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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Few studies have explored the relationship between social drivers of health and pediatric low-value care (LVC). We assessed the relationship between Childhood Opportunity Index (COI) 2.0 and LVC in children's hospitals. METHODS: We applied the Pediatric Health Information System LVC Calculator to emergency and inpatient encounters from July 2021 through June 2022. Proportions with LVC in highest (greatest opportunity) and lowest COI quintiles were compared. Generalized estimating equation logistic regression models were used to analyze LVC trends across COI quintiles. RESULTS: 842 463 encounters were eligible for 20 LVC measures. Across all measures, odds of LVC increased across increasing COI quintiles (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-1.08). For 12 measures, LVC was proportionally more common in highest versus lowest COI quintile, whereas the reverse was true for 4. Regression modeling revealed increasing LVC as COI increased across all quintiles for 10 measures; gastric acid suppression for infants had the strongest association (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.17-1.27). Three measures revealed decreasing LVC across increasing COI quintiles; Group A streptococcal testing among children <3 years revealed the lowest OR (0.85, 95% CI 0.73-0.99). The absolute volume of LVC delivered was greatest among low COI quintiles for most measures. CONCLUSIONS: Likelihood of LVC increased across COI quintiles for 10 of 20 measures, whereas 3 measures revealed reverse trends. High volumes of LVC across quintiles support a need for broad de-implementation efforts; measures with greater impact on children with lower opportunity warrant prioritized efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why you should read this article: • To understand why it is important that all infants, including preterm infants, receive scheduled vaccines within the specified times • To be aware that some preterm infants may experience delays in receiving scheduled vaccines • To recognise the importance of supporting vaccine decision-making in parents of preterm infants. Background: Infants born preterm (prematurely) are at risk of infection, making timely vaccination vital. However, global literature suggests that preterm infants experience vaccination delays and there is a lack of evidence from the UK exploring this issue at population level. Aim: To investigate potential vaccination delays in preterm infants in one region of England and to identify characteristics related to timeliness. Method: Existing trust data sets were analysed for infants born across a six-month period in 2018. The vaccines studied were for the primary schedule (vaccines given to children at eight, 12 and 16 weeks of age). Results: The results did not fully concur with the global evidence. In this study only infants in the moderate-to-late category of prematurity received some vaccines later than full-term infants. Conclusion: Primary healthcare professionals, such as health visitors, should maximise opportunities to support parents with their decision-making around vaccination and ensure that they keep themselves fully informed about the latest vaccination guidance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem Many national child health guidelines in Malawi, Nigeria and South Africa are outdated and score poorly on rigorous methods and stakeholder participation. Approach In line with the World Health Organization's (WHO) emphasis on local guideline contextualization, the Global Evidence-Local Adaptation (GELA) project supported multistakeholder processes to adapt evidence-informed recommendations for child health in Malawi, Nigeria and South Africa. The GELA project team convened national steering groups, which conducted structured, iterative priority-setting exercises to identify priority topics. We identified appropriate source guidelines by systematically searching and screening available guidelines. We then matched recommendations in potential source guidelines to the relevant questions, and assessed the guidelines for timeliness and quality. Drawing on WHO's guideline process, we applied the GRADE-ADOLOPMENT process to develop contextualized recommendations from existing guidelines. If no source guideline or reviews were identified, we conducted new evidence syntheses. Local setting Malawi, Nigeria and South Africa are countries with varying health priorities and systems, all transitioning to universal health coverage. Guideline structures differ between countries, with processes largely led from national health ministries. Relevant changes National guideline groups, supported by GELA researchers and government-academic partners, developed five contextually-tailored child health recommendations. For most of these recommendations, additional evidence was required to inform contextually appropriate national decision-making. Formal capacity-building and on-the-job learning enhanced the competencies of national contributors and researchers in evidence-informed decision-making. Lessons learnt Developing context-relevant recommendations requires considerable resources and time. Further investment in strengthening local capacity is needed for sustainable national guideline development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social determinants of health (SDoH), including factors such as education level, housing, poverty, racism, and food insecurity and their impact on health outcomes have been well documented. The "Wayne Pediatrics Health and Nutrition Expo" held at Detroit's Eastern Market was an activity-based health and nutrition event addressing pediatric SDoH. Partnering with community organizations, the event had 10 stations addressing SDoH: access to a primary-care pediatrician; HIV-care and prevention; childhood literacy; clothing & winter coats; mental health and childhood development; nutrition; staying active; vaccination; and food insecurity. The free, public event featured a child-themed treasure hunt and map, music, giveaways, and live demonstrations, all in a family-friendly park atmosphere. While SDoH are considered "non-medical" factors that contribute to health and may be difficult to completely address for any individual child, our practice addressed several key SDoH at a single-day, hands-on, child-friendly community event based on the local needs of children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to analyze the effects of exclusive breastfeeding duration on the occurrence and course of pneumonia in infants aged up to 6 months. Prospective case-control study. This study was conducted from August 2020 to August 2022 at a maternity and child health hospital in China. A total of 218 infants up to 6 months of age with pneumonia were included in the analyses. Health data were obtained using a hospitalization information system or an interview-based questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to analyze the data. The incidence of pneumonia, hospitalization duration, and costs to participants were significantly affected by the duration of exclusive breastfeeding (p < 0.01). The incidence of pneumonia among participants with different exclusive breastfeeding durations also differed significantly (p < 0.01). The shorter the duration of exclusive breastfeeding, the higher the incidence of pneumonia among infants. We found that the longer the exclusive breastfeeding duration in infants up to 6 months of age, the lower the recurrence of pneumonia, the shorter the hospital stay, and the lower the hospital costs. The rate of exclusive breastfeeding for infants up to 6 months of age should be increased as much as possible to reduce the occurrence of pneumonia and hospital costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Current options for male contraception are limited to condoms, the withdrawal method, or a vasectomy. Studies indicate that men have expressed growing interest in bearing responsibility for family planning. Objectives: To review prior studies investigating the role of an androgen‐only or androgen with progestin regimen for hormonal male contraception and to provide an update of a promising new hormonal agent, a transdermal gel. Discussion: Thus far, there have been six studies conducted in couples evaluating the contraceptive efficacy of an androgen‐only or androgen co‐administered with a progestin regimen