Search

Abstract Introduction Identifying sensory processing problems of 12‐month‐old preterm and term children and defining their relationship with motor skills are essential for appropriate interventions and optimal sensory‐motor development. This study aimed to determine sensory processing difficulties in 12‐month‐old babies and examine their relationship with motor skills. Methods: This cross‐sectional study included 61 infants (28 preterm and 33 full‐term, ages 12 months). The infants' sensory processing skills were evaluated using the Test of Sensory Functions in Infants (TSFI), and their gross and fine motor skills were assessed with the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales‐2 (PDMS‐2). Results: Sensory processing difficulties were more common in preterm babies. Multiple linear regression models indicated a significant positive association between PDMS‐2 gross/fine motor scores and TFSI total scores, reactivity to tactile deep pressure, and ocular‐motor control in the total sample. Furthermore, there was a relationship between gross motor and adaptive motor function, and fine motor scores were found to be associated with visual‐tactile integration sensory scores. Conclusions Preterm babies are more likely than their full‐term peers to have sensory processing problems around the age of one, which can affect their motor skills. The results support the relationship between children's sensory and motor processing skills. Practitioners such as occupational and physical therapists should be alert to this relationship in infants with sensory processing and motor problems. Taking this relationship into consideration when planning intervention programs can be a guide for an effective intervention.

Abstract The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) programme has been the central focus of the POSHAN Abhiyaan to combat maternal and child malnutrition under the national nutrition mission in India. This paper examined the linkages between utilization of ICDS and underweight among children aged 6–59 months. The study utilized data from two recent rounds of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS‐4 [2015–2016] and NFHS‐5 [2019–2021]). Descriptive analyses were used to assess the change in utilization of ICDS and the prevalence of underweight at the national and state levels. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed to examine factors associated with the utilization of ICDS and underweight. Linkages between utilization of ICDS and underweight were examined using the difference‐in‐differences (DID) approach. Utilization of ICDS increased from 58% in 2015–2016 to 71% in 2019–2021. The prevalence of underweight decreased from 37% to 32% in the same period. Changes in ICDS utilization and underweight prevalence varied considerably across states, socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. Results from decomposition of DID models suggest that improvements in ICDS explained 9%–12% of the observed reduction in underweight children between 2016 and 2021, suggesting that ICDS made a modest but meaningful contribution in addressing undernutrition among children aged 6–59 months in this period.

Abstract Limited evidence exists on the long‐term effects of early feeding practices on child growth and development. We examined the relationships between infant feeding practices and child height and development at ages 2 and 6–7 years. We studied 885 mother–child dyads from a randomized controlled trial of preconception supplementation in Vietnam. Early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF), exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), breastfeeding (BF) duration and minimum dietary diversity (MDD) were assessed using World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Child development was assessed by the Bayley Scales of Infant Development‐III at 2 years and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children® – IV at 6–7 years. Child height‐for‐age z‐score (HAZ) was calculated from child height and age. Multivariable regression and structural equation models were used in analyses that controlled for confounding. EIBF and EBF at 6 months occurred in 52% and 62% of children, respectively. Mean breastfeeding duration was 18 months and 83% achieved MDD at 1 year. EIBF was associated with motor (β = 0.13, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.00, 0.28) and cognitive development at 2 years (β = 0.12, 95% CI: −0.01, 0.26), which in turn were positively associated with cognitive development at 6–7 years. EBF was directly associated with development at 6–7 years (β = 0.21, 95% CI:0.08, 0.34) whereas motor and cognitive development at 2 years explained 41%–75% of the relationship between EIBF and development at 6–7 years. HAZ at 2 years also mediated 70% of the association between MDD at 1 year and HAZ at 6–7 years. BF duration was not associated with child development and HAZ. Early infant feeding practices, especially EIBF and EBF, have important long‐term implications for optimizing child linear growth and cognition as they begin school.

