Search

Background: Migraine is a highly underestimated and burdensome disease. Real-world studies evidence that migraine is more frequent and severe in women than men. However, to this day, no diagnostic-therapeutic pathways exist to satisfy the specific needs of female patients. Methods: In this study, migraine experts, specialists in women's health, patient, and decision makers, analyzed the diagnostic and therapeutic options for women with migraine across various ages and health conditions within the Italian healthcare system. A Delphi approach was used to formulate statements and achieve a consensus. Results: Gaps in clinical practice were identified, and strategies to accommodate women's needs were proposed. The experts agreed that a socio-behavioral intervention should be planned before any pharmacological treatment in pediatric/adolescent female patients and that the assessment of migraine with aura is considered crucial for adult women requiring contraceptive therapy. Acupuncture emerged as an effective treatment for pregnant and breastfeeding women, and hormone-replacement therapy selection in menopausal patients requires careful consideration to mitigate safety risks. The experts highlighted the absence of literature and guidelines for the management of migraine in women undergoing assisted reproductive procedures or oncological treatment. In light of these observations, the experts advocated the establishment of multidisciplinary collaborations between neurologists/headache specialists and other healthcare professionals, including general practitioners, pediatricians, gynecologists, and oncologists. Comprehensive migraine education for all healthcare professionals potentially involved in managing the disease, including pharmacists, was emphasized. Efforts to increase migraine awareness among women should be prioritized. Conclusion: The insights gained from this Italian consensus study should serve to develop an improved, female-specific pathway to diagnose and treat migraine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: In 2022, 17.3% of US households with children experienced food insecurity (FI). The objective of this study was to examine pediatric clinicians' FI screening and management immediately following the release of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 2015 FI Policy Statement. Methods: Data were collected in 2016 from 85 primary care pediatric clinicians via an online survey of clinicians in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Descriptive statistics were calculated using univariate/bivariate analyses. Fisher's exact test and Chi-square tests were used to explore the association between FI screening, health insurance, and clinician demographics. Results: Sixty-six percent of clinicians indicated that they infrequently screened for FI. Only 13% of clinicians used a standardized FI screening tool. Forty-five percent of clinicians screened for FI only when they perceived an acute concern. About 70% of them screened for FI when a patient presented with poor weight gain or was underweight. Conclusions: Immediately after the release of the AAP Policy Statement, it was found that few pediatric clinicians appropriately and frequently screened for FI in our regional sample. Our data emphasize the common misconceptions held by clinicians around FI and the necessity to incorporate training that underscores the invisibility of FI along with effective techniques to screen and intervene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Child abuse and neglect is a widespread and pressing issue, with serious and long-term adverse effects on children's physical and psychological health. Pediatricians play a crucial role in detecting and addressing cases; however, studies have shown challenges in reporting cases encountered in clinical practice. This study aims to examine pediatricians' attitudes towards reporting cases of child abuse and neglect encountered in their clinical practices, as well as the factors influencing these attitudes. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among pediatricians in Istanbul. Data collected included sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge and formal training about child neglect and abuse, attitudes about dealing with it, experience, and reporting behavior. The data was collected through a self-administered online questionnaire. The study provides insights into the current awareness and response of Istanbul's pediatricians towards child neglect and abuse. The data were analyzed using SPSS 22, employing descriptive and comparative statistics such as frequency, mean, standard deviation, and correlation tests. Ethical approval was obtained from the Istanbul Medipol University Ethics Committee. The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and online consent was obtained from the participants. Results: The study involved 126 pediatricians. Results showed that pediatricians had generally positive attitudes toward reporting child neglect and abuse. Gender and marital status did not significantly influence attitudes, but pediatricians who were parents scored higher on reporting Responsibility. Additionally, it was shown that those with more professional experience had a higher reporting responsibility score. Structured training on child abuse and neglect has been shown to increase pediatricians' reporting responsibility scores and exhibit less anxious attitudes. Conclusion: This study highlights pediatricians' positive attitudes toward reporting child abuse and neglect and identifies influencing factors such as training, professional experience, and collaboration. It emphasizes the importance of addressing challenges like awareness of reporting procedures and concerns about negative consequences. Comprehensive training, clear reporting protocols, and multidisciplinary collaboration are essential for increasing reporting rates and improving the detection of child abuse and neglect. The study contributes to enhancing child protection systems in Turkey by providing insights into pediatricians' attitudes toward reporting child abuse and neglect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Despite previous research supporting patient safety in sports after craniosynostosis surgery, parental anxiety remains high. This study sought to evaluate the role of healthcare providers in guiding patients and families through the decision-making process. Methods: Parents of children with repaired craniosynostosis were asked to assess sports involvement and parental decision-making in children ages 6 and older. Questions were framed primarily on 5-point Likert scales. Sport categorizations were made in accordance with the American Academy of Pediatrics. Chi-squared, linear regression, and Pearson correlation tests were used to analyze associations between the questions. Results: Forty-three complete parental responses were recorded. Mean ages at surgery and time of sports entry were 7.93 ± 4.73 months and 4.76 ± 2.14 years, respectively. Eighty-two percent of patients participated in a contact sport. Discussions with the primary surgeon were more impactful on parental decisions about sports participation than those with other healthcare providers (4.04 ± 1.20 vs. 2.69 ± 1.32). Furthermore, children whose parents consulted with the primary surgeon began participating in sports at a younger age (4.0 ± 1.0 vs. 5.8 ± 2.7 years, p = 0.034). The mean comfort level with contact sports (2.8 ± 1.4) was lower than that with limited-contact (3.8 ± 1.1, p = 0.0001) or non-contact (4.4 ± 1.3, p < 0.0001) sports. Conclusion: This study underscores the critical role that healthcare professionals, primarily surgeons, have in guiding families through the decision-making process regarding their children's participation in contact sports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pediatricians need to be knowledgeable to adequately carry out their role in the support of breastfeeding, so assessing their knowledge of breastfeeding is vitally important. There are not English language validated questionnaires for pediatricians in the literature; however, in Spanish and Portuguese, there is the Breastfeeding Knowledge Survey (ECoLa, derived from Encuesta de Conocimientos en Lactancia). Our goal is to translate the ECoLa into English. The original survey consisted of true/false questions, including one with an image of a breastfeeding baby, multiple-choice questions featuring clinical cases, and two open-ended short questions. We used a translation approach that incorporated both forward and backward translations and a multidisciplinary committee to evaluate the translation process. During translation, four Spanish versions and seven English versions were considered prior to consensus approval of the final survey. The intraclass correlation coefficient between the English questionnaire and the original Spanish version was 0.85 (95% CI [0.60, 0.95]). A sample of 51 participants completed the survey, resulting in a Cronbach's alpha of 0.78 for the English version (95% CI [0.70, 0.86]). The Breastfeeding Knowledge Survey is now accessible under a Creative Commons license, permitting its free re-use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Introduction: Cleft lip and palate (CL/P) is one of the most common congenital anomalies which require multidisciplinary care. Patients with CL/P require appropriate corrective treatment to improve health, function, and esthetics. Knowledge about the various treatment procedures available and the timing of the procedures among pediatricians is vital for them to refer the patient at the correct stage to the appropriate specialist for the best possible rehabilitation. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and awareness of pediatricians about early interventions performed by pediatric dentists in the management of CL/P. Materials and Methods: A closed-ended questionnaire that included questions regarding the knowledge and awareness of obturators, lip taping, and nasoalveolar moldings was formulated. A questionnaire with 20 questions was circulated among the pediatricians through a web-based portal. Their knowledge and awareness about early interventions performed by pediatric dentists in the management of CL/P were assessed. Results: Results showed that out of 323 pediatricians who participated in the survey, 99.4% had heard of obturators. Awareness about lip taping was 78.3% while that of nasoalveolar molding was 55.1%. The benefits of the procedure and appliance were not well known. Conclusion: To improve the health, psychological, and social support of patients with CL/P, more awareness needs to be created among pediatricians regarding the management to provide better and timely oral rehabilitation.