for hormonal male contraception. The only ongoing study is by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, in collaboration with the Population Council. They have developed a novel transdermal gel containing testosterone and segesterone acetate (Nestorone), a progestin. An ongoing phase II study enrolling more than 460 couples has shown great potential with respect to the product's efficacy, safety, reversibility, and acceptability. As this agent advances in development, a rapid at‐home test for sperm concentration will provide couples with immediate feedback regarding their potential for pregnancy. Conclusion: There is promise for the first‐of‐its‐kind hormonal male contraceptive, a transdermal gel, to achieve market approval for distribution in the United States and elsewhere. Its safety, efficacy, reversibility, and user‐control are all appealing qualities that make it readily adoptable for clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Secondary analysis of existing data is a powerful method to answer many complex pediatric health questions. Using secondary data has several advantages including decreased time to complete analysis, decreased data collection costs, improved access to less common conditions, and generalizability for national data sets, yet secondary data analysis is often underutilized. While secondary data analysis is not without its challenges, this special issue aims to spotlight the significance of secondary data in pediatric research, showcasing diverse studies that draw upon data from various sources. This introductory article will present a brief overview of each paper emphasizing the distinctive ways in which authors have employed secondary data to contribute to our understanding of pediatric health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to examine the effects of "adaptive" bedtime routines on a child's well-being, either directly or indirectly through sleep health. A web-based survey was conducted on 700 adults (321 male, 379 female, mean age = 39.98 years, SD = 6.33 years) responsible for preschool children aged 4–6 years old. Results of the mediation analysis showed that the bedtime routines index (BTR-Index[S]) could not confirm any significant regression coefficient with the total disturbance score of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ_TDS) (β = −0.063, p = 0.094) and the total sleep disturbance of Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ_TSD) (β = -0.013, p = 0.736) in a single regression analysis. Sobel's test did not confirm any significant indirect effect (Z = −0.337, p = 0.736). As exploratory examination of the relationships between each of the items of BTR-Index(S) with SDQ_TDS and CSHQ_TSD, multiple regression analysis showed a significant positive partial regression coefficient for "Reading/sharing a story before bed" (β = 0.228, p = 0.006) and a significant negative partial regression coefficient for"Avoiding the use of electronic devices before bed" (β = −0.222, p = 0.011) towards CSHQ_TSD, with no significant partial regression coefficient identified for SDQ_TDS in any of the items. These findings suggest that bedtime routines do not directly either indirectly, through their sleep health, affect a child's well-being. However, caregivers' deliberate attempt to avoid stimuli that increases children's wakefulness before bedtime may serve as protection for the child's sleep health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Perinatal mood disorders affect both parents, impacting their children negatively. Little is known on the association between parental perinatal mood disorders and pediatric outcomes in Japan considering relevant covariates. Our objective was to investigate the association between paternal and maternal perinatal mood disorders and adverse physical and psychological child outcomes by the age of 36 months, adjusting for covariates such as the child's sex, age of parent at child's birth, perinatal mood disorders of the other parent, and perinatal antidepressant use. Methods: We identified parents in the JMDC Claims Database in Japan from 2012 to 2020. Perinatal mood disorders were defined using International Classification of Diseases, 10th codes for mood disorders during the perinatal period combined with psychiatric treatment codes. We evaluated the association between parental perinatal mood disorders and pediatric adverse outcomes by the age of 36 months using Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for the covariates. Results: Of the 116,423 father-mother-child triads, 2.8% of fathers and 2.3% of mothers had perinatal mood disorders. Paternal perinatal mood disorders were not significantly associated with adverse child outcomes. After adjusting for paternal perinatal mood disorders and antidepressant use, maternal perinatal mood disorders were associated with delayed motor development, language development disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and behavioral and emotional disorders (adjusted hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.65 [1.01–2.69], 2.26 [1.36–3.75], 4.16 [2.64–6.55], and 6.12 [1.35–27.81], respectively). Conclusions: Paternal perinatal mood disorders were not associated with adverse child outcomes in this population. Maternal perinatal mood disorders were associated with multiple child outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assign values to the health states of children, some health economists have suggested relying on the 'proxy' preferences among the health states of children expressed by a random sample of the adult population. These preferences have been elicited in several ways, with respondents sometimes asked to express their (adult) preferences among the health states of children, and sometimes asked to imagine themselves as children and to express what they think their preferences would be. This essay discusses three grounds for eliciting the preferences of a random sample of adults that have been suggested as ways to assign values to the health states in the EQ-5D-Y, and criticizes the first two: (1) the evidential ground: the preferences of the population sample are good evidence of how good or bad the health states of children are; (2) the 'taxpayer' ground: the adult population has the authority to assign values to health states, therefore their preferences are determinative; and (3) the pragmatic grounds: surveying is straightforward and shifts the responsibility from health economists to the population. I argue that instead of surveying a random sample of the population, health economists should rely on deliberative groups that include older children, experts on children's health and development, as well as members of the population at large. These groups should engage with the reasons that lie behind preferences among health states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine associations between sleep and flourishing among children ages 0–5 years in the United States and whether these differ by age, developmental needs, and family resilience. Cross-sectional data from the 2020–2021 National Survey of Children's Health (N = 31,095) were used with survey-weighted logistic regression to explore associations between insufficient sleep (defined as not meeting age-recommended daily sleep guidelines: 12–16 h for 4- to 12-month-olds, 11–14 h for 1- to 2-year-olds, and 10–13 h for 3- to 5-year-olds) and flourishing (using four markers combined and categorized into two groups). Tests of effect measure modification (EMM) were performed on the multiplicative and additive scales. Weak but notable evidence was found that children with insufficient sleep had decreased odds of flourishing (aOR = 0.76; 95 % CI: 0.60, 1.00). No evidence of EMM by child age or family resilience was found. However, the sleep-flourishing association differed significantly by children's developmental needs, suggesting that the combined effect of sleep and developmental needs impact flourishing more than either factor alone. Approximately 38 % of children ages 0–5 years in the United States are estimated to have insufficient sleep. This study provides evidence that insufficient sleep is associated with decreased flourishing among children with special health care needs (CSHCN). Increasing sleep interventions among children under five is warranted among children with special health care needs. The association between sleep and flourishing within specific CSHCN categories, including