course of action and help in planning other studies as well as health related strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After decades of debate, a consensus is emerging about the way self-esteem develops across the lifespan. On average, self-esteem is relatively high in childhood, drops during adolescence (particularly for girls), rises gradually throughout adulthood, and then declines sharply in old age. Despite these general age differences, individuals tend to maintain their ordering relative to one another: Individuals who have relatively high self-esteem at one point in time tend to have relatively high self-esteem years later. This type of stability (i.e., rank-order stability) is somewhat lower during childhood and old age than during adulthood, but the overall level of stability is comparable to that found for other personality characteristics. Directions for further research include (a) replication of the basic trajectory using more sophisticated longitudinal designs, (b) identification of the mediating mechanisms underlying self-esteem change, (c) the development of an integrative theoretical model of the life-course trajectory of self-esteem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]