Abstract: Background Research is key to quality healthcare. Clinicians should possess adequate research capacity to generate evidence. This study aimed to evaluate the research capacity of pediatricians in Nigeria. Methods: The study was a cross- sectional using a questionnaire developed from the Research Capacity Assessment Framework. Information on previous research work, challenges encountered, and utilization of research outcome were obtained. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Qualitative variables were grouped under thematic headings. Results: Paediatricians who had received grants for research were 21 (19.4%). Those whose research outcomes had informed policy and practice were 20 (18.2%). Less than 40% of the participants had received training on research capacity areas. Conclusion: The research capacity among pediatricians was low partly due to underfunding and lack of research training programs. Improvement on government fund allocation for research and introduction of short research trainings programs will improve research capacity in Nigeria.

Objective: Thirdhand smoke (THS) is defined as the harmful substances in cigarette smoke that are absorbed into objects, people, and surfaces after smoking. This study aimed to determine the level of awareness of pediatricians working in a tertiary healthcare institution about THS exposure. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, participants were asked to fill out an information form in which we questioned the participant’s age, sex, occupation in the institution, the exposure of pediatric patients to cigarette smoke during daily healthcare, tobacco product use status, smoking status in their home and car, behavior in case of smoking in closed areas where smoking is prohibited, and whether they knew the term of THS. Also, the Turkish version of The Beliefs About Third-Hand Smoke was used. Results: Eighty-one participants, with a mean age of 34.2 ± 7.6 years, were included in the study. Fifty-six (69.1%) participants said they had never used tobacco products. Participants who had never used tobacco products (P = .005), never allowed smoking in their homes (P = .017) and cars (P = .001), had heard the definition of THS before (P = .013), and thought they knew it (P = .005) had higher total scale scores. There was no significant difference between the THS awareness levels of pediatricians who questioned children’s exposure to cigarette smoke in their daily practice and those who did not (P = .491). Conclusion: Determining the awareness levels of pediatricians about THS will be an important step in preventing THS exposure in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundMigraine is a highly underestimated and burdensome disease. Real-world studies evidence that migraine is more frequent and severe in women than men. However, to this day, no diagnostic-therapeutic pathways exist to satisfy the specific needs of female patients.MethodsIn this study, migraine experts, specialists in women’s health, patient, and decision makers, analyzed the diagnostic and therapeutic options for women with migraine across various ages and health conditions within the Italian healthcare system. A Delphi approach was used to formulate statements and achieve a consensus.ResultsGaps in clinical practice were identified, and strategies to accommodate women’s needs were proposed. The experts agreed that a socio-behavioral intervention should be planned before any pharmacological treatment in pediatric/adolescent female patients and that the assessment of migraine with aura is considered crucial for adult women requiring contraceptive therapy. Acupuncture emerged as an effective treatment for pregnant and breastfeeding women, and hormone-replacement therapy selection in menopausal patients requires careful consideration to mitigate safety risks. The experts highlighted the absence of literature and guidelines for the management of migraine in women undergoing assisted reproductive procedures or oncological treatment. In light of these observations, the experts advocated the establishment of multidisciplinary collaborations between neurologists/headache specialists and other healthcare professionals, including general practitioners, pediatricians, gynecologists, and oncologists. Comprehensive migraine education for all healthcare professionals potentially involved in managing the disease, including pharmacists, was emphasized. Efforts to increase migraine awareness among women should be prioritized.ConclusionThe insights gained from this Italian consensus study should serve to develop an improved, female-specific pathway to diagnose and treat migraine.

Abstract Background As pediatricians play a vital role in pediatric palliative care (PPC), understanding their perspectives toward PPC is important. PPC is established for a long time in Belgium, but has a shorter tradition in China, although it is growing in the last decade. Sampling and comparing the perspectives of these pediatricians could be insightful for both countries. Therefore, we sampled and compared perspectives of pediatricians in China and Belgium toward PPC, and explored factors influencing their perspectives. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional online survey using the validated Pediatric Palliative Care Attitude Scale (PPCAS). Over a five-month period, we recruited pediatricians practicing in China (C) and Flanders (F), Belgium. Convenience sampling and snowballing were used. We analyzed data with descriptive statistics, and evaluated group differences with univariate, multivariate and correlation tests. Results 440 complete surveys were analyzed (F: 115; C: 325). Pediatricians in both regions had limited PPC experience (F: 2.92 ± 0.94; C: 2.76 ± 0.92). Compared to Flemish pediatricians, Chinese pediatricians perceived receiving less unit support (F: 3.42 ± 0.86; C: 2.80 ± 0.89); perceived PPC less important (F: 4.70 ± 0.79; C: 4.18 ± 0.94); and faced more personal obstacles while practicing PPC (F: 3.50 ± 0.76; C: 2.25 ± 0.58). Also, select socio-demographic characteristics (e.g., experiences caring for children with life-threatening condition and providing PPC) influenced pediatricians’ perspectives. Correlational analyses revealed that pediatricians’ PPC experiences significantly correlated with perceived unit support (ρF = 0.454; ρC=0.661). Conclusions Chinese pediatricians faced more barriers in practicing PPC. Expanding PPC experiences can influence pediatricians’ perspectives positively, which may be beneficial for the child and their family.

We examined parents' COVID-19 vaccination intentions for their children, reasons for not vaccinating, and the potential impact of a school/daycare vaccination requirement or pediatrician's recommendation on vaccination intentions. Two online surveys were conducted in June-July and September-October 2021, before pediatric COVID-19 vaccines were authorized for emergency use in children age

