High blood pressure - children

MedlinePlus

... this page: //medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007696.htm High blood pressure - children To use the sharing features on this page, please enable JavaScript. High blood pressure (hypertension) is an increase in the force of ...

The Toddler Years: A Time of Exuberance and Joy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Korngold, Carole Wolfe; Korngold, K. T.

2014-01-01

In this article the authors describe how Montessori teachers create environments that assist and support toddlers. For all Montessori children, especially toddlers, giving them opportunities to perceive and experience the world through their own unaided efforts is the central premise of their prepared environments. The caretakers prepare the…

Emotional Expressivity and Emotion Regulation: Relation to Academic Functioning among Elementary School Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kwon, Kyongboon; Hanrahan, Amanda R.; Kupzyk, Kevin A.

2017-01-01

We examined emotional expressivity (i.e., happiness, sadness, and anger) and emotion regulation (regulation of exuberance, sadness, and anger) as they relate to academic functioning (motivation, engagement, and achievement). Also, we tested the premise that emotional expressivity and emotion regulation are indirectly associated with achievement…

Exuberant sprouting of sensory and sympathetic nerve fibers in nonhealed bone fractures and the generation and maintenance of chronic skeletal pain

PubMed Central

Chartier, Stephane R.; Thompson, Michelle L.; Longo, Geraldine; Fealk, Michelle N.; Majuta, Lisa A.; Mantyh, Patrick W.

2014-01-01

Skeletal injury is a leading cause of chronic pain and long-term disability worldwide. While most acute skeletal pain can be effectively managed with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and opiates, chronic skeletal pain is more difficult to control using these same therapy regimens. One possibility as to why chronic skeletal pain is more difficult to manage over time is that there may be nerve sprouting in non-healed areas of the skeleton that normally receive little (mineralized bone) to no (articular cartilage) innervation. If such ectopic sprouting did occur, it could result in normally nonnoxious loading of the skeleton being perceived as noxious and/or the generation of a neuropathic pain state. To explore this possibility, a mouse model of skeletal pain was generated by inducing a closed fracture of the femur. Examined animals had comminuted fractures and did not fully heal even at 90+ days post fracture. In all mice with nonhealed fractures, exuberant sensory and sympathetic nerve sprouting, an increase in the density of nerve fibers, and the formation of neuroma-like structures near the fracture site were observed. Additionally, all of these animals exhibited significant pain behaviors upon palpation of the nonhealed fracture site. In contrast, sprouting of sensory and sympathetic nerve fibers or significant palpation-induced pain behaviors was never observed in naïve animals. Understanding what drives this ectopic nerve sprouting and the role it plays in skeletal pain may allow a better understanding and treatment of this currently difficult-to-control pain state. PMID:25196264

Exotropia in children with high hyperopia

PubMed Central

Kassem, Iris S; Rubin, Steven E; Kodsi, Sylvia R

2012-01-01

Purpose To describe the clinical characteristics, treatment, and subsequent clinical course of children with exotropia and high hyperopia. Methods The medical records of 26 patients seen between 1990 and 2009 who had an exotropia and ≥4.00 D of hyperopia were retrospectively reviewed. We analyzed the clinical characteristics, treatments and subsequent alignment outcomes. Results A total of 26 patients between the ages of 2.5 months and 9 years were included. Of these, 15 had associated medical conditions or developmental delay. Of 22 patients with measured visual acuities, 19 had amblyopia (10 unilateral, 9 bilateral). None of the patients demonstrated fine stereoacuity. Twenty-three exotropic children were treated with spectacles; 15 were fully corrected, 10 of whose exotropia improved; 8 received partial correction of their hyperopia, 3 of whose exotropia improved. Six patients who presented with large, poorly controlled exotropia and did not improve with spectacle correction required strabismus surgery. Conclusions Children with high hyperopia and exotropia are likely to have developmental delay or other systemic diseases, amblyopia, and poor stereopsis. Treatment of high hyperopia in exotropic children with their full cycloplegic refraction can result in excellent alignment. PMID:23084380

High Cholesterol in Children and Teens

MedlinePlus

... some cholesterol to work properly. But if your child or teen has high cholesterol (too much cholesterol ... other heart diseases. What causes high cholesterol in children and teens? Three main factors contribute to high ...

The developmental costs of high self-esteem for antisocial children.

PubMed

Menon, Madhavi; Tobin, Desiree D; Corby, Brooke C; Menon, Meenakshi; Hodges, Ernest V E; Perry, David G

2007-01-01

Two hypotheses--high self-esteem leads children to act on antisocial cognitions (disposition-activating hypothesis) and high self-esteem leads children to rationalize antisocial conduct (disposition-rationalizing hypothesis)--were investigated in two longitudinal studies. In Study 1 (N= 189; mean age = 11.1 years), antisocial behavior was aggression; in Study 2 (N= 407; mean age = 10.8 years) it was avoidance of the mother. In both studies, there was little evidence for the disposition-activating hypothesis but considerable support for the disposition-rationalizing hypothesis. Over time, aggressive children with high self-esteem increasingly valued the rewards that aggression offers and belittled their victims, and avoidant children with high self-esteem increasingly viewed their mother as harassing and uninvolved. For antisocial children, high self-esteem carries costs.

Education-Related Parameters in High Myopia: Adults versus School Children

PubMed Central

Xu, Liang; Wang, Ya Xing; Bi, Hong Sheng; Wu, Jian Feng; Jiang, Wen Jun; Nangia, Vinay; Sinha, Ajit; Zhu, Dan; Tao, Yong; Guo, Yin; You, Qi Sheng; Wu, Li Juan; Tao, Li Xin; Guo, Xiu Hua; Ohno-Matsui, Kyoko; Panda-Jonas, Songhomitra

2016-01-01

Purpose Since high myopia in the younger generation may differ etiologically from high myopia in older generations, we examined whether education-related parameters differ between high myopia in today´s school children and high pathological myopia in today´s elderly generation. Methods The investigation included the adult populations of the population-based Beijing Eye Study (BES) (3468 adults;mean age:64.6±9.8years;range:50–93years) and Central India Eye and Medical Study (CIEMS) (4711 adults;age:49.±13.2years;range:30–100years), and the children and teenager populations of the Shandong Children Eye Study (SCES) (6026 children;age:9.7±3.3years;range:4–18years;cycloplegic refractometry), Gobi Desert Children Eye Study (1565;age:11.9±3.5years;range:6–21 years;cycloplegic refractometry), Beijing Pediatric Eye Study (681 children;age:7.7±1.6years;range:5–13 years;non-cycloplegic refractometry,calculation of axial length to corneal curvature radius ratio), Beijing Children Eye Study (15066 children;age:13.2±3.4years;range:7–18years;non-cycloplegic refractometry), Beijing High School Teenager Eye Study (4677 children;age:16.9±0.7years;range:16–18years;non-cycloplegic refractometry). Results In the BES and CIEMS, educational level did not differ significantly between, or was significantly lower in the highly myopic group (myopic refractive error ≥6 diopters) than in the non-highly myopic group. In all non-adult study populations, higher prevalence of high myopia was significantly associated with higher degree of education related parameters such as attendance of high-level schools, and more time spent for indoors near work versus time spent outdoors. Conclusions Comparing associations of old or genetic high myopia in adults with new or acquired high myopia in school children revealed that education-related parameters did not show a clear association with old or genetic high myopia, while in contrast, new high myopia showed strong associations

Education-Related Parameters in High Myopia: Adults versus School Children.

PubMed

Jonas, Jost B; Xu, Liang; Wang, Ya Xing; Bi, Hong Sheng; Wu, Jian Feng; Jiang, Wen Jun; Nangia, Vinay; Sinha, Ajit; Zhu, Dan; Tao, Yong; Guo, Yin; You, Qi Sheng; Wu, Li Juan; Tao, Li Xin; Guo, Xiu Hua; Ohno-Matsui, Kyoko; Panda-Jonas, Songhomitra

2016-01-01

Since high myopia in the younger generation may differ etiologically from high myopia in older generations, we examined whether education-related parameters differ between high myopia in today´s school children and high pathological myopia in today´s elderly generation. The investigation included the adult populations of the population-based Beijing Eye Study (BES) (3468 adults;mean age:64.6±9.8years;range:50-93years) and Central India Eye and Medical Study (CIEMS) (4711 adults;age:49.±13.2years;range:30-100years), and the children and teenager populations of the Shandong Children Eye Study (SCES) (6026 children;age:9.7±3.3years;range:4-18years;cycloplegic refractometry), Gobi Desert Children Eye Study (1565;age:11.9±3.5years;range:6-21 years;cycloplegic refractometry), Beijing Pediatric Eye Study (681 children;age:7.7±1.6years;range:5-13 years;non-cycloplegic refractometry,calculation of axial length to corneal curvature radius ratio), Beijing Children Eye Study (15066 children;age:13.2±3.4years;range:7-18years;non-cycloplegic refractometry), Beijing High School Teenager Eye Study (4677 children;age:16.9±0.7years;range:16-18years;non-cycloplegic refractometry). In the BES and CIEMS, educational level did not differ significantly between, or was significantly lower in the highly myopic group (myopic refractive error ≥6 diopters) than in the non-highly myopic group. In all non-adult study populations, higher prevalence of high myopia was significantly associated with higher degree of education related parameters such as attendance of high-level schools, and more time spent for indoors near work versus time spent outdoors. Comparing associations of old or genetic high myopia in adults with new or acquired high myopia in school children revealed that education-related parameters did not show a clear association with old or genetic high myopia, while in contrast, new high myopia showed strong associations with education. It confirms previous studies that the

Mother-child interactions in depressed children and children at high risk and low risk for future depression.

PubMed

Dietz, Laura J; Birmaher, Boris; Williamson, Douglas E; Silk, Jennifer S; Dahl, Ronald E; Axelson, David A; Ehmann, Mary; Ryan, Neal D

2008-05-01

To compare mother-child interactions and parenting styles in families of children with major depressive disorder, youths at high risk for depression, and healthy controls. Currently depressed (n = 43), high-risk (n = 28), and healthy control (n = 41) youths and their mothers engaged in a standardized videotaped problem-solving interaction. Measures of affect and behavior for both mothers and children were obtained, in addition to global measures of parenting. Depressed children demonstrated more negativity and less positivity in dyadic interactions than did children at high risk and control children. Mothers of depressed children were more disengaged than control mothers. Exploratory repeated-measures analyses in a subgroup of depressed children (n = 16) suggested mother-child interactions do not significantly change when children recover from depression. Children at high risk demonstrated less positivity in dyadic interactions than did controls. Mothers with a history of major depressive disorder and mothers with higher current depressive symptoms demonstrated patterns of disengagement and low control in interactions with children. Mother-child interactions in depressed youths are marked by maternal disengagement and low child positivity that may not improve when children recover. The bidirectional effects of maternal disengagement and low levels of child positivity may precede onset of major depressive disorder in children and serve as risk factors for recurrent depression in youths.

Dyslipidemia in HIV Infected Children Receiving Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy.

PubMed

Mandal, Anirban; Mukherjee, Aparna; Lakshmy, R; Kabra, Sushil K; Lodha, Rakesh

2016-03-01

To assess the prevalence of dyslipidemia and lipodystrophy in Indian children receiving non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) based highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and to determine the associated risk factors for the same. The present cross-sectional study was conducted at a Pediatric Clinic of a tertiary care teaching center in India, from May 2011 through December 2012. HIV infected children aged 5-15 y were enrolled if they did not have any severe disease or hospital admission within last 3 mo or receive any medications known to affect the lipid profile. Eighty-one children were on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for at least 6 mo and 16 were receiving no antiretroviral therapy (ART). Participants' sociodemographic, nutritional, clinical, and laboratory data were recorded in addition to anthropometry and evidence of lipodystrophy. Fasting lipid profile, apolipoprotein A1 and B levels were done for all the children. Among the children on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), 38.3 % had dyslipidemia and 80.2 % had lipodystrophy, while 25 % antiretroviral therapy (ART) naïve HIV infected children had dyslipidemia. No clinically significant risk factors could be identified that increased the risk of dyslipidemia or lipodystrophy in children on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). There is a high prevalence of dyslipidemia and lipodystrophy in Indian children with HIV infection with an imminent need to establish facilities for testing and treatment of these children for metabolic abnormalities.

Recreational Participation of Children with High Functioning Autism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Potvin, Marie-Christine; Snider, Laurie; Prelock, Patricia; Kehayia, Eva; Wood-Dauphinee, Sharon

2013-01-01

The recreation of children with High Functioning Autism (HFA) is not well understood. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to compare the recreational engagement of children with HFA and their typically developing peers. Children with HFA (n = 30) and peers (n = 31) were similar on key characteristics that may impact recreation except…

Proinflammatory chemokines are major mediators of exuberant immune response associated with Influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 virus infection.

