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Background: Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is a highly prevalent disease among preschoolers in Sri Lanka, with stagnated prevalence over the decades. Therefore, it is important to determine the socio-behavioural associations of ECC among preschoolers to reduce the country's ECC burden. Methods: A cross-sectional study with a multistage cluster sampling technique was used to select 3 to 4 year-old preschoolers/mothers dyads in Gampaha district in 2019. Preschoolers who completed third birthday and had not completed fifth birthday on the day of data collection were selected. The dependent variable was the presence (dmft ≥ 1) or absence (dmft = 0) of ECC. Independent variables were sex, monthly family income, mother's educational and occupational status, child's birth order, family type, frequency of consumption of sweets and sweetened drinks, time of sweet consumption during the last 24 h, toothbrushing frequency, supervision of toothbrushing, dental visit, and maternal dental caries. A pre-tested validated questionnaire was used. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used. Results: Total of 1038 preschoolers were selected. There were 529 females (51.0%) and 509 males (49.0%). The prevalence of ECC was 56.3% (95% CI: 53.1–59.3). Consuming sweets between meals had a higher odds ratio than consuming sweets after main meals (OR = 1.72, 95% CI:1.25–2.35), consumption of sweets every day had a higher odds ratio than consumption of sweets several times a week or less (OR = 2.89, 95% CI: 2.02–4.13), consumption of sweetened drinks every day had a higher odds ratio than consumption of sweetened drinks several times a week or less (OR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.07–2.79), and the presence of maternal caries had a higher odds ratio than the absence of maternal caries (OR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.12–2.69). The use of adult fluoridated toothpaste than not using adult fluoridated toothpaste (OR = 0.64, 95% CI:0.48–0.85), tooth brushing twice per day than not brushing twice per day (OR = 0.67, 95% CI:0.51–0.89), and supervised toothbrushing than unsupervised toothbrushing (OR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.41–0.93) was negatively associated with ECC. Conclusions: ECC is highly associated with sweet consumption and oral hygiene behaviours among preschoolers in Gampaha District. Interventions should focus on the oral health behaviours of preschoolers to reduce ECC burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of malocclusion in Portuguese preschool children, to characterise occlusion in the deciduous dentition, and to study the relationship between malocclusion, sex, and age. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 3–6 years old children, from 25 randomly selected kindergartens from the Lisbon district. Data were collected through an oral examination. Malocclusion was defined as the presence of any type of occlusion anomaly (anterior crossbite, edge-to-edge, increased overjet, open bite, deep overbite, posterior crossbite, scissor bite), spacing anomaly (crowding), or dentition anomaly (supernumerary teeth, agenesis, malformations). Canine class, terminal plane of the deciduous second molars and type of Baume arch were also recorded. Statistical analysis included descriptive and chi-squared test (α = 0.05). Results: The sample included 426 children with a global prevalence of malocclusion of 60.6%. Occlusion anomalies were the most prevalent (59.2%), the most frequent being deep overbite (27%), increased overjet (22.1%) and posterior crossbite (14.1%). Crowding had a prevalence of 1.6% and agenesis of 1.4%. Class I canine (57.3%), straight second molar terminal plane (60.1%) and type I Baume arch (53.3%) were the most common. The mean overjet was 2.6 mm (sd = 2.1) and the mean overbite was 2.2 mm (sd = 2.1). Age was associated with the presence of occlusion anomalies (p = 0.03), and increased overjet prevalence was found to be higher in girls (p = 0.03). Conclusions: The prevalence of malocclusion was high, with occlusion anomalies being the most prevalent. It is important to identify modifiable risk factors associated with malocclusion to prevent this condition in both the deciduous and permanent dentitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Objectives Methods Results Conclusion Viral infection is a common trigger of severe respiratory illnesses in early life and a risk factor for later asthma development. The mechanism leading to asthma could involve an aberrant airway immune response to viral infections, but this has rarely been studied in a human setting.To investigate in situ virus‐specific differences in upper airway immune mediator levels during viral episodes of respiratory illnesses and the association with later asthma.We included 493 episodes of acute respiratory illnesses in 277 children aged 0–3 years from the COPSAC2010 mother–child cohort. Levels of 18 different immune mediators were assessed in nasal epithelial lining fluid using high‐sensitivity MesoScale Discovery kits and compared between children with and without viral PCR‐identification in nasopharyngeal samples. Finally, we investigated whether the virus‐specific immune response was associated with asthma by age 6 years.Viral detection were associated with upregulation of several Type 1 and regulatory immune mediators, including IFN‐ɣ, TNF‐α, CCL4, CXCL10 and IL‐10 and downregulation of Type 2 and Type 17 immune mediators, including CCL13, and CXCL8 (FDR <0.05). Children developing asthma had decreased levels of IL‐10 (FDR <0.05) during viral episodes compared to children not developing asthma.We described the airway immune mediator profile during viral respiratory illnesses in early life and showed that children developing asthma by age 6 years have a reduced regulatory (IL‐10) immune mediator level. This provides insight into the interplay between early‐life viral infections, airway immunity and asthma development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is a highly prevalent disease among preschoolers in Sri Lanka, with stagnated prevalence over the decades. Therefore, it is important to determine the socio-behavioural associations of ECC among preschoolers to reduce the country’s ECC burden. Methods A cross-sectional study with a multistage cluster sampling technique was used to select 3 to 4 year-old preschoolers/mothers dyads in Gampaha district in 2019. Preschoolers who completed third birthday and had not completed fifth birthday on the day of data collection were selected. The dependent variable was the presence (dmft ≥ 1) or absence (dmft = 0) of ECC. Independent variables were sex, monthly family income, mother’s educational and occupational status, child’s birth order, family type, frequency of consumption of sweets and sweetened drinks, time of sweet consumption during the last 24 h, toothbrushing frequency, supervision of toothbrushing, dental visit, and maternal dental caries. A pre-tested validated questionnaire was used. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used. Results Total of 1038 preschoolers were selected. There were 529 females (51.0%) and 509 males (49.0%). The prevalence of ECC was 56.3% (95% CI: 53.1–59.3). Consuming sweets between meals had a higher odds ratio than consuming sweets after main meals (OR = 1.72, 95% CI:1.25–2.35), consumption of sweets every day had a higher odds ratio than consumption of sweets several times a week or less (OR = 2.89, 95% CI: 2.02–4.13), consumption of sweetened drinks every day had a higher odds ratio than consumption of sweetened drinks several times a week or less (OR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.07–2.79), and the presence of maternal caries had a higher odds ratio than the absence of maternal caries (OR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.12–2.69). The use of adult fluoridated toothpaste than not using adult fluoridated toothpaste (OR = 0.64, 95% CI:0.48–0.85), tooth brushing twice per day than not brushing twice per day (OR = 0.67, 95% CI:0.51–0.89), and supervised toothbrushing than unsupervised toothbrushing (OR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.41–0.93) was negatively associated with ECC. Conclusions ECC is highly associated with sweet consumption and oral hygiene behaviours among preschoolers in Gampaha District. Interventions should focus on the oral health behaviours of preschoolers to reduce ECC burden.