Background: As pediatricians play a vital role in pediatric palliative care (PPC), understanding their perspectives toward PPC is important. PPC is established for a long time in Belgium, but has a shorter tradition in China, although it is growing in the last decade. Sampling and comparing the perspectives of these pediatricians could be insightful for both countries. Therefore, we sampled and compared perspectives of pediatricians in China and Belgium toward PPC, and explored factors influencing their perspectives. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey using the validated Pediatric Palliative Care Attitude Scale (PPCAS). Over a five-month period, we recruited pediatricians practicing in China (C) and Flanders (F), Belgium. Convenience sampling and snowballing were used. We analyzed data with descriptive statistics, and evaluated group differences with univariate, multivariate and correlation tests. Results: 440 complete surveys were analyzed (F: 115; C: 325). Pediatricians in both regions had limited PPC experience (F: 2.92 ± 0.94; C: 2.76 ± 0.92). Compared to Flemish pediatricians, Chinese pediatricians perceived receiving less unit support (F: 3.42 ± 0.86; C: 2.80 ± 0.89); perceived PPC less important (F: 4.70 ± 0.79; C: 4.18 ± 0.94); and faced more personal obstacles while practicing PPC (F: 3.50 ± 0.76; C: 2.25 ± 0.58). Also, select socio-demographic characteristics (e.g., experiences caring for children with life-threatening condition and providing PPC) influenced pediatricians' perspectives. Correlational analyses revealed that pediatricians' PPC experiences significantly correlated with perceived unit support (ρF = 0.454; ρC=0.661). Conclusions: Chinese pediatricians faced more barriers in practicing PPC. Expanding PPC experiences can influence pediatricians' perspectives positively, which may be beneficial for the child and their family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Chest x-rays are widely used for diagnosing chest pathology worldwide. Pediatricians frequently interpret chest radiographs in the emergency department, guiding patient management. This study aims to assess the competency of non-radiologists in interpreting emergency chest x-rays and compare it with trainees of different levels to determine the necessity of radiologist input. Methodology: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in Saudi Arabia from September to October 2023, involving 385 participants, including pediatricians and medical interns from various regions. Carefully selected questions addressed a range of x-ray abnormalities in pediatric emergencies, assessing fundamental understanding of x-ray interpretation, such as inspiratory vs. expiratory and AP or PA films. Results: The study included 385 participants, primarily Saudi nationals in the eastern region, with an equal gender distribution and ages ranging from 20 to 29 years. Approximately 29.09% demonstrated fair knowledge, with 28% being Junior Pediatrics Residents, 18% Pediatric Consultants, and 15% Senior Pediatrics Residents. Fair knowledge was significantly associated with individuals aged 20–29 years, residents of the western region, and Junior Pediatrics Residents. Clinical knowledge varied among different groups, with 59% correctly identifying atypical pneumonia and 65% recognizing asymmetrical hyperinflation. However, rates for other conditions differed, with low identification of potential foreign body aspiration and film type. Accuracy in identifying tension pneumothorax and hyperlucency varied among clinicians. Pleural effusion films had a 65% identification rate for the diagnosis, but only 28% accurately described the X-ray and selected the correct answer for lung opacity. Conclusion: The study concluded that 29.9% of the participating physicians exhibited fair knowledge of common pediatric emergency radiological films. Junior pediatric residents showed the best knowledge, and Tetralogy of Fallot, asymmetrical hyperinflation, and pleural effusion had the highest recognition rates. In conclusion, there is still a need for radiologists in the pediatric emergency department to ensure optimal functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim: Pediatricians play an essential role in managing pediatric oral emergencies; hence, they should have accurate information on dental injuries. This study aimed to assess the knowledge level of pediatricians regarding traumatic dental injuries (TDI) and their awareness of the ToothSOS mobile application. Materials and Methods: A survey comprising 10 questions was created on Google forms, and the links were sent to the participants via electronic mail and a mobile application. The demographic characteristics and the knowledge level of pediatricians about TDI and their awareness of the ToothSOS mobile application were evaluated. The questions were prepared by following similar studies and the current guidelines of the International Association of Dental Traumatology. Results: A total of 229 pediatricians (74.2% female) participated in this study. The correct answer rates revealed statistical differences in terms of profession and experience on the following issues: the most frequently traumatized tooth, the preference of the antibiotic agent, and the management of avulsed primary tooth (p <.05). The decision to consult a dentist revealed statistical differences in the profession (p =.001). The correct answers on the correlation between the age group and dental trauma accompanied by soft tissue injuries showed statistical differences in experience (p =.005). Although none of the participants knew the ToothSOS application, 91.7% of them preferred using this tool in future practices. This rate was statistically higher in participants with an experience of more than 10 years (p =.013). Conclusions: The knowledge level of pediatricians regarding dental trauma was found to be sufficient, except for the questions on avulsion injuries. However, the fact that the participants were unaware of the ToothSOS mobile application was the most considerable result of the study, and this finding highlighted the importance of informing pediatricians dealing with oral injuries regarding the latest updates on dental traumatology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Fever stands out as the predominant clinical indicator in infancy. Pediatricians encounter fever routinely in their daily practice, playing a crucial role in their interactions with children and families. Objective: The aim is to examine pediatricians' viewpoints, understanding, and approaches regarding childhood fever in two healthcare settings: pediatric hospitalization (emergency and inpatient ward) and primary care. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted using an ethnomethodological approach. Pediatricians working in the specified pediatric settings participated in in-depth interviews where theoretical clinical cases were presented for analysis. Results: Following the examination of the discourses, the codes were organized into eight categories: Understanding of fever, Significance ascribed to fever, Therapeutic strategies, Engagement with the evidence, Family apprehensions regarding fever, Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Inter- and intra-professional relationships, and Suggestions for change: Conclusions: Pediatricians acknowledge the importance of addressing discomfort in the treatment of fever, but express challenges in implementing these recommendations. Pediatricians in inpatient settings emphasize the need for enhanced parental education from primary care, while those in primary care recognize the potential for improvement. Inpatient pediatricians are open to implementing changes in their daily practices, particularly concerning the administration of antipyretics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This is the first study to use the Common-Sense Model of Self-Regulation theory for oral health interventions in pediatric practices. The objective of this qualitative study was to assess adoption and implementation of theory-based multilevel oral health interventions, by clinicians (pediatricians and nurse practitioners) participating in a cluster randomized clinical trial, to create an oral health toolkit for widespread dissemination into pediatric practices. Methods: Semistructured interviews were conducted at the conclusion of the cluster randomized clinical trial with 21 clinicians from 9 practices participating in the intervention arm. Clinicians in this arm received Common-Sense Model of Self-Regulation theory–based education and resources to deliver oral health interventions to parents/caregivers and document in electronic medical record. Semistructured interview questions were based on the Diffusion of Innovations Theory, assessing adoption and implementation. The interviews were coded using NVivo (QRS International) software. Main themes were identified using a thematic analysis approach. Results: Five themes identified from the interviews included strengths of theory-based oral health training for clinicians, oral health resources to improve quality of care, considerations for efficient future implementation, financial considerations, and parent benefits and challenges. Clinicians found that the theory-based training and resources increased knowledge and confidence when addressing oral health with parents and required only ≤2 minutes in their workflow with no financial consequences. Clinicians reported an increase in oral health awareness among parents but suggested an overall need for more pediatric dentists. Conclusions: The Common-Sense Model of Self-Regulation theory–based education and resources were well received by clinicians and perceived to be beneficial without adverse impact on workflow or practice finances. An online toolkit is planned because these oral health interventions can be successfully implemented and delivered in medical settings.