PubMed

Thomas, Maria; Mani, Reeta Subramaniam; Philip, Mariamma; Adhikary, Ranjeeta; Joshi, Sangeeta; Revadi, Srigiri S; Buggi, Shashidhar; Desai, Anita; Vasanthapuram, Ravi

2017-08-01

In India, the case fatality ratio of the pandemic A (H1N1) pdm09 influenza was relatively higher when compared to seasonal Influenza A infection. Hypercytokinemia or "cytokine storm" has been previously implicated in the pathogenesis of other influenza viruses. The present study was undertaken to compare the cytokine profiles of A (H1N1) pdm09 influenza and seasonal H3 infection in Indian population and to correlate the findings with disease severity. Plasma levels of 18 cytokines/chemokines were measured by flow-cytometry using a bead based assay in patients infected with A (H1N1) pdm09 virus (n = 96) and Influenza A seasonal H3 virus (n = 30) categorised into mild, moderate, and severe groups along with healthy controls (n = 36). There was an overall trend indicating an exuberant cytokine/chemokine response in A (H1N1) pdm09 as compared to seasonal H3 influenza, which was more evident in severe cases, suggesting a role for these cytokines/chemokines in the pathogenesis of A(H1N1) pdm09. Increased levels of CXCL-8/IL-8, IL-10, IL-6, and IL-17A were seen in both A(H1N1) pdm09 influenza and seasonal H3 cases when compared to healthy controls. However, dysregulated production of proinflammatory chemokines was seen more pronounced in A (H1N1) pdm09 influenza cases as compared to seasonal H3 cases. This study has brought forth the potential role of chemokines as prognostic indicators of disease severity and outcome. Further research on modulating the host immune response to limit severity of the disease could help in the treatment and management of influenza. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Health-related quality of life in children with high-functioning autism.

PubMed

Potvin, Marie-Christine; Snider, Laurie; Prelock, Patricia A; Wood-Dauphinee, Sharon; Kehayia, Eva

2015-01-01

The health-related quality of life of school-aged children with high-functioning autism is poorly understood. The objectives of this study were to compare the health-related quality of life of children with high-functioning autism to that of typically developing peers and to compare child-self and parent-proxy reports of health-related quality of life of children. A cross-sectional study of children with high-functioning autism (n = 30) and peers (n = 31) was conducted using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 Generic Core Scales. Children with high-functioning autism had significantly poorer health-related quality of life than peers whether reported by themselves (p < .001) or their parents (p < .001), although disagreement (intra-class coefficient = -.075) between children and parental scores suggested variance in points of view. This study specifically investigated health-related quality of life in children with high-functioning autism as compared to a sample of peers, from the child's perspective. It strengthens earlier findings that children with high-functioning autism experience poorer health-related quality of life than those without this disorder and points to the importance of clinicians working with families to identify areas in a child's life that promote or hinder their sense of well-being. © The Author(s) 2013.

Risk factors for obesity and high blood pressure in Chinese American children: maternal acculturation and children's food choices.

PubMed

Chen, Jyu-Lin; Weiss, Sandra; Heyman, Melvin B; Lustig, Robert

2011-04-01

The objective of this study is to explore risk factors associated with overweight and high blood pressure in Chinese American children. Students and their parents were recruited from Chinese language schools in the San Francisco Bay Area. Data were collected on 67 children and their mothers, and included children's weight, height, waist and hip circumferences, blood pressure, level of physical activity, dietary intake, usual food choice, knowledge about nutrition and physical activity, and self-efficacy regarding diet and physical activity. Mothers completed questionnaires on demographic data and acculturation. About 46% of children had a body mass index exceeding the 85th percentile. Lower level of maternal acculturation is a risk factor for overweight and higher waist to hip ratio. Children's unhealthy food choices were predictive of high body mass index and high systolic blood pressure, whereas older age and less physical activity in children were predictors of high diastolic blood pressure. Developing culturally sensitive and developmentally appropriate interventions to reduce overweight and high blood pressure is critical to reduce health disparities among minority children.

Emotional expressivity and emotion regulation: Relation to academic functioning among elementary school children.

PubMed

Kwon, Kyongboon; Hanrahan, Amanda R; Kupzyk, Kevin A

2017-03-01

We examined emotional expressivity (i.e., happiness, sadness, and anger) and emotion regulation (regulation of exuberance, sadness, and anger) as they relate to academic functioning (motivation, engagement, and achievement). Also, we tested the premise that emotional expressivity and emotion regulation are indirectly associated with achievement through academic motivation and engagement. Participants included 417 elementary school students (Mage = 10 years; 52% female; 60% Black) and their teachers from a Midwestern metropolitan area. We used child and teacher questionnaires, and data were analyzed with structural equation modeling. Regarding emotionality, happiness was positively associated with multiple aspects of academic functioning whereas an inverse association was found for anger; sadness was not associated with academic functioning. Also, happiness and anger were indirectly related to achievement through academic engagement. Emotion regulation was positively associated with multiple aspects of academic functioning; it was also indirectly associated with achievement through engagement. Implications are discussed regarding how social and emotional learning programs in schools can further benefit from research on children's emotions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved).

Exuberance and Despair

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Blount, Jackie

2013-01-01

As a historian of education, what excites you and compels you to keep doing scholarly work? If mortality were not an issue, how might you find your continued place in the field among ideas and sources that are dauntingly and increasingly vast? What is the work you most want to do? Jackie Blount provides her response herein: She would want to…

The Advantages of High/Scope: Helping Children Lead Successful Lives.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schweinhart, Lawrence J.; Weikart, David P.

1999-01-01

The High/Scope educational approach emphasizes child-initiated learning activities for preschool/elementary school children. A research study shows that compared to children receiving direct instruction, High/Scope kids later showed more prosocial and less antisocial behaviors. Another study showed that poor High/Scope students had better…

A Comparative Study of the Spontaneous Social Interactions of Children with High-Functioning Autism and Children with Asperger's Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Macintosh, Kathleen; Dissanayake, Cheryl

2006-01-01

A comparative observational study was undertaken of the spontaneous social interactions of children with high-functioning autism and Asperger's disorder. The sample comprised 20 children with high-functioning autism, 19 children with Asperger's disorder and 17 typically developing children matched on chronological age and overall mental age. A…

Exploring the Meaning of Reading among Highly Motivated Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carney, Kelli Ann

2015-01-01

The purpose of this interpretive case study was to explore the reading perceptions and attitudes of children who exhibit high levels of motivation to read. In order to determine children who were highly motivated to read, the Motivation to Read Profile, from Gambrell, Palmer, Codling and Mazzoni (1996) was administered to 19 initial participants…

Comparison Between HDL-C Levels in Argentine Indigenous Children Living at High Altitudes and U.S. Children.

PubMed

Hirschler, Valeria; Gonzalez, Claudio; Maccallini, Gustavo; Hidalgo, Mariana; Molinari, Claudia

2016-04-01

Studies have shown low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in indigenous children versus urban children from Argentina. We hypothesized that indigenous children living at high altitudes might have lower HDL-C levels compared with U.S. children, probably due to ambient hypoxia, lifestyle conditions, or ethnicity. This study was designed (1) to compare HDL-C levels in Argentinean indigenous children with those reported in the 2011-2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for U.S. children and (2) to determine the association between HDL-C and adiposity in both groups. A cross-sectional study of 1,232 (631 females) Argentinean indigenous schoolchildren (4-14 years old) from San Antonio de los Cobres (SAC) was performed between November 2011 and November 2014. Anthropometric measures were performed in the whole group and compared with those of 2,151 U.S. children (1,034 females). However, HDL-C concentrations were measured in 905 SAC children and compared with those of 1,451 U.S. children. Analyses were done incorporating sampling weights for age in both samples to obtain unbiased estimates. In the case of NHANES the weights provided by each individual in the 2011-2012 NHANES demographic file were used, whereas in the SAC sample the weights were obtained using the census data provided by the 2010 National Statistics and Censuses Institute of Argentina. The prevalence of overweight/obesity was significantly lower in SAC (135/1,232; 11%) than in the United States (759/2,151; 35%). However, the prevalence of low levels of HDL-C was significantly higher in SAC (298/905; 33%) than in the United States (142/1,451; 10%). The prevalence of low levels of HDL-C increased significantly in both groups as body mass index categories increased. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that SAC children had nine and a half times the odds of having low levels of HDL-C compared with U.S. children, adjusted for confounding variables (odds

The Developmental Costs of High Self-Esteem for Antisocial Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Menon, Madhavi; Tobin, Desiree D.; Corby, Brooke C.; Menon, Meenakshi; Hodges, Ernest V. E.; Perry, David G.

2007-01-01

Two hypotheses--high self-esteem leads children to act on antisocial cognitions (disposition-activating hypothesis) and high self-esteem leads children to rationalize antisocial conduct (disposition-rationalizing hypothesis)--were investigated in two longitudinal studies. In Study 1 (N = 189; mean age = 11.1 years), antisocial behavior was…

Facial Emotion Recognition in Children with High Functioning Autism and Children with Social Phobia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wong, Nina; Beidel, Deborah C.; Sarver, Dustin E.; Sims, Valerie

2012-01-01

Recognizing facial affect is essential for effective social functioning. This study examines emotion recognition abilities in children aged 7-13 years with High Functioning Autism (HFA = 19), Social Phobia (SP = 17), or typical development (TD = 21). Findings indicate that all children identified certain emotions more quickly (e.g., happy [less…

High-dose anti-histamine use and risk factors in children with urticaria.

PubMed

Uysal, Pınar; Avcil, Sibelnur; Erge, Duygu

2016-12-01

The drugs of choice in the treatment of urticaria in children are H1-antihistamines. The aim of the study was to evaluate children with urticaria and define risk factors for requirement of high-dose H1-antihistamines in children with urticaria. The medical data of children who were diagnosed as having urticaria admitted to our outpatient clinic between January 2014 and January 2016 were searched. The medical histories, concomitant atopic diseases, parental atopy histories, medications, treatment responses, blood eosinophil and basophil counts, and serum total IgE levels were recorded. In addition, the urticaria activity score for seven days, autoimmune antibody tests, and skin prick test results were evaluated in children with chronic urticaria. The numbers of the children with acute and chronic urticaria were 138 and 92, respectively. The age of the children with chronic urticaria was higher than that of those with acute urticaria (p<0.0001). There was no difference between the two groups in terms of blood eosinophil and basophil counts, and serum total IgE levels (p>0.05). There was a negative correlation between blood eosinophil count and the UAS7 score in children with chronic urticaria (r=-0.276, p=0.011). Chronic urticaria and requirement of high dose H1-antihistamines were significant in children aged ≥10 years (p<0.001, p=0.015). High UAS7 score (OR: 1.09; CI 95%: [1.03-1.15]) and basopenia (OR: 6.77; CI 95%: [2.01-22.75]) were associated with the requirement of high-dose H1-AH in children with chronic urticaria. The requirement of high-dose H1-antihistamines was higher with children's increasing age. Disease severity and basopenia were risk factors for the requirement of high-dose H1-antihistamines.

Irrational Exuberance: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation as Fetish.

PubMed

Rosoff, Philip M; Schneiderman, Lawrence J

2017-02-01

The Institute of Medicine and the American Heart Association have issued a "call to action" to expand the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in response to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Widespread advertising campaigns have been created to encourage more members of the lay public to undergo training in the technique of closed-chest compression-only CPR, based upon extolling the virtues of rapid initiation of resuscitation, untempered by information about the often distressing outcomes, and hailing the "improved" results when nonprofessional bystanders are involved. We describe this misrepresentation of CPR as a highly effective treatment as the fetishization of this valuable, but often inappropriately used, therapy. We propose that the medical profession has an ethical duty to inform the public through education campaigns about the procedure's limitations in the out-of-hospital setting and the narrow clinical indications for which it has been demonstrated to have a reasonable probability of producing favorable outcomes.

Longitudinal assessment of high blood pressure in children with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

PubMed

Schwimmer, Jeffrey B; Zepeda, Anne; Newton, Kimberly P; Xanthakos, Stavra A; Behling, Cynthia; Hallinan, Erin K; Donithan, Michele; Tonascia, James

2014-01-01

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects 9.6% of children and may put these children at elevated risk of high blood pressure and subsequent cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Therefore, we sought to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for high blood pressure in children with NAFLD. Cohort study performed by the NIDDK NASH Clinical Research Network. There were 484 children with NAFLD ages 2 to 17 at enrollment; 382 children were assessed both at enrollment and 48 weeks afterwards. The main outcomes were high blood pressure at baseline and persistent high blood pressure at both baseline and 48 weeks. Prevalence of high blood pressure at baseline was 35.8% and prevalence of persistent high blood pressure was 21.4%. Children with high blood pressure were significantly more likely to have worse steatosis than children without high blood pressure (mild 19.8% vs. 34.2%, moderate 35.0% vs. 30.7%, severe 45.2% vs. 35.1%; P = 0.003). Higher body mass index, low-density lipoprotein, and uric acid were independent risk factors for high blood pressure (Odds Ratios: 1.10 per kg/m2, 1.09 per 10 mg/dL, 1.25 per mg/dL, respectively). Compared to boys, girls with NAFLD were significantly more likely to have persistent high blood pressure (28.4% vs.18.9%; P = 0.05). In conclusion, NAFLD is a common clinical problem that places children at substantial risk for high blood pressure, which may often go undiagnosed. Thus blood pressure evaluation, control, and monitoring should be an integral component of the clinical management of children with NAFLD.