The article presents the significance of economic education in a person’s life and the need for it from an early age. The stage of development from which education on the basics of economy should start is the preschool age (3-6 years). The age of the ancestors, the initial stage of the child’s consumer socialization, during which its effects and ideas about the world of consumption are shaped. The consumer behavior of preschool children is determined by parents, who can use the purchasing process in the upbringing process. This issue is very relevant, since it constitutes an integral part of each person’s life and it’s also a subject of interest in many fields of social sciences, each of which introduces a different view, hence it’s multidimensional nature. The essence and significance of the process of economic education, including equipping children with knowledge about economics as well as basic ability of its usage in certain life situations were presented based on the research of recent publications collected from the Scopus and Google Scholar databases. The article points out the existence of tools that could be used in the methodology of preschool teacher’s work. The offered examples taken from pedagogic practice could help teachers with implementing methods of efficient economical education in the field of preschool pedagogy. The findings presented in the article point towards the need for economic education of preschool children and show its integral and timeless nature. One of the tasks of economic education in kindergarten is to shape the foundations of economic culture, which emphasizes the relationship between economic education and morality.

Deficits in motor skills and function are associated with overweight and obesity in children. This study aimed to investigate the development of motor efficiency in 3-4-year-old children over seven months and to identify possible gender and body weight status differences in motor efficiency. In the study, there were 45 children (21 girls, 24 boys), the mean age of whom was 39 months. Analysis of the results of testing for differences in motor efficiency according to body weight status and movement components showed no statistically significant differences (p>0.05) between healthy weight and overweight children.

Objective. To estimate the prevalence of functional difficulties in Mexican children and adolescents aged 5 to 17 years and calculate population profiles for 2021-2023. Materials and methods. We used the child functioning module developed by the Washington group and the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (Unicef). We calculated prevalence and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) and population profiles using logistic regression models. Results. We found that 18.1% of children aged 5 to 17 have functional difficulties, with a higher prevalence in girls. Anxiety, depression, and making friends were the domains with the highest prevalence. Being a girl, having an unmarried/not cohabiting mother with a secondary education are characteristics that increase the likelihood of having functional difficulties. Physical punishment is also positively associated with functional difficulties. Conclusion. Public policy should focus on facilitating access to screening, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation for children and adolescents with functional difficulties, especially if they have characteristics that increase the likelihood of these difficulties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Elementary Education / Revija za Elementarno Izobraževanje is the property of University of Maribor, Faculty of Education 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.)

Abstract Background Sleep has been known to affect childhood development. Sleep disturbance is likely more common in children with developmental delay (DD) than in typical development. There are few studies on the correlation between sleep disturbance and developmental features in children with DD. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the associations between the two in children with DD. Methods A total of 45 children (age range 27.0 ± 11.1) with DD were recruited and evaluated using the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC) and Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (BSID-III). The outcomes are expressed as means and standard deviations. The correlation between SDSC and BSID-III was assessed using Spearman’s rank correlation test. Multiple regression analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between BSID-III domains and SDSC questionnaire subscales. Statistical significance was set at p