Rising rates of youth anxiety, depression, and suicide mean that pediatricians are increasingly likely to encounter children struggling with their mental health in their clinical practices. Despite pediatric professional organizations encouraging pediatricians to contribute more to mental healthcare and suicide prevention, research on the role of pediatricians and whether families consider them a resource is limited. Drawing on original survey (N = 1230) and interview data (N = 102), we investigate how families conceptualize and involve pediatricians in their children’s mental healthcare, including during suicidal crises. Our survey data show that while families considered mental health professionals the ideal point of contact, pediatricians were a close second, confirming that families view pediatricians as a mental health resource. Parent interviews clarify that parents most often turn to pediatricians for medication and referrals to other mental health professionals or because mental health professionals were inaccessible. We also examine how pediatricians helped (by connecting families promptly to appropriate care) or hurt (by stigmatizing suicide or by providing interventions associated with harm) during a child’s suicidal crisis. We conclude by emphasizing the importance of proper suicide prevention training for pediatricians, as well as suggesting directions for future research.

Background/Objectives: In 2022, 17.3% of US households with children experienced food insecurity (FI). The objective of this study was to examine pediatric clinicians’ FI screening and management immediately following the release of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 2015 FI Policy Statement. Methods: Data were collected in 2016 from 85 primary care pediatric clinicians via an online survey of clinicians in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Descriptive statistics were calculated using univariate/bivariate analyses. Fisher’s exact test and Chi-square tests were used to explore the association between FI screening, health insurance, and clinician demographics. Results: Sixty-six percent of clinicians indicated that they infrequently screened for FI. Only 13% of clinicians used a standardized FI screening tool. Forty-five percent of clinicians screened for FI only when they perceived an acute concern. About 70% of them screened for FI when a patient presented with poor weight gain or was underweight. Conclusions: Immediately after the release of the AAP Policy Statement, it was found that few pediatric clinicians appropriately and frequently screened for FI in our regional sample. Our data emphasize the common misconceptions held by clinicians around FI and the necessity to incorporate training that underscores the invisibility of FI along with effective techniques to screen and intervene.

Background: Affecting one in 20 children, Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder impacting a child's ability to learn motor skills. Despite its high prevalence, DCD is under‐recognized and under‐diagnosed, causing unnecessary frustration and stress for families who are seeking help for their child. This study aimed to understand how parents procure diagnostic services and their perspectives on needed supports and services to improve early identification and diagnosis of DCD. Methods: Using a multi‐pronged recruitment strategy, we circulated the impACT for DCD online questionnaire to parents of children (<18 years) in British Columbia with suspected or diagnosed DCD. Data were analysed descriptively using medians/interquartile ranges for continuous data and frequencies/percentages for categorical data. Open‐ended questions were analysed using exploratory content analysis. Results: A total of 237 respondent data were analysed. Parents identified poor awareness and understanding of health care professionals and educators regarding aetiology, symptomology, and impacts of DCD, affecting timely access to diagnostic services. Long waitlists were also a barrier that often led families with financial means to procure private diagnostic assessments. Conclusion: A standard of care is needed for streamlined diagnostic services, enabling early identification and early intervention. A publicly funded, family‐centred, collaborative care approach is critical to assess, diagnose, and treat children with this disorder and to mitigate the secondary physical and mental health consequences associated with DCD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Achieving high vaccination rates is very important in the prevention of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as in other infectious diseases. This study aimed to evaluate pediatricians' knowledge, attitudes and behaviours about COVID-19 vaccination of children. Methods: Our single-center, descriptive, cross-sectional, prospective study was conducted between September 20, 2022 and November 30, 2022. The sample consisted of 350 physicians who agreed to fill out the questionnaire voluntarily. Participants were asked 21 questions about their sociodemographic data, knowledge about COVID-19 vaccination of children, attitudes and behaviours via Google Forms. Results: A total of 350 pediatricians, 72.6% of whom were women, participated in our study. 51.4% of the participants were working in a Training and Research Hospital, and 99.1% had received COVID-19 vaccination themselves. While 65.7% (n=230) of pediatricians recommended COVID-19 vaccination for all children, 27.7% (n=97) recommended it only for children in the risk group, and 6.6% (n=23) did not recommend COVID-19 vaccination for children. The most common reasons why pediatricians did not recommend the vaccine to all children were; 56.7% lack of sufficient clinical research on vaccination in children, 50% concerns about the long-term effects of the vaccine, 27.5% vaccine-related side effects. The most risk groups for which participants recommended vaccination were asthma (chronic lung disease) 84.6%, diabetes mellitus 72%, and immunodeficiency 69.7%. 68.9% of pediatricians knew that COVID-19 vaccine was used for children aged 12 years and older in Türkiye, and 60.9% thought that COVID-19 vaccine was safe for children. Those who thought that COVID-19 vaccine was safe for children were more likely to recommend the vaccine to children (p<0.001). When the answers given to the knowledge questions were analyzed, it was found that the knowledge level of those who did not recommend vaccination to children was lower than the others (p<0.001). Conclusion: In the present study, pediatricians mostly recommend COVID-19 vaccine to children. The vaccine safety and the level of knowledge about COVID-19 vaccine are effective factors in recommending the vaccine. Therefore, we conclude that trainings to be organized for pediatricians about COVID-19 vaccine will increase the rate of recommending COVID-19 vaccine to children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study determined the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of pediatricians and pediatric residents regarding issues of ethics, professional education, clinical ethical principles, and consent they encounter in health service delivery. Participants in the study were 134 pediatricians and pediatric residents from three hospitals in Ankara, Turkey. Participants were asked questions regarding their sociodemographic characteristics, their knowledge and views of ethics and ethical education, whether they had ever encountered an ethical problem, their beliefs about obtaining consent from pediatric patients and their families, and case-based questions. All data were collected and evaluated. Of the participants in the study, 82 (61.2%) were residents, 41 (30.6%) were pediatricians, and 11 (8.2%) were faculty lecturers. The data revealed that 10% of the pediatricians and pediatric residents received ethical education, apart from medical ethics/deontology education at medical school, and 90.3% required further education on children and ethical problems. It was determined that 89% of residents and 78% of pediatricians needed help with the ethical problems they encountered during the diagnostic and treatment processes. Overall, 65.7% of the participants stated that the ethical problems they encountered affected the efficiency of health service delivery. It was observed that residents were more affected by ethical issues than pediatricians were. The present study revealed that pediatric residents and pediatricians need ethics education and there is a need to establish ethics counseling centers in hospitals. There is also a need for further studies in pediatrics and ethics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Electrocardiography (ECG) is an important diagnostic tool used in the early diagnosis and treatment of arrhythmias and conduction disorders. Pediatricians need to interpret the ECGs correctly and be able to decide the situations that require pediatric cardiology consultation. In this study, we aimed to determine the ECG evaluation competencies of pediatricians. The obtained data will serve as a guide for the development of a training module. Materials and Methods: Pediatric residents and specialists were included in the study. A questionnaire was sent to the participants via Google Forms. In this questionnaire, participants were asked to evaluate whether 10 ECG samples were normal or abnormal, detect the abnormality in the ECGs, define the specific diagnosis, and indicate how confident they were in their evaluation. A total of 242 participants, 160 of whom were pediatric residents and 82 were pediatricians, were included in the study. Results: The mean knowledge level of the participants was 17 ± 4.1 out of 30 points. Electrocardiography knowledge score increased with increasing age, increasing experience after graduation from medical school, increasing seniority during residency training, and increasing self-confidence in ECG interpretation. A significant difference was found between the ECG knowledge scores of those who attended an ECG course after graduation and those who did not. The rate of correctly defining the distinction between normal and abnormal was 93.7%. The rate of detecting pathologies in ECGs accurately and correct identification of specific diagnosis was 56.7%. Conclusion: The accuracy level of pediatricians in ECG evaluation is low. Electrocardiography trainings are needed to develop ECG assessment skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence and clinical policy support that providers screen and counsel for media use for youth, but most pediatricians lack this training. The purpose of this study was to test a primary care provider (PCP)-delivered intervention to promote safe social media use among youth. We enrolled pediatric PCP practices for this clinical trial to test a social media counseling intervention (SMCI) between 2011 and 2013. Youth were recruited during clinic visits; follow-up interviews were conducted at 6 months. Outcomes included media behaviors and caregiver communication. Multivariate regression models examined associations between social media counseling and PCP counseling score. Multivariate logistic regression evaluated four social media behavior outcomes. A total of 120 practices enrolled; PCPs in the SMCI were more likely to provide social media counseling (B = 1.43, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1–1.7). Youth whose PCP received the SMCI were twice as likely to report a decrease in online "friending" of strangers (adjusted odds ratio = 2.23, 95% CI 1.17–4.25) and were more likely to report communication with their caregivers about their social media use (adjusted odds ratio = 1.2; 95% CI: 1.1–1.4) compared to youth whose PCPs were in the active control group. Youth whose PCP had received social media counseling training reported a higher receipt of counseling about social media and improved safety behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Sometimes treatment is not necessarily according to guidelines, which is partly due to attitudes rather than lack of knowledge. In Germany, regional differences concerning prevalence rates of ADHD exist without valid explanation. We contribute with our data to the question of attitudes toward ADHD among pediatricians in Germany. Method: A specially designed questionnaire based on the Knowledge of Attention Deficit Disorders Scale and previous surveys was sent to pediatricians. In addition to descriptive statistics, we performed factor analysis and multiple linear regression analysis. Results: The vast majority (85.5%) of 581 respondents have a positive attitude toward ADHD, i.e., ADHD exists and should be treated appropriately. Physicians with positive attitudes were older and more often had a neuropediatric specialization. Conclusion: Most of the pediatricians surveyed in Germany assess ADHD and treatment in line with medical guidelines and treat as part of multimodal therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Gender dysphoria is a clinical condition characterized by significant distress due to the discordance between biological sex and gender identity. Currently, gender dysphoria is also found more frequently in children and adolescents, thanks to greater social sensibleness and new therapeutic possibilities. In fact, it is estimated that the prevalence of gender dysphoria in pediatric age is between 0.5% and 2% based on the statistics of the various countries. Therefore, the pediatrician cannot fail to update himself on these issues and above all should be the reference figure in the management of these patients. Even if the patient must be directed to a referral center and be followed up by a multidisciplinary team, the treating pediatrician will care to coordinate the clinical and therapeutic framework. The aim of the present report is therefore to integrate literature data with our clinical experience to propose a new clinical approach in which the pediatrician should be the reference in the care of these patients, directing them towards the best therapeutic approach and staying in contact with the specialists of the referral center.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the practice patterns of pediatricians as they relate to common urologic concerns.Materials and methodsAn anonymous 15-question survey was created and distributed to all pediatricians at our institution, a large multisite care center. This study was deemed exempt by the institutional review board.Results55 of the 122 (45%) providers queried responded. 93% of the participants were female, and 7.3% were male. 55% recommended testicular self-examination at adolescence, while 39% did not recommend at any age. 78% stated that they were “Fairly confident” in the exam for undescended testicle (UTD). One-third referred patients with UDT to a subspecialist upon recognition at birth, 13% at 3 months of age, and 28% at 6 months of age. 10% reported obtaining a VCUG after the first febrile urinary tract infection (UTI), 26% after the second, and 36% only if there were abnormal findings on renal ultrasound. 28% of providers reported that they refer to pediatric urology after the initial febrile UTI. 19% provided antibiotics for UTI symptoms alone with negative urinalysis and urine culture.ConclusionsDespite established guidelines, practice patterns varied among pediatricians. Pediatricians typically followed the AAP's guidelines regarding VCUGs (62%), with only a few adhering to urologic recommendations (9%). Despite the consistency between AAP and AUA guidelines regarding the age at which to refer a patient for cryptorchidism, about 70% of practitioners referred patients too early or too late. Harmonized, consolidated guidelines between pediatricians and pediatric urologists would improve patient care and efficiency of the healthcare system.