Longitudinal Assessment of High Blood Pressure in Children with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

PubMed Central

Schwimmer, Jeffrey B.; Zepeda, Anne; Newton, Kimberly P.; Xanthakos, Stavra A.; Behling, Cynthia; Hallinan, Erin K.; Donithan, Michele; Tonascia, James

2014-01-01

Objective Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects 9.6% of children and may put these children at elevated risk of high blood pressure and subsequent cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Therefore, we sought to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for high blood pressure in children with NAFLD. Methods Cohort study performed by the NIDDK NASH Clinical Research Network. There were 484 children with NAFLD ages 2 to 17 at enrollment; 382 children were assessed both at enrollment and 48 weeks afterwards. The main outcomes were high blood pressure at baseline and persistent high blood pressure at both baseline and 48 weeks. Results Prevalence of high blood pressure at baseline was 35.8% and prevalence of persistent high blood pressure was 21.4%. Children with high blood pressure were significantly more likely to have worse steatosis than children without high blood pressure (mild 19.8% vs. 34.2%, moderate 35.0% vs. 30.7%, severe 45.2% vs. 35.1%; P = 0.003). Higher body mass index, low-density lipoprotein, and uric acid were independent risk factors for high blood pressure (Odds Ratios: 1.10 per kg/m2, 1.09 per 10 mg/dL, 1.25 per mg/dL, respectively). Compared to boys, girls with NAFLD were significantly more likely to have persistent high blood pressure (28.4% vs.18.9%; P = 0.05). Conclusions In conclusion, NAFLD is a common clinical problem that places children at substantial risk for high blood pressure, which may often go undiagnosed. Thus blood pressure evaluation, control, and monitoring should be an integral component of the clinical management of children with NAFLD. PMID:25419656

High-dose anti-histamine use and risk factors in children with urticaria

PubMed Central

Uysal, Pınar; Avcil, Sibelnur; Erge, Duygu

2016-01-01

Aim The drugs of choice in the treatment of urticaria in children are H1-antihistamines. The aim of the study was to evaluate children with urticaria and define risk factors for requirement of high-dose H1-antihistamines in children with urticaria. Material and Methods The medical data of children who were diagnosed as having urticaria admitted to our outpatient clinic between January 2014 and January 2016 were searched. The medical histories, concomitant atopic diseases, parental atopy histories, medications, treatment responses, blood eosinophil and basophil counts, and serum total IgE levels were recorded. In addition, the urticaria activity score for seven days, autoimmune antibody tests, and skin prick test results were evaluated in children with chronic urticaria. Results The numbers of the children with acute and chronic urticaria were 138 and 92, respectively. The age of the children with chronic urticaria was higher than that of those with acute urticaria (p<0.0001). There was no difference between the two groups in terms of blood eosinophil and basophil counts, and serum total IgE levels (p>0.05). There was a negative correlation between blood eosinophil count and the UAS7 score in children with chronic urticaria (r=−0.276, p=0.011). Chronic urticaria and requirement of high dose H1-antihistamines were significant in children aged ≥10 years (p<0.001, p=0.015). High UAS7 score (OR: 1.09; CI 95%: [1.03–1.15]) and basopenia (OR: 6.77; CI 95%: [2.01–22.75]) were associated with the requirement of high-dose H1-AH in children with chronic urticaria. Conclusion The requirement of high-dose H1-antihistamines was higher with children’s increasing age. Disease severity and basopenia were risk factors for the requirement of high-dose H1-antihistamines. PMID:28123332

High Involvement Mothers of High Achieving Children: Potential Theoretical Explanations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hunsaker, Scott L.

2013-01-01

In American society, parents who have high aspirations for the achievements of their children are often viewed by others in a negative light. Various pejoratives such as "pushy parent," "helicopter parent," "stage mother," and "soccer mom" are used in the common vernacular to describe these parents. Multiple…

Linguistic and Cognitive Abilities in Children with Specific Language Impairment as Compared to Children with High-Functioning Autism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schaeffer, Jeannette

2018-01-01

This study investigates the question as to whether and how the linguistic and other cognitive abilities of children with Specific Language Impairment (SLI) differ from those of children with High-Functioning Autism (HFA). To this end, 27 Dutch-speaking elementary-school-age children with SLI, 27 age-matched children with HFA, and a control group…

Severe obesity and high blood pressure among children, Philadelphia health centers, 2010.

PubMed

Nguyen, John V; Robbins, Jessica M; Houck, Kevin L; Nobis, Elizabeth A; Inman, Katelyn A; Khan, Khudsiya S; Robbins, Susan W

2014-04-01

Child obesity is a major health problem particularly affecting disadvantaged population groups. Severe obesity carries additional health risks for children. In the context of the childhood obesity epidemic, high blood pressure among children is of increasing concern. Chart reviews were carried out to examine the prevalence of severe obesity and its association with high blood pressure measurements among randomly selected patients aged 3 to 17 years who had well-child care visits at 8 public community health centers during 2010. A majority of the 691 patients reviewed were African American (58%); an additional 16% were Hispanic. The prevalence of severe obesity was 7.7% (95% confidence interval = 5.8% to 9.9%) and the prevalence of high blood pressure measurements was 17.5% (95% confidence interval = 14.8% to 20.6%). Patients who were severely obese were more than twice as likely as other children to have high blood pressure values. Severe obesity is associated with substantially increased frequency of high blood pressure measurements in children, and should be investigated further as a potential marker for hypertension in children. Primary care providers should be prepared to diagnose and treat hypertension in severely obese children.

Working memory arrest in children with high-functioning autism compared to children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: results from a 2-year longitudinal study.

PubMed

Andersen, Per N; Skogli, Erik W; Hovik, Kjell T; Geurts, Hilde; Egeland, Jens; Øie, Merete

2015-05-01

The aim of this study was to analyse the development of verbal working memory in children with high-functioning autism compared to children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and typically developing children. A total of 34 children with high-functioning autism, 72 children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and 45 typically developing children (age 9-16 years) were included at baseline and followed up approximately 25 months later. The children were given a letter/number sequencing task to assess verbal working memory. The performance of children with high-functioning autism on verbal working memory did not improve after 2 years, while improvement was observed in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and typically developing children. The results indicate a different developmental trajectory for verbal working memory in children with high-functioning autism compared to children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and typically developing children. More research is needed to construct a developmental framework more suitable for children with autism spectrum disorder. © The Author(s) 2014.

Insulin sensitivity is reduced in children with high body-fat regardless of BMI.

PubMed

Fairchild, Timothy J; Klakk, Heidi; Heidemann, Malene; Grøntved, Anders; Wedderkopp, Niels

2018-02-23

To examine the association between insulin sensitivity and adiposity in children stratified according to their body mass index (BMI: normal weight, NW; overweight or obese, OW/OB) and body-fat percentage (BF%: adipose or NonAdipose), and determine whether cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) ameliorates any deleterious associations. This prospective cohort study comprises a cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of data collected at baseline and 2 years later on children (7.7-13.4 years) attending public school in Denmark. Levels of CRF were measured using the Andersen test, whereas BF% was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Fasting plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were measured and the homoeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) used to assess insulin sensitivity. Approximately 8% of children classified as normal weight by BMI had high BF% (NW + Adipose). Children with high BF% had significantly higher insulin (NW + adipose: 32.3%; OW/OB + Adipose: 52.2%) and HOMA-IR scores (NW + Adipose: 32.3%; OW/OB + Adipose: 55.3%) than children classified as NW without high BF% (reference group; NW + NonAdipose). Adjusting for CRF reduced this difference, but did not completely ameliorate these associations. Longitudinally, children with high BF% (OW/OB + Adipose or NW + Adipose) had significantly worse insulin sensitivity 2 years later than NW + NonAdipose children (All p < 0.001). The few children (n = 14) who improved their BMI or BF% during the 2 years follow-up, no longer had significantly worse insulin sensitivity than children with NW + NonAdipose. High BF% in children is associated with significantly lower insulin sensitivity even when BMI is considered NW. Longitudinally, insulin sensitivity is lower in children with high BF% with or without high BMI. The CRF was a significant covariate in these models, but CRF did not completely ameliorate the effects of high BF% on

Irrational exuberance for resolved species trees.

PubMed

Hahn, Matthew W; Nakhleh, Luay

2016-01-01

Phylogenomics has largely succeeded in its aim of accurately inferring species trees, even when there are high levels of discordance among individual gene trees. These resolved species trees can be used to ask many questions about trait evolution, including the direction of change and number of times traits have evolved. However, the mapping of traits onto trees generally uses only a single representation of the species tree, ignoring variation in the gene trees used to construct it. Recognizing that genes underlie traits, these results imply that many traits follow topologies that are discordant with the species topology. As a consequence, standard methods for character mapping will incorrectly infer the number of times a trait has evolved. This phenomenon, dubbed "hemiplasy," poses many problems in analyses of character evolution. Here we outline these problems, explaining where and when they are likely to occur. We offer several ways in which the possible presence of hemiplasy can be diagnosed, and discuss multiple approaches to dealing with the problems presented by underlying gene tree discordance when carrying out character mapping. Finally, we discuss the implications of hemiplasy for general phylogenetic inference, including the possible drawbacks of the widespread push for "resolved" species trees. © 2015 The Author(s). Evolution © 2015 The Society for the Study of Evolution.

High adiposity and high body mass index–for-age in US children and adolescents overall and by race-ethnic group123

PubMed Central

Ogden, Cynthia L; Yanovski, Jack A; Freedman, David S; Shepherd, John A; Graubard, Barry I; Borrud, Lori G

2010-01-01

Background: Body mass index (BMI)–for-age has been recommended as a screening test for excess adiposity in children and adolescents. Objective: We quantified the performance of standard categories of BMI-for-age relative to the population prevalence of high adiposity in children and adolescents overall and by race-ethnic group in a nationally representative US population sample by using definitions of high adiposity that are consistent with expert committee recommendations. Design: Percentage body fat in 8821 children and adolescents aged 8–19 y was measured by using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 1999–2004 as part of a health examination survey. Results: With the use of several different cutoffs for percentage fat to define high adiposity, most children with high BMI-for-age (≥95th percentile of the growth charts) had high adiposity, and few children with normal BMI-for-age (<85th percentile) had high adiposity. The prevalence of high adiposity in intermediate BMI categories varied from 45% to 15% depending on the cutoff. The prevalence of a high BMI was significantly higher in non-Hispanic black girls than in non-Hispanic white girls, but the prevalence of high adiposity was not significantly different. Conclusions: Current BMI cutoffs can identify a high prevalence of high adiposity in children with high BMI-for-age and a low prevalence of high adiposity in children with normal BMI-for-age. By these adiposity measures, less than one-half of children with intermediate BMIs-for-age (85th to <95th percentile) have high adiposity. Differences in high BMI ranges between race-ethnic groups do not necessarily indicate differences in high adiposity. PMID:20164313

Social Understanding of High-Ability Children in Middle and Late Childhood

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Boor-Klip, Henrike J.; Cillessen, Antonius H. N.; van Hell, Janet G.

2014-01-01

Despite its importance in social development, social understanding has hardly been studied in high-ability children. This study explores differences in social understanding between children in high-ability and regular classrooms, specifically theory of mind (ToM) and perception accuracy, as well as associations between individual characteristics…

Effort of breathing in children receiving high-flow nasal cannula.

