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Background Fluoride may be a developmental neurotoxicant at elevated exposures. We merged new data from a prospective Odense Child Cohort (OCC) with results from two previous birth cohort studies from Mexico and Canada to characterize the dose–effect relationship in greater detail. Methods The OCC contributed 837 mother–child pairs to the total of >1500. We measured creatinine-adjusted urine-fluoride concentrations in maternal urine samples obtained during late pregnancy. Child IQ was determined at age 7 years using an abbreviated version of the Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children. Findings from the three cohorts were used to calculate the joint benchmark concentration (BMC) and the lower confidence limit (BMCL) after adjustment for covariables. Results In the OCC, urine-fluoride concentrations varied between 0.08 and 3.04 mg/l (median 0.52 mg/l) but were not significantly associated with full-scale IQ at age 7 years (β = 0.08; 95% confidence interval −1.14 to 1.30 for a doubling in exposure). No difference was apparent between boys and girls. In the OCC, the BMC was 0.92 mg/l, with a BMCL of 0.30 mg/l. The joint analysis of all three cohorts showed a statistically significant association between urine-fluoride and IQ, with a BMC of 0.45 mg/l (BMCL, 0.28 mg/l), slightly higher than the BMC previously reported for the two North American cohorts alone. Conclusions As the BMCL reflects an approximate threshold for developmental neurotoxicity, the results suggest that pregnant women and children may need protection against fluoride toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With 20% of Canadians reporting a mother tongue other than English or French, it is not uncommon for health professionals and patients to be proficient in different languages. When a physician and patient cannot properly communicate, there is potential for misunderstanding, which can lead to poor clinical outcomes and hospital readmission. Professional interpretation services are associated with improved communication, health care use, clinical outcomes, and satisfaction with care. Using untrained or ad hoc interpreters—including family members—has been shown to increase errors of omission, substitution, editorialization, and addition. Children and youth are not sufficiently developmentally mature to act as interpreters in health care. Using children and youth as interpreters in health care settings places them in an inappropriate and potentially difficult situation that may have lasting negative effects on both their own mental health and their relationships with other family members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented global crisis, affecting millions globally and in Canada. While efforts to limit the spread of the infection and 'flatten the curve' may buffer children and youth from acute illness, these public health measures may worsen existing inequities for those living on the margins of society. In this commentary, we highlight current and potential long-term impacts of COVID-19 on children and youth centring on the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), with special attention to the accumulated toxic stress for those in difficult social circumstances. By taking responsive action, providers can promote optimal child and youth health and well-being, now and in the future, through adopting social history screening, flexible care models, a child/youth-centred approach to "essential" services, and continual advocacy for the rights of children and youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors comment on the challenges and intricacies experienced by individuals that furnished clinical care to the youth and children in Canada. They believed that clinical care personnel should understand them to prevent their problems from getting worse. They mentioned the need to fathom the effects of migration, culture and status on the children and families new to the country.

The author observes that the Canadian federal government has adopted a narrow definition of the Jordan's Principle stating that when a dispute arises regarding public services for a First Nation child, the government of first contact pays for the service and addresses payment disputes later. She informs that the narrow definition has been found to be unlawful by the Federal Court of Canada and the Human Rights Tribunal. She also mentions that First Nations children experience service delays.