OBJECTIVE: Anaphylaxis is a severe hypersensitivity reaction with a rapid onset and is potentially life-threatening if not treated promptly. This study aimed to determine the level of knowledge of pediatricians in Turkey in recognizing and treating the clinical symptoms of anaphylaxis, compare the previous studies conducted in Turkey chronologically, and show the current trends on awareness of anaphylaxis in developed and developing countries in the world. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Pediatric residents and specialists from all over Turkey were included in the study. A questionnaire was prepared by compiling the current literature. Questions were sent to pediatricians via online applications. Statistical tests were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: A total of 524 pediatricians participated in the study. All participants accepted that anaphylaxis was a life-threatening condition. Al-most all suggested epinephrine as the primary drug used in anaphylaxis. The proportion of pediatricians who knew the appropriate dose, route of administration, and place of administration of epinephrine was 82.8%, 88.9%, and 89.7%, respectively. The rate of pediatricians who recognized the clinical features of anaphylaxis was over 90%. The proportion of pediatricians who knew the epinephrine auto-injector and dose was 74.4% and 53.1%, respectively. Pediatricians with less than 10 years of experience and those working in public hospitals had better knowledge about atypical symptoms of anaphylaxis. CONCLUSIONS: Although there are still inadequacies in identifying atypical symptoms and treating anaphylaxis, our study revealed that the level of awareness of anaphylaxis had shown an increasing trend in Turkey over time. On the other hand, the knowledge on diagnosing and treating anaphylaxis still needs to be improved, especially for physicians working in rural areas of developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a disease that is caused by abnormal proliferation of retinal vessels in pre-term infants. Difficulties and delays in diagnosing ROP are thought to bring along claims of medical malpractice. We aimed to provide an assessment of medical malpractice claims regarding the ROP cases, which were evaluated in the 7th Specialization Board of the Council of Forensic Science. Material and Methods: This study is a retrospective descriptive study. The cases with ROP diagnose were included in the study which was evaluated in the 7th Specialization Board of the Council of Forensic Science within 3 years between 2017 and 2020. Results: The number of cases included in the study was twenty-six cases. The mean gestational age was 30.26±2.12 weeks. While the mean birth weight was 1501±407.93 g. Medical malpractice was found in 16 (61.5%) cases. In 7 (26.9%) cases, malpractice was given because the pediatrician did not consult an ophthalmologist on time. In 9 (34.6%) cases, there was malpractice due to the diagnosis or follow-up fault of the ophthalmologist. Stage 4–5 ROP was found in all cases at the time of diagnosis. Conclusion: Most problems of ROP cases evaluated for malpractice were associated with diagnosis and follow-up. It is essential that specialized pediatric ophthalmologists assess these cases. Multidisciplinary cooperation and standard management algorithms should be introduced. Delays in treatments were either due to failure of timely diagnosis and staging of ROP by ophthalmologists or incomplete documentation of patient files and consultation delays by pediatricians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Puberty identifies the transition from childhood to adulthood. Precocious puberty is the onset of signs of pubertal development before age eight in girls and before age nine in boys, it has an incidence of 1/5000–1/10,000 with an F:M ratio ranging from 3:1 to 20:1. Precocious puberty can be divided into central, also known as gonadotropin-dependent precocious puberty or true precocious puberty, and peripheral, also recognized as gonadotropin-independent precocious puberty or precocious pseudopuberty. Thus, the main aim of this narrative report is to describe the standard clinical management and therapy of precocious puberty according to the experience and expertise of pediatricians and pediatric endocrinologists at Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy. In the suspicion of early sexual maturation, it is important to collect information regarding the age of onset, the speed of maturation of secondary sexual features, exposure to exogenous sex steroids and the presence of neurological symptoms. The objective examination, in addition to the evaluation of secondary sexual characteristics, must also include the evaluation of auxological parameters. Initial laboratory investigations should include serum gonadotropin levels (LH and FSH) and serum levels of the sex steroids. Brain MRI should be performed as indicated by the 2009 Consensus Statement in all boys regardless of chronological age and in all girls with onset of pubertal signs before 6 years of age. The gold standard in the treatment of central precocious puberty is represented by GnRH analogs, whereas, as far as peripheral forms are concerned, the triggering cause must be identified and treated. At the moment there are no reliable data establishing the criteria for discontinuation of GnRH analog therapy. However, numerous pieces of evidence suggest that the therapy should be suspended at the physiological age at which puberty occurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim:Complementary medicine has been used with increasing frequency worldwide recently. In our country, phytotherapy, one of the complementary medicine practices among children, is increasing daily among patients and physicians. The study determined the frequency of phytotherapy application by physicians seeing pediatric patients.Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted via an online survey. The study was carried out between June 2021 and August 24, 2021. The pediatricians, family physicians, general practitioners, and other specialists who treat children were included in the study. The survey questions were distributed to all of the pediatricians registered on a platform with over 2,000 members.Results:A total of 547 physicians participated in the study. The participants were divided into three groups, including pediatricians, family physicians, and general practitioners (28%, 33.6%, and 38.2%, respectively). The most common group of physicians practicing phytotherapy was family physicians. The proportion of physicians who applied phytotherapy to their patients was 65.3%. A total of 75.3% of physicians believe that phytotherapy is effective, and 76.1% of participants want to learn more about it. A total of 70.7% of physicians stated that patients requested phytotherapy treatment from them. Phytotherapy is mostly applied to respiratory diseases. Aromatherapy is practiced by 43.3% of physicians and is mainly used for respiratory diseases and inhalation.Conclusion:More than half of the physicians practiced phytotherapy with pediatric patients. Physicians reported that there is a demand from patients and that they want to receive training in this area. Phytotherapy training should be organized for physicians.