emotional, behavioral, or developmental (EBD) criteria, should be explored to optimize sleep policies. • In 2020–2021, 37.75 % of children in the U.S. did not get enough sleep. • Children not receiving the recommended amount of sleep have 53% less odds of flourishing. • The effect of sleep and developmental needs on flourishing impacts children with one need more than those with multiple needs. • Targeted sleep interventions are crucial for children under 6, especially CSHCN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical activity (PA) is a promising way to improve mental health in children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The current review aimed to explore the potential neurobiological, psychosocial, and behavioral mechanisms between PA interventions and mental health in children and adolescents with NDDs. Web of Science, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and ERIC were searched from inception to June 2023. Randomized controlled trials/quasi-experimental designs applying PA interventions and reporting at least one mental health outcome and at least one potential mechanism in children and adolescents with NDDs were included. The best evidence synthesis rating system was adopted to determine the strength and consistency of potential mechanisms and was performed in 2024. In total, 45 studies were included, 29 of which were randomized controlled trials and 16 were quasi-experimental, with a total of 1,751 participants. According to the best evidence synthesis rating system, neurobiological (theta activity and P3 amplitude), psychosocial (social skills and social participation), and behavioral (motor skills and sleep) mechanisms were the frequently examined and consistent mechanisms through which PA affected mental health in children and adolescents with NDDs. However, evidence regarding P3 latency, beta activity, and physical self-concept was insufficient. Future PA interventions could consider neurobiological (theta activity and P3 amplitude), psychosocial (social skills and social participation), and behavioral (motor skills and sleep) mechanisms. Alternatively, PA can be developed as an adjunctive approach with interventions that specifically focus on these mechanisms to enhance mental health in children and adolescents with NDDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has shown links between emotion regulation strategies and child mental health. However, it is not well known how the characteristics of children may moderate these links. The aim of this study was to explore whether environmental sensitivity—the ability to perceive and process information about the environment—moderates links between emotion regulation strategies (cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression) and children's emotional and behavioral problems. The study included 1381 children (M age = 10.53, 51% girls) who gave information about their emotion regulation and environmental sensitivity, and whose teachers reported on their emotional and behavioral problems. The results showed that suppression predicted a higher amount of problems for girls regardless of their sensitivity level. For boys, environmental sensitivity moderated this link. Among more environmentally sensitive boys, the association between suppression usage and emotional and behavioral problems was stronger than among less sensitive boys. These results show that the effects of suppression may be exacerbated depending on the child's gender and environmental sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess associations of ACEs with depression and anxiety, with special emphasis on potential racial and ethnic disparities. Data were from the National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH), 2021 –2022, a large, cross-sectional, nationally representative, population-based study of United States children aged 0–17. The associations of cumulative ACEs with depression and anxiety among 104,205 children and adolescents were assessed via multivariable logistic regression, including adjustment for age, sex, race, household income, and parental educational attainment. ACEs were associated with depression and anxiety in a linear, dose-dependent manner. After adjustment for covariates, compared to no ACE exposures, participants with exposures to one, two, and three ACEs exhibited significantly higher odds of depression (fully-adjusted ORs and 95 % CIs = 2.18 [2.03, 2.35], 4.95 [4.55, 5.39], and 11.39 [10.18, 12.75], respectively). For anxiety, compared to no ACEs exposures, participants with exposure to one, two, and three ACEs had significantly higher odds of anxiety (fully-adjusted ORs and 95 % CIs = 1.90 [1.81, 2.00], 3.66 [3.44, 3.90], and 6.91 [6.30, 7.58], respectively). Notably, stratified analyses indicated potential effect modification by race, wherein the associations of ACEs with depression and anxiety were strongest in Black and White participants. ACEs were robustly associated with depression and anxiety in a national sample of U.S. children and adolescents, with differential impacts of ACES on mental health observed across racial and ethnic groups. These findings underscore the need for urgent government and healthcare interventions and policies to ameliorate ACEs' health effects, especially among disproportionately impacted minority groups. • ACEs were associated with elevated depression and anxiety in U.S. youths • Black and White youth were most vulnerable, indicating disparities in ACE impact • NSCH 2021–2022 data capture the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic • Critical need for mental health interventions designed for minority groups [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neglect is a common form of child maltreatment and profoundly affects children's mental health globally. Self-compassion may help children cope with neglect but the role of self-compassion in neglect context has been understudied. This study identifies distinct patterns of self-compassion and child neglect and explores how neglect and self-compassion profiles correlate with child mental health. The sample includes 3342 children aged 8–16 (49.6 % female) from a national survey of 29 provinces in China using a multistage sampling method. We used latent profile analysis to identify distinct profiles of self-compassion and neglect and examine their combined effects on child mental health, including both positive indicators (hope, resilience) and negative indicators (anxiety, depression, academic burnout, and peer problems). We identified four neglect/self-compassion profiles: Adaptable Self-Carers (average neglect/high self-compassion), Vulnerable Languishers (high neglect/low self-compassion), Stable Self-Soothers (low neglect/average self-compassion), and Opportune Thrivers (low neglect/high self-compassion). The Vulnerable Languishers group exhibited the poorest mental health outcomes, whereas the Opportune Thrivers showed the best outcomes. Adaptable Self-Carers, although experiencing more neglect than Stable Self-Soothers, had better mental health than the latter, possibly due to their greater self-compassion. The cross-sectional design limits our ability to determine causality, and the use of self-reported measures increases response bias risk. More self-compassion and less neglect are associated with more positive mental health outcomes. Moreover, self-compassion is a potential protective factor against the adverse effects of neglect on child mental health. Fostering self-compassion may boost positive adjustment in children who have experienced neglect. • We used latent profile analysis to identify distinct profiles of self-compassion and child neglect and examine their combined effects on child mental health. • Higher levels of self-compassion and lower levels of neglect are associated with more positive mental health outcomes. • Self-compassion is a potential protective factor against the adverse effects of neglect on child mental health. • Our findings emphasize the importance of fostering self-compassion to boost positive adjustment in children who have experienced neglect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of African Journal of Reproductive Health is the property of Women's Health & Action Research Centre 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 African Journal of Reproductive Health is the property of Women's Health & Action Research Centre 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.)

