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Assessment measures that quantify decision-making abilities in children and adolescents are limited. In the current study, a novel computerized Decision-Making Task (DMT), which identifies the process that is involved in decision-making, was developed based on an existing information-boards paradigm. The overall aim was to validate the DMT in a paediatric TBI population. This prospective study investigated the performance on the DMT for children post-TBI (n = 49; 7–15 years) compared to typically developing controls (n = 22; 7–15 years), and investigated the psychometric properties of the DMT by examining internal consistency-related reliability, convergent validity (measures of decision-making, working memory, functional outcomes, and behaviour), and divergent validity (vocabulary). Significant differences were detected for performance on the DMT between children post-TBI and the control group. Psychometric properties of the DMT were acceptable, with variable findings for convergent validity (working memory, functional outcomes, and behaviour). This is the first study to develop and investigate a novel computerised task to assess decision-making skills in a paediatric TBI population. Results cautiously suggest that the DMT is a valid and a reliable measure of decision-making in our clinical sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This prospective study sought to characterise the educational experiences, mental health, and behavioural functioning of Australian children with a pre-existing learning difficulty or specific learning disorder (SLD) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study also evaluated the potential role of parent psychological distress as a risk factor for poorer child functioning in this high-risk population. Using a prospective longitudinal design, the study involved 58 parents of children and adolescents with a pre-existing learning difficulty or specific learning disorder (M age = 11.9 years; range 7–17 years) who were initially referred to a state-wide diagnostic centre for specific learning disorders in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Child outcomes were assessed using the COVID-19 Wellbeing and Mental Health Survey (a modified version of the CoRonavIruS Health Impact Survey [CRISIS] tool), the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and the Emotional Distress Scale from the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS). Parents' mental health was assessed using the CRISIS tool and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). In keeping with initial predictions, a large proportion of parents expressed significant disruption to child educational experience and routines, including challenges related to child engagement in remote learning platforms during COVID-19. Compared to pre-pandemic mental health symptom ratings, children experienced significantly higher symptoms of worry, negative thoughts, loneliness, agitation, and aggression during the pandemic period (all p < 0.05). As expected, higher levels of parent distress predicted greater child worry symptoms (p = 0.003) and more frequent child behavioural difficulties (p = 0.004). These results help elucidate the specific psychological and educational challenges faced by children with pre-existing learning difficulty or SLD during the COVID-19 pandemic. Family-centred intervention and/or supports may help to address the unique educational and psychological needs of young people with pre-existing learning differences and their families during future global pandemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decision-making is often impacted by paediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, there are few tools available to assess these skills in children, with even less research on the consequences of decision-making deficits on dysregulation following TBI. This prospective preliminary study investigated whether decision-making mediated the effect of TBI on dysregulation in children. The performance of school-aged children aged between 7 and 15 years with TBI (n = 49) and that of typically developing controls (n = 22) was compared on The Decision-making Task, and on parent ratings of the dysregulation profile as characterized by the Child Behaviour Checklist-Dysregulation Profile. Relative to the Control group, the TBI group performed more poorly on the decision-making task, and parents of the TBI group rated their children to be more poorly on the dysregulation profile. Mediation analyses indicated that decision-making mediated the relationship between TBI and the dysregulation profile. Our preliminary findings suggest the need for further research in the area of decision-making, and its impact on dysregulated behaviours in children following TBI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Attention and memory deficits are common following paediatric acquired brain injury (ABI). However, there are few evidence-based interventions to improve these domains and benefit the everyday life of children post-injury. The Amsterdam Memory and Attention Training for children (Amat-c) has been translated from Dutch to English and shown to improve attention and memory skills in children following ABI. This protocol describes a study to expand accessibility of the program by using online, clinician-supported delivery with children post-ABI. Method/design: The study is a randomized controlled trial. Participants will be 40 children aged 8–16 a minimum of one-year post-ABI. Participants in the treatment group will complete 18 weekly sessions of the Amat-c program with weekly online clinician support. Participants in the active-control group will be administered ABI psychoeducation via a booklet for parents, with weekly online clinician contact. Attention and memory will be assessed at three time points up to six months post-intervention. Results: Analysis will be repeated measures multivariate planned comparisons; using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (IBM SPSS Statistics) General Linear Model procedure will compare pre- and post-intervention and six-month follow-up outcomes. Discussion: If shown efficacious