PubMed

Rubin, Sarah; Ghuman, Anoopindar; Deakers, Timothy; Khemani, Robinder; Ross, Patrick; Newth, Christopher J

2014-01-01

High-flow humidified nasal cannula is often used to provide noninvasive respiratory support in children. The effect of high-flow humidified nasal cannula on effort of breathing in children has not been objectively studied, and the mechanism by which respiratory support is provided remains unclear. This study uses an objective measure of effort of breathing (Pressure. Rate Product) to evaluate high-flow humidified nasal cannula in critically ill children. Prospective cohort study. Quaternary care free-standing academic children's hospital. ICU patients younger than 18 years receiving high-flow humidified nasal cannula or whom the medical team planned to extubate to high-flow humidified nasal cannula within 72 hours of enrollment. An esophageal pressure monitoring catheter was placed to measure pleural pressures via a Bicore CP-100 pulmonary mechanics monitor. Change in pleural pressure (ΔPes) and respiratory rate were measured on high-flow humidified nasal cannula at 2, 5, and 8 L/min. ΔPes and respiratory rate were multiplied to generate the Pressure.Rate Product, a well-established objective measure of effort of breathing. Baseline Pes, defined as pleural pressure at end exhalation during tidal breathing, reflected the positive pressure generated on each level of respiratory support. Twenty-five patients had measurements on high-flow humidified nasal cannula. Median age was 6.5 months (interquartile range, 1.3-15.5 mo). Median Pressure,Rate Product was lower on high-flow humidified nasal cannula 8 L/min (median, 329 cm H2O·min; interquartile range, 195-402) compared with high-flow humidified nasal cannula 5 L/min (median, 341; interquartile range, 232-475; p = 0.007) or high-flow humidified nasal cannula 2 L/min (median, 421; interquartile range, 233-621; p < 0.0001) and was lower on high-flow humidified nasal cannula 5 L/min compared with high-flow humidified nasal cannula 2 L/min (p = 0.01). Baseline Pes was higher on high-flow humidified nasal

The Post-Junior High School Education of Migrant Children in Beijing

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yang, Dongping; Wang, Qi

2013-01-01

Attention is being paid to the problem of migrant children in Beijing accessing education after junior high school. Because Beijing students generally do not want a vocational education, the availability of such education in Beijing is shrinking. But a survey indicates a high demand and desire among the children of migrant workers for a vocational…

Atypical Categorization in Children with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder

PubMed Central

Church, Barbara A.; Krauss, Maria S.; Lopata, Christopher; Toomey, Jennifer A.; Thomeer, Marcus L.; Coutinho, Mariana V.; Volker, Martin A.; Mercado, Eduardo

2010-01-01

Children with autism spectrum disorder process many perceptual and social events differently from typically developing children, suggesting that they may also form and recognize categories differently. We used a dot pattern categorization task and prototype comparison modeling to compare categorical processing in children with high functioning autism spectrum disorder and matched typical controls. We were interested in whether there were differences in how children with autism use average similarity information about a category to make decisions. During testing, the group with autism spectrum disorder endorsed prototypes less and was seemingly less sensitive to differences between to-be-categorized items and the prototype. The findings suggest that individuals with high functioning autism spectrum disorder are less likely to use overall average similarity when forming categories or making categorical decisions. Such differences in category formation and use may negatively impact processing of socially relevant information, such as facial expressions. PMID:21169581

Positive Parenting Interacts with Child Temperament and Negative Parenting to Predict Children’s Socially Appropriate Behavior

PubMed Central

Danzig, Allison P.; Dyson, Margaret W.; Olino, Thomas M.; Laptook, Rebecca S.; Klein, Daniel N.

2017-01-01

This study examined the effects of parents’ positive and negative affect and behavior while interacting with their preschool child and the moderating role of child temperament in predicting children’s subsequent difficulty with socially appropriate behavior around school-entry. Independent observational measures were used to assess child temperament (dysphoria; exuberance) and parenting at age 3, and multi-informant reports of child socially appropriate behavior were collected at age 6 (N = 219). Hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed that children’s temperamental dysphoria moderated the relationship between positive parenting and later socially appropriate behavior. High- and low-dysphoric children trended in opposite directions; highly dysphoric children experienced greater difficulty with socially appropriate behavior as levels of positive parenting increased, whereas low-dysphoric children experienced less difficulty with socially appropriate behavior with higher levels of positive parenting. There was also an interaction between positive and negative parenting, whereby the combination of elevated positive and negative parenting predicted children’s later difficulty with socially appropriate behavior. The findings suggest that positive parenting interacts with early child temperament and negative parenting to impact the development of children’s socially appropriate behavior. PMID:28824223

Health-Related Quality of Life in Children with High-Functioning Autism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Potvin, Marie-Christine; Snider, Laurie; Prelock, Patricia A.; Wood-Dauphinee, Sharon; Kehayia, Eva

2015-01-01

The health-related quality of life of school-aged children with high-functioning autism is poorly understood. The objectives of this study were to compare the health-related quality of life of children with high-functioning autism to that of typically developing peers and to compare child-self and parent-proxy reports of health-related quality of…

Resilience in highly stressed urban children: concepts and findings.

PubMed Central

Cowen, E. L.; Wyman, P. A.; Work, W. C.

1996-01-01

The Rochester Child Resilience Project is a coordinated set of studies of the correlates and antecedents of outcomes relating to resilience among profoundly stressed urban children. The studies have been conducted over the course of the past decade. Based on child test data, parent, teacher, and self ratings of child adjustment, and in-depth individual interviews with parents and children, a cohesive picture has developed of child and family milieu variables that consistently differentiate children with resilient versus stress-affected outcomes within this highly stressed sample. Resilient children are characterized by an easy temperament and higher IQ; sound parent/child relationships; a parent's sense of efficacy; the parent's own wellness, especially mental health; and the child's perceived competence, realistic control, empathy, and social problem-solving. PMID:8982521

Portal hypertension in children: High-risk varices, primary prophylaxis and consequences of bleeding.

PubMed

Duché, Mathieu; Ducot, Béatrice; Ackermann, Oanez; Guérin, Florent; Jacquemin, Emmanuel; Bernard, Olivier

2017-02-01

Primary prophylaxis of bleeding is debated for children with portal hypertension because of the limited number of studies on its safety and efficacy, the lack of a known endoscopic pattern carrying a high-risk of bleeding for all causes, and the assumption that the mortality of a first bleed is low. We report our experience with these issues. From 1989 to 2014, we managed 1300 children with portal hypertension. Endoscopic features were recorded; high-risk varices were defined as: grade 3 esophageal varices, grade 2 varices with red wale markings, or gastric varices. Two hundred forty-six children bled spontaneously and 182 underwent primary prophylaxis. The results of primary prophylaxis were reviewed as well as bleed-free survival, overall survival and life-threatening complications of bleeding. High-risk varices were found in 96% of children who bled spontaneously and in 11% of children who did not bleed without primary prophylaxis (p<0.001), regardless of the cause of portal hypertension. Life-threatening complications of bleeding were recorded in 19% of children with cirrhosis and high-risk varices who bled spontaneously. Ten-year probabilities of bleed-free survival after primary prophylaxis in children with high-risk varices were 96% and 72% for non-cirrhotic causes and cirrhosis respectively. Ten-year probabilities of overall survival after primary prophylaxis were 100% and 93% in children with non-cirrhotic causes and cirrhosis respectively. In children with portal hypertension, bleeding is linked to the high-risk endoscopic pattern reported here. Primary prophylaxis of bleeding based on this pattern is fairly effective and safe. In children with liver disease, the risk of bleeding from varices in the esophagus is linked to their large size, the presence of congestion on their surface and their expansion into the stomach but not to the child's age nor to the cause of portal hypertension. Prevention of the first bleed in children with high-risk varices can

The relationship between moral judgment and cooperation in children with high-functioning autism

PubMed Central

Li, Jing; Zhu, Liqi; Gummerum, Michaela

2014-01-01

This study investigated moral judgment in children with high-functioning autism and their cooperation in prisoner's dilemma game with partners of different moralities. Thirty-eight 6- to 12-year-old high-functioning autistic (HFA) children and 31 typically developing (TD) children were recruited. Children were asked to judge story protagonists' morality. After making this moral judgment correctly, they were asked to play with the morally nice and the morally naughty child in a repeated prisoner's dilemma game. Results showed that both HFA and TD children made correct moral judgments, and that HFA children might even have more rigid criteria for what constitutes morally naughty acts. HFA children's cooperation did not differ depending on the morality of the interaction partner, while TD children showed higher cooperation when interacting with the morally nice than the morally naughty child did. Thus, partner's morality did influence TD children's but not HFA children's subsequent cooperation. PMID:24603775

Working Memory Arrest in Children with High-Functioning Autism Compared to Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Results from a 2-Year Longitudinal Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Andersen, Per N.; Skogli, Erik W.; Hovik, Kjell T.; Geurts, Hilde; Egeland, Jens; Øie, Merete

2015-01-01

The aim of this study was to analyse the development of verbal working memory in children with high-functioning autism compared to children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and typically developing children. A total of 34 children with high-functioning autism, 72 children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and 45 typically…

Vigilance and iconic memory in children at high risk for alcoholism.

PubMed

Steinhauer, S R; Locke, J; Hill, S Y

1997-07-01

Previous studies report reduced visual event-related potential (ERP) amplitudes in young males at high risk for alcoholism. These findings could involve difficulties at several stages of visual processing. This study was aimed at examining vigilance performance and iconic memory functions in children at high risk or low risk for alcoholism. Sustained vigilance and retrieval from iconic memory were evaluated in 54 (29 male) white children at high risk and 47 (25 male) white children at low risk for developing alcoholism. Children were also grouped according to gender and age (younger: 8-12 years; older: 13-18 years). No differences is visual sensitivity, response criterion or reaction time were associated with risk status on the degraded visual stimulus version of the Continuous Performance Test. For the Span of Apprehension, no differences were found due to risk status when only 1 or 5 distractors were presented, although with 9 distractors a significant effect of risk status was found when it was tested as an interaction with gender and age (decreased accuracy for older high-risk boys compared to older low-risk boys). These findings suggest that ERP deviations are not attributable to stages of visual processing deficits, but represent difficulty involving more complex utilization of information. Implications of these results are that the differences between high- and low-risk children that have been reported previously for visual ERP components (e.g., P300) are not attributable to deficits of attentional or iconic memory mechanisms.

Rethinking Global Engagement - The Requirement for Knowledge Before Action

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-06-01

nevertheless cautions against irrational exuberance ; the REC is suitable for some important reasons and should be implemented, but it is not a replacement for...efforts… have floundered (p. 186).” The exuberant enthusiasm for James Bond-like activities appears enduring in both the official and popular mind

Effects of Neighborhood Socioeconomic Characteristics and Class Composition on Highly Competent Children.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Maggi, Stefania; Hertzman, Clyde; Kohen, Dafina; D'Angiulli, Amedio

2004-01-01

The conditions that prevent highly competent children from fully developing their learning potential rarely have been addressed. The authors investigated the relationship between neighborhood socioeconomic characteristics, class composition, and changes in the proportion of highly competent children in kindergarten and in Grades 4 and 7. The…

Facial Encoding of Children with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Volker, Martin A.; Lopata, Christopher; Smith, Donna A.; Thomeer, Marcus L.

2009-01-01

Facial encoding of a sample of children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders (HFASD) was compared to facial encoding of matched typically developing children. Each participant was photographed after being prompted to enact a facial expression for six basic emotions. Raters evaluated (a) the extent to which the photo reflected the…

Stronger vection in junior high school children than in adults

PubMed Central

Shirai, Nobu; Imura, Tomoko; Tamura, Rio; Seno, Takeharu

2014-01-01

Previous studies have shown that even elementary school-aged children (7 and 11 years old) experience visually induced perception of illusory self-motion (vection) (Lepecq et al., 1995, Perception, 24, 435–449) and that children of a similar age (mean age = 9.2 years) experience more rapid and stronger vection than do adults (Shirai et al., 2012, Perception, 41, 1399–1402). These findings imply that although elementary school-aged children experience vection, this ability is subject to further development. To examine the subsequent development of vection, we compared junior high school students' (N = 11, mean age = 14.4 years) and adults' (N = 10, mean age = 22.2 years) experiences of vection. Junior high school students reported significantly stronger vection than did adults, suggesting that the perceptual experience of junior high school students differs from that of adults with regard to vection and that this ability undergoes gradual changes over a relatively long period of development. PMID:24971067

Stronger vection in junior high school children than in adults.

PubMed

Shirai, Nobu; Imura, Tomoko; Tamura, Rio; Seno, Takeharu

2014-01-01

Previous studies have shown that even elementary school-aged children (7 and 11 years old) experience visually induced perception of illusory self-motion (vection) (Lepecq et al., 1995, Perception, 24, 435-449) and that children of a similar age (mean age = 9.2 years) experience more rapid and stronger vection than do adults (Shirai et al., 2012, Perception, 41, 1399-1402). These findings imply that although elementary school-aged children experience vection, this ability is subject to further development. To examine the subsequent development of vection, we compared junior high school students' (N = 11, mean age = 14.4 years) and adults' (N = 10, mean age = 22.2 years) experiences of vection. Junior high school students reported significantly stronger vection than did adults, suggesting that the perceptual experience of junior high school students differs from that of adults with regard to vection and that this ability undergoes gradual changes over a relatively long period of development.