Background: A child safety seat protects children from injury during motor vehicle accidents (MVAs). However, there is a lack of enforcement of regulation regarding its use in Saudi Arabia. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the use of child safety seat and its determinants and barriers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was based on a structured face-to-face interview across Jeddah among families who drove in cars with children aged ≤5 years. The study used stratified multistage random sampling across the population of the governorate of Jeddah. Results: A total of 675 parents were included, of which 311 (46.1%) reported having a child safety seat in their vehicle, and only 165 (24.4%) reported its regular use. Awareness levels among parents regarding child safety seat use and its benefits, parents’ level of education, family size, family income, and the belief in the need for laws governing child safety seat were key determinants of child safety seat use. Poor awareness among parents regarding the utility of child safety seat in reducing child injuries, low education levels among parents, larger families with multiple children, poor affordability, low family income, and a clear lack of laws mandating the use of child safety seat were identified as key barriers. Conclusions: The regular use of child safety seat for children aged ≤5 years is low in even one of the most urban populations of Saudi Arabia. This indicates the need for large-scale awareness drives and stricter implementation of laws enforcing the use of child safety seat in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Sleep has been known to affect childhood development. Sleep disturbance is likely more common in children with developmental delay (DD) than in typical development. There are few studies on the correlation between sleep disturbance and developmental features in children with DD. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the associations between the two in children with DD. Methods: A total of 45 children (age range 27.0 ± 11.1) with DD were recruited and evaluated using the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC) and Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (BSID-III). The outcomes are expressed as means and standard deviations. The correlation between SDSC and BSID-III was assessed using Spearman's rank correlation test. Multiple regression analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between BSID-III domains and SDSC questionnaire subscales. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Based on the correlation analysis and subsequent hierarchical regression analysis, cognition and socio-emotional domains of BSID-III were significantly associated with the DOES subscale of the SDSC questionnaire. In addition, the expressive language domain of the BSID-III was found to be associated with the DA subscale of the SDSC questionnaire. It seems that excessive daytime sleepiness might negatively affect emotional and behavioral problems and cognitive function. Also, arousal disorders seem to be related to memory consolidation process, which is thought to affect language expression. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that DA and DOES subscales of the SDSC questionnaire were correlated with developmental aspects in preschool-aged children with DD. Sleep problems in children with DD can negatively affect their development, thereby interfering with the effectiveness of rehabilitation. Identifying and properly managing the modifiable factors of sleep problems is also crucial as a part of comprehensive rehabilitation treatment. Therefore, we should pay more attention to sleep problems, even in preschool-aged children with DD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To describe screen time levels and determine their association with socioemotional and behavioural difficulties among preschool-aged First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children. Method: Data were taken from the Aboriginal Children's Survey, a nationally representative survey of 2–5-year-old Indigenous children in Canada. Socioemotional and behavioural difficulties were defined using parent/guardian reports on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted separately for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit participants, and statistically adjusted for child age, child sex, and parent/guardian education. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.002 to adjust for multiple comparisons. Results: Of these 2–5-year-old children (mean [ M ] = 3.57 years) 3,085 were First Nations (53.5%), 2,430 Métis (39.2%), and 990 Inuit (7.3%). Screen time exposure was high among First Nations (M = 2 h and 58 min/day, standard deviation [ SD ] = 1.89), Métis (M = 2 h and 50 min [ SD = 1.83]), and Inuit children (M = 3 h and 25 min [ SD = 2.20]), with 79.7% exceeding recommended guidelines (>1 h/day). After adjusting for confounders, screen time was associated with more socioemotional and behavioural difficulties among First Nations (total difficulties β = 0.15 [95% CI, 0.12 to 0.19]) and Métis (β = 0.16 [95% CI, 0.12 to 0.20]) but not Inuit children (β = 0.12 [95% CI, 0.01 to 0.23]). Conclusions: Screen time exposure is high among Indigenous children in Canada, and is associated with more socioemotional and behavioural difficulties among First Nations and Métis children. Contributing factors could include enduring colonialism that resulted in family dissolution, lack of positive parental role models, and disproportionate socioeconomic disadvantage. Predictors of poor well-being should continue to be identified to develop targets for intervention to optimize the health and development of Indigenous children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incense burning is a significant source of indoor air pollution in many Asian regions. There is emerging evidence that maternal prenatal exposure to incense-burning smoke may be a risk factor for childhood obesity. We aimed to extend this new line of research by investigating the independent and joint effect of incense-burning smoke exposure, and children's outdoor activity in early life, on preschoolers' obesity. A total of 69,637 mother–child dyads were recruited from all kindergartens in the Longhua District of Shenzhen, China. Information on sociodemographic characteristics, maternal exposure to incense-burning smoke (IBS) during pregnancy, and frequency and duration of outdoor activity at the age of 1–3 years was collected by a self-administered questionnaire. In addition, the heights and weights of the children were measured by the research team. Logistic regression models and cross-over analyses were conducted to investigate the independent and combined effects of maternal exposure to incense-burning smoke during pregnancy and children's early outdoor activity on obesity in preschoolers. We found that prenatal exposure to incense-burning smoke increased the risk of the presence of obesity in preschoolers' (AOR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.03–1.23). Additionally, lower frequencies (<3 times/week) or shorter durations (<60 min/time) of outdoor activity from the age of 1–3 years were significantly associated with the presence of obesity, with AORs of 1.24 (95% CI =1.18–1.32) and 1.11 (95% CI = 1.05–1.17), respectively. Furthermore, the cross-over analysis showed that prenatal exposure to IBS combined with a lower frequency of early outdoor activity (AOR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.31–1.66) or a shorter duration of outdoor activity during ages of 1–3 years (AOR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.07–1.39) increased the risk of obesity in preschoolers. Finally, additive interactions between prenatal exposure to IBS and postnatal outdoor activity on obesity were identified. Our study indicates that maternal exposure to incense-burning smoke during pregnancy and early lower postanal outdoor activity may independently and jointly increase the risk of obesity among preschoolers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A child safety seat protects children from injury during motor vehicle accidents (MVAs). However, there is a lack of enforcement of regulation regarding its use in Saudi Arabia. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the use of child safety seat and its determinants and barriers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was based on a structured face-to-face interview across Jeddah among families who drove in cars with children aged ≤5 years. The study used stratified multistage random sampling across the population of the governorate of Jeddah. Results: A total of 675 parents were included, of which 311 (46.1%) reported having a child safety seat in their vehicle, and only 165 (24.4%) reported its regular use. Awareness levels among parents regarding child safety seat use and its benefits, parents’ level of education, family size, family income, and the belief in the need for laws governing child safety seat were key determinants of child safety seat use. Poor awareness among parents regarding the utility of child safety seat in reducing child injuries, low education levels among parents, larger families with multiple children, poor affordability, low family income, and a clear lack of laws mandating the use of child safety seat were identified as key barriers. Conclusions: The regular use of child safety seat for children aged ≤5 years is low in even one of the most urban populations of Saudi Arabia. This indicates the need for large-scale awareness drives and stricter implementation of laws enforcing the use of child safety seat in Saudi Arabia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Child's understanding and intentions are not always easy to read in drawings. This is particularly evident in the type of drawings we refer to as 'analytical drawings'. In order to understand analytical drawings made by preschool children, it is important to have a dialogue with the young authors. In our study, we examined the ability of students of pedagogy study programmes to interpret an example of a preschooler's analytic drawing where the intentions are not readily apparent. Using the example of an analytical drawing of a six-year-old girl, we designed a questionnaire that was administered to 226 students of the Faculty of Education at the University of Ljubljana. Using the questionnaire, we evaluated the students' ability to interpret the content and the child's intentions expressed in the analytical drawing, as well as their opinions about what they would find most useful to help them to interpret the girl's drawing. The results confirmed our hypothesis that it is impossible to understand, interpret, and evaluate these types of children's analytic drawings without a dialogue with a child. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Risk factors of asthma-like symptoms in childhood may act through an increased infection burden because infections often trigger these symptoms. We sought to investigate whether the effect of established risk factors of asthma-like episodes in early childhood is mediated through burden and subtypes of common infections. The study included 662 children from the Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood 2010 mother-child cohort, in which infections were registered prospectively in daily diaries from age 0 to 3 years. The association between established risk factors of asthma-like episodes and infection burden was analyzed by quasi-Poisson regressions, and mediation analyses were performed for significant risk factors. In the first 3 years of life, the children experienced a median of 16 (interquartile range, 12-23) infectious episodes. We found that the infection burden significantly (P ACME <.05) mediated the association of maternal asthma (36.6% mediated), antibiotics during pregnancy (47.3%), siblings at birth (57.7%), an asthma exacerbation polygenic risk score (30.6%), and a bacterial airway immune score (80.2%) with number of asthma-like episodes, whereas the higher number of episodes from male sex, low birth weight, low gestational age, and maternal antibiotic use after birth was not mediated through an increased infection burden. Subtypes of infections driving the mediation were primarily colds, pneumonia, gastroenteritis, and fever, but not acute otitis media or acute tonsillitis. Several risk factors of asthma-like symptoms in early childhood act through an increased infection burden in the first 3 years of life. Prevention of infectious episodes may therefore be beneficial to reduce the burden of asthma-like symptoms in early childhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The purpose of the study was to describe the preparation of children for day surgery from the parent's viewpoint. Design: Empirical Research Mixed Method. Methods: The research applied a mixed‐methods study design. The study was conducted at the Paediatric Day Surgical Department of one REDACTED between 2018 and 2020 at the same time as an associated randomised controlled conduct trial. Parents of 41 children (ages 2–6 years) completed measures assessing their preparation for day surgery and satisfaction with the procedure. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 15 parents to better understand their experiences. Results: According to the results, most of the parents (95%) told their children about the upcoming day surgery procedure. The child was prepared for the surgery with cognitive and sensory information, and the preparation usually started at home well before the surgery. The parents' experiences with the most critical aspects of preparing their child included three main categories: (1) usability of the preparation method; (2) content and timing of the preparation method and (3) consideration of the family perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective·To explore the effect of continuous nursing based on EMS [environment management (E), medicine direction (M) and self monitoring (S)] management mode on the preschool children with asthmatic diseases.Methods·A total of 67 children aged 0 to 6 years with asthmatic diseases admitted to the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from December 2019 to November 2020 were selected and divided into observation group (33 cases) and control group (34 cases) according to the random number table method, with 3 cases lost, and finally 32 cases in each group. The observation group received continuous nursing care based on EMS management mode, while the control group received routine care and discharge follow-up through the telephone. The children in the two groups were followed up at 1, 3, and 6 months after discharge to evaluate the results of Test for Respiratory and Asthma Control in Kids (TRACK) and wheezing recurrence; Medication Adherence Report Scale for Asthma (MARS-A) and Nursing Job Satisfaction Questionnaire were used to evaluate medication adherence and nursing job satisfaction 6 months after discharge.Results·There was no significant difference in demographic characteristics and clinical baseline characteristics between the two groups. Repeated measures analysis of variance showed that effects of time, groups and the interaction of groups×time on the total score of TRACK were statistically significant. The total scores of TRACK in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group at 1, 3, and 6 months after discharge (P=0.000). The total scores of TRACK in the two groups gradually increased with time (P=0.000). The recurrence rates of wheezing in the observation group were 25.0%, 18.7%, and 9.4% at 1, 3, and 6 months after discharge, which were significantly lower than those in the control group (50.0%, 43.7%, and 31.3%, respectively, P