in improving attention and memory, our team will then take a key role in implementing Amat-c into clinical care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates whether primary care pediatricians adhere to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations by routinely evaluating patients' menstrual cycles and educating patients about menstruation and feminine products. Additionally, this study examines pediatricians' knowledge and attitudes surrounding menstrual health topics. A 53-item online questionnaire was developed to evaluate pediatricians' knowledge, attitudes and clinical practices regarding menstruation-related topics. The questionnaire was emailed to 2500 AAP members using a geographically-stratified sampling approach, with pediatricians in each state selected randomly. Mann-Whitney U tests, t-tests, and logistic regressions were used to assess associations between correlates and pediatricians' knowledge, attitudes and practices. Five hundred and eighteen out of 2500 pediatricians participated (response rate = 20.7%), 462 met inclusion criteria; 78.8% were female, 79.2% were Caucasian. The majority of the pediatricians (58.2%) were "not at all" or only "slightly" familiar with the AAP guidelines on anticipatory guidance surrounding menarche. Many reported they do not routinely provide anticipatory guidance regarding menstruation to pre-menarchal patients (24.7%), discuss menstruation with post-menarchal patients (33.1%) or ask patients the date of their last period (28.4%). The majority were unlikely to discuss feminine products with patients. Gaps in menstruation-related knowledge were noted. Male pediatricians were significantly less likely to evaluate patients' menstrual cycles and provide patient-education regarding menstruation-related topics, and had significantly lower self-rated and measured knowledge of these topics. A concerning number of pediatricians in a national sample do not abide by AAP recommendations surrounding menstruation and exhibit knowledge gaps in this area. To effectively address the health needs of female patients, pediatricians should better incorporate menstrual health care into their clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Root canal instrumentation results in accumulation of debris on the instruments. The present study was conducted to assess effectiveness of pre-sterilization cleaning of endodontic instruments before placement in glass bead sterilizer. Materials & Methods: The present study was conducted on 60 K files used in patients and were divided into 3 groups of 20 each. Group I had contaminated files were without any cleaning protocol, group II had files which underwent manual brushing + 3% H2O2 and group III files underwent manual brushing + ultrasonic bath for 5 min. later on all the instruments were immersed in Van- Gieson's stain for 3 minutes. The instruments were examined for debris based on Linsuwanont et al criteria at 3 levels apical, middle & coronal using a stereomicroscope. Debris was scored as 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4. Results: Score 4 was seen in 4 in group I, and 2 in group II, score 3 was used in 8 in group I and 6 in group II, score 2 was seen in 6 in group I, 8 in group II and 8 in group III, score 1 was seen in 2 in group I, 4 in group II and 12 in group III. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Manual brushing + ultrasonic bath is better than underwent manual brushing + 3% H2O2 in cleaning of endodontic instruments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Root-end cavity preparation is an important procedure in periapical surgery. The present study was conducted to compare microleakage after root end resection of the two materials ie MTA and Biodentine. Materials & Methods: The present study was conducted on 52 recently extracted single rooted teeth. The teeth were divided into 2 groups of 26 each. In group I, the apical cavity was prepared and retrofilling with biodentine was done. In group II, the apical cavity was prepared and ProRoot MTA material was used. The degree of penetration of the dye is measured in millimeters. Results: In group I, retrofilling with biodentine was done. In group II, ProRoot MTA material was used. The mean microleakage in group I was 0.14 mm and in group II was 0.21 mm. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Significantly more microleakage was observed with retrograde filling done with MTA in comparison to biodentine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of Cogmed Working Memory Training (Cogmed) in improving working memory (WM) and decision making (DM) in childhood traumatic brain injury (TBI), and any associated increases in functional outcomes such as academic achievement in mathematics, behavior, social skills, and quality of life., Method: A randomized controlled trial of the Cogmed (RM version) intervention for children with TBI. A total of 69 children post-TBI were screened for WM impairments, of which 31 eligible participants ( M age : 10.6 years; male n = 21) were recruited and randomized to either the treatment group (Cogmed, n = 16) or the active-control group (Lexia Reading Core5, n = 15). Both groups completed computerized training for 5 weeks with clinician support via an online video platform. Immediately posttraining and at 6 months follow-up, primary (WM and DM) and secondary functional outcomes were assessed., Results: Immediately postintervention, significant improvement was found in one primary outcome (WM verbal component) for the Cogmed group, but this was not maintained at the 6 months follow-up. No immediate improvements or maintenance gains (small effect sizes) in other primary outcomes of visuospatial WM or DM were reported in the Cogmed group. No other significant group differences were detected for other functional outcomes., Conclusions: Despite the limited benefits observed in this small randomized controlled trial, it will be beneficial to investigate Cogmed's efficacy in a case-series methodology, to further determine its effectiveness in a pediatric TBI population. Furthermore, a cautious approach in clinical implementation of Cogmed is advised. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).