Developmental and Cognitive Characteristics of “High-Level Potentialities” (Highly Gifted) Children

PubMed Central

Vaivre-Douret, Laurence

2011-01-01

This study covers the interesting field of the development in gifted children which is often neglected in pediatrics because psychomotor development data are still rare, since “gifted” children are generally noticed towards the end of their primary schooling by IQ measurement. Developmental studies have shown the evidence from several fields that children identified as “high-level potentialities” or “intellectually gifted” develop sensory, locomotor, neuropsychological, and language skills earlier than typically expected. The hypothesis is offered that the earlier development originates from biological processes affecting the physical development of the brain and in turn even intellectual abilities are developed earlier, potentially allowing for advanced development. Further it is discussed how these developmental advances interact with the social environment and in certain circumstances may entail increased risk for developing socioemotional difficulties and learning disabilities that often go unaddressed due to the masking by the advance intellectual abilities. PMID:21977044

High/Scope Buyer's Guide to Children's Software. 11th Edition.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hohmann, Charles; And Others

This 11th edition of the High/Scope Buyer's Guide to Children's Software was designed to help teachers, caregivers, and parents make good choices when purchasing software to enhance children's learning. The book consists of an introduction, a chapter on finding the best software, software reviews for 48 different software products. The…

Parental bonds in children at high and low familial risk for panic disorder.

PubMed

Koszycki, Diana; Bilodeau, Cynthia; Zwanzger, Peter; Schneider, Barry H; Flament, Martine F; Bradwejn, Jacques

2013-04-01

A rejecting and overprotective parenting style is considered to be an important risk factor for the development of anxiety disorders. This study examined the role of perceived parental bonding as a potential environmental risk factor for panic disorder (PD) in unaffected offspring with parental PD. Children with a biological parent with PD (n = 71) and children of parents with no psychiatric history (n = 80) participated in the study. Results indicate that high risk children do not perceive their parents as being more protective and less caring than low risk controls. The optimal bonding type (high care, low protection) was the most frequently reported parenting style across groups. The constraining type of maternal bonding (high care, high protection) was less frequently reported by high risk children (p < 0.05). Overall, these data suggest that parental PD does not compromise the parent-child bonds in never-ill offspring.

Low- and High-IQ Learning Disabled Children in the Mainstream.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gottlieb, Jay; And Others

1983-01-01

Nine low IQ (less than 80) and 12 high IQ (100 plus) learning disabled children (grades four through six) who attended resource room programs were observed in regular classes. Results indicated that teachers did not perceive the two groups of LD children differently but that the teachers behaved differently toward the two groups. (Author/MC)

Polysomnography in Bolivian Children Native to High Altitude Compared to Children Native to Low Altitude.

PubMed

Hill, Catherine Mary; Carroll, Annette; Dimitriou, Dagmara; Gavlak, Johanna; Heathcote, Kate; L'Esperance, Veline; Baya, Ana; Webster, Rebecca; Pushpanathan, Maria; Bucks, Romola Starr

2016-12-01

To compare polysomnographic parameters in high altitude (HA) native Andean children with low altitude (LA) native peers in order to explain the nocturnal oxyhemoglobin saturation (SpO2) instability reported in HA native children and to study the effect on sleep quality. Ninety-eight healthy children aged 7-10 y and 13-16 y were recruited at LA (500 m) or HA (3,650 m) above sea level. Physical examination was undertaken and genetic ancestry determined from salivary DNA to determine proportion of European ancestry, a risk factor for poor HA adaptation. Attended polysomnography was carried out over 1 night for 58 children at their resident location. Of 98 children recruited, 85 met inclusion criteria, 58 of 85 (68.2%) completed polysomnography, of which 56 were adequate for analysis: 30 at LA (17 male) and 26 at HA (16 male). There were no altitude differences in genetic ancestry, but a high proportion of European admixture (median 50.6% LA; 44.0% HA). SpO2 was less stable at HA with mean 3% and 4% oxygen desaturation indices greater (both P < 0.001) than at LA. This was not explained by periodic breathing. However, more obstructive hypopnea was observed at HA (P < 0.001), along with a trend toward more central apnea (P = 0.053); neither was explained by clinical findings. There was no difference in sleep quality between altitudes. HA native Andean children have more respiratory events when scoring relies on SpO2 desaturation due to inherent SpO2 instability. Use of American Academy of Sleep Medicine scoring criteria may yield false-positive results for obstructive sleep-disordered breathing at HA. © 2016 Associated Professional Sleep Societies, LLC.

Children with High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's Syndrome: Can We Differentiate Their Cognitive Profiles?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Planche, Pascale; Lemonnier, Eric

2012-01-01

The aim of this study was to investigate whether children with high-functioning autism (HFA) and Asperger's syndrome (AS) can be differentiated from each other and from typically developing children on their cognitive profiles. The present study included a total of 45 participants: children with autism (high-functioning autism or Asperger's…

Stunting and the Prediction of Lung Volumes Among Tibetan Children and Adolescents at High Altitude

PubMed Central

Garruto, Ralph M.

2015-01-01

Abstract Weitz, Charles A., and Ralph M. Garruto. Stunting and the prediction of lung volumes among Tibetan children and adolescents at high altitude. High Alt Biol Med 16:306–317, 2015.—This study examines the extent to which stunting (height-for-age Z-scores ≤ −2) compromises the use of low altitude prediction equations to gauge the general increase in lung volumes during growth among high altitude populations. The forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume (FEV1) of 208 stunted and 365 non-stunted high-altitude Tibetan children and adolescents between the ages of 6 and 20 years are predicted using the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANESIII) and the Global Lung Function Initiative (GLF) equations, and compared to observed lung volumes. Stunted Tibetan children show smaller positive deviations from both NHANESIII and GLF prediction equations at most ages than non-stunted children. Deviations from predictions do not correspond to differences in body proportions (sitting heights and chest circumferences relative to stature) between stunted and non-stunted children; but appear compatible with the effects of retarded growth and lung maturation that are likely to exist among stunted children. These results indicate that, before low altitude standards can be used to evaluate the effects of hypoxia, or before high altitude populations can be compared to any other group, it is necessary to assess the relative proportion of stunted children in the samples. If the proportion of stunted children in a high altitude population differs significantly from the proportion in the comparison group, lung function comparisons are unlikely to yield an accurate assessment of the hypoxia effect. The best solution to this problem is to (1) use stature and lung function standards based on the same low altitude population; and (2) assess the hypoxic effect by comparing observed and predicted values among high altitude children whose

Characterizing Vibratory Kinematics in Children and Adults with High-Speed Digital Imaging

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Patel, Rita; Dubrovskiy, Denis; Döllinger, Michael

2014-01-01

Purpose: The aim of this study is to quantify and identify characteristic vibratory motion in typically developing prepubertal children and young adults using high-speed digital imaging. Method: The vibrations of the vocal folds were recorded from 27 children (ages 5-9 years) and 35 adults (ages 21-45 years), with high speed at 4,000 frames per…

High rhinovirus burden in lower airways of children with cystic fibrosis.

PubMed

Kieninger, Elisabeth; Singer, Florian; Tapparel, Caroline; Alves, Marco P; Latzin, Philipp; Tan, Hui-Leng; Bossley, Cara; Casaulta, Carmen; Bush, Andrew; Davies, Jane C; Kaiser, Laurent; Regamey, Nicolas

2013-03-01

Rhinovirus (RV)-induced pulmonary exacerbations are common in cystic fibrosis (CF) and have been associated with impaired virus clearance by the CF airway epithelium in vitro. Here, we assess in vivo the association of RV prevalence and load with antiviral defense mechanisms, airway inflammation, and lung function parameters in children with CF compared with a control group and children with other chronic respiratory diseases. RV presence and load were measured by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in BAL samples and were related to antiviral and inflammatory mediators measured in BAL and to clinical parameters. BAL samples were obtained from children with CF (n = 195), non-CF bronchiectasis (n = 40), or asthma (n = 29) and from a control group (n = 35) at a median (interquartile range [IQR]) age of 8.2 (4.0-11.7) years. RV was detected in 73 samples (24.4%). RV prevalence was similar among groups. RV load (median [IQR] x 10(3) copies/mL) was higher in children with CF (143.0 [13.1-1530.0]), especially during pulmonary exacerbations, compared with children with asthma (3.0 [1.3-25.8], P = .006) and the control group (0.5 [0.3-0.5], P < .001), but similar to patients with non-CF bronchiectasis (122.1 [2.7-4423.5], P = not significant). In children with CF, RV load was negatively associated with interferon (IFN)- b and IFN- l , IL-1ra levels, and FEV 1 , and positively with levels of the cytokines CXCL8 and CXCL10. RV load in CF BAL is high, especially during exacerbated lung disease. Impaired production of antiviral mediators may lead to the high RV burden in the lower airways of children with CF. Whether high RV load is a cause or a consequence of inflammation needs further investigation in longitudinal studies.

Preschool children's taste acceptance of highly concentrated fluoride compounds: effects on nonverbal behavior.

PubMed

Kolb, Anne-Kathrin; Schmied, Kirsten; Fassheber, Peter; Heinrich-Weltzien, Roswitha

2013-01-01

The aim of this video-based study was to examine the taste acceptance of children between the ages of 2 and 5 years regarding highly concentrated fluoride preparations in kindergarten-based preventive programs. The fluoride preparation Duraphat was applied to 16 children, Elmex fluid to 15 children, and Fluoridin N5 to 14 children. The procedure was conducted according to a standardized protocol and videotaped Three raters evaluated the children's nonverbal behavior as a measure of taste acceptance on the Frankl Behavior Rating Scale. The interrater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient; ICC) was .86. In an interview, children indicated the taste of the fluoride preparations on a three-point "smiley" rating scale. The interviewer used a hand puppet during the survey to establish confidence between the children and examiners. Children's nonverbal behavior was significantly more positive after Fluoridin N5 and Duraphat were applied compared to the application of Elmex fluid. The same trend was found during the smiley assessment. The response of children who displayed cooperative positive behavior before the application of fluoride preparations was significantly more positive than those who displayed uncooperative negative behavior. To achieve a high acceptance of the application of fluoride preparations among preschool children, flavorful preparations should be used.

Physical fitness in children with high motor competence is different from that in children with low motor competence.

PubMed

Haga, Monika

2009-10-01

Physical therapists often treat children with low motor competence. Earlier studies have demonstrated poor physical fitness outcomes and a reduced level of physical activity for these children compared with their peers with normal motor skills. The aim of this study was to examine how physical fitness developed over time in 2 groups of children: those with a low level of competence in motor skills (low motor competence [LMC]), and those with a high level of competence in motor skills (high motor competence [HMC]). From an initial sample of 67 children, a group of 18 was identified as having HMC or LMC on the Movement Assessment Battery for Children and was selected for the present study. Eight children (3 girls and 5 boys) comprised the LMC group, and 10 children (4 girls and 6 boys) made up the HMC group. A longitudinal design was implemented, and physical fitness in the 2 groups was evaluated by measuring different fitness components over a period of 32 months. A mixed-effects analysis of variance revealed significant main effects for group and for time but no group x time interaction effect. The LMC group performed less well on all physical fitness measures than the HMC group, and both groups scored significantly higher on the physical fitness test after a period of 32 months. The lack of a significant interaction effect indicated that the relative differences in physical fitness outcomes between the groups were relatively constant over time. This study was limited by the small sample size and lack of assessment of anthropometric variables and children's perceived self-efficacy. Children with LMC are likely to have poor physical fitness compared with children with HMC. The differences in physical fitness outcomes between the groups were relatively constant over time. Given that various physical fitness components are linked to different health outcomes, these consequences are matters of concern for both current health status and later health status in children

Social Skills and Problem Behaviours in School Aged Children with High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Macintosh, Kathleen; Dissanayake, Cheryl

2006-01-01

The social skills and problem behaviours of children with high-functioning autism and Asperger's Disorder were compared using parent and teacher reports on the Social Skills Rating System. The participants were 20 children with high-functioning autism, 19 children with Asperger's Disorder, and 17 typically developing children, matched on…

Stunting and the Prediction of Lung Volumes Among Tibetan Children and Adolescents at High Altitude.