Abstract Background Vision-related disorders are common in children. Therefore, eye examination and thorough visual assessment by first-contact physicians are crucial in children. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge of and attitude toward children’s eye disorders among pediatricians and family physicians in the Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs-Western Region (MNGHA-WR) of Saudi Arabia. Methods In this observational, cross-sectional study, we used a self-administered, web-based questionnaire. The sample size was calculated to be 148 pediatricians and family physicians (of 240 in total) currently working at MNGHA-WR. The first section of the questionnaire dwelled on demographics, while the second section addressed the physician’s knowledge of and attitude toward commonly encountered ophthalmological pathologies in children. Data collected were entered into Microsoft Excel and then transferred to IBM SPSS version 22 for statistical analysis. Results A total of 148 responses (92 family physicians and 56 pediatricians) were received. Most of the participants were residents or staff physicians (n = 105, 70.9%). The mean knowledge score of the respondents was 54.67% ± 14.5%. Participants’ knowledge was further subclassified using Bloom’s original cutoff points into high (n = 4, 2.7%), moderate (n = 53, 35.8%), and low (n = 91, 61.5%) levels of knowledge. Regarding practices, 120 (81%) participants performed ophthalmic examinations; however, only 39 (26.4%) conducted routine examinations as part of every child’s visit. Fundus examinations were performed by 25 (16.9%) physicians. A significant deficiency in knowledge was noted in those with

Introduction: Fever stands out as the predominant clinical indicator in infancy. Pediatricians encounter fever routinely in their daily practice, playing a crucial role in their interactions with children and families. Objective: The aim is to examine pediatricians’ viewpoints, understanding, and approaches regarding childhood fever in two healthcare settings: pediatric hospitalization (emergency and inpatient ward) and primary care. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted using an ethnomethodological approach. Pediatricians working in the specified pediatric settings participated in in-depth interviews where theoretical clinical cases were presented for analysis. Results: Following the examination of the discourses, the codes were organized into eight categories: Understanding of fever, Significance ascribed to fever, Therapeutic strategies, Engagement with the evidence, Family apprehensions regarding fever, Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Inter- and intra-professional relationships, and Suggestions for change: Conclusions: Pediatricians acknowledge the importance of addressing discomfort in the treatment of fever, but express challenges in implementing these recommendations. Pediatricians in inpatient settings emphasize the need for enhanced parental education from primary care, while those in primary care recognize the potential for improvement. Inpatient pediatricians are open to implementing changes in their daily practices, particularly concerning the administration of antipyretics.

ObjectiveThe principal aim of this randomized clinical trial (RCT) was to test the effectiveness in the prevention of Early Childhood Caries (ECC) through an educational intervention program with the use of a printed guide for pediatricians and parents both designed by pediatric dentists.Materials and methodsAfter ethical approval, the first step was to design the educational guides, which were based on the information obtained from a focus group with pediatricians (n = 3), phone interviews with mothers to toddlers' (n = 7), and the best evidence available about children's oral health. For the RCT, 309 parents with their 10–12 months old children were randomly allocated to either the intervention or the control group. Parents in the intervention group received oral health education from the pediatricians supported by the printed guides. Parents in both groups received an oral health kit with a toothbrush and toothpaste at the first visit as well as at each 6-month follow-up visit. After 18 months the children were evaluated using ICDAS criteria.ResultsAt baseline, data were available from 309 children (49.8% girls). The mean age of the children was of 10.8 months (SD = 0.8) and 69.3% had not had their teeth brushed with toothpaste. After 18 months, a total of 28 (22%) children in the intervention group and 44 (24%) in the control group were clinically examined. Regarding the number of tooth surfaces with caries lesions, the children in the intervention group had a mean of 6.50 (SD = 6.58) surfaces, while the children in the control group had a mean of 5.43 (SD = 4.74) surfaces with caries lesions. This difference was not significant (p = 0.460).ConclusionThe RCT showed no effectiveness in caries-progression control. Despite this result, this study managed to identify barriers that do not allow pediatricians from offering parents adequate oral health recommendations. With this learning, it is possible to work on collaborative programs with pediatricians that over time likely will increase dental health by controlling for ECC.