Abstract Many children in low‐ and middle‐income countries are not attaining their developmental potential. Stunting is associated with poor child development, but it is not known which correlates of stunting are impairing child development. We explored potential socioeconomic, nutritional, clinical, and household correlates of early child development among 12–59‐month‐old children with stunting in a cross‐sectional study in Uganda. Development was assessed using the Malawi Development Assessment Tool (MDAT) across four domains of gross and fine motor, language, and social skills. Linear regression analysis was used to assess correlates of development in the four domains and total MDAT score. Of 750 children included, the median [interquartile range] age was 30 [23−41] months, 55% of the children resided in rural settings with 21% from female‐headed households and 47% of mothers had no schooling. The mean ± standard deviation height‐for‐age z‐score (HAZ) was −3.02 ± 0.74, 40% of the children had a positive malaria test and 65% were anaemic (haemoglobin

Abstract Aim The objective was to identify if family social exclusion is associated with child motor and social development delay in Southeastern Brazil. Design A cross‐sectional study was conducted using data from a sample of 348 children under 3 years, proportional to the number of children registered in the primary care centres of the municipality. Methods Child development was measured using the “Developmental Surveillance Instrument” which was developed by the Ministry of Health in Brazil and is used for public health nurses and clinicians in their practice. An index was used to evaluate social exclusion. Results The prevalence of child motor and socioemotional developmental delay was 27.6% and 17.2%, respectively. Children in the most social excluded group were more likely to have delayed motor development (OR = 3.4; 95% CI = 1.14; 10.55) and socioemotional developmental delay (OR = 3.9; 95% CI = 1.05; 9.02) than children in the least social excluded group.

Abstract As the prevalence of childhood and adolescent anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns continues to rise, there has been an unprecedented increase in support of mind–body practices like yoga, dance, meditation, mindfulness, aerobic exercise, and more—in part driven by the mental health burden imposed by the COVID‐19 pandemic. While a growing body of evidence supports the safety and effectiveness of mind–body approaches, gaps in funding for and empirical research on mechanistic underpinnings, methodology development to assess multicomponent therapeutic practices, dissemination and implementation, and diversity in researchers, practitioners, and recipients remain. As a consequence, the neurobiological impacts of mind–body techniques are not well understood nor broadly accepted as standard forms of care by clinicians and insurers—often being considered as “alternative” rather than “complementary” or “integrative.” In this commentary, we summarize work from our labs and others highlighting the promise of mind–body approaches for improving mental health in youth, in line with the National Institute of Mental Health's strategic plan to address health disparities. We offer a potential framework for implementation and research—the Expressive Therapies Continuum. We also propose solutions to key research and policy gaps, that by could have positive public health impacts for those who are struggling and to prevent emergence of psychiatric illness, especially in developing youth.

Abstract Maternal vitamin B12 deficiency has been associated with disturbed cognitive functioning in offspring at different ages during childhood. However, this association has not been explored in pre‐school‐age children. The objective of this study was to examine the association between maternal vitamin B12 levels at the beginning and end of pregnancy and cognitive functioning in their children at 4 years of age. This longitudinal prospective study included a subsample of pregnant women and their children aged 4 years (n = 249) who participated in the ECLIPSES Study conducted in the province of Tarragona, Spain, from 2013 to 2017. Maternal vitamin B12 concentrations were determined in the first and third trimesters, and sociodemographic, nutritional and psychological data were collected. The children's cognitive functioning was assessed using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI‐IV) and subtests of the Neuropsychological Assessment of Development (NEPSY‐II). The multivariable models showed a significant relationship between vitamin B12 and the working memory index in the first trimester of the pregnancy but not in the third trimester. Children of mothers in the second vitamin B12 level tertile (314–413 pg/mL) (β = 6.468, 95% confidence interval [CI]: = 2.054, 10.882, p = 0.004) and third vitamin B12 level tertile (≥414 pg/mL) (β = 4.703, 95% CI: = 0.292, 9.114, p = 0.037) scored higher in the working memory index of the WPPSI‐IV than the children of mothers with vitamin B12 levels in the first tertile (