PubMed

Weitz, Charles A; Garruto, Ralph M

2015-12-01

This study examines the extent to which stunting (height-for-age Z-scores ≤ -2) compromises the use of low altitude prediction equations to gauge the general increase in lung volumes during growth among high altitude populations. The forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume (FEV1) of 208 stunted and 365 non-stunted high-altitude Tibetan children and adolescents between the ages of 6 and 20 years are predicted using the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANESIII) and the Global Lung Function Initiative (GLF) equations, and compared to observed lung volumes. Stunted Tibetan children show smaller positive deviations from both NHANESIII and GLF prediction equations at most ages than non-stunted children. Deviations from predictions do not correspond to differences in body proportions (sitting heights and chest circumferences relative to stature) between stunted and non-stunted children; but appear compatible with the effects of retarded growth and lung maturation that are likely to exist among stunted children. These results indicate that, before low altitude standards can be used to evaluate the effects of hypoxia, or before high altitude populations can be compared to any other group, it is necessary to assess the relative proportion of stunted children in the samples. If the proportion of stunted children in a high altitude population differs significantly from the proportion in the comparison group, lung function comparisons are unlikely to yield an accurate assessment of the hypoxia effect. The best solution to this problem is to (1) use stature and lung function standards based on the same low altitude population; and (2) assess the hypoxic effect by comparing observed and predicted values among high altitude children whose statures are most like those of children on whom the low altitude spirometric standard is based-preferably high altitude children with HAZ-scores ≥ -1.

The Effects of Parents' Psychiatric Disorders on Children's High School Dropout.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Farahati, F.; Marcotte, D. E.; Wilcox-Gok, V.

2003-01-01

Investigates the effect of parents' mental illness on the schooling of their children. Finds that parents' mental illnesses increase the probability of high school dropout of children, though these effects differ markedly with disease. Also finds that parental mental illness has more consistently negative effects on girls than on boys. (Contains…

Do Social Attribution Skills Improve with Age in Children with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders?

PubMed

Bal, Elgiz; Yerys, Benjamin E; Sokoloff, Jennifer L; Celano, Mark J; Kenworthy, Lauren; Giedd, Jay N; Wallace, Gregory L

2013-01-01

Age-related changes in social attribution skills were assessed using the "Triangles Playing Tricks" task in 7-17 year old high functioning children with ASDs (n=41) and in typically developing (TD) children (n=58) matched on age, IQ, and sex ratio. Children with ASDs gave responses that received lower intentionality and appropriateness ratings than did TD children in both the goal-directed and theory of mind (ToM) conditions. Results remained unchanged when the effects of verbal output (i.e., number of clause produced) and verbal IQ were included as covariates in the analyses. Whereas age was highly associated with ToM performance in the TD children, this relationship was not as strong among children with ASDs. These results indicate not only a diminished tendency among high functioning children with ASDs to attribute social meaning and intentionality to ambiguous visual displays of interactive forms but also an aberrant developmental trajectory. That is, children with ASDs may fall further behind their typically developing peers in social attribution abilities as they get older.

Effects of cognitive-behavioural therapy on anxiety for children with high-functioning autistic spectrum disorders.

PubMed

Ooi, Y P; Lam, C M; Sung, M; Tan, W T S; Goh, T J; Fung, D S S; Pathy, P; Ang, R P; Chua, A

2008-03-01

Children with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) often exhibit one or more comorbid disorders, including anxiety, disruptive behaviour, mental retardation, and depression. Various studies have documented the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) in treating children with anxiety. Although studies have indicated a high prevalence of anxiety in individuals with ASD, there is a lack of systematic studies substantiating the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioural interventions among children with high-functioning autism. This pilot study investigated the effects of a 16-session CBT programme on six high-functioning children diagnosed with ASD (mean age 11.50 years, standard deviation 0.84 years). These children were diagnosed with ASD or Asperger's syndrome by the DSM-IV criteria. Measures on levels of child's anxiety, parental and teacher stress were administered at pre- and post-treatment. Children showed lower levels of anxiety at post-treatment. Parents and teachers also reported lower levels of stress following the CBT programme. Findings from the present study provided some evidence of the effects of CBT for high-functioning autistic children in reducing anxiety, parental and teacher stress. Interpretation of the findings, recommendations for future research and implications of the present study are presented.

Identifying High Academic Potential in Australian Aboriginal Children Using Dynamic Testing

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chaffey, Graham W.; Bailey, Stan B.; Vine, Ken W.

2015-01-01

The primary purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of dynamic testing as a method for identifying high academic potential in Australian Aboriginal children. The 79 participating Aboriginal children were drawn from Years 3-5 in rural schools in northern New South Wales. The dynamic testing method used in this study involved a…

Patterns of Play Behaviors and Learning Center Choices between High Ability and Typical Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wilson, Hope E.

2015-01-01

There is a dearth of research regarding young children with high intellectual abilities, particularly research involving the direct observation of children in naturalistic settings. The current study examines 2 years of observations of young children (aged 37-71 months; n = 34) at an early childhood facility. The children were observed during the…

Prevalence of oral candidiasis in HIV/AIDS children in highly active antiretroviral therapy era. A literature analysis.

PubMed

Gaitán-Cepeda, Luis Alberto; Sánchez-Vargas, Octavio; Castillo, Nydia

2015-08-01

SummaryHighly active antiretroviral therapy has decreased the morbidity and mortality related to HIV infection, including oral opportunistic infections. This paper offers an analysis of the scientific literature on the epidemiological aspects of oral candidiasis in HIV-positive children in the combination antiretroviral therapy era. An electronic databases search was made covering the highly active antiretroviral therapy era (1998 onwards). The terms used were oral lesions, oral candidiasis and their combination with highly active antiretroviral therapy and HIV/AIDS children. The following data were collected from each paper: year and country in which the investigation was conducted, antiretroviral treatment, oral candidiasis prevalence and diagnostic parameters (clinical or microbiological). Prevalence of oral candidiasis varied from 2.9% in American HIV-positive children undergoing highly active antiretroviral therapy to 88% in Chilean HIV-positive children without antiretroviral therapy. With respect to geographical location and antiretroviral treatment, higher oral candidiasis prevalence in HIV-positive children on combination antiretroviral therapy/antiretroviral therapy was reported in African children (79.1%) followed by 45.9% reported in Hindu children. In HIV-positive Chilean children on no antiretroviral therapy, high oral candidiasis prevalence was reported (88%) followed by Nigerian children (80%). Oral candidiasis is still frequent in HIV-positive children in the highly active antiretroviral therapy era irrespective of geographical location, race and use of antiretroviral therapy. © The Author(s) 2014.

High cholesterol - children

MedlinePlus

... and milk products Avoid sugary drinks such as soda and flavored fruit drinks Eat lean meat and ... day. Other steps include teaching children about the dangers of tobacco use. Make your home a smoke- ...

Vaccinating high-risk children with the intranasal live-attenuated influenza vaccine: the Quebec experience.

PubMed

Quach, Caroline

2014-12-01

Given the burden of illness associated with influenza, vaccination is recommended for individuals at high risk of complications. The live-attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) is administered by intranasal spray, thus directly stimulating mucosal immunity. In this review, we aimed to provide evidence for its efficacy and safety in different paediatric populations. We also share the Quebec experience of LAIV use through a publicly funded vaccination program for children with chronic, high-risk conditions. from randomized controlled trials in healthy children and in asthmatics have demonstrated superior efficacy of LAIV over the injectable vaccine (IIV). LAIV is well tolerated: its administration is associated with runny nose and nasal congestion, but not with asthma exacerbations and is well tolerated in children with cystic fibrosis, when compared to IIV. The vaccine is well accepted by children and parents and can easily be part of vaccination clinics in paediatric tertiary care centres targeting children with chronic, high-risk conditions, not leading to immunosuppression. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Meeting High Expectations: Healthy Thinking, Resiliency, and Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Egbert, Lisalee D.; LaMarr, Todd; Hossler, Tami; Davenport, Carrie; Crace, Jodee

2014-01-01

The authors present a positive outlook for deaf and hard of hearing children in meeting the high expectations set before them. Like all children, deaf and hard of hearing children thrive in environments that support and promote healthy ways of thinking. When individuals have healthy ways of thinking, they have what researchers call a "growth…

Comparing high and low acculturated mothers and physical activity in Hispanic children.

PubMed

Olvera, Norma; Smith, Dennis W; Lee, Chanam; Liu, Jian; Lee, Jay; Kim, Jun-Hyun; Kellam, Stephanie F

2011-09-01

Parents represent a key ecological component in influencing their child's physical activity. The aim of this exploratory study was to assess the relationship between maternal acculturation and physical activity in Hispanic children. 102 Hispanic mothers (mean age 36.2 yrs; +SD 7.3 yrs) and their children (mean age 10.0 yrs, +SD 0.8 yrs) participated. Most of the mothers (74%) were foreign-born, with 62% classified as low acculturated and 38% high acculturated. Demographic, acculturation, and anthropometric measures were completed by mothers and children. Physical activity was measured using accelerometers. Relationships between maternal acculturation and demographic variables and children's physical activity were examined using chi-square, Analysis of Variance, and simple regression. Children had higher physical activity levels than their mothers (t(49) = -7.87, P < .0001). Significant correlations between maternal and child's physical activity levels were observed in moderate (r2 = 0.13, P = .001), vigorous (r2 = 0.08, P = .05), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (r2 = 0.17, P = .002). Low acculturated mothers were more likely to have active children compared with high acculturated mothers. Maternal BMI and other demographic characteristics were not significantly associated with child's physical activity. Findings from this study revealed an association among maternal acculturation, role modeling, and child's physical activity.

Community participatory physical activity intervention targets children at high risk for obesity

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

This community participatory research evaluated the feasibility of a summer soccer and nutrition education program to increase physical activity (PA) in rural Mississippi Delta children at high risk of obesity and previously not exposed to soccer. Children aged 4-12 were recruited through school and...

Utilization of Illustrations during Learning of Science Textbook Passages among Low- and High-Ability Children.

PubMed

Hannus; Hyönä

1999-04-01

Effects of illustrations on learning authentic textbook materials were studied among 10-year-old elementary school children of high and low intellectual ability. Experiment 1 showed that the presence of illustrations improved learning of illustrated text content, but not that of nonillustrated text content. Comprehension scores were improved by the presence of illustrations for high-ability children, but not for low-ability children. In Experiment 2, children's eye movements were measured during learning of illustrated textbook passages to study how children divide their attention between text and illustrations. The results suggest that learning is heavily driven by the text and that children inspect illustrations only minimally. High-ability students were more strategic in processing in the sense that they spent relatively more time on pertinent segments of text and illustrations. It is concluded that the learning of illustrated science textbook materials involves requirements that may be more readily met by more intellectually capable students. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

High bicarbonate levels in narcoleptic children.

PubMed

Franco, Patricia; Junqua, Aurelie; Guignard-Perret, Anne; Raoux, Aude; Perier, Magali; Raverot, Veronique; Claustrat, Bruno; Gustin, Marie-Paule; Inocente, Clara Odilia; Lin, Jian-Sheng

2016-04-01

The objective of this study was to evaluate the levels of plasma bicarbonate levels in narcoleptic children. Clinical, electrophysiological data and bicarbonate levels were evaluated retrospectively in children seen in our paediatric national reference centre for hypersomnia. The cohort included 23 control subjects (11.5 ± 4 years, 43% boys) and 51 patients presenting de-novo narcolepsy (N) (12.7 ± 3.7 years, 47% boys). In narcoleptic children, cataplexy was present in 78% and DQB1*0602 was positive in 96%. The control children were less obese (2 versus 47%, P = 0.001). Compared with control subjects, narcoleptic children had higher bicarbonate levels (P = 0.02) as well as higher PCO2 (P < 0.01) and lower venous pH gas (P < 0.01). Bicarbonate levels higher than 27 mmol L(-1) were found in 41.2% of the narcoleptic children and 4.2% of the controls (P = 0.001). Bicarbonate levels were correlated with the Adapted Epworth Sleepiness Scale (P = 0.01). Narcoleptic patients without obesity often had bicarbonate levels higher than 27 mmol L (-1) (55 versus 25%, P = 0.025). No differences were found between children with and without cataplexy. In conclusion, narcoleptic patients had higher bicarbonate plasma levels compared to control children. This result could be a marker of hypoventilation in this pathology, provoking an increase in PCO2 and therefore a respiratory acidosis, compensated by an increase in plasma bicarbonates. This simple screening tool could be useful for prioritizing children for sleep laboratory evaluation in practice. © 2015 European Sleep Research Society.

[Dermatophytic disease: exuberant hyperkeratosis with cutaneous horns].