Objective: to contribute to the validation of the Early Childhood Oral Impact Scale (ECOHIS) by studying its psychometric properties when applied to a Portuguese preschool population. Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted with children aged between three and five-years-old. The non-probabilistic sample included two preschools in the municipality of Lisbon. Children who agreed to participate and whose guardians signed the informed consent were included. Data collection included a questionnaire, administered to the parents, and an intraoral examination of the children. The questionnaire included the Portuguese version of ECOHIS. The intraoral examination included the caries diagnosis according to the World Health Organization criteria. Discriminant validity compared the ECOHIS score between children with and without caries experience (Mann-Whitney U-test). Cohen’s d was calculated to estimate the magnitude of the difference. Reliability analysis included Cronbach’s α and test-retest. Construct validity was analyzed by the correlation between the ECOHIS score and dmft (Spearman’s correlation). A significance level of 5% was used. Results: The sample included 104 children (mean age 4.1 years). ECOHIS values were significantly different between children with and without caries (p=0.004). The Cohen’s d was 0.84. The Cronbach’s was 0.78, with no significant increase in value when eliminating any of the items. The test-retest showed significant correlation (r=0.76; p=0.01). There was a significant correlation between the ECOHIS score and caries experience (r=0.28; p=0.004). Conclusion: The Portuguese version of the ECOHIS showed good psychometric properties, indicating that it is a reliable and valid tool to measure the impact of oral health in preschool children.

Background The obligation to pay for asthma medication in a country with universal healthcare might lead to increased asthma exacerbations and inequitable healthcare access for children from low-income households. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the association between household income and childhood/preschool asthma regarding hospitalization and medication receipt. Methods In this nationwide register-based cohort study, we encompassed all 3-year-old children residing in Denmark, born between 2000 and 2014, along with their linked parents and followed them until their sixth birthday. Household income was divided into quartiles. Asthma was categorized in two mutually exclusive groups as either the redemption of two prescriptions for asthma medication or receiving a hospital diagnosis. We utilized Poisson regression to estimate the risk ratio (RR). Results The analysis included 834 422 preschool children. The prevalence of asthma dependent on medication alone was 7.3%, while 1.8% of children necessitated asthma-related hospitalization. Income inequality was evident across all income quartiles. Notably, children from the lowest income quartile had a RR of 0.95 (95% CI: 0.92–0.98) of redeeming asthma medication and conversely a RR of 1.18 (95% CI: 1.14–1.23) of asthma-related hospitalization. Conclusions Despite universal healthcare, income inequality has a dual impact on children from low-income households. They face a diminished risk of redeeming asthma medication and a higher susceptibility to asthma-related hospitalizations indicating an unequal access to healthcare. Prioritizing efforts to reduce childhood health inequalities is crucial. However, further research, particularly qualitative studies, is needed to better comprehend the underlying mechanisms to address the complexities of income inequality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the effect of continuous nursing based on EMS [environment management (E), medicine direction (M) and self monitoring (5)] management mode on the preschool children with asthmatic diseases. Methods A total of 67 children aged 0 to 6 years with asthmatic diseases admitted to the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from December 2019 to November 2020 were selected and divided into observation group (33 cases) and control group (34 cases) according to the random number table method, with 3 cases lost, and finally 32 cases in each group. The observation group received continuoon nursing care based on EMS management mode, while the control group received routine care and discharge follow-up through the telephone. The children in the two groups were followed up at 1, 3, and 6 months after discharge to evaluate the results of Test for Respiratory and Asthma Control in Kids (TRACK) and wheezing recurrence, Medication Adherence Report Scale for Asthma (MARS-A) and Nursing Job Satisfaction Questionnaire were used to evaluate medication adherence and nursing job satisfaction 6 months after discharge. Results There was no significant difference in demographic characteristics and clinical baseline characteristics between the two groups. Repeated measures analysis of variance showed that effects of time, groups and the interaction of groups time on the total score of TRACK were statistically significant. The total scores of TRACK in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group at 1, 3, and 6 months after discharge (P=0.000). The total scores of TRACK in the two groups gradually increased with time (P=0.000). The recurrence rates of wheezing in the observation group were 25.0%, 18.7%, and 9.4% at 1, 3, and 6 months after discharge, which were significantly lower than those in the control group (50.0%, 43.7%, and 31.3%, respectively, P<0.05). Generalized estimating equation analysis showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P=0.013), and the intervention effect of the observation group was better than that of the control group (OR-0.292). The MARS-A score of the observation group was 4.519±0.395 at 6 months after discharge, which was significantly higher than that of the control group (3.994±0.739, P=0.001). The nursing job satisfaction of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P=0.000). There was a moderate positive correlation between the MARS-A score and the nursing job satisfaction (r=0.389, P=0.001). Conclusion. Continuous nursing based on EMS management mode can significantly improve the medication compliance and wheezing control level of the preschool children with asthmatic diseases, significantly reduce the recurrence rate of wheezing, and improve the nursing satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the association between auditory processing and problem behaviors in preschool children, as well as the mediating role of executive function. Methods A total of 2 342 preschool children were selected from 7 kindergartens in Nanjing, China from June to August 2021. They were evaluated using Preschool Auditory Processing Assessment Scale, Conners Parent Symptom Questionnaire, and Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning-Preschool version. Children with different demographic features were compared in the scores and the abnormality rates of auditory processing, problem behaviors, and executive function. The influencing factors of the total scores of auditory processing, problem behaviors, and executive function were evaluated using multiple linear regression analysis. Whether executive function was a mediating factor between auditory processing and executive function was examined. Results Sex and grade were the main influencing factors for the total score of auditory processing (P<0.05), and sex, grade, parental education level, and family economic status were the main influencing factors for the total scores of problem behaviors and executive function (P<0.05). The auditory processing score (rs= 0.458, P<0.05) and problem behavior score (rs=0.185, P<0.05) were significantly positively correlated with the executive function score, and the auditory processing score was significantly positively correlated with the problem behavior score (rs=0.423, P<0.05). Executive function played a partial mediating role between auditory processing and problem behaviors, and the mediating effect accounted for 33.44% of the total effect. Conclusions Auditory processing can directly affect the problem behaviors of preschool children and indirectly affect problem behaviors through executive function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although advances in obstetric and neonatal care have improved the survival of preterm infants, many studies document the increased risk of motor and sensory neurodevelopmental abnormalities that can hinder school progress. The aim of this study was to analyze the differences in gross and fine motor development in children born preterm and full term aged 3 to 6 years using the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales 2 (PDMS-II). Fifteen preterm and fifteen term children, matched for age and sex, participated in this study. They were evaluated with the PDMS-II scale. The scores obtained in the PDMS-II scale showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in all subscales except for the "grasping" subscale. No dissimilarities were found between children who attended an early intervention program and those who did not participate, nor was there any correlation between week of gestation and birth weight and motor development in preschool. The results obtained show that differences are found with respect to motor development, with lower scores for those born preterm compared to children born at term. No statistically significant difference was found between preterm children who attended early intervention and those who did not. No correlation was found between motor development at preschool age and birth weight and gestational age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Saudi Medical Journal is the property of Saudi Medical Journal 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.)