Abstract Background An individual's overall burden of behavioural and emotional problems across childhood is associated with increased likelihood of later mental health conditions. However, the relative extent of behavioural versus emotional problems ‐ that is, the extent to which the domains are differentiated from one another ‐ may provide additional information about who is at risk of developing a mental health condition. Here, we seek to validate differentiation as an independent predictor of later mental health conditions, and to explore its aetiology. Methods We analysed data from ~79,000 children in the population‐based Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort Study, and linked health‐care registries. In preregistered analyses, we modelled the extent and rate of differentiation of behavioural and emotional problems between ages 1.5–5 years, and estimated associations with later symptoms (age 8) and diagnoses (after age 8). We also explored the aetiology of differentiation by estimating associations with early life exposures and, in a subset of 23,945 full siblings, assessing the impact of accounting for unobserved familial confounding. Results Differentiation of behavioural and emotional problems was associated with later symptoms and diagnoses of mental health conditions, independent of total problems. Maternal at‐risk drinking (β = 0.04 [0.02, 0.06]) and parental relationship problems (β = 0.04 [0.02, 0.05]) were associated with higher behavioural relative to emotional problems at age 5. Maternal prenatal distress (|β| = 0.04 [0.03, 0.06]), concurrent distress (|β| = 0.04 [0.02, 0.06]) and parental education (|β| = 0.05 [0.04, 0.07]) predicted higher emotional relative to behavioural problems at age 5. Estimates for maternal prenatal distress and at‐risk drinking were consistent across both unadjusted and adjusted analyses accounting for unobserved familial risk. Conclusions Differentiation of behavioural and emotional problems in early childhood represents a valid source of inter‐individual variability linked to the later emergence of psychopathology and may be relevant for early detection and prevention strategies for mental health.

Abstract Three papers in the December issue (2023) of JCPP Advances focus on children of parents with depression or anxiety. They highlight the value of using prospective longitudinal data to improve the understanding about the development of children of parents with depression or anxiety from early childhood to young adulthood. They contribute to an advanced understanding of long‐term outcomes, causality and resilience for children of parents with depression or anxiety.

Abstract Introduction Children who are HIV‐exposed and uninfected (CHEU) are a growing population at potential risk of poor neurocognitive development. We tested a nurturing care intervention on children's neurocognitive development and maternal depressive symptoms (primary) with mediation through caregiving activities (secondary). Methods This study was conducted among six intervention and nine comparison antenatal‐care/prevention of vertical transmission (ANC/PVT) HIV clinics in eSwatini. We enrolled pregnant women and measured infant development at 9 and 18 months. mothers2mothers (m2m) designed and implemented the clinic‐home‐community‐based intervention. We measured infants’ neurodevelopment, maternal depressive symptoms and caregiving activities with the Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL), Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, HOME Inventory and Family Care Indicators. We fitted linear mixed effects regression models with clinic random effects to compare intervention versus comparison arms, and generalised structural equation models to evaluate mediation, adjusting for confounders. Results Mother‐infant pairs (n = 429) participated between January 2016 through May 2018. Socio‐demographic characteristics were balanced between arms except for higher rates of peri‐urban versus rural residence and single versus married mothers in the comparison group. The 18 month retention was 82% (180/220) intervention, 79% (166/209) comparison arm, with 25 infant deaths. Intervention MSEL scores were significantly, and modestly, higher in receptive language (55.7 [95% CI 54.6, 56.9] vs. 53.7 [95% CI 52.6, 54.8]), expressive language (42.5 [95% CI 41.6, 39.8] vs. 40.8 [95% CI 39.8, 41.7]) and composite MSEL (85.4 [95% CI 83.7, 84.5] vs. 82.7 [95% CI 81.0, 84.5]), with no difference in maternal depressive symptoms or in observations of mother‐child interactions. Intervention book‐sharing scores were higher (0.63 vs. 0.41) and mediated the effect on MSEL scores (indirect effect, p‐values ≤ 0.024). The direct effects on visual reception and expressive language scores were significantly higher in the intervention compared to the comparison arm (coefficients 1.93 [95% CI 0.26, 3.60] and 1.66 [95% CI 0.51, 2.79, respectively]). Conclusions Nurturing care interventions can be integrated into ANC/PVT clinic‐home‐community programmes. The intervention, mediated through interactive caregiving activities, increased language development scores among CHEU. Partnering with a local team, m2m, to design and implement a culturally relevant intervention illustrates the ability to impact parent‐child play and learning activities that are associated with children's neurodevelopment.