Background: Health of children plays an indispensable role in the development of the country. Nutrition and health of the tribal children continue to be a pressing concern in India. Biochemical and hematological examination of children is an essential tool for assessment of health status, early identification of preventable risk factors and for diagnosis of various diseases. Objective: To assess the health status of Hakki Pikki tribal school children by evaluating the biochemical and haematological parameters. Materials and Methods: This was a community based cross sectional study of 76(Boys-32 and Girls-44) Hakki Pikki tribal children studying at Government Higher Primary School, Hakki Pikki Colony, Gowripura, Bengaluru Karnataka, India. Biochemical and haematological parameters were determined in accordance with standard operating procedures followed by good laboratory practices Results: The study group consisted of children aged between 6 to 17 years, among them 32 students were males and 44 were females.21(11-boys and 10-girls) children were under weight and 02 girls were overweight. The common ailments found were, dental carries (2.63%), ear discharge (2.63%), anaemia (3.94%), Impetigo (7.89%). Comparing between Boys and Girls less than or equal to 10 years of age there was a significant difference in Creatinine as p-value< 0.05. There was a significant difference in Creatinine, Uric acid, AST, ALT, total protein, albumin, HbA1C and Haemoglobin when comparing between Boys and Girls of age greater than 10 years p-value < 0.05.In these tribal children the distribution of biochemical and haematological parameters values considerably follows the reported reference values Conclusions: This study highlights a puzzling situation of health status among these Hakki Pikki tribal children due to apparent change in socio cultural, lifestyle, nutrition, and urbanization. Under weight has emanated as a solemn problem unless addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Ciência & Saúde Coletiva is the property of Associacao Brasileira de Pos-Graduacao em Saude Coletiva 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.)

Background: Faith-based interventions are promising for promoting healthy behaviors among adults, but their ripple effects on participants' children are unknown. This study is one of the first to assess the effects of a faith-based multilevel obesity intervention on adult participants' children. Methods: We analyzed quantitative data from a cluster randomized controlled trial with two African American and two Latino churches in South Los Angeles, California, which invited adult participants to enroll one child (5-17 years) in a sub-study. At baseline and 6-7 months follow-up, parents completed a child health survey, which included the family nutrition and physical activity screening tool, and child height and weight were measured (n = 50). Results: Results from linear regression models showed children of intervention participants, compared to control, had significantly better dietary patterns at follow-up. Conclusions: Findings suggest the health benefits of a faith-based multilevel obesity intervention for adults can extend to children and may help address obesity disparities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco 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.)

Aim: In Bangladesh, 30% of children under age five are stunted, impacting the nation's general outcomes for public health. The relationships of risk factors for stunting vary in some cases; consequently, it is necessary to look into why these variations exist. This study aimed at determining the prevalence and risk factors of childhood stunting in Bangladeshi children under age five. Methods: The study analyzed Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2017–18 (BDHS 2017–18) data; information from 30,940 children under age five was accessible. Height-for-age z-scores (HFAz) based on the World Health Organization (WHO) 2006 growth criteria were applied to describe childhood stunting (<−2 HFAz <−3 SD). Chi-square tests were applied to evaluate the relationships between certain independent factors and nutritional status, and binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the potential risks connected to childhood stunting. Results: More than half of the sample were girls and most of the children (67.3%) lived in rural areas. Over the years, the prevalence of stunting in children decreased from 42% in 2007 to 30% in 2017. The study also found that child's age, mother not having normal body mass index (i.e., overweight/obese and underweight), paternal education, maternal age, birth order, sanitation facility, households wealth, and divisions were identified as the risks factors associated with childhood stunting in Bangladesh. Conclusion: Associated risk factors with childhood stunting in this study should be taken into consideration when designing policies and programs making them more effective in eradicating stunting among children in Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Research on Child & Adolescent Psychopathology is the property of Springer Nature 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.)