Purpose: To assess the impact of early childhood caries (ECC) and its clinical consequences on preschool children's sleep, as reported by caregivers. Methods: A representative cross-sectional study was carried out with preschoolers aged four to six years in Brazil. Caregivers responded to the Brazilian version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale and a specific question from this questionnaire was used to determine sleep-related quality of life: "Has your child had trouble sleeping because of dental problems or dental treatments?" Additionally, a self-administered questionnaire with socioeconomic questions was used. Clinical examinations were performed by two calibrated dentists to diagnose dental caries (International Caries Detection and Assessment Systemepi) and its clinical consequences (pulpal involvement, tissue ulceration, fistula and abscesses [pufa] index). Adjusted and unadjusted Poisson regression was used for data analysis (P<0.05). Results: The sample consisted of 533 preschoolers, with 259 girls ( 51.4 percent) (n=259). The mean age of preschoolers was 4.78±0.6 (standard deviation) years. One-third (n=176) exhibited extensive carious lesions, and 14.1 percent (n=75) had clinical consequences of ECC. Conclusion: Children with clinical consequences of ECC were approximately 3.04 times more likely to have difficulty sleeping than children without them (95 percent confidence interval=1.75 to 5.25). The clinical consequences of ECC were significantly associated with difficulty sleeping among preschool children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present study was to examine intergenerational transmission of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) from parents to children and examine the buffering influence of forgiveness of oneself and others. Participants were 150 parents and children enrolled in Head Start in an upper midwestern, rural state who volunteered to complete questionnaires measuring ACEs and levels of forgiveness of oneself and others. Multiple correlation and regression were used to examine the associations between parent-reported parent and child ACEs and self-forgiveness and forgiveness of others. Analyses revealed that parental ACEs and child ACEs were positively correlated. Parents with low and medium levels of self-forgiveness and forgiveness of others had a stronger positive correlation between their own experience of ACEs and their child's, whereas, for parents with high levels of self-forgiveness and forgiveness of others, the correlation between parent and child ACEs was reduced statistically to zero. The cycle of intergenerational transmission of ACEs may be interrupted, or at very least notably buffered, by forgiving oneself and others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of maternal's depression trajectory in the first 1000 days of the child's life on the prevalence of early childhood dental caries (ECC), in a birth cohort. Materials and methods: All infants born in Pelotas in 2015 were identified, and the mothers were invited to participate in the cohort. A total of 3645 children were included in the study. The outcome was ECC at 48 months of age assessed according to ICDAS. Maternal depression was collected using Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) antenatally, at 3, 12, and 24 months of age. Maternal depressive symptom trajectory variables were created using group-based trajectory models and adopting two cutoff points. Poisson regression model with robust variance was used to identify the total effect of maternal depressive symptom trajectories on ECC, adjusting by confounders. Results: A total of 29.2% of the mothers presented a high trajectory for screening of depression, and 18.8% presented a high trajectory of depression diagnosis. The prevalence of ECC was 26.7%. After adjusted analysis, maternal depression trajectories (screening and diagnosis) from pregnancy to 24 months increased the risk for ECC at 48 months of age (RR = 1.14; 95% CI 1.02–1.28 and RR = 1.19; 95% CI 1.05–1.35). Conclusions: Children from mothers with high depression trajectory had higher risk of having dental caries at 48 months compared to children from mothers with low depression trajectory. Clinical relevance: Strategies of early detection and treatment of maternal mental disorders during the Golden Period should be considered of high priority in health services since it could impact positively in children's life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:The pandemic lockdown has affected the whole world regarding health, social, and economic aspects. This study aimed to detect the pandemic’s effect on children’s height and weight.Methods:The study was a retrospective cohort study. The data were collected from patients aged 48 to 144 months who were followed up for three years between 2020 and 2022 in the pediatric outpatient clinic. Height and weight percentiles, and body mass index values of the patients were recorded.Results:Eighty children were included in the study. It was determined that the children’s annual body weight percentile values increased statistically significantly between 2020-2022. It was determined that there was a significant increase in the weight percentile values of children aged 48-59 months in all three years (p values were 0.00, 0.00, and 0.00, respectively). While there was no change in the height percentile value between 2020-21, an increase was observed in other years (2021 vs. 2022 and 2020 vs. 2022). While there was no increase in body weight percentile values between 2020-2021 in children aged 60-95 months, it was observed to increase in the following two years (p values were 0.00, and 0.00 respectively). In children aged 96-144 months, there was no statistically significant increase in weight and height percentile values over the years.Conclusion:The pandemic caused weight gain and increased the prevalence of obesity in children. While this increase was more pronounced in children aged 48-59 months, no weight gain was observed in children aged 96-144.

Being outdoors allows children to explore, experience natural phenomena, it gives them more space and freedom for development. Educators should arouse children’s interest in nature so that children develop feelings and learn from experience. The research aimed at determining the attitudes and reflections of educators employed in preschool institutions in the Republic of Croatia regarding the attitudes and reflections of educators about being outdoors. The research was conducted on a sample of 351 educators. A measuring instrument designed for the needs of this research was used. The results of the research show that 53% of educators agree or completely agree with the statement that they spend their free time in nature. Furthermore, 35.6% spend up to 6 hours a week walking, recreation, cycling and the like. Regarding the statement which limiting factors prevent going outdoors with children, 58.1% of educators completely agree or agree with the statement. We asked the respondents which other limiting factor they see as an obstacle and 36.9% mentioned the weather. Educators are the ones who decide whether children will spend time outdoors. This affects children’s different experiences because their time outdoors depends on the beliefs and attitudes of their educators.