Abstract Choline is an essential micronutrient that may influence growth and development; however, few studies have examined postnatal choline status and children's growth and development in low‐ and middle‐income countries. The aim of this observational analysis was to examine associations of plasma choline with growth and development among Malawian children aged 6–15 months enrolled in an egg intervention trial. Plasma choline and related metabolites (betaine, dimethylglycine and trimethylamine N‐oxide) were measured at baseline and 6‐month follow‐up, along with anthropometric (length, weight, head circumference) and developmental assessments (the Malawi Developmental Assessment Tool [MDAT], the Infant Orienting with Attention task [IOWA], a visual paired comparison [VPC] task and an elicited imitation [EI] task). In cross‐sectional covariate‐adjusted models, each 1 SD higher plasma choline was associated with lower length‐for‐age z‐score (−0.09 SD [95% confidence interval, CI −0.17 to −0.01]), slower IOWA response time (8.84 ms [1.66–16.03]) and faster processing speed on the VPC task (−203.5 ms [−366.2 to −40.7]). In predictive models, baseline plasma choline was negatively associated with MDAT fine motor z‐score at 6‐month follow‐up (−0.13 SD [−0.22 to −0.04]). There were no other significant associations of plasma choline with child measures. Similarly, associations of choline metabolites with growth and development were null except higher trimethylamine N‐oxide was associated with slower information processing on the VPC task and higher memory scores on the EI task. In this cohort of children with low dietary choline intake, we conclude that there were no strong or consistent associations between plasma choline and growth and development.

Abstract The COVID‐19 pandemic caused many effects on the referrals to and the work of governmental agencies working with young children. This article describes the impact on the use of early childhood evaluations and services in the State of Hawaii. We looked at several nonpublic data sets from the Hawaii Department of Health and Department of Human Services, comparing the rates of early intervention referrals, lead level screening, childhood immunizations, and child welfare referrals in 2019 and 2020. We also describe effects on the work processes in various early childhood programs from the COVID‐19 stay‐at‐home and work mandates. There was a decrease in rates of referrals to early intervention and child welfare services. There was less lead level screening being done, and childhood immunization rates dropped. Some of these issues stem from clinicians not seeing children whose families were worried about bringing their children for routine appointments. These clinicians do a lot of the developmental and lead screening, and much of the immunizations for children. Home visiting programs were interrupted as they could not do in‐person screenings of families. Therefore, they could not easily identify families that benefit from the support of a trained home visitor. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) could not do anemia checks or measurements on children's growth. With ongoing COVID‐19 issues in the State of Hawaii, remedies are required given ongoing effects on clinician offices practices and childhood program processes.

Objectives: This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the benefits and harms of vestibular stimulation compared to standard care or non-vestibular stimulation for physical and neurological development in preterm infants. To assess whether the effects of vestibular stimulation differ according to gestational age at birth; the type, frequency, and duration of the intervention; and settings, such as the country where the study is conducted., (Copyright © 2024 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Abstract This study examined whether child diet and mother–child interactions mediated the effects of a responsive stimulation and nutrition intervention delivered from 2009 to 2012 to 1324 children aged 0–24 months living in rural Pakistan. Results showed that the intervention improved children's cognitive, language and motor development through child diet and mother–child interactions. Although the intervention did not improve child growth or socio‐emotional development, we observed positive indirect effects on child growth via child diet and on socio‐emotional development via both child diet and mother–child interactions. In addition, child diet emerged as a shared mechanism to improve both child growth and development, whereas mother–child interactions emerged as a distinct mechanism to improve child development. Nevertheless, our results suggest the two mechanisms were mutually reinforcing and that interventions leveraging both mechanisms are likely to be more effective at improving child outcomes than interventions leveraging only one of these mechanisms.

