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Mental health problems are highly prevalent in childhood and adolescence and may be associated with nutritional intake. It has recently been shown that a high percentage of infants and children consume large amounts of free sugars. In this paper, we analyse the relationship between free sugar consumption at 12 and 30 months and the risk of developing psychological problems at 30 months in a community sample of 86 children evaluated longitudinally. Socio-family and anthropometric data, and the amount of free sugars consumed were collected at both ages. At 30 months, the Child Behavior Checklist 1.5–5 was administered to parents and an interview was conducted to identify psychological disorders in accordance with DC: 0–3's classification. We report a relationship between high free sugar consumption at 30 months and the concurrent presence of sleeping problems, ADHD and anxiety symptoms. However, no significant association was observed between free sugar consumption at 12 months and the subsequent development of psychological problems. Early detection of emotional and behavioural manifestations and high sugar consumption in children may help to prevent the persistence of psychological problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children with autism spectrum disorders show higher food selectivity, which restricts consumption of some foods and may cause nutritional deficiencies. The aims of this meta-analysis are to determine the overall differences in nutritional intake and food consumption between children with autism spectrum disorder and control (typical development) children, as well as determine the extent to which the nutritional intake and food consumption of autistic children comply with the dietary recommendations. Children with autism spectrum disorder consume less protein (standardized mean difference = -0.27, 95% confidence interval (-0.45, -0.08)), calcium (-0.56 (-0.95, -0.16)), phosphorus (-0.23 (-0.41, -0.04)), selenium (-0.29 (-0.44, -0.13)), vitamin D (-0.34 (-0.57, -0.11)), thiamine (-0.17 (-0.29, -0.05)), riboflavin (-0.25 (-0.45, -0.05)) and vitamin B12 (-0.52 (-0.95, -0.09)) and more polyunsaturated fat acid (0.27 (0.11, 0.44)) and vitamin E (0.28 (0.03, 0.54)) than controls. Autistic children also consume less omega-3 (-0.83 (-1.53, -0.16)) and more fruit (0.35 (0.12, 0.59)) and vegetables (0.35 (0.09, 0.61)) than control children; however, these results must be considered with care due to the low number of studies included in the analysis and the high heterogeneity. The results also suggest a lower intake of calcium, vitamin D and dairy and a higher intake of fruit, vegetables, protein, phosphorus, selenium, thiamine, riboflavin and vitamin B12 than recommended.

Autistic individuals are at increased risk of experiencing various forms of victimization during their lifespan. This study analyses the self-reported prevalence of bullying victimization in autistic pre-adolescents and those with subthreshold autistic traits in comparison with peers without neurodevelopmental conditions. The sample was comprised of 323 participants (11 and 12 years old; 45 with autism or subthreshold autistic traits) from Spanish general education schools. The assessment protocol included psychopathological (autism characteristics and co-occurrent problems), cognitive and academic characteristics. Bullying victimization was self-reported by the pre-adolescents themselves using the Bullying and School Violence Questionnaire (Acoso y violencia escolar). Autistic participants (57.9%) and those with subthreshold autistic traits (26.9%) showed a higher rate of bullying victimization in comparison with their peers (18.3%). Bullying rates were more frequent and severe and were characterized by intimidation and social exclusion behaviours. These problems were associated with greater intensity of restrictive and repetitive behaviours and with more co-occurring behavioural and emotional problems. We did not find any association with other individual or family factors. Our data reveal the greater risk of bullying behaviours among autistic young people and those with subthreshold autistic traits, which implies the need for detection and establishment of protocols to prevent consequences for their mental health and quality of life. Autistic individuals face a higher risk of various forms of victimization throughout their lives, with bullying being especially prevalent during their school years. Previous studies indicate that autistic children are 2.4 times more likely to be bullied than their typically developing peers and twice as vulnerable as those with other disabilities. However, the extent of this issue among Spanish schoolchildren with autism remains unexplored. In addition, there is no information regarding the presence of bullying victimization in children with marked but undiagnosed autistic traits (i.e. subthreshold autistic traits). This study examines the self-reported prevalence of bullying victimization in autistic pre-adolescents and those with subthreshold autistic traits, comparing them with peers without neurodevelopmental conditions. The study involved 323 participants (11 and 12 years old; 45 with autism or subthreshold autistic traits) from Spanish general education schools. The results revealed a higher rate of bullying victimization among autistic participants (58%; 3.1 times higher risk) and those with subthreshold autistic traits (27%; 1.5 times higher risk) compared with their peers without neurodevelopmental conditions (18.3%). Victimization was linked to more intense restrictive behaviours and increased behavioural and emotional problems. No significant associations were found with other individual or family factors. Our findings underscore the heightened risk of bullying faced by autistic pre-adolescents and those with subthreshold