While the needs for pediatric care are increasing and becoming more diverse, pediatric private practice in France is encountering difficulties linked to a growing medical demographic deficit. The objective of this study was to give an overview of pediatric private practice in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region and to describe the main challenges encountered. For this descriptive observational survey, private practice pediatricians in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region filled out an online questionnaire between April 2019 and October 2020. The response rate was 64%. Most respondents practiced in an urban area (87%) and shared the practice with other physicians (59%). A majority (85%) had previously worked in hospital; 65% reported training in a subspecialty. Overall, 48% had other professional activities; 28% worked night shifts and 96% accepted urgent requests for consultations. A total of 33% reported having difficulties contacting specialists for consults, and 46% had difficulties in obtaining written reports of their patients' hospitalizations. All respondents participated in a form of ongoing medical education. The main difficulties were: lack of information about how to found a private practice (68%), lack of personal time (61%), balance between medical and administrative work (59%), and an excess of patients to care for (57%). The main satisfactions were: trusting relationships with patients (98%), freedom in their choice of practice (85%), and the diversity of problems and situations encountered (68%). Our study underlines that private practice pediatricians are involved in healthcare provision, in particular regarding ongoing medical training, subspecialties, and continuity of care. It also highlights the problems encountered and the possible improvements: developing better communication between private practice and hospitals, reinforcing training during residency, and highlighting the importance and complementarity of private practice in children's healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The access to pediatric rheumatology (PR) services in Portugal is not well described. The primary objective of this study was to identify barriers to PR referrals and explore alternative referral patterns among family doctors and pediatricians. Methods: A web-based survey was emailed to family doctors and pediatricians practicing in Portugal to investigate issues related to access to PR care. Descriptive and comparative analyses were performed. Results: A total of 292 responses were obtained, with 24.7% from pediatricians and 75.3% from family doctors. Only 12% claimed to have received specific education on PR. Nearly 70% worked within one hour of a PR center. Twenty-eight percent had referred a patient to PR at least once, and 9.3% considered referring to PR at least once but ultimately did not. Many referred patients to other specialties, primarily pediatrics, adult rheumatology, and pediatric orthopedics. Pediatricians encountered a greater variety of rheumatic diseases. Fifty-five percent had no opinion on the support provided by PR centers, while 24% found it sufficient. Having specific training in PR, being a pediatrician, and being a specialist were associated with higher referral rates to PR. Discrepancies in regional access to PR were documented. The most highly rated measure for improving PR referrals was promoting education. Conclusion: The main barriers to PR referrals in Portugal are primarily the lack of education in PR, along with uneven national coverage and greater distances to some PR centers. Pediatricians appear to have better education, more experience, and higher referral rates to PR. The current alternatives for referral are pediatrics, adult rheumatology, and pediatric orthopedics. Addressing educational fragmentation was the most significant and rewarding inconsistency to overcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gender dysphoria is a clinical condition characterized by significant distress due to the discordance between biological sex and gender identity. Currently, gender dysphoria is also found more frequently in children and adolescents, thanks to greater social sensibleness and new therapeutic possibilities. In fact, it is estimated that the prevalence of gender dysphoria in pediatric age is between 0.5% and 2% based on the statistics of the various countries. Therefore, the pediatrician cannot fail to update himself on these issues and above all should be the reference figure in the management of these patients. Even if the patient must be directed to a referral center and be followed up by a multidisciplinary team, the treating pediatrician will care to coordinate the clinical and therapeutic framework. The aim of the present report is therefore to integrate literature data with our clinical experience to propose a new clinical approach in which the pediatrician should be the reference in the care of these patients, directing them towards the best therapeutic approach and staying in contact with the specialists of the referral center. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Pediatricians reported low vaccine coverage in 5-to-11 year old age group. • Most pediatricians were likely to recommend COVID-19 vaccination for children. • Most pediatricians perceived COVID-19 vaccines as safe and effective for children. • Most pediatricians felt very confident counselling on COVID-19 vaccine for children. • Pediatricians noted barriers and areas for further training on COVID-19 vaccination. SARS-CoV-2 vaccination of all age-eligible populations is an important part of the COVID-19 pandemic response. In Ontario, vaccination coverage in 5-to-11-year-old children has remained lower than in other age groups. We sought to understand pediatricians' perception, practices, and barriers to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in children, particularly children aged 5-to-11 years, to inform interventions and promote capacity of pediatricians as vaccinators and vaccination promoters. This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study consisting of an online self-administered questionnaire distributed to 1,313 pediatricians in Ontario. Descriptive statistics, including Chi-square or Fisher's exact tests, were performed. In total, 152 Pediatricians responded (11.6% response rate), from February 17, 2022 to March 17, 2022. 78% of respondents were general pediatricians and 22% were pediatric subspecialists. Median years of practice was 17 (8–31), with 68% female, 32% male. Most pediatricians thought it was unlikely that children aged 5-to-11 years would become seriously ill from acute COVID-19 caused by Delta (66%) or Omicron (80%). 92% were very likely to recommend the COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5-to-11 years. COVID-19 vaccine was perceived as safe, with higher safety perception in children aged 5-to-11 compared to 12-to-17 years (p < 0.0001). COVID-19 vaccines were thought to be effective in reducing hospitalization or severe illness, and reducing SARS-CoV-2 infection, with higher perceived effectiveness against Delta compared to Omicron (p < 0.0001). 97% felt confident counselling caregivers of children aged 5-to-11 years on the COVID-19 vaccine. Few pediatricians did not feel confident in accessing resources for health professionals (6%) or for patients/caregivers (12%). Most surveyed pediatricians were very likely to recommend COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 5-to-11-years, perceived COVID-19 vaccines as safe and effective, and felt confident in their COVID-19 vaccine counselling for children aged 5-to-11 years. However, there remains areas for further training and capacity development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Although CMV is the most common congenital infection, studies on how its importance is understood by healthcare professionals are limited. This research aims to assess awareness and knowledge of pediatricians regarding congenital CMV infection (cCMVi). Material and Methods: The target group of the study was pediatricians in Turkey. A 26-item anonymous questionnaire was developed, and implemented online. Participants were grouped by their professional seniority: Group-I, pediatric residents; Group-II, pediatricians; Group-III, specialists in any sub-branches of pediatrics; Group-IV, associate professors/professors in pediatrics. Results: The questionnaire was completed by 434 respondents. The mean duration of practice was 11.95±7.3 (1-40) years for professionals, and 31.14±13.1 (1-60) months for pediatric residents. Of the participants, 85.9% knew that cCMVi screening is not applied in Turkey and 89.4% had previously followed a patient with suspected cCMVi. Incorrect answers regarding transmission routes and diagnosis methods were significantly more preferred by pediatricians other than residents. Correct answer rates about most common clinical presentation, imaging modalities, common diseaserelated sequelae, and treatment were generally quite low. Conclusion: The responses revealed a lack of knowledge and awareness about cCMVi in Turkey among pediatricians, especially in professionals rather than residents. It is important to provide regular and ongoing training about cCMVi in countries where screening is not implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim: The aim of the research was to examine the general attitude, knoweledge and practice of pediatricians about caries in children of preschool age. Material and Methods: The research was conducted from November 2019 to the end of January 2020. The research consisted of a survey of pediatricians. The questionnaire consisted of 4 modules and 37 questions, which related to the attitude, knowledge and practice of pediatricians on the prevention of early childhood caries. Results: The majority of pediatricians (84.9%) stated that they assess the nutrition of their patients, while 32.1% of them always do oral health assessment, and half of them in the second month of the child's life; and 39.6% assess oral health only if there is a problem. The majority of pediatricians (86.8%) recommended the first dental examination, most often in the first year of the child's life (79.5%), and then every 6 months (43.5%). The majority of respondents did not required information about the dental health of their patients' mothers, fluoride toothpastes and topical application of fluoride as well (62.3-75.5%). The majority of pediatricians (79.2%) have never provided or sometimes provided educational material on caries prevention and control to the parents of their patients. The most accurate answers and the highest percentage of correct answers that the pediatricians had were about attitudes (Z=8.98, 66.63%), while the fewest correct answers and the lowest percentage of correct answers regarding the practices on the prevention of early childhood caries (Z=11.91, 58.90%). Conclusions: The research showed that pediatricians have the good attitudes and knowledge, but do not implement prevention of early childhood caries in practice. The basic deficiency of attitude, knowledge and perception of the importance of prevention is a consequence of insufficient education of pediatricians.