Abstract The Nurturing Care Framework (NCF) calls for establishing a global monitoring and accountability systems for early childhood development (ECD). Major gaps to build low‐cost and large‐scale ECD monitoring systems at the local level remain. In this manuscript, we describe the process of selecting nurturing care indicators at the municipal level from existing routine information systems to develop the Brazilian Early Childhood Friendly Index (IMAPI). Three methodological steps developed through a participatory decision‐making process were followed. First, a literature review identified potential indicators to translate the NCF domains. Four technical panels composed of stakeholders from federal, state and municipal levels were consulted to identify data sources, their availability at the municipal level and the strengths and weakness of each potential indicator. Second, national and international ECD experts participated in two surveys to score, following a SMART approach, the expected performance of each nurturing care indicator. This information was used to develop analytical weights for each indicator. Third, informed by strengths and weaknesses pointed out in the previous steps, the IMAPI team reached consensus on 31 nurturing care indicators across the five NCF domains (Good health [n = 14], Adequate nutrition [4], Responsive caregiving [1], Opportunities for early learning [7] and Security and safety [4]). IMAPI represents the first attempt to select nurturing care indicators at the municipal level using data from existing routine information systems.

Abstract The Brazilian Early Childhood Friendly Municipal Index (IMAPI) is a population‐based approach to monitor the nurturing care environment for early childhood development (ECD) using routine information system data. It is unknown whether IMAPI can be applied to document metropolitan urban territorial differences in nurturing care environments. We used Brasilia, Brazil's capital with a large metropolitan population of 2,881,854 inhabitants divided into 31 districts, as a case study to examine whether disaggregation of nurturing care data can inform a more equitable prioritization for ECD in metropolitan areas. IMAPI scores were estimated at the municipal level (IMAPI‐M, 31 indicators) and at the district level (IMAPI‐D, 29 indicators). We developed a quantitative prioritization process for indicators in each IMAPI analysis, and those selected were jointly mapped in the socioecological model for the role of indicators in relation to the enabling environment for nurturing care. Out of 28 common nurturing care indicators across IMAPI analysis, only four were prioritized in both analyses: one from the Adequate nutrition, two from the Opportunities for early learning, and one from the Responsive caregiving domains. These four indicators were mapped as enabling policies, supportive services, and caregivers’ capabilities (socioecological model) and Effort, Coverage, and Quality (indicator's role). In conclusion, the different levels of nurturing care data disaggregation in the IMAPI can better inform decision‐making than each one individually, especially in metropolitan areas where municipalities and districts within metropolitan areas have relative decision‐making autonomy.

Abstract Providing an enabling nurturing care environment for early childhood development (ECD) that cuts across the five domains of the Nurturing Care Framework (i.e., good health, adequate nutrition, opportunities for early learning, security and safety and responsive caregiving) has become a global priority. Brazil is home to approximately 18.5 million children under 5 years of age, of which 13% are at risk of poor development due to socio‐economic inequalities. We explored whether the Early Childhood Friendly Municipal Index (IMAPI) can detect inequities in nurturing care ECD environments across the 5570 Brazilian municipalities. We examined the validity of the IMAPI scores and conducted descriptive analyses for assessing sociodemographic inequities by nurturing care domains and between and within regions. The strong correlations between school achievement (positive) and socially vulnerable children (negative) confirmed the IMAPI as a multidimensional nurturing care indicator. Low IMAPI scores were more frequent in the North (72.7%) and Northeast (63.3%) regions and in small (47.7%) and medium (43.3%) size municipalities. Conversely, high IMAPI scores were more frequent in the more prosperous South (52.9%) and Southeast (41.2%) regions and in metropolitan areas (41.2%). The security and safety domain had the lowest mean differences (MDs) among Brazilian regions (MD = 5) and population size (MD = 3). Between‐region analyses confirmed inequities between the North/Northeast and South/Southeast. The biggest within‐region inequity gaps were found in the Northeast (from −22 to 15) and the North (−21 to 19). The IMAPI distinguished the nurturing care ECD environments across Brazilian municipalities and can inform equitable and intersectoral multilevel decision making.