How to help children develop good health habits and improve people's health to eventually promote the quality of labour productivity are important issues for developing countries. Understanding how consumers adopt and demand new health products can also help governments or non‐governmental organizations design more effective interventions. This study utilizes surveys and randomized field experiments conducted in a rural village in China to study the impact of oral health promotion education on children's demand for dental floss picks and their health behaviour. Our results show that children are highly sensitive to price. Children who were exposed to the oral health promotion intervention—learning to sing the oral health song—were willing to pay more for dental floss picks, but the actual quantity bought in the experiment was not significantly higher than that in the control group. In a follow‐up survey, we find that subjects increased their frequency of toothbrushing on average, but the spillover effects were not as strong as those in the literature. More risk‐loving subjects reported a higher willingness to pay during the experiment, but they were less likely to tell their family about the product during the camp or try to buy floss picks after the camp. This finding helps reconcile disparate results about risk preference in earlier literature. Lastly, we find no evidence that time preference affects demand or health behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The objectives of this work were as follows: (1) to develop holistic recommendations for physical activity, sleep, sedentary behaviours and eating habits adapted to children and adolescent life stage (5–17 years) and targeting optimal metabolic cycle and achieving energy balance; (2) to provide evidence-based information that can be used by the government, policy makers, healthcare professionals, community, schools as well as families to endorse active, healthy, living in apparently healthy children and youth aged 5–17 years, and as a base for monitoring the activities, particularly the physical ones, on the people level. The Egyptian Academy of Bone and Muscle Health followed an established guideline development process to create the Egyptian 24-h movement clinical guideline for children and adolescents. Online databases (PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library) were searched for relevant peer-reviewed studies that met the a priori inclusion criteria. Results: A total of 41 studies met the inclusion criteria. Leveraging evidence from the review of the literature led to the development of 11 key questions covering 8 domains. Fifteen statements focus on the overall identified targets through integration of the movement activities and eating behaviour. Results revealed a major change in the previous basic understandings as it shifts away from segregated into integrated movement behaviour and dietary habit paradigm. Based on this, the final guideline was developed providing evidence-based recommendations for a "Healthy 24-h day", for Egyptian children and adolescents. Conclusion: The 24-h composition of movement behaviours has principal implications for health at all ages. The developed guideline provides an up-to-date evidence-based recommendation towards a holistic approach for favourable daily life activities and adopts a feasible perspective by outlining these activities within a 24-h period. In addition, eating and dietary elements have been included to complete the energy cycle. Children and adolescents who meet the 24-h movement guidelines generally report more favourable health indicators than those who do not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To retrospectively compare the visual acuity outcomes for far, intermediate, and near vision of an aspheric monofocal intraocular lens (IOL) with higher order aspheric optic with a monofocal IOL in pediatric patients. Methods: Thirty-eight eyes of 38 patients (mean age: 9.0 ± 2.3 years) affected by monolateral infantile cataract were evaluated 6 months after surgery performed with simultaneous IOL implantation. The Tecnis Eyhance ICB00 aspheric monofocal IOL (Johnson & Johnson Vision) was implanted in 17 eyes (Tecnis Eyhance group, mean age: 8.9 ± 2.5 years) and the Tecnis PCB00 monofocal IOL (Johnson & Johnson Vision) was implanted in 21 eyes (control group, mean age: 9.1 ± 2.2 years). Corrected visual acuity expressed in logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) was assessed for distance (CDVA) and, expressed in Jaeger standard, for intermediate (DCIVA) and near vision (CNVA). DCIVA was measured with distance correction and without addition. The Mann-Whitney test for two independent samples was performed, and a P value less than.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Six months postoperatively, mean CDVA was 0.20 ± 0.2 logMAR and mean DCIVA and CNVA were 5 ± 1 and 2 ± 1 Jaeger, respectively, in the Tecnis Eyhance group. In the control group, mean CDVA was 0.21 ± 0.2 logMAR and mean DCIVA and CNVA were 8 ± 1 and 3 ± 1 Jaeger, respectively. Only DCIVA showed a significant statistical difference between groups (P <.0001). Conclusions: In pediatric patients, the aspheric monofocal IOL with higher order aspheric optic seems to provide better intermediate distance visual acuity than a monofocal one, whereas no significant difference was observed for CDVA and CNVA. [J Refract Surg. 2024;40(10):e724–e727.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The health and well‐being of children can be achieved through access to clean water, proper sanitation, and hygiene practices. The current study investigates the effect of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) on health outcomes using the multiple indicator cluster surveys (MICS) data. The household‐level and district‐level determinants of child health are analyzed using logistic regression models and multilevel logistic regression models. The results indicate that there are significant relationships between water availability, sanitation facilities, hygiene practices, and health outcomes. Access to clean water, an increase in sanitation facilities, and proper hygiene have a significant positive relationship with child health. Better access to clean water enhances children's well‐being. The level of parental education, household head dynamics, and WASH indicators at the district level also have a significant relationship with child health. The bivariate Local Moran's I analysis of child health and WASH facilities shows positive spatial autocorrelation (0.441). It also identifies the districts with significant high–high and low–low clustering patterns. This study contributes to achieving SDGs 3 and 6 to develop policies, programs, and future‐based solutions to promote the health and well‐being of children in Punjab and other similar areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This research was conducted to explore the experience of mothers in raising stunted toddlers aged between 6–59 months. It also examined the perceptions of parenting styles shaped by socio-cultural contexts and time constraints affecting the nutritional status as well as growth in Bejiharjo Village, Java, Indonesia. Methods: A qualitative method was used and data were collected through in-depth interviews, diary recording, and focus group discussions with mothers of toddlers, stakeholders, and healthcare professionals. Transcript data from recorded interviews were processed using qualitative content analysis. Results: The results showed that there were four emergent themes, namely "Toddler parenting patterns," "Family and environmental health," "Eating patterns and consumption habits of toddlers," as well as "Literacy and understanding of parenting and child health." Furthermore, eight related theme clusters were yielded from the analysis of parenting experiences. Differences between stunted and non-stunted toddlers in parenting patterns and daily activities were recorded. Interactions between toddlers and mothers as well as productive activities had a shorter average duration. Conclusion: Mothers experience various challenges and limitations in raising toddlers with the risk of stunting. Therefore, increasing understanding and knowledge about the importance of healthy parenting and good nutrition are necessary to prevent stunting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the Thari pilot programme, developed by the Adopt-a-School Foundation as a potential solution