Xin-xin Huang,1 Qin-fang Qian,2 Yan Huang,2 Yan-xia Wang,2 Ping Ou1 1The Ministry of Health, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, People’s Republic of China; 2The Child Health Division, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Ping Ou, Tel +86-13905916211, Email Ouping810@126.comIntroduction: Previous studies have demonstrated the long-term effectiveness of behavioral interventions for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in preschool children. We continue to design a case‒control study to further investigate the factors influencing the long-term effect of behavioral intervention.Methods: From May 2020 to August 2021, children who were newly diagnosed with ADHD and not receiving any treatment received a one-year behavioral intervention. A total of 86 children completed the behavioral intervention and assessment.Results: 50 children (58.140%) were in the effective group, and 36 children (41.860%) were in the ineffective group. Attention retention time (OR=0.559, 0.322– 0.969), Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham total score (OR=1.186, 1.024– 1.374) at baseline, performance score for parents (OR=0.631, 0.463– 0.859), and teacher coordination (OR=0.032, 0.002– 0.413) were the influencing factors of behavioral intervention effects. The area under the receiver operating curve was 0.979 (p< 0.001). The comprehensive nomogram model showed that the discrimination and mean absolute error were 0.979 and 0.023, respectively.Discussion: During behavioral intervention, the implementation skills of parents should be evaluated in a timely manner. The behavioral intervention effect can be predicted based on a child’s attention retention time at baseline, teacher involvement, behavioral scale score, and performance score for parents, which can guide clinicians in adjusting personalized treatment plans and provide a basis for clinical decision-making. The treatment of ADHD in preschool children requires a systematic framework that integrates family, school, and society.Keywords: attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, behavioral intervention, influencing factors, preschool child

The organisation of the educational process with children with special educational needs requires the implementation of special approaches to their education. Therefore, it is important to consider the relevant foreign experience, explain the features of distance learning using information and communication technologies and develop recommendations for the use of such technologies in the educational process with children with special needs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the specific features of using information and communication technologies in preschool education institutions in teaching children with special educational needs and to cover the areas of their implementation. The methodological framework of this study included an interdisciplinary approach to the analysis of a scientific problem in combination with theoretical and empirical methods, among which the priority was given to induction, deduction, analysis, synthesis, generalisation, study of scientific literature and pedagogical observation. It was found that information and communication technologies are a set of methods, educational and methodological materials, technical means of teaching and software. It was found that they increase the effectiveness of the educational process and help to unite its participants. The study proved that the use of information and communication technologies involves the application of three approaches: technocentric, holistic, and combined. It was found that the combined approach creates a subject-object model of teaching children with special needs and demonstrates the greatest effectiveness. The study presented several classifications of information and communication technologies. The classification of information and communication technologies was presented. It was found that they are divided into main and auxiliary; standard and auxiliary; virtual. The advantages of using information and communication technologies in the educational process with children with special educational needs were considered in detail, which confirmed the need for their use in preschool education institutions in the context of distance learning. The practical significance of this study is that its results, specifically recommendations for the introduction of special approaches to the education and upbringing of preschool children with special educational needs, can be used in organising an effective educational process for such children.

Background: Feeding practices are crucial in ensuring toddlers receive an appropriate and varied diet to support their growth and development. In Tanzania, maternal feeding practices for young children are inadequate, and there is limited research on the influencing factors. Objective: This study aimed to examine the factors influencing Tanzanian mothers’ feeding practices for toddlers, utilizing the health promotion model as the theoretical framework. Methods: A predictive correlational design was employed, with a random sample of 399 mothers who brought their toddlers for health supervision at a tertiary care hospital in the United Republic of Tanzania. Data on personal information, depression, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, perceived self-efficacy, social support, situational influences, and maternal feeding practices were collected using self-administered questionnaires between September 2021 and November 2021. Descriptive statistics, correlations, and multiple regression analysis were employed for the analysis. Results: All the factors examined in the study accounted for 18.9% of the variance explained in maternal feeding practices. Significantly, only two factors, perceived self-efficacy (β = 0.32, p

Context The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federal nutrition program that supports young children's nutrition. Its potential impacts on child well-being have not been summarized. Objective The objective of this review was to summarize the evidence for the impact of CACFP on children's diet quality, weight status, food insecurity, and cognitive development. Data Sources Databases searched included MEDLINE, CAB Abstracts, Web of Science Core Collection, ERIC, PsycInfo, Dissertations & Theses Global (Proquest), EconLit, NBER, and the USDA's Economic Research Service (ERS), from database inception to November 12, 2021. Studies were included if the sample drew from child care programs serving children between the ages of 2 years and 18 years and if a comparison group of nonparticipating programs was included. Data Extraction Two reviewers independently extracted data on study design, year(s) of data collection, region, sample size, participant demographics, outcomes, and risk of bias. Data Analysis Due to the heterogeneity of the studies, a narrative synthesis was used. Results Nineteen articles were reviewed, most of which had been published since 2012. Seventeen used cross-sectional designs. Twelve evaluated foods and beverages served; 4 evaluated dietary intake; 4 evaluated the child care nutrition environment; 2 evaluated food insecurity, 1 evaluated weight status; none evaluated cognitive outcomes. Studies typically found either a small beneficial association with CACFP or no significant association. Conclusion Currently, evidence for an association between CACFP and children's health is inconclusive, though it is slightly suggestive of a benefit for some dietary quality outcomes. More research, with stronger study designs, is needed. Systematic Review Registration A protocol for this systematic review was registered with the PROSPERO systematic review protocol registry (PROSPERO 2021 CRD42021254423). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To study the impact of the home literacy environment on children's emotional regulation skills and the mediating role of the parent-child relationship between them. Methods A stratified cluster sampling approach was employed to select 1 626 preschool children from five kindergartens in Nanjing. Questionnaires were used to collect detailed information on the home literacy environment, children's emotional regulation skills, and the parent- child relationship. A mediation model was established using the Process program in SPSS macro, and the significance of the mediation effect was tested using the Bootstrap method. Results The findings revealed a positive correlation between the home literacy environment and children's emotional regulation skills (r=0.217, P<0.001), as well as parent- child intimacy (r=0.065, P<0.01). Conversely, a negative correlation was found between the home literacy environment and parent-child conflict (r=-0.129, P<0.001). Additionally, parent-child conflict demonstrated a negative correlation with children's emotional regulation skills (r=-0.443, P<0.001), while parent-child intimacy exhibited a positive correlation (r=0.247, P<0.001). The home literacy environment exerted a significant direct effect on children's emotional regulation skills (β =0.162, P<0.001), and the mediating effect of the parent-child relationship accounted for 25.54% of the total effect. Conclusions The home literacy environment significantly influences children's emotional regulation skills, with the parent-child relationship partially mediating this relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Issue Addressed: Parent‐reported data may provide a practical and cheap way for estimating young children's weight status. This study aims to compare the validity and reliability of parent‐reported height and weight to researcher‐measured data for pre‐school aged children (aged 2‐6 years). Methods: This was a nested study within a cluster randomised controlled trial (October 2016‐April 2017), conducted within 32 Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) services across New South Wales, Australia. Parents of children reported on demographics and child height and weight via a survey. For the same child, height and weight data were objectively collected by trained research staff at the service. We calculated mean differences, intra‐class correlations, Bland‐Altman plots, percentage agreement and Cohen's kappa coefficient (>0.8 = "excellent"; 0.61‐0.8 = "good"; 0.41‐0.60 = "moderate"; 0.21 and 0.4 = "fair [weak]"; <0.2 = "poor"). Results: Overall, 89 children were included (mean age: 4.7 years; 59.5% female). The mean difference between parent‐reported and researcher‐measured data were small (BMI z‐score: mean difference −0.01 [95% CI: −0.45 to 0.44]). There was "fair/weak" agreement between parent‐categorised child BMI compared with researcher‐measured data (Cohen's Kappa 0.24 [95% CI: 0.06 to 0.42]). Agreement was poor (Cohen's kappa <0.2) for female children, when reported by fathers or by parents with a BMI > 25 kg/m2. Conclusion: There was "fair/weak" agreement between parent‐reported and measured estimates of child weight status. So What?: Parent's report of weight and height may be a weak indicator of adiposity at the level of individuals however it may be useful for aggregate estimates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research aims to develop a program using physical activities to provide spatial concepts and visual-kinematic synergy to pre-school children. The basic research sample was randomly selected from children in the Orman Private School in Fayoum counting to 40 children aged (4-6) years, representing (37.5%) of the original complex. The sample was divided into two subsamples, one is experimental and the other is a control, each one consisted of (20) children, and the researcher used the experimental approach, with an experimental design for two samples, using pre- and postmeasurements due to its suitability to the nature of the research. A survey sample of (20) male and female children from the original complex and out of the basic research samples was chosen as well. The results of the research were that there were statistically significant differences in the post-measurements between the experimental sample and the control sample, and these differences were in favor of the experimental sample in all variables under study. The most important recommendations crystallizes in the importance of benefiting from physical activities in teaching spatial concepts and visual-kinematic synergy and how to make them a fundamental focus in teaching pre-school children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of West China Journal of Stomatology is the property of Sichuan University, West China College of Stomatology 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.)