autistic traits at school, emphasizing the need to identify and implement preventive measures to mitigate bullying and its detrimental impact on their mental well-being and overall quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an increasing prevalence of psychological issues in childhood. Lifestyle factors during pregnancy, including maternal nutrition, have been linked to children's behavioural development. This study aims to assess the impact of adherence to the Mediterranean diet during pregnancy on the behavioural problems of children at the age of 4. A total of 231 mother‐child pairs were assessed. Maternal adherence to the Mediterranean diet during pregnancy was estimated using a relative Mediterranean Diet Score (rMED). Behavioural outcomes were evaluated through the Child Behaviour Checklist 1½−−5, Teacher's Report Form 1½−5, and Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function—Preschool Version questionnaires. The results indicated that a higher rMED score during pregnancy was associated with a reduced probability of obtaining a clinical score for total problems (OR = 0.42; 95% IC from 0.21 to 0.85), including externalising (OR = 0.29; 95% IC from 0.14 to 0.62), attention problems (OR = 0.32; 95%IC from 0.15 to 0.70), attention‐deficit/hyperactivity problems (OR = 0.36; 95% IC from 0.15 to 0.87), oppositional defiant problems (OR = 0.06; 95% IC from 0.06 to 0.75), and depressive problems (OR = 0.38; 95% IC from 0.15 to 0.96). This study highlights the importance of maternal diet, especially Mediterranean diet, during gestation for proper child development. Key messages: Maternal nutrition during pregnancy has a significant impact on children's development.Previous studies showed that prenatal adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with beneficial outcomes for both mother and foetus and in children's development outcomes.Adhering to a Mediterranean diet during pregnancy is related to lower behavioural problems, especially externalising and attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder, and psychological problems such as depression, in children at 4 years of age.Attention should be directed towards maternal nutrition during the prenatal period to ensure proper child neurodevelopment, encouraging mothers to follow healthy nutritional habits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to assess the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in preschool and school-age children following a two-phase procedure. The screening phase was performed on a sample of 5555 children taking into account parent and teacher information. The individual assessment included the ADI-R, ADOS-2 and Wechsler scales. The estimated prevalence was 1.55% in preschoolers and 1.00% in school-age children. Between 1.84 and 2.59% of the children exhibited subclinical diagnosis. The male-to-female ratio was around 4:1. Most of the children exhibited mild and moderate nuclear symptoms, and the girls showed less severe communication problems. Previous diagnosis was found in 62-71% of the children. Prevalence estimates are close to the 1% international ratings and much higher than previous national reports suggested.

Prenatal exposure to dietary toxicants is linked to neurocognitive issues, but its effect on early emotional and behavioral development in children is less clear. To explore the relationship between prenatal intake of As, iAs, Cd, MeHg, Pb, PCDD/Fs, DL-PCBs, and NDL-PCBs and emotional and behavioral issues in four-year-old children. This study included 192 mother–child pairs from the ECLIPSES study, assessing prenatal dietary toxicant exposure through a food-frequency questionnaire and Catalan Food Safety Agency data. Children's emotional and behavioral scores were evaluated using the Child Behavior Checklist for ages 1.5–5 years. Multivariable regression and logistic models were used, focusing on iAs after finding significant preliminary associations. Increased prenatal dietary intake of iAs was associated with internalizing, externalizing, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity problems. Higher iAs levels (>4.16 μg/day) significantly increased the risk of total problems (OR = 2.94) and specific issues like anxious/depressed (OR = 4.88), anxiety (OR = 3.27), and oppositional defiant problems (OR = 4.30). High iAs consumption correlated with the intake of meat, eggs, cereals, tubers, fruits, and pulses Prenatal dietary iAs exposure is associated with various emotional and behavioral problems in children. Monitoring and reducing iAs levels in food are crucial for public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) comorbidity in the school population have been understudied. This study estimates its prevalence considering both parents' and teachers' reports and clinical diagnosis. Sociodemographic, clinical, and cognitive data were compared by diagnostic groups: autism, ADHD, autism and ADHD, subthreshold autism spectrum disorder (ASD), subthreshold ADHD, and children without neurodevelopmental conditions. Following a two‐phase design, 3727 parents and teachers (1802 preschoolers, 1925 school‐age children) participated in the first phase. Subsequently, 781 participants underwent individual assessment for DSM‐5 diagnoses. The estimated prevalence of the comorbid diagnosis was 0.51% (0.28%–0.74%), with significant sex differences (0.16% girls, 0.89% boys). The cooccurrence of symptoms of autism and ADHD reported by parents or teachers was 3.2% and 2.6%, respectively. ADHD comorbidity was observed in 32.8% of autistic children and 31.4% of those with subthreshold ASD. ASD comorbidity was observed in 9.8% of children with ADHD and 5.7% of those with subthreshold ADHD. Comorbidity was reported by at least one informant in 95% of children. Only 15.8% of children with autism and ADHD had been previously diagnosed with both conditions. Early