to address school violence and children's psychosocial health in South Africa. Employing an exploratory sequential mixed methods research design (QUAL-quan), the study evaluates the effectiveness of the Thari programme in providing essential psychosocial support services to children. The primary objective of the programme is to foster safe and violence-free learning environments that are academically effective, gendersensitive, inclusive, and conducive to the health and well-being of all education stakeholders. The paper explores the psychosocial interventions employed by the Thari programme and assesses their contributions in creating secure and violencefree learning environments. The study findings offer support for the utilisation of psychosocial interventions in schools, as evidence suggests that these interventions positively impact school safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene series compounds and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) released by residential interior decoration activities (including household renovation and new furniture) pose a severe threat to children's respiratory health. To study the effect of indoor decoration on children's respiratory diseases and provide suggestions to prevent it, we conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire survey amongst 6547 preschoolers from 34 kindergartens in Chongqing, China, and selected 39 houses to measure their indoor air pollutants concentrations. The results showed that household decoration, during pregnancy and early childhood, would increase the risk of children's rhinitis, asthma and pneumonia. Vacancy time after the completion of decoration, furniture pieces and decoration materials significantly affected the concentration of formaldehyde, xylene and TVOC, which could pose a potential risk to children's respiratory health. The concentration of xylene and TVOC and the incidence of children's asthma and pneumonia were both negatively correlated with the vacancy time. Decoration materials such as composite and ceramic tile/stone/cement flooring and water-based/latex/oil-based paints emit more gaseous pollutants than solid wood flooring and wallpaper, respectively, which were more likely to increase the risk of children's respiratory diseases. Adequate ventilation and air purification can reduce the impact of home decoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Health of children plays an indispensable role in the development of the country. Nutrition and health of the tribal children continue to be a pressing concern in India. Biochemical and hematological examination of children is an essential tool for assessment of health status, early identification of preventable risk factors and for diagnosis of various diseases. Objective: To assess the health status of Hakki Pikki tribal school children by evaluating the biochemical and haematological parameters. Materials and Methods: This was a community based cross sectional study of 76(Boys-32 and Girls-44) Hakki Pikki tribal children studying at Government Higher Primary School, Hakki Pikki Colony, Gowripura, Bengaluru Karnataka, India. Biochemical and haematological parameters were determined in accordance with standard operating procedures followed by good laboratory practices. Results: The study group consisted of children aged between 6 to 17 years, among them 32 students were males and 44 were females.21(11-boys and 10-girls) children were under weight and 02 girls were overweight. The common ailments found were, dental carries (2.63%), ear discharge (2.63%), anaemia (3.94%), Impetigo (7.89%). Comparing between Boys and Girls less than or equal to 10 years of age there was a significant difference in Creatinine as p-value< 0.05. There was a significant difference in Creatinine, Uric acid, AST, ALT, total protein, albumin, HbA1C and Haemoglobin when comparing between Boys and Girls of age greater than 10 years p-value < 0.05.In these tribal children the distribution of biochemical and haematological parameters values considerably follows the reported reference values. Conclusions: This study highlights a puzzling situation of health status among these Hakki Pikki tribal children due to apparent change in socio cultural, lifestyle, nutrition, and urbanization. Under weight has emanated as a solemn problem unless addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: Children living in an area distant from or associated with barriers to travelling to health service centres usually experience health and well-being disparities. This is a survey of child health and well-being on Bulon-Don Island, located 22 kms. from the southern mainland of Thailand, to gather essential background data before activating responses from local service provider agencies. Methods: Demographic data, physical and crude psychological health, harm to health, and living conditions of Bulon-Don children aged 1–14 years were studied and compared with the results of the corresponding national child health survey. Descriptive statistics were used for the statistical analysis of significance (p < 0.05). Results: A total of 21 male and 41 female children (N = 62) participated in the survey after obtaining consents from parents or care providers. The islanders are Indigenous people who use their own languages and have traditional beliefs. Comparing with the children of the national survey, most children aged <5 years were found to have significantly lower height and weight according to their age (p = 0.044 and p = 0.043, respectively), whereas those aged >5 years had a similar nutritional status. In addition, there is a lack of facilities for healthy living. However, the mean total psychological and ethical standards scores were significantly higher in the 1–5 and 6–9-year-old children. Conclusions: Disparity of socio-political status, cultural beliefs and practices, socioeconomic basis, and geographic distance from the mainland were the social determinants and barriers of low health service accessibility for the islander children. Comprehensive child health and well-being evaluation in an enclave of isolation like this is mandatory before an integrated intervention carried out by the local healthcare and living facilities providers is implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background.Vaccines play a critical role in safeguarding public health, particularly for children. It is imperative to proactively address safety concerns to uphold trust in their effectiveness and safety. Skepticism surrounding vaccines can have significant adverse effects on the overall well-being of the entire population, potentially leading to individuals opting out of vital vaccinations, thereby posing risks to public health. Thus, ensuring confidence in vaccine safety remains paramount.Materials and methods.This phase four clinical trial was conducted as a post-marketing study (PMS) on 2 to 7 month old healthy infants (N = 539) to evaluate immunity and safety of Indian pentavalent vaccine containing Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenza type b [DTPW-HEP B-HIB (PRP-T)/PENTAVAC] in four different centers at Tehran province. Blood samples were collected from eligible infants before receiving the vaccine (2 months of age) and 1 month after the third dose (7 months of age) to determine antibodies against all antigens in the pentavalent vaccine using ELISA.Results.The results indicated that the immune responses demonstrated seroprotection and protective antibody levels after three doses of the vaccine for Haemophilus influenza b, diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis B virus andBordetella pertussiswere 99.1%, 98.7%, 99.8%, 99.4% and 69.6%, respectively. Statistical analysis showed that the P-value for all vaccine components was similar (P 0.001). The five most common side effects reported were mild fever (10%), erythema at the vaccination site (9.1%), inflammation (4.3%), pain at the vaccination site (3.3%), and restlessness (2.6%).Conclusion.This study’s findings demonstrated a significant increase in antibody levels against all five vaccine components. In light of these results, it can be concluded that the Pentavalent vaccine is not only effective in enhancing immunity against multiple diseases but also presents minimal risk of side effects in the study population. These findings contribute to the body of evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of vaccines, underscoring their crucial role in protecting public health.