PubMed

Boudghène-Stambouli, O; Mérad-Boudia, A

1998-10-01

Dermatophytic disease is a chronic dermatophytosis involving the skin and viscera and caused by benign dermatophytes which cross the skin barrier. We present a case presenting previously unreported giant cutaneous horns. A male Algerian patient aged 29 years consulted for chronic skin disease which had progressed for 2 years. Manifestations included warts, papulonodules, eczematiform lesions, lichenifications, alopecia, onyxis, multiple node enlargement and giant cutaneous horns on the plantar aspect of the feet making walking difficult. The patient's kinhood included 10 members and the patient's parents were first cousins; no other family member had a similar disease state. Laboratory findings included eosinophilia (11%, 550 cells/mm3), an inflammatory syndrome, and normal phosphorus and calcium levels despite demineralization of the hands and feet. The tuberculin interdermal reaction was positive but the trichophytine interdermal reaction was negative. Trichophyton violaceum was found in all mycological samples from skin and nails. The histology examination of skin biopsies revealed acanthosis, considerable hyperkeratosis, and myceleal filaments invading the horny layer, the sweat glands and hair follicles. Abscesses and granulomas were also seen in the superficial dermis. Oral griseofulvin 1 g per day and topical applications with ketoconazole gave clear improvement. Dermatophytic disease is a chronic dermatophytosis observed mainly in North Africa. The locally high rate of consanguinous marriages would suggest autosomal recessive inheritance of a genetic anomaly possibly associated with deficient cellular immunity. The lesions are polymorphous and develop progressively, probably due to diminished cellular immunity. This case with giant cutaneous horns would be a new variant. Antifungals can provide definitive cure. The pathogenesis of this severe dermatophytosis remains to be established.

The Importance of Parent Intuition & Observation in Recognizing Highly Creative Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Haydon, Kathryn P.

2016-01-01

Sometimes it's not easy for highly creative children to "comply" with a regular curriculum, even at the preschool age. They are wired to explore, experiment, build, imagine, and create. If forced at a young age into a diet heavy on rote learning and directed work, they may struggle. It's not that these children can't do the work, it's…

WISC-IV and WIAT-II Profiles in Children with High-Functioning Autism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mayes, Susan Dickerson; Calhoun, Susan L.

2008-01-01

Children with high-functioning autism earned above normal scores on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition (WISC-IV) Perceptual Reasoning and Verbal Comprehension Indexes and below normal scores on the Working Memory and Processing Speed Indexes and Wechsler Individual Achievement Test-Second Edition (WIAT-II) Written…

Attention and Written Expression in School-Aged, High-Functioning Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zajic, Matthew C.; McIntyre, Nancy; Swain-Lerro, Lindsay; Novotny, Stephanie; Oswald, Tasha; Mundy, Peter

2016-01-01

High-functioning children with autism spectrum disorders often find writing challenging. These writing difficulties may be specific to autism spectrum disorder or to a more general clinical effect of attention disturbance, as these children are often comorbid for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptomatology (and children with…

Attention and Written Expression in School-Age, High-Functioning Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zajic, Matthew C.; McIntyre, Nancy; Swain-Lerro, Lindsay; Novotny, Stephanie; Oswald, Tasha; Mundy, Peter

2018-01-01

High-functioning children with autism spectrum disorders often find writing challenging. These writing difficulties may be specific to autism spectrum disorder or to a more general clinical effect of attention disturbance, as these children are often comorbid for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptomatology (and children with…

The New American Way of War

DTIC Science & Technology

2003-04-01

friction with friends and allies, particularly given the U.S. prowess at high-tech war. Over- exuberance with technology raises expectations of limited...been successes, and recognizing that fact as the norm for future wars is more productive than the irrational mania surrounding the Vietnam War

JPRS Report, China.

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-06-08

size, with some of its industrial wares entering international markets. Overall, however, because of the shortage of capital and some irrational ...time. Japan’s exuberance makes it a formidable adversary of the United States and the USSR in the scientific and high technology fields. The grim

Shaping children's healthy eating habits with food placements? Food placements of high and low nutritional value in cartoons, Children's BMI, food-related parental mediation strategies, and food choice.

PubMed

Naderer, Brigitte; Matthes, Jörg; Binder, Alice; Marquart, Franziska; Mayrhofer, Mira; Obereder, Agnes; Spielvogel, Ines

2018-01-01

Research on media induced food choices of children has not sufficiently investigated whether food placements of snacks high in nutritional value can strengthen children's healthy eating behavior. Furthermore, we lack knowledge about the moderating role of children's individual characteristics such as parental food-related mediation or BMI. The current study combines data from an experiment involving children with a survey of their parents. We exposed children to a cartoon either containing no food placements, placements of mandarins (i.e., snack high in nutritional value), or placements of fruit gums (i.e., snack low in nutritional value). Afterwards, food consumption was measured by giving children the option to choose between fruit gums or mandarins. Children in both snack placement conditions showed stronger preference for the snack low in nutritional value (i.e., fruit gum) compared to the control group. Interestingly, neither restrictive nor active food-related mediation prevented the effects of the placements on children's choice of snacks low in nutritional value. Compared to children with a low BMI, children with high BMI levels had a stronger disposition to choose the fruit gums if a snack high in nutritional value (i.e., mandarin) was presented. Thus, making snacks high in nutritional attractive for children through media presentation might need stronger persuasive cues. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Neuropsychological deficits in preschool as predictors of ADHD symptoms and academic achievement in late adolescence

PubMed Central

Sjöwall, Douglas; Bohlin, Gunilla; Rydell, Ann-Margret; Thorell, Lisa B

2017-01-01

High levels of ADHD symptoms are related to severe negative outcomes, which underscore the importance of identifying early markers of these behavior problems. The main aim of the present study was therefore to investigate whether neuropsychological deficits in preschool are related to later ADHD symptoms and academic achievement, over and above the influence of early ADHD symptom levels. The present study is unique because it includes a broader range of predictors compared to previous studies and the participants are followed over time for as long as 13 years (i.e., ages 5–18 years). Preschool data included measures of executive functioning and reaction time variability as well as emotional reactivity and emotion regulation of both positive and negative emotions. When controlling for early ADHD symptom levels, working memory, reaction time variability, and regulation of happiness/exuberance were significantly related to inattention whereas regulation of happiness/exuberance and anger reactivity were significantly related to hyperactivity/impulsivity. Furthermore, working memory and reaction time variability in preschool were significantly related to academic achievement in late adolescence beyond the influence of early ADHD symptoms. These findings could suggest that it is possible to screen for early neuropsychological deficits and thereby identify children who are at risk of negative outcomes. Furthermore, our results suggest that interventions need to look beyond executive functioning deficits in ADHD and also target the role of emotional functioning and reaction time variability. The importance of including both the positive and negative aspects of emotional functioning and distinguishing between emotion regulation and emotional reactivity was also demonstrated. PMID:26212755

Dismantling Bullying with a Class Magazine: Creating Connections and Community

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Almeda, Cheryl H.

2012-01-01

Charlie was a target for bullying in the high school where the author taught. At 15, kids had not grown out of the need to pick on Charlie for his high-pitched voice, his overweight stature, and his uncontrollable and exuberant laugh. What really targeted Charlie for the bullying, however, was his seemingly childlike fascination with drawing comic…

DNA damage in Mexican children living in high-risk contaminated scenarios.

PubMed

Jasso-Pineda, Yolanda; Díaz-Barriga, Fernando; Yáñez-Estrada, Leticia; Pérez-Vázquez, Francisco Javier; Pérez-Maldonado, Ivan Nelinho

2015-06-15

The aim of this study was to evaluate the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage (as a biomarker of biological effects) in children living in areas at high risk of contamination in Mexico using the comet assay. The alkaline comet assay was performed in order to assess DNA damage levels in blood cells of 276 children living in eleven communities in four states of Mexico. Moreover, levels of arsenic and 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) in urine and lead and total DDT [sum of 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethylene (DDE) and 1,1-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-2,2,2-trichloroethane (DDT)] in blood were quantified. We found urinary 1-OHP levels between children exposed to a chemical mixture [high levels of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and DDT were found] had the significant highest DNA damage level (p<0.05) in their blood cells (olive tail moment=7.5±3.5), when compared with DNA damage levels in children living in the other scenarios assessed in this work. Finally, significant correlations were observed between urinary arsenic levels (r=0.32, p<0.05); urinary 1-OHP levels (r=0.65, p<0.01); total DDT in blood levels (r=0.59, p<0.01) and DNA damage. In conclusion, the data indicates that children living in areas which are at high risk of contamination showed high levels of biomarkers of exposure in urine or blood. Moreover, the exposure levels contribute to DNA damage and suggest an increased health risk in studied sites at risk of great pollution. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

ORGANOPHOSPHATE PESTICIDE EXPOSURES - WHERE ARE THE HIGH RISK CHILDREN?

EPA Science Inventory

Methods to identify children at high-risk for organophosphate (OP) pesticide exposure are difficult to develop because biological markers reflect only recent "snapshots" of exposure due to the short half-life of OP compounds (generally about 24 hours). We conducted a series of p...

Gaze Following in Children with Autism: Do High Interest Objects Boost Performance?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thorup, Emilia; Kleberg, Johan Lundin; Falck-Ytter, Terje

2017-01-01

This study tested whether including objects perceived as highly interesting by children with autism during a gaze following task would result in increased first fixation durations on the target objects. It has previously been found that autistic children differentiate less between an object another person attends to and unattended objects in terms…

An Examination of Handedness and Footedness in Children with High Functioning Autism and Asperger Syndrome

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Markoulakis, R.; Scharoun, S. M.; Bryden, P. J.; Fletcher, P. C.

2012-01-01

Motor control deficits have been documented in children with high functioning autism and Asperger syndrome (HFA/AS), but the extent to which these disorders affect the children's footedness must be delineated. Twelve typically developing (TD) children and 12 children with HFA/AS, ages 6-9 years, were recruited. Motor control skills were assessed…

High prevalence of campylobacter excretors among Liberian children related to environmental conditions.

PubMed

Mølbak, K; Højlyng, N; Gaarslev, K

1988-04-01

Campylobacter was the bacterial pathogen most prevalent in 859 children, aged 6-59 months, examined in a house-to-house diarrhoea survey in two Liberian communities. 44.9% of the children from an urban slum and 28.4% from a rural area were excretors. Since the prevalence of diarrhoea was very high and consequently many convalescent carriers were found, it was not possible to evaluate the pathogenic role of campylobacter. The excretor rate increased with age and was significantly correlated to the use of supplementary feeding, inversely correlated to the quality of the water supply, and also associated with helminthic infestation. Results from re-examination of 172 children suggested a high intensity of transmission. The findings all indicate the existence of a heavy environmental contamination with campylobacter, probably of both human and animal faecal origin.

Evaluation of preventive programs in high caries active preschool children.

PubMed

Sundell, Anna Lena; Ullbro, Christer; Koch, Göran

2013-01-01

Although caries prevalence in preschool children has dramatically decreased during the last decades it is still a large problem for a minor group of these children. Great efforts have been invested in finding effective preventive programs for the high caries active preschool children. However, few studies have evaluated and discussed which approach will give the best effect. The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of a "standard" preventive program with a series of programs with more extensive measures during a two-year period. At start one hundred and sixty high caries active preschool children (mean age 4 years) were included in the study. The children were randomly distributed to four groups. All groups were exposed to the basic program composed of dietary counselling, oral hygiene instructions and fluoride varnish application. Three groups were exposed to one additional preventive measure e.g. 1% chlorhexidine gel in trays, 0.2% NaF gel in trays or daily tooth brushing with 1% chlorhexidine gel. The programs were repeated seven times during the two-year study period and were executed by trained dental hygienists. Caries examination and saliva sampling for Streptococcus mutans measurements were performed at start of the study and after two years. The mean defs at start was between 10.8 and 12.6 for the four groups (NS). After two years the caries increment was 1.9 ds in the basic preventive group and between 1.9 and 2.6 (NS) in the other groups. Numerically there were more children in the chlorhexidine groups that showed reduction of Streptococcus mutans counts compared to the other groups, but the differences were small. The mean caries increment of about 1.9 ds per year in all groups indicate that all programs were effective taken into account that the children had about 11 defs at start. There were no differences in caries increment between the basic preventive group and the other groups. The conclusion was that addition of preventive measures

Schizophrenia in High-Risk Children: Sex Differences in Predisposing Factors.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mednick, Sarnoff A.; And Others

Reported is a research program to observe children at high risk for schizophrenia and explore possibilities of prevention. Characteristics of the high risk group (n=207) observed during 1962 are discussed, and a theory which suggests that schizophrenia is an evasion of life is explained. Among results of a diagnostic assessment conducted 10 years…

High lead exposure and auditory sensory-neural function in Andean children.