detection and accurate comorbidity diagnosis are crucial to address the clinical and socio‐educational needs of these children. Lay Summary: Autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) frequently coexist, but prevalence reports exhibit significant variability based on population characteristics and assessment methods. In the present study, parents and teachers reported a similar 3% prevalence of autism and ADHD traits, with an estimated comorbid diagnosis prevalence of 0.5%. Only 16% of the children had received prior diagnoses for both conditions, although parents and teachers identify traits of autism and ADHD in almost all cases. Based on the findings, early screening for cooccurring autism and ADHD in both school and family settings is recommended, enabling the implementation of socio‐educational and clinical strategies to improve the prognosis and quality of life for these children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More research is needed to understand how the maternal consumption of fish and fish-borne toxicants impacts infant neurodevelopment. The present analysis was conducted over 460 mother–infant pairs within the ECLIPSES study. Dietary intake of metals and persistent organic pollutants from fish (including white fish, blue fish, and seafood) was estimated in pregnant women. The infants underwent cognitive, language, and motor function assessments using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-III at the 40-day postpartum. Associations between dietary toxicants and outcomes were assessed using multivariable linear regression models. Estimated prenatal exposure to fish-borne toxicants, such as arsenic, inorganic arsenic, methylmercury, dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs), and non-DL-PCBs, was associated with poorer language functions in infants, whereas no significant associations were found with motor or cognitive functions. Maternal fish consumption exceeding the Spanish recommendation of no more than 71 g per day was linked to these adverse effects on language abilities without affecting motor or cognitive development. This highlights the importance of vigilant monitoring of environmental toxicants and the provision of dietary guidance for pregnant women, with potential implications for public health and child development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prenatal iron supplementation improves children's health and cognitive performance, but few studies explore behavioural development. This study assessed the effects of adjusting prenatal iron supplementation to maternal iron stores during early pregnancy on children's behavioural problems. Randomized controlled trial conducted in Tarragona (Spain) involving 230 nonanaemic pregnant women and their children after a 4‐year follow‐up. Based on haemoglobin (Hb) levels before gestational week (GW) 12, women receive different iron doses: those with Hb = 110–130 g/L were randomized to receive 80 or 40 mg/day and those with Hb > 130 g/L were randomized to receive 20 or 40 mg/day. Maternal iron stores at GW12 were classified using serum ferritin (SF) as low (SF < 15 µg/L), normal (SF = 15–65 µg/L), and normal‐high (SF > 65 µg/L). Children's behaviour was assessed by parents using the Child Behaviour Checklist for ages 1.5–5 years and the Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function‐Preschool Version, and by teachers using the Teacher's Report Form for ages 1.5–5 years. Multivariable regression models were performed. Taking 80 mg/day of iron improved child behaviour when women had low iron stores but worsened it when mothers had normal–high iron stores, except for depressive and attention/hyperactivity problems. Taking 20 mg/day of iron improved behaviour only in those children whose mothers had SF > 65 µg/L in early pregnancy. Additionally, executive functioning improved at high doses of prenatal iron when maternal baseline SF < 15 µg/L. Adjusting prenatal iron supplementation to both maternal baseline Hb levels and iron stores reduces behavioural problems in 4‐year‐old children. Key messages: Prenatal iron supplementation succeeds in improving maternal haematological outcomes and cognitive performance of children, but few studies have focused on behavioural development.Prenatal iron supplementation adjusted to maternal iron stores reduces behavioural problems in 4‐year‐old children.Maternal iron stores early in pregnancy should be measured in addition to haemoglobin concentration.These findings contribute greatly to the advancement of public health by giving physicians the tools to prescribe the most appropriate dose of iron supplementation to contribute to better child development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on data from a three-year longitudinal study, we assess the effect, according to gender, of emotional psychopathology in preadolescence on anthropometric and body composition parameters in adolescence (N = 229). Psychopathology was assessed using the "Screen for Childhood Anxiety and Related Emotional Disorders, the Children's Depression Inventory" and the "MINI-International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Kids". Body fat percentage (%BF), waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI) were also determined. Following analysis with adjusted multiple regression models, the results indicated that symptoms of depression and separation anxiety were significantly associated with increased WC and BMI in boys, and that somatic symptoms were associated with increased WC and %BF in girls. Diagnosis of social phobia, panic disorder or dysthymia led to significantly increased WC and/or BMI in boys and dysthymia increased WC in girls. These findings suggest that emotional psychopathology in preadolescence is associated with increased weight gain and abdominal fat in adolescence. (Contains 4 tables.)