This report provides an expert appraisal of the Canadian Para Report Card on physical activity (PA) for children and adolescents with disabilities. Thirteen indicators were graded by a panel of researchers, representatives from disability and PA organizations, and parents of children and adolescents with disabilities using benchmarks of the Global Matrix 4.0 and previous Canadian PA Report Cards. Facilitated panel discussions were used to appraise the available evidence based on data gaps, opportunities, and recommendations. The available data sources included four nationally generalizable or representative data sets. Grades were assigned to 8/13 indicators and ranged from B+ to F. Data gaps in measurement and national surveillance systems were identified. Ableism was an issue identified within some of the reporting benchmarks. The absence of PA from existing accessibility legislation in Canada was a policy gap of concern. Recommendations related to research, surveillance, and policy are provided to enhance PA among children and adolescents with disabilities in Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many school-based physical activity statutes and regulations have been enacted, with the expectation that schools will comply. However, policy alone does not equate to implementation, and many policies fail for a variety of reasons. The purpose of the study was to determine whether the strength of reported state, district, and school-level physical activity policies were associated with reported recess, physical education, and other school-based physical activity practices at elementary schools in Arizona. Methods: A modified Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP) Questionnaire was administered to staff at elementary schools across Arizona (N = 171). Summative indices of the number of school physical activity policies and best practices at the state, district, and school levels were created. Relationships between policy strength and best practices were examined using linear regression analyses stratified by recess, physical education, and other school-based physical activity practices. Results: Stronger physical activity-related policies were associated with a greater number of recess (F1,142 = 9.87, P <.05), physical education (F4,148 = 4.58, P <.05, Adj. R2 =.09), and other school-based physical activity (F4,148 = 4.04, P <.05, Adj. R2 =.07) best practices at all levels while controlling for school-level demographic factors. Conclusions: The strength of policies may improve opportunities for comprehensive physical activity for children in schools. Strengthening policy language (eg, specifying duration and frequency) may contribute to better physical activity practices in schools, improving children's health at the population level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna river basin, running through Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and northern India, is home to more than 618 million people. Annual monsoons bring extensive flooding to the basin, with floods predicted to be more frequent and extreme due to climate change. Yet, evidence regarding the long-term impacts of floods on childrens health is lacking. In this analysis, we used high-resolution maps of recent large floods in Bangladesh to identify flood-prone areas over the country. We then used propensity score techniques to identify, among 58,945 mothers interviewed in six demographic population-based surveys throughout Bangladesh, matched cohorts of exposed and unexposed mothers and leverage data on 150,081 births to estimate that living in flood-prone areas was associated with an excess risk in infant mortality of 5.3 (95% CI 2.2 to 8.4) additional deaths per 1,000 births compared to living in non-flood-prone areas over the 30-y period between 1988 and 2017, with higher risk for children born during rainy (7.9, 95% CI: 3.3 to 12.5) vs. dry months (3.1, 95% CI: -1.1 to 7.2). Finally, drawing on national-scale, high-resolution estimates of flood risk and population distribution, we estimated an excess of 152,753 (64,120 to 241,386) infant deaths were attributable to living in flood-prone areas in Bangladesh over the past 30 y, with marked heterogeneity in attributable burden by subdistrict. Our approach demonstrates the importance of measuring longer-term health impacts from floods and provides a generalizable example for how to study climate-related exposures and long-term health effects.