Abstract Selecting indicators to monitor nurturing care (NC) environments that support decision‐making and guide the implementation of integrated early childhood development (ECD) programmes has become a priority globally. Several population‐based approaches have been attempted to create a set of indicators or a composite index methodology to measure the NC environment using existing secondary data. However, they have not been systematized. Our scoping review aimed to analyse the population‐based approaches for monitoring the domains of the NC (e.g. good health, adequate nutrition, responsive caregiving, security and safety, and opportunities for early learning). ECD experts, peer‐reviewed, and grey literature were systematically searched with no year or language restrictions. Data extraction used a standard predefined protocol. Thirty‐two population‐based approaches were identified. Most approaches were composed of a set of indicators (53.1%, n = 17) versus composite indexes (46.9%, n = 15) and had the country as their unit of analysis (68.8%, n = 22). Twenty‐seven approaches were applied in middle‐income countries (84.4%) and thirteen in low‐income countries (40.6%). Four approaches were guided by the NC framework (12.5%), and 56.3% (n = 18) did not include any indicator representing responsive caregiving. NC indicators (n = 867) were sorted into 100 groups of indicators. Twenty of the 32 approaches had some kind of methodological validation (62.5%). We identified six methodological challenges to build a population‐based approach. Standardized methods for selecting and validating indicators, and coordinated efforts to share findings/data with stakeholders should be prioritized. Given the great variability in methods and indicators used to measure NC environments, valid approaches should be flexible to work well across different contexts.

Objectives: This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To evaluate the benefits and harms of olfactory stimulation with different odorants in the NICU for promoting development and preventing morbidity in preterm infants., (Copyright © 2024 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

This study examined associations of mothers' and fathers' individualism, collectivism and conformity values with parenting (warmth, rules/limit-setting, knowledge solicitation and expectations regarding children's family obligations) and child internalising and externalising behaviours in Colombia. Mothers, fathers and children (N = 100) from Medellín, Colombia were interviewed when children were, on average, 10 years old. Higher maternal collectivism and conformity values were associated with higher maternal warmth and fewer child externalising problems, whereas higher paternal collectivism was associated with lower maternal warmth and more child externalising problems. Fathers' cultural values also were related to their expectations regarding children's family obligations. The findings suggest differences in how mothers' and fathers' cultural values are related to parenting and child adjustment in Colombia, as well as the need to examine cultural values beyond individualism, collectivism and conformity values., (© 2024 International Union of Psychological Science.)

This introduction provides an overview of the major constructs that are the focus of this Special Issue. Individualism and collectivism have been the cornerstones of theoretical work on cultural values in psychological science, and conformity is an important component of theories related to motivational values. Individualism, collectivism and conformity values are reviewed in relation to parenting (warmth, knowledge solicitation, rules/limit-setting, parents' expectations regarding children's family obligations) and children's adjustment (internalising and externalising behaviours). Background on the Parenting Across Cultures project, a study of children, mothers and fathers, in nine countries (China, Colombia, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, the Philippines, Sweden, Thailand and the United States) is provided as a prelude to the country-specific papers from each of these countries that follow in the rest of the Special Issue before a final concluding paper that focuses on between-country versus within-country variation in cultural values, parenting and children's adjustment., (© 2024 International Union of Psychological Science.)

Objectives: This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the benefits and harms of multisensory stimulation compared to any single sensory intervention or standard care for physical and neurological development in preterm infants., (Copyright © 2024 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Causal mediation analysis is increasingly abundant in biology, psychology, and epidemiology studies and so forth. In particular, with the advent of the big data era, the issue of high-dimensional mediators is becoming more prevalent. In neuroscience, with the widespread application of magnetic resonance technology in the field of brain imaging, studies on image being a mediator emerged. In this study, a novel causal mediation analysis method with a three-dimensional image mediator is proposed. We define the average casual effects under the potential outcome framework, explore several sufficient conditions for the valid identification, and develop techniques for estimation and inference. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed method, a series of simulations under various scenarios is performed. Finally, the proposed method is applied to a study on the causal effect of mother's delivery mode on child's IQ development. It is found that cesarean section may have a negative effect on intellectual performance and that this effect is mediated by white matter development. Additional prospective and longitudinal studies may be necessary to validate these emerging findings., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Abstract Infants born preterm, low birthweight or with other perinatal complications require frequent and accurate growth monitoring for optimal nutrition and growth. We implemented an mHealth tool to improve growth monitoring and nutritional status assessment of high risk infants. We conducted a pre–post quasi‐experimental study with a concurrent control group among infants enrolled in paediatric development clinics in two rural Rwandan districts. During the pre‐intervention period (August 2017–January 2018), all clinics used standard paper‐based World Health Organization (WHO) growth charts. During the intervention period (August 2018–January 2019), Kirehe district adopted an mHealth tool for child growth monitoring and nutritional status assessment. Data on length/height; weight; length/height‐for‐age (L/HFA), weight‐for‐length/height (WFL/H) and weight‐for‐age (WFA) z‐scores; and interval growth were tracked at each visit. We conducted a ‘difference‐in‐difference’ analysis to assess whether the mHealth tool was associated with greater improvements in completion and accuracy of nutritional assessments and nutritional status at 2 and 6 months of age. We observed 3529 visits. mHealth intervention clinics showed significantly greater improvements on completeness for corrected age (endline: 65% vs. 55%; p = 0.036), L/HFA (endline: 82% vs. 57%; p ≤ 0.001), WFA (endline: 93% vs. 67%; p ≤ 0.001) and WFL/H (endline: 90% vs. 59%; p ≤ 0.001) z‐scores compared with control sites. Accuracy of growth monitoring did not improve. Prevalence of stunting, underweight and inadequate interval growth at 6‐months corrected age decreased significantly more in the intervention clinics than in control clinics. Results suggest that integrating mHealth nutrition interventions is feasible and can improve child nutrition outcomes. Improved tool design may better promote accuracy.

