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(1) Background: Children are the most vulnerable to pollution due to their decreased stature, heightened respiratory rate, and frequent outdoor engagement. PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone, and cold weather are associated with pediatric asthma. In this study, we investigated the nexus between air pollution, climate factors, and pediatric asthma emergency room visits (ERVs). (2) Method: Pediatric asthma ERV data for healthcare quality from the Taiwanese National Insurance in the Taipei area were obtained from 2015 to 2019. Air pollution and climate factor data were also collected. Poisson regression was employed to determine the relationships with relative risks (RRs). (3) Results: The incidence of pediatric asthma ERVs decreased, with a crude RR of 0.983 (95% CI: 0.98–0.986, p < 0.001). Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) had an adjusted RR of 1.102 (95% CI: 1.037–1.172, p = 0.002) and a 7.7 µg/m3 increase, and air temperature had an adjusted RR of 0.813 (95% CI: 0.745–0.887, p < 0.001) comparing between the highest and lowest quarter air temperature associated with pediatric asthma ERVs. (4) Conclusions: This inquiry underscores the positive associations of PM2.5 and cold weather with pediatric asthma ERVs. The findings could guide the government to establish policies to reduce air pollution and promote children's health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: An asthma exacerbation that is not relieved with medication typically requires an emergency room visit (ERV). The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic began in Taiwan in January of 2020. The influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric ERVs in Taiwan was limited. Our aim was to survey pediatric asthma ERVs in the COVID-19 era; (2) Methods: Data were collected from the health quality database of the Taiwanese National Health Insurance Administration from 2019 to 2021. Air pollution and climatic factors in Taipei were used to evaluate these relationships. Changes in the rates of pediatric asthma ERVs were assessed using logistic regression analysis. Poisson regression was used to evaluate the impact of air pollution and climate change; (3) Results: The rate of pediatric asthma ERVs declined in different areas and at different hospital levels including medical centers, regional and local hospitals. Some air pollutants (particulate matter ≤ 2.5 µm, particulate matter ≤ 10 µm, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide) reduced during the COVID-19 lockdown. Ozone increased the relative risk (RR) of pediatric asthma ERVs during the COVID-19 period by 1.094 (95% CI: 1.095–1.12) per 1 ppb increase; (4) Conclusions: The rate of pediatric asthma ERVs declined during the COVID-19 pandemic and ozone has harmful effects. Based on these results, the government could reduce the number of pediatric asthma ERVs through healthcare programs, thereby promoting children's health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Purpose: This study aimed to examine the reliability and clinical decision validities of the Taipei City Developmental Checklist for Preschoolers, 2nd version (the Taipei II, which was filled out by parents) and the screening procedures conducted in the medical setting. Methods: Methodology research and case control study designs were adopted. A total of 310 dyads consisting of children who were developing typically and 196 dyads of children with developmental delays and age 5.5 to 35.5 months were recruited for validity test. Among them, 165 mothers filled out the questionnaire twice within 1 week to examine the test–retest reliability of the total score and individual items. Validity indexes of the single cutoff strategy and multiple cutoff strategies were analyzed. With two cutoff point strategies, the likelihood ratios (LR) of the three test results, positive, neutral, and negative, were calculated. Results: The test–retest reliabilities of the total scores of the seven checklists of the Taipei II (r s = 0.54–0.89, p<0.05) and their individual items (agreement 92% to 100%) were acceptable, except for the 30-month checklist and three individual items. The positive LR (LR+) and negative LR (LR-) of the single cutoff strategy were acceptable with most LR+ more than 2, and all LR- less than 0.5. Most of the diagnostic odds ratios of single cutoff strategies were less than 50 and they did not meet the acceptable criteria. When multiple cutoff points were used, all of the LRs with positive test results were equal to infinity that met SpPin criteria, and all of the LRs with negative test results less than 0.5 had at least a small but important diagnostic impact. Conclusion: Taipei II with multiple cutoff points could give more useful clinical information than using a single cutoff point. The multiple likelihood ratios of Taipei II for children older than 3 years and in different cultural backgrounds need further study. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]