Being outdoors allows children to explore, experience natural phenomena, it gives them more space and freedom for development. Educators should arouse children's interest in nature so that children develop feelings and learn from experience. The research aimed at determining the attitudes and reflections of educators employed in preschool institutions in the Republic of Croatia regarding the attitudes and reflections of educators about being outdoors. The research was conducted on a sample of 351 educators. A measuring instrument designed for the needs of this research was used. The results of the research show that 53% of educators agree or completely agree with the statement that they spend their free time in nature. Furthermore, 35.6% spend up to 6 hours a week walking, recreation, cycling and the like. Regarding the statement which limiting factors prevent going outdoors with children, 58.1% of educators completely agree or agree with the statement. We asked the respondents which other limiting factor they see as an obstacle and 36.9% mentioned the weather. Educators are the ones who decide whether children will spend time outdoors. This affects children's different experiences because their time outdoors depends on the beliefs and attitudes of their educators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incense burning is a significant source of indoor air pollution in many Asian regions. There is emerging evidence that maternal prenatal exposure to incense-burning smoke may be a risk factor for childhood obesity. We aimed to extend this new line of research by investigating the independent and joint effect of incense-burning smoke exposure, and children’s outdoor activity in early life, on preschoolers’ obesity. A total of 69,637 mother–child dyads were recruited from all kindergartens in the Longhua District of Shenzhen, China. Information on sociodemographic characteristics, maternal exposure to incense-burning smoke (IBS) during pregnancy, and frequency and duration of outdoor activity at the age of 1–3 years was collected by a self-administered questionnaire. In addition, the heights and weights of the children were measured by the research team. Logistic regression models and cross-over analyses were conducted to investigate the independent and combined effects of maternal exposure to incense-burning smoke during pregnancy and children’s early outdoor activity on obesity in preschoolers. We found that prenatal exposure to incense-burning smoke increased the risk of the presence of obesity in preschoolers’ (AOR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.03–1.23). Additionally, lower frequencies (

Based on the Brazilian National Survey on Child Nutrition (ENANI-2019) results, this article reflects on the adequacy of the “malnutrition in all its forms” framework and system of classification for representing and interpreting these dietary transitions in Brazilian children. We highlight the limitations of this classification system, including the focus on health outcomes and anthropometric measures, the siloed understanding of these forms of malnutrition, the lack of relevance of the obesity category to children under 5 years old, and the failure to adequately address the various measures of poor quality diets captured by ENANI-2019. As an alternative, based on an approach developed by Gyorgy Scrinis to reframing malnutrition in all its forms, we suggest a need for frameworks that focus on describing and classifying the nature of, and changes to, dietary patterns, rather than focused on health outcomes.

The understanding of the relationship between orofacial structures and feeding habits in preschoolers is helpful for health professionals and those dedicated to food science. The hypothesis tested was whether this relationship is already present even at a very young age. This cross‐sectional study included 91 healthy caries‐free children (50 girls/41 boys; 3.4–6.2 years; mean 4.1 years) and a comprehensive evaluation of the stomatognathic system was performed: dietary intake, facial and occlusal morphology, gustatory sensitivity, bite and lip forces, and orofacial myofunctional aspects (mastication, swallowing and breathing functions). Principal component analysis summarized the variables related to the form and function of the orofacial aspects; further, K‐means analysis identified two clusters of participants with similar aspects. Cluster 1 ("Low orofacial myofunctional functioning"; n = 51) was characterized by children who showed the worst performance of mastication, swallowing and breathing functions and whose parents reported the consumption of sweets, cookies, chocolate, but not fresh fruits the day before, in addition to the higher bottle‐feeding and pacifier use duration. This cluster also showed higher sweet taste threshold. Cluster 2 ("High orofacial myofunctional functioning"; n = 40) showed lower bottle‐feeding and pacifier use duration, higher gustatory sensitivity, greater maxillo‐mandibular dimensions, and better orofacial function performance. The variables sex and BMI did not associate to clusters profile. The frequencies of open bite and current sucking habit (pacifier) also differed between clusters. The results showed that an association between form and function of the structures that comprise the stomatognathic system and dietary intake is already present in children with primary dentition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics is the property of Xiangya Medical Periodical Press 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.)

Copyright of Rehabilitation / Rehabilitacija is the property of University Rehabilitation Institute, Republic of Slovenia 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.)