For past decades there have been substantial changes in the therapy of oncohematologic diseases in children. Today, the treatment of this subset of patients is impossible without close cooperation between pediatric oncology/hematology professionals and general pediatricians. Authors underline the following critical steps in the management of oncohematologic patients necessarily requiring participation of general pediatricians: early diagnosis of malignancies, management of patients during their anti-tumor treatment, observation of patients in complete remissions after effective anti-tumor treatment, management of patents receiving palliative care, organization of hospices. Issues regarding prophylaxis and treatment of infectious complications in oncohematologic patients, use of growth factors, substitutive treatment with blood components and vaccination are reviewed.

Purpose: Eye diseases during childhood may result in serious morbidities like visual impairment and blindness. Therefore, pediatricians' knowledge of childhood eye disorders is crucial for the prevention of irreversible outcomes. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of Turkish pediatricians regarding childhood eye diseases. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted to evaluate the KAPs of pediatricians about eye disorders. The survey included 56 questions consisting of four sections as follows; socio-demographic findings, knowledge, practice, and attitude of pediatricians, respectively. The open online survey was sent to the participants via a WhatsApp link by mobile smartphones and their responses were entered into SPSS version 20.0 software for analysis. Results: A total of 362 pediatricians participated in the study. The knowledge levels of 262 responders (72.4%) were categorized as poor, 89 (26.5%) were moderate and 4 (1.1%) were good. Practices of the pediatricians about treatment and referral of eye diseases in children were moderate. The pupillary response was the most commonly performed test. Although their attitudes were positive, their practice was inadequate owing to barriers such as inadequate training, and unavailability of ophthalmic equipment. Conclusion: This study indicated that most of the pediatricians were interested in improving both their knowledge and their practice in diagnosing and management of ophthalmic problems. The knowledge of pediatricians about eye disease may be strengthened by correct collaborations with an ophthalmologist and improving the pediatric curriculum regarding ophthalmological diseases may be beneficial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ümraniye Pediatri Dergisi is the property of KARE Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The increasing prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) warrants higher levels of clinical attention to optimally manage children with ASD. There is mounting evidence that early intervention programs can help improve developmental functioning, maladaptive behaviors, and core ASD symptoms. The most thoroughly investigated and evidence-based therapies have been developmental, behavioral, and educational interventions mediated by either professionals or parents. Other commonly available interventions include speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and social skills training. Pharmacological interventions, where needed, are used as an adjunct to treat severe problem behaviors and manage medical and psychiatric comorbidities. Complementary or alternative medicine (CAM) approaches have not proven to be of any benefit, and some of them may be harmful to the child. As the child's first point of contact, the pediatrician is well-positioned to effectively guide the families to therapies that are evidence-based and safe and also collaborate with various specialists to provide seamless, coordinated care for these children so as to improve their developmental outcomes and social functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Vision-related disorders are common in children. Therefore, eye examination and thorough visual assessment by first-contact physicians are crucial in children. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge of and attitude toward children's eye disorders among pediatricians and family physicians in the Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs-Western Region (MNGHA-WR) of Saudi Arabia. Methods: In this observational, cross-sectional study, we used a self-administered, web-based questionnaire. The sample size was calculated to be 148 pediatricians and family physicians (of 240 in total) currently working at MNGHA-WR. The first section of the questionnaire dwelled on demographics, while the second section addressed the physician's knowledge of and attitude toward commonly encountered ophthalmological pathologies in children. Data collected were entered into Microsoft Excel and then transferred to IBM SPSS version 22 for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 148 responses (92 family physicians and 56 pediatricians) were received. Most of the participants were residents or staff physicians (n = 105, 70.9%). The mean knowledge score of the respondents was 54.67% ± 14.5%. Participants' knowledge was further subclassified using Bloom's original cutoff points into high (n = 4, 2.7%), moderate (n = 53, 35.8%), and low (n = 91, 61.5%) levels of knowledge. Regarding practices, 120 (81%) participants performed ophthalmic examinations; however, only 39 (26.4%) conducted routine examinations as part of every child's visit. Fundus examinations were performed by 25 (16.9%) physicians. A significant deficiency in knowledge was noted in those with < 1 year of work experience (P = 0.014). Although statistically not significant (P = 0.052), family physicians possessed better knowledge than pediatricians regarding children's eye disorders. On the contrary, more pediatricians performed eye examinations than family physicians (P = 0.015). The male sex was also associated with higher rates of eye examination (P = 0.033). Conclusion: An unsatisfactory level of knowledge of eye disease among participating doctors was reported. The proportion was significantly higher among residents and staff physicians. Therefore, awareness efforts should be incorporated in both family medicine and pediatrics residency programs to limit the number of cases of ocular disorders going undiagnosed in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Complementary medicine has been used with increasing frequency worldwide recently. In our country, phytotherapy, one of the complementary medicine practices among children, is increasing daily among patients and physicians. The study determined the frequency of phytotherapy application by physicians seeing pediatric patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted via an online survey. The study was carried out between June 2021 and August 24, 2021. The pediatricians, family physicians, general practitioners, and other specialists who treat children were included in the study. The survey questions were distributed to all of the pediatricians registered on a platform with over 2,000 members. Results: A total of 547 physicians participated in the study. The participants were divided into three groups, including pediatricians, family physicians, and general practitioners (28%, 33.6%, and 38.2%, respectively). The most common group of physicians practicing phytotherapy was family physicians. The proportion of physicians who applied phytotherapy to their patients was 65.3%. A total of 75.3% of physicians believe that phytotherapy is effective, and 76.1% of participants want to learn more about it. A total of 70.7% of physicians stated that patients requested phytotherapy treatment from them. Phytotherapy is mostly applied to respiratory diseases. Aromatherapy is practiced by 43.3% of physicians and is mainly used for respiratory diseases and inhalation. Conclusion: More than half of the physicians practiced phytotherapy with pediatric patients. Physicians reported that there is a demand from patients and that they want to receive training in this area. Phytotherapy training should be organized for physicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]