Abstract Intracranial penetration during attempted nasotracheal intubation is a potentially devastating complication, which should be carefully evaluated and the risk should be addressed in neonatal resuscitation trainings.

Abstract A child with a A350V IQSEC2 missense mutation resulting in drug‐resistant epilepsy stops having seizures when he has a fever. We demonstrate that raising the body temperature of the child using a commercial Jacuzzi dramatically reduces his seizures and appears to improve his social behavioral interactions.

Issue Addressed: The ASQ-TRAK, a strengths-based approach to developmental screening, has high acceptability and utility across varied Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander contexts. While substantive knowledge translation has seen many services utilise ASQ-TRAK, we now need to move beyond distribution and support evidence-based scale-up to ensure access. Through a co-design approach, we aimed to (1) understand community partners' perspectives of barriers and enablers to ASQ-TRAK implementation and (2) develop an ASQ-TRAK implementation support model to inform scale-up., Methods: The co-design process had four phases: (i) partnership development with five community partners (two Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations); (ii) workshop planning and recruitment; (iii) co-design workshops; and (iv) analysis, draft model and feedback workshops., Results: Seven co-design meetings and two feedback workshops with 41 stakeholders (17 were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander), identified seven key barriers and enablers, and a shared vision - all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families have access to the ASQ-TRAK. Implementation support model components agreed on were: (i) ASQ-TRAK training, (ii) ASQ-TRAK support, (iii) local implementation support, (iv) engagement and communications, (v) continuous quality improvement and (vi) coordination and partnerships., Conclusions: This implementation support model can inform ongoing processes necessary for sustainable ASQ-TRAK implementation nationally. This will transform the way services provide developmental care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, ensuring access to high quality, culturally safe developmental care. SO WHAT?: Well-implemented developmental screening leads to more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children receiving timely early childhood intervention services, improving developmental trajectories and optimising long-term health and wellbeing., (© 2023 The Authors. Health Promotion Journal of Australia published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Australian Health Promotion Association.)

Abstract We examined the association between household food insecurity and early child development and whether or not maternal depression and anxiety modifies this association. The cross‐sectional study included 468 mother–infant pairs recruited at primary health centers of the Federal District, Brazil. Mothers answered a questionnaire that evaluated early child development (outcome), household food insecurity (independent variable), maternal depression and trait anxiety (effect modifiers). Variables were collected with validated questionnaires for the Brazilian population. Pearson's χ2 test and logistic regression analyses were conducted. Infants who lived in a moderate or severe food insecure household had 2.52 times (95% confidence interval [CI] [1.13, 5.65]) the odds of having early child development delays compared with infants in secure households. Maternal depression and anxiety modified the strength of association between household food insecurity and early child development, which is an innovative finding. Among infants with depressed mothers, those experiencing mild (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.33, 95% CI [1.17, 9.46]) and moderate/severe household food insecurity (aOR 10.13, 95% CI [2.18, 47.10]) had higher odds of having early child development delays, compared with infants in food secure households. Among infants with both anxious and depressed mothers, these associations were even stronger for mild (aOR 4.69, 95% CI [1.41, 15.59]) and moderate/severe household food insecurity (aOR 16.07, 95% CI [2.70, 95.66]). In conclusion, household food insecurity is a risk factor for early child development delays, and this association is modified by maternal depression and anxiety. Future studies should evaluate the impact of intervention packages that address maternal depression and anxiety and household food insecurity on preventing early child development delays.