Mental disorders constitute a global public health problem worldwide and occurs in childhood and lasts to adulthood. The purpose of this study was to explore the association between childhood violence exposure and currently diagnosed depression and anxiety in children and adolescents and investigate whether the association differs by sex and age. This cross-sectional study used data from 2017 to 2021 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH). Childhood violence exposure and anxiety or depression of children were reported from caregivers. Logistic regression analyses and subgroup analyses were conducted to assess the association between the childhood violence exposure and anxiety and depression. This study included 113,400 participants aged 6 to 17 years (weighted mean [SD] age, 11.5 [3.4] years; 54,539 females [weighted proportions, 48.9 %]). 9603 of them (weighted proportions, 9.0 %) had childhood violence exposure. Childhood violence exposure was associated with higher risks of anxiety (adjusted risk difference: 7.8 %, 95%CI: 6.3–9.3 %; adjusted OR: 2.11, 95%CI: 1.87–2.39) and depression (adjusted risk difference: 6.2 %, 95%CI: 5.1–7.4 %; adjusted OR: 2.94, 95%CI: 2.54–3.41) after full adjustment. Stratified analyses demonstrated that the association appeared to be stronger in younger children and the association between violence exposure and anxiety was stronger in females than in males. In this cross-sectional study, childhood violence exposure was significantly associated with higher risks of anxiety and depression. The associations appeared to be stronger in younger and female children. Differences in sex and age-specific associations highlight the importance of building age-specific and sex-specific patterns of childhood violence prevention and intervention. • Childhood violence exposure was significantly associated with higher risks of anxiety and depression. • The associations appeared to be stronger in younger and female children. • Age-specific and sex-specific patterns of childhood violence prevention and intervention are essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies suggests a correlation between physical activity and mental health, particularly in children and adolescents. However, the specific mechanisms underlying this relationship is not fully understood. This study was designed to investigate the potential mediating role of emotion regulation and the moderating influence of gender through a moderated mediation model. A sample size of 4763 students (mean age = 11.12 ± 1.48 years, 52.8 % females) from seven schools in Shenzhen, China, was recruited during the period of October to November 2023. The participants were administered self-reported questionnaires assessing physical activity, mental health, and emotion regulation. The moderated mediation model was analyzed. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 25.0. The results indicate a negative correlation between physical activity and mental health problems (all p < 0.001). This association was partially mediated by both cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression (all p < 0.001). Additionally, gender significant moderated the path between physical activity and emotion regulation, specifically cognitive reappraisal (p < 0.001) and expressive suppression (p < 0.01). As a result of the cross-sectional design, no causal relationship could be established, and measurement bias should be noted. Physical activity is found to have a positive effect on the mental health problem of children and adolescents with emotion regulation serve as a partial mediator in the relationship. Additionally, in the mediation model, gender influences the first half of the path. • We examined the effects of emotion regulation and gender in linking physical activity to mental health in youth. • Physical activity is negatively associated with children and adolescents' mental health. • The association between physical activity and mental health was partially mediated by emotion regulation. • Gender significantly moderated the path between physical activity and emotion regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural disasters have a lasting impact on the mental health of the children. The effects on children's mental health included posttraumatic stress symptoms, behavioral problems (e.g., disruptive behaviors), depression, and anxiety. Overall, parents have been an important factor in the lasting effects of natural disasters on children's mental health. Although most research has examined overall parental mental health outcomes on childhood outcomes, little research has concentrated on specific parental behaviors that might help children deal with natural disasters. One of those behaviors may be the level of parental accommodations. Considering parental accommodations are often used when a child is upset or distressed, it seems feasible that parental accommodations may also be associated with childhood outcomes after a natural disaster. This study examines the use of parental accommodations in the context of Hurricane Harvey and the associated effects on child outcomes. Participants (N = 129) who were parents, completed an online survey answering questions on their Hurricane Harvey experiences as well as shared about their parenting practices and their perception of their children's outcomes both during and after this time. Overall, parental accommodations were associated with more negative mental health outcomes for children, after a natural disaster. Given these results, it is important that professionals help parents understand how to be supportive of their children during or immediately following a natural disaster, without being overly accommodating to their child's anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The mother-child relationship is considered one of the important factors in a child’s development. So far, various training methods have been implemented to improve the mother-child relationship, but no study has compared two commonly used approaches in this area that could lead to practical strategies for improving mother-child relationships and promoting children's mental health. Aims: The present study aimed to compare the efficacy of mentalization-based parenting training on improving the mother-child relationship. Methods: The research method was a quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test. The statistical population included all mothers and children with behavioral problems who visited Aghaah, Afarinesh, and Nimrokh clinics in Shiraz in 2022. The research sample consisted of 40 mothers and children who were purposefully selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and randomly assigned to two experimental groups (positive parenting and mentalization-based parenting). After sample attrition, 15 mothers remained in the positive parenting group and 18 in the mentalization-based parenting group. Participants completed the Parent-Child Relationship Questionnaire (Pianta, 1992) before and after the training. The research findings were analyzed using multivariate covariance analysis in SPSS 23 software. Results: The results of multivariate covariance analysis showed that both positive parenting and mentalization-based parenting training were effective in improving the mother-child relationship (P< 0.001). The results of the Scheffé post hoc test indicated that mentalization-based parenting training had a greater impact on improving the mother-child relationship compared to positive parenting training (P< 0.001). Conclusion: These findings can help parents and psychology professionals choose better methods for nurturing and supporting children and fostering healthier family relationships. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that practitioners may opt for mentalization-based parenting training over positive parenting training for more effective improvement in the mother-child relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this scoping review is to identify strategies from existing literature, for school-based professionals to share with parents, that may be used on a family-level to help the recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric mental health. Data Source: This scoping review consists of a comprehensive PubMed, CINAHL, and Google Scholar database search. Study Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria: Studies published between 2020 and 2023 that were written in English, originated in the United States, and evaluated pediatric mental health in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic were considered for inclusion in the scoping review. Data Extraction and Data Synthesis: One researcher independently conducted the PubMed, CINAHL, and Google Scholar literature search. Subsequently, results were reviewed independently by two additional researchers. Results: Title and abstract review were conducted for 2563 articles. After excluding studies not written in English, studies with international origin, and studies which were not relevant to this scoping review, 101 studies remained for full-text review. After full-text review, 32 studies (31.68%) were deemed relevant and concordant with the inclusion criteria and were included in this scoping review. We identified five prominent themes: 1) maintaining daily life and routines, 2) the importance of physical activity and the pandemic's effect on student athletes' mental health, 3) the use of screen time, 4) the effect of parent and caregiver stress on their children's mental health, and 5) the effect of pandemic-related health disparities and racism on pediatric mental health. Discussion: This scoping review focused on interventions and practices which can be implemented at the family level to help children and adolescents recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on their mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]