Objective: The pandemic lockdown has affected the whole world regarding health, social, and economic aspects. This study aimed to detect the pandemic's effect on children's height and weight. Methods: The study was a retrospective cohort study. The data were collected from patients aged 48 to 144 months who were followed up for three years between 2020 and 2022 in the pediatric outpatient clinic. Height and weight percentiles, and body mass index values of the patients were recorded. Results: Eighty children were included in the study. It was determined that the children's annual body weight percentile values increased statistically significantly between 2020-2022. It was determined that there was a significant increase in the weight percentile values of children aged 48-59 months in all three years (p values were 0.00, 0.00, and 0.00, respectively). While there was no change in the height percentile value between 2020-21, an increase was observed in other years (2021 vs. 2022 and 2020 vs. 2022). While there was no increase in body weight percentile values between 2020-2021 in children aged 60-95 months, it was observed to increase in the following two years (p values were 0.00, and 0.00 respectively). In children aged 96-144 months, there was no statistically significant increase in weight and height percentile values over the years. Conclusion: The pandemic caused weight gain and increased the prevalence of obesity in children. While this increase was more pronounced in children aged 48-59 months, no weight gain was observed in children aged 96-144. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this qualitative study, ethical problems and ethical dilemmas caused by COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and teaching practices were investigated based on teachers' opinions. The study, which was carried out in October 2022 with 16 preschool teachers determined by the purposeful sampling method, was carried out face to face with a semi-structured interview form. Content analysis method was used in the analysis of the data obtained from the interviews. According to the findings: teachers conducted teaching mostly online during the epidemic and said that the effect was negative. The situations that they do not find ethical are the unequal teaching opportunities on the Internet and the inability to provide classroom management, and mostly family members get involved in online course activities. Children and families were warned about some issues and an attempt was made. Ethical dilemmas are mostly due to the difficulty of children in adapting to online education and the inability to communicate with families, and mostly the inefficiency of online preschool education. Administratively, mostly ethical problems are the lack of technological equality and the inability to be sensitive in epidemic measures. The views that the management does not act unethically are also in the majority. Finally, the teachers wished never to experience such a process again and thanked them for the study. It has been suggested to plan educational measures to overcome extraordinary situations such as epidemics with less damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 transformed the family media environment and spurred research on the effects of screen media exposure and use on young children. This update of a 2017 CPS statement re-examines the potential benefits and risks of screen media in children younger than 5 years, with focus on developmental, psychosocial, and physical health. Four evidence-based principles—minimizing, mitigating, mindfully using, and modelling healthy use of screens—continue to guide children's early experience with a rapidly changing media landscape. Knowing how young children learn and develop informs best practice for health care providers and early years professionals (e.g. early childhood educators, child care providers). Anticipatory guidance should now include child and family screen use in (and beyond) pandemic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article substantiates the relevance of preserving children's psychological health issues. Approaches to defining the category "mental health" and "psychological health" and differences in their interpretations are analyzed. It is noted that psychological health is a condition for children's adaptation and socialization. It provides the opportunity for continuous full-fledged development; it is a resource that helps to overcome stressful situations with the least possible damage to physical health. It is indicated that the main factors affecting the child's psychological health are psychological (the child's individual and psychological characteristics) and social (family, peers, teachers, and mass media). The article defines the favorable psychological and pedagogical conditions for preserving a child's psychological health. The importance of taking into account children's individual and age characteristics is emphasized. It is noted that one of the conditions for the formation of a psychologically healthy child is the social environment. For a preschooler, the major social institution that provides the necessary conditions for preserving and maintaining his mental health is the family. In this regard, emphasis is placed on the need to create a favorable psychological climate in the family and disharmony prevention and overcoming in child-parent relations. It is indicated that an essential condition for preserving children's psychological health is to increase the level of psychological enlightenment of both parents and teachers. Examples of various online tools and resource usage are provided. They can contribute to solving problematic issues easily, quickly, and without time limits and are one of the effective ways in this direction in modern conditions. A number of children's abilities and skills, which are necessary for maintaining and preserving psychological health, have been determined. It is noted that technologies for ensuring psychological well-being are effective in the course of psychologically healthy child formation, in particular, such as psycho gymnastics, relaxation, and art therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revija Šport is the property of Sport: Revija Za Teoreticna in Praticna Vprasanja Sporta 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.)

Objectives: Dental caries first occurs within primary dentition in toddlers and preschool children, in a form of early childhood caries (ECC). In every day’s busy and employment burdened parenting, caretakers and institutions have become important even more nowadays, not only for forming child general behavior and character, but also for maintenance of their general and oral health as well. Aims: To evaluate the presence and severity of ECC in children who attended public kindergartens in Sarajevo, and to offer basic information for the maintenance and improvement of child oral health to their parents and kindergarten teachers. Methods: The study included 1722 preschool children aged 3-6 years who attended kindergartens within Sarajevo public kindergarten institution, together with their parents and kindergarten teachers. Dental team members gradually visited all kindergartens situated in four Sarajevo city municipalities and examined kindergarten children according to the WHO Oral Health Survey Manual. Oral health promotion material for parents and kindergarten teachers was also distributed simultaneously during sequential visits. Results: ECC was present in preschool kindergarten children in Sarajevo, with its high prevalence (67.71%), dmft-value (3.97) and severity (SiC index 8.79). There was also a significant lack of dental healthcare to examined children mostly related to lack of visiting dental offices by children’s parents (CI=10.55%, RI=10.80%, TI=12.98%). Conclusion: Parental role in preserving and improving of their children oral health should be systematically and profoundly improved. Kindergarten officials and staff should recognize the importance of anticariogenic diet menus and oral hygiene maintenance within their institutions.

Abstract Background The World Health Organization recommends pneumococcal vaccination (PCV) in the first year of life. We investigated pneumococcal serotypes in children with clinical or radiologically confirmed pneumonia and healthy controls prior to PCV13 vaccine introduction in Zanzibar. Methods Children (n = 677) with non-severe acute febrile illness aged 2–59 months presenting to a health centre in Zanzibar, Tanzania April–July 2011 were included. Nasopharyngeal swabs collected at enrolment were analysed by real-time PCR to detect and quantify pneumococcal serotypes in patients (n = 648) and in healthy asymptomatic community controls (n = 161). Children with clinical signs of pneumonia according to the Integrated Management of Childhood illness guidelines (“IMCI pneumonia”) were subjected to a chest-X-ray. Consolidation on chest X-ray was considered “radiological pneumonia”. Results Pneumococcal DNA was detected in the nasopharynx of 562/809 (69%) children (70% in patients and 64% in healthy controls), with no significant difference in proportions between patients with or without presence of fever, malnutrition, IMCI pneumonia or radiological pneumonia. The mean pneumococcal concentration was similar in children with and without radiological pneumonia (Ct value 26.3 versus 27.0, respectively, p = 0.3115). At least one serotype could be determined in 423 (75%) participants positive for pneumococci of which 33% had multiple serotypes detected. A total of 23 different serotypes were identified. One serotype (19F) was more common in children with fever (86/648, 13%) than in healthy controls (12/161, 7%), (p = 0.043). Logistic regression adjusting for age and gender showed that serotype 9A/V [aOR = 10.9 (CI 2.0–60.0, p = 0.006)] and 14 [aOR = 3.9 (CI 1.4–11.0, p = 0.012)] were associated with radiological pneumonia. The serotypes included in the PCV13 vaccine were found in 376 (89%) of the 423 serotype positive participants. Conclusion The PCV13 vaccine introduced in 2012 targets a great majority of the identified serotypes. Infections with multiple serotypes are common. PCR-determined concentrations of pneumococci in nasopharynx were not associated with radiologically confirmed pneumonia. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01094431).