Maltreatment survivors may be at risk for parenting challenges, although the previous literature is inconsistent, has focused on individual maltreatment forms, and has overlooked posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and other trauma exposure. The current study, thus, aimed to expand this research in four key ways by (a) examining all five maltreatment forms; (b) controlling for other nonmaltreatment trauma exposure to better isolate the role of maltreatment; (c) investigating maltreatment types and PTSS simultaneously; and (d) exploring novel parenting factors, specifically four types of parenting beliefs and developmental knowledge. Trauma-exposed parents (N = 301; M age = 26.49 years, SD = 8.34, range: 18-69 years; 66.8% female; 59.8% White) participated in the study. A path analytic model indicated that, surprisingly, none of the maltreatment types nor cumulative trauma exposure corresponded with parental beliefs related to one's child, self, partner, or social relationships. PTSS, however, were tied to all four parenting belief types as well as developmental knowledge, βs = -.05-.40. Physical and emotional abuse were linked to less accurate developmental knowledge, β = .02, and maladaptive parenting practices, β = .03. Sexual abuse, neglect, and witnessing domestic violence were not associated with any of the parenting factors. Thus, current trauma symptoms are likely a more critical intervention focus than maltreatment experiences, although physical and emotional abuse may also play a role in parenting knowledge and behaviors. These findings also signal the importance of including all five maltreatment forms and PTSS when conducting research on the interaction between trauma and parenting., (© 2023 International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies.)

Neocortical maturation is a dynamic process that proceeds in a hierarchical manner; however, the spatiotemporal organization of cortical microstructure with diffusion MRI has yet to be fully defined. This study characterized cortical microstructural maturation using diffusion MRI (fwe-diffusion tensor imaging [DTI] and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging [NODDI] multicompartment modeling) in a cohort of 637 children and adolescents between 8 and 21 years of age. We found spatially heterogeneous developmental patterns broadly demarcated into functional domains where NODDI metrics increased, and fwe-DTI metrics decreased with age. By applying nonlinear growth models in a vertex-wise analysis, we observed a general posterior-to-anterior pattern of maturation, where the fwe-DTI measures mean diffusivity and radial diffusivity reached peak maturation earlier than the NODDI metrics neurite density index. Using non-negative matrix factorization, we found occipito-parietal cortical regions that correspond to lower order sensory domains mature earlier than fronto-temporal higher order association domains. Our findings corroborate previous histological and neuroimaging studies that show spatially varying patterns of cortical maturation that may reflect unique developmental processes of cytoarchitectonically determined regional patterns of change., (© 2023 The Authors. Human Brain Mapping published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Issue Addressed: This study examined how families with young children access and use different types of blue spaces and the health and development benefits, and potential negative effects., Methods: Parents(n = 25) of young children across four coastal communities in Western Australia were recruited via purposive sampling to participate in interviews. A generic qualitative study design grounded in the pragmatism paradigm was utilised., Results: Beaches were the most frequently used blue space for families all year around, however families did not necessarily attend their closest beach. This appears due to certain beach features making them more or less attractive for use regardless of the distance from home. Parents perceived blue spaces as health promoting due to the increased physical activity children did in and around these spaces. They also reported blue spaces could be positive for child development, contributing to the development of identity. Blue spaces were also perceived to promote children's environmental awareness and environmentally friendly behaviours. However, blue spaces could also be potentially risky environments for families with young children., Conclusions: The findings highlight blue spaces are an important setting for supporting children's health, development and environmental consciousness. SO WHAT?: It is important to protect natural outdoor environments such as blue spaces for future generations. The findings can be used by governments and policy makers to improve the quality (features and amenities) of blue spaces and positively impact how often families (including those with dogs) use blue spaces and the benefits they experience., (© 2023 The Authors. Health Promotion Journal of Australia published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Australian Health Promotion Association.)