PubMed Central

Counter, S A; Vahter, M; Laurell, G; Buchanan, L H; Ortega, F; Skerfving, S

1997-01-01

We investigated blood lead (B-Pb) and mercury (B-Hg) levels and auditory sensory-neural function in 62 Andean school children living in a Pb-contaminated area of Ecuador and 14 children in a neighboring gold mining area with no known Pb exposure. The median B-Pb level for 62 children in the Pb-exposed group was 52.6 micrograms/dl (range 9.9-110.0 micrograms/dl) compared with 6.4 micrograms/dl (range 3.9-12.0 micrograms/dl) for the children in the non-Pb exposed group; the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Auditory thresholds for the Pb-exposed group were normal at the pure tone frequencies of 0.25-8 kHz over the entire range of B-Pb levels, Auditory brain stem response tests in seven children with high B-Pb levels showed normal absolute peak and interpeak latencies. The median B-Hg levels were 0.16 micrograms/dl (range 0.04-0.58 micrograms/dl) for children in the Pb-exposed group and 0.22 micrograms/dl (range 0.1-0.44 micrograms/dl) for children in the non-Pb exposed gold mining area, and showed no significant relationship to auditory function. Images Figure 1. Figure 3. A Figure 3. B PMID:9222138

Schematic and realistic biological motion identification in children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder

PubMed Central

Wright, Kristyn; Kelley, Elizabeth; Poulin-Dubois, Diane

2014-01-01

Research investigating biological motion perception in children with ASD has revealed conflicting findings concerning whether impairments in biological motion perception exist. The current study investigated how children with high-functioning ASD (HF-ASD) performed on two tasks of biological motion identification: a novel schematic motion identification task and a point-light biological motion identification task. Twenty-two HFASD children were matched with 21 TD children on gender, non-verbal mental, and chronological, age (M years = 6.72). On both tasks, HF-ASD children performed with similar accuracy as TD children. Across groups, children performed better on animate than on inanimate trials of both tasks. These findings suggest that HF-ASD children's identification of both realistic and schematic biological motion identification is unimpaired. PMID:25395988

Teaching Children with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders to Write Persuasive Essays

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Asaro-Saddler, Kristie; Bak, Nicole

2012-01-01

In this single-subject design study, we examined the effects of an intervention targeting planning and self-regulation strategy use on the persuasive writing of children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Three 8- to 9-year-old children with ASD in third and fourth grades learned a mnemonic-based strategy for planning and…

Insomnia in school-age children with Asperger syndrome or high-functioning autism

PubMed Central

Allik, Hiie; Larsson, Jan-Olov; Smedje, Hans

2006-01-01

Background Asperger syndrome (AS) and high-functioning autism (HFA) are pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) in individuals of normal intelligence. Childhood AS/HFA is considered to be often associated with disturbed sleep, in particular with difficulties initiating and/or maintaining sleep (insomnia). However, studies about the topic are still scarce. The present study investigated childhood AS/HFA regarding a wide range of parent reported sleep-wake behaviour, with a particular focus on insomnia. Methods Thirty-two 8–12 yr old children with AS/HFA were compared with 32 age and gender matched typically developing children regarding sleep and associated behavioural characteristics. Several aspects of sleep-wake behaviour including insomnia were surveyed using a structured paediatric sleep questionnaire in which parents reported their children's sleep patterns for the previous six months. Recent sleep patterns were monitored by use of a one-week sleep diary and actigraphy. Behavioural characteristics were surveyed by use of information gleaned from parent and teacher-ratings in the High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire, and in the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Results Parent-reported difficulties initiating sleep and daytime sleepiness were more common in children with AS/HFA than in controls, and 10/32 children with AS/HFA (31.2%) but none of the controls fulfilled our definition of paediatric insomnia. The parent-reported insomnia corresponded to the findings obtained by actigraphy. Children with insomnia had also more parent-reported autistic and emotional symptoms, and more teacher-reported emotional and hyperactivity symptoms than those children without insomnia. Conclusion Parental reports indicate that in childhood AS/HFA insomnia is a common and distressing symptom which is frequently associated with coexistent behaviour problems. Identification and treatment of sleep problems need to be a routine part of the treatment

Perspectives on high-intensity interval exercise for health promotion in children and adolescents

PubMed Central

Bond, Bert; Weston, Kathryn L; Williams, Craig A; Barker, Alan R

2017-01-01

Physical activity lowers future cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk; however, few children and adolescents achieve the recommended minimum amount of daily activity. Accordingly, there is virtue in identifying the efficacy of small volumes of high-intensity exercise for health benefits in children and adolescents for the primary prevention of CVD risk. The purpose of this narrative review is to provide a novel overview of the available literature concerning high-intensity interval-exercise (HIIE) interventions in children and adolescents. Specifically, the following areas are addressed: 1) outlining the health benefits observed following a single bout of HIIE, 2) reviewing the role of HIIE training in the management of pediatric obesity, and 3) discussing the effectiveness of school-based HIIE training. In total, 39 HIIE intervention studies were included in this review. Based upon the available data, a single bout of high-intensity exercise provides a potent stimulus for favorable, acute changes across a range of cardiometabolic outcomes that are often superior to a comparative bout of moderate-intensity exercise (14 studies reviewed). HIIE also promotes improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiometabolic health status in overweight and obese children and adolescents (10 studies reviewed) and when delivered in the school setting (15 studies reviewed). We thus conclude that high-intensity exercise is a feasible and potent method of improving a range of cardiometabolic outcomes in children and adolescents. However, further work is needed to optimize the delivery of HIIE interventions in terms of participant enjoyment and acceptability, to include a wider range of health outcomes, and to control for important confounding variables (eg, changes in diet and habitual physical activity). Finally, research into the application of HIIE training interventions to children and adolescents of different ages, sexes, pubertal status, and sociocultural backgrounds is

High resolution transbulbar sonography in children with suspicion of increased intracranial pressure.

PubMed

Steinborn, Marc; Friedmann, Melanie; Makowski, Christine; Hahn, Helmut; Hapfelmeier, Alexander; Juenger, Hendrik

2016-04-01

To evaluate the accuracy of high resolution transbulbar sonography for the estimation of intracranial pressure (ICP) in children. In children and adolescents with acute neurologic symptoms of various origin, transbulbar sonography was performed. Besides measurement of the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD), the ultrastructure of the subarachnoid space of the optic nerve sheath was evaluated. The results of transbulbar sonography were correlated with clinical data based on cross-sectional imaging, ICP measurement, and ophthalmologic examination. Eighty-one patients (age 3-17.8 years, mean 11.7 years) were included. In 25 children, cross-sectional imaging and ICP measurement revealed increased intracranial pressure. The mean ONSD was 6.85 ± 0.81 mm. Twenty patients (20/25, 80 %) had a microcystic appearance of the subarachnoid space of the optic nerve. In 56 children without evidence of increased intracranial pressure, the mean ONSD was 5.77 ± 0.48 mm. Forty-nine patients (49/56, 87.5 %) had a normal homogenous appearance of the subarachnoid space. The ONSD in children with increased intracranial pressure was significantly higher than in patients without (p < 0.001). High resolution transbulbar sonography of the optic nerve is a useful technique for the rapid and non-invasive estimation of intracranial pressure in children. Besides measurement of the optic nerve sheath diameter, evaluation of the ultrastructure of the subarachnoid space of the optic nerve is a helpful parameter.

Visual outcomes after spectacles treatment in children with bilateral high refractive amblyopia.

PubMed

Lin, Pei-Wen; Chang, Hsueh-Wen; Lai, Ing-Chou; Teng, Mei-Ching

2016-11-01

The aim was to investigate the visual outcomes of treatment with spectacles for bilateral high refractive amblyopia in children three to eight years of age. Children with previously untreated bilateral refractive amblyopia were enrolled. Bilateral high refractive amblyopia was defined as visual acuity (VA) being worse than 6/9 in both eyes in the presence of 5.00 D or more of hyperopia, 5.00 D or more of myopia and 2.00 D or more of astigmatism. Full myopic and astigmatic refractive errors were corrected, and the hyperopic refractive errors were corrected within 1.00 D of the full correction. All children received visual assessments at four-weekly intervals. VA, Worth four-dot test and Randot preschool stereotest were assessed at baseline and every four weeks for two years. Twenty-eight children with previously untreated bilateral high refractive amblyopia were enrolled. The mean VA at baseline was 0.39 ± 0.24 logMAR and it significantly improved to 0.21, 0.14, 0.11, 0.05 and 0.0 logMAR at four, eight, 12, 24 weeks and 18 months, respectively (all p = 0.001). The mean stereoacuity (SA) was 1,143 ± 617 arcsec at baseline and it significantly improved to 701, 532, 429, 211 and 98 arcsec at four, eight, 12, 24 weeks and 18 months, respectively (all p = 0.001). The time interval for VA achieving 6/6 was significantly shorter in the eyes of low spherical equivalent (SE) (-2.00 D < SE < +2.00 D) than in those of high SE (SE > +2.00 D) (3.33 ± 2.75 months versus 8.11 ± 4.56 months, p = 0.0005). All subjects had normal fusion on Worth four-dot test at baseline and all follow-up visits. Refractive correction with good spectacles compliance improves VA and SA in young children with bilateral high refractive amblyopia. Patients with greater amounts of refractive error will achieve resolution of amblyopia with a longer time. © 2016 Optometry Australia.

High-dose intravenous levetiracetam for acute seizure exacerbation in children with intractable epilepsy.

PubMed

Depositario-Cabacar, Dewi T; Peters, Jurriaan M; Pong, Amanda W; Roth, Julie; Rotenberg, Alexander; Riviello, James J; Takeoka, Masanori

2010-07-01

We review our experience with high-dose intravenous levetiracetam (IV-LEV) for acute seizure exacerbations in nine children with medically intractable epilepsy. All children had acute repetitive seizures-while on chronic antiepileptic drugs-that either led to hospitalization (eight) or occurred during hospitalization (one), and received doses of IV-LEV of 150 mg/kg/day or greater, with a mean dose of 228 +/- 48 mg/kg/day. Eight of nine children had resolution of the acute repetitive seizures. Seizure frequency was reduced to less than baseline in seven children (seizure-free in two, >/=80% reduction in four, and 50% reduction in one). Except for one child with increased seizures, IV-LEV was well tolerated in all children without complications.

High prevalence of campylobacter excretors among Liberian children related to environmental conditions.

PubMed Central

Mølbak, K.; Højlyng, N.; Gaarslev, K.

1988-01-01

Campylobacter was the bacterial pathogen most prevalent in 859 children, aged 6-59 months, examined in a house-to-house diarrhoea survey in two Liberian communities. 44.9% of the children from an urban slum and 28.4% from a rural area were excretors. Since the prevalence of diarrhoea was very high and consequently many convalescent carriers were found, it was not possible to evaluate the pathogenic role of campylobacter. The excretor rate increased with age and was significantly correlated to the use of supplementary feeding, inversely correlated to the quality of the water supply, and also associated with helminthic infestation. Results from re-examination of 172 children suggested a high intensity of transmission. The findings all indicate the existence of a heavy environmental contamination with campylobacter, probably of both human and animal faecal origin. PMID:3356221

WISC-IV and WIAT-II profiles in children with high-functioning autism.

PubMed

Mayes, Susan Dickerson; Calhoun, Susan L

2008-03-01

Children with high-functioning autism earned above normal scores on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition (WISC-IV) Perceptual Reasoning and Verbal Comprehension Indexes and below normal scores on the Working Memory and Processing Speed Indexes and Wechsler Individual Achievement Test-Second Edition (WIAT-II) Written Expression. Full Scale IQ (FSIQ) and reading and math scores were similar to the norm. Profiles were consistent with previous WISC-III research, except that the new WISC-IV motor-free visual reasoning subtests (Matrix Reasoning and Picture Concepts) were the highest of the nonverbal subtests. The WISC-IV may be an improvement over the WISC-III for children with high-functioning autism because it captures their visual reasoning strength, while identifying their attention, graphomotor, and processing speed weaknesses. FSIQ was the best single predictor of academic achievement.

White Matter Microstructure Correlates of Narrative Production in Typically Developing Children and Children with High Functioning Autism

PubMed Central

Mills, Brian; Lai, Janie; Brown, Timothy T.; Erhart, Matthew; Halgren, Eric; Reilly, Judy; Dale, Anders; Appelbaum, Mark; Moses, Pamela

2013-01-01

This study investigated the relationship between white matter microstructure and the development of morphosyntax in a spoken narrative in typically developing children (TD) and in children with high functioning autism (HFA). Autism is characterized by language and communication impairments, yet the relationship between morphosyntactic development in spontaneous discourse contexts and neural development is not well understood in either this population or typical development. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was used to assess multiple parameters of diffusivity as indicators of white matter tract integrity in language-related tracts in children between 6 and 13 years of age. Children were asked to spontaneously tell a story about at time when someone made them sad, mad, or angry. The story was evaluated for morphological accuracy and syntactic complexity. Analysis of the relationship between white matter microstructure and language performance in TD children showed that diffusivity correlated with morphosyntax production in the superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF), a fiber tract traditionally associated with language. At the anatomical level, the HFA group showed abnormal diffusivity in the right inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF) relative to the TD group. Within the HFA group, children with greater white matter integrity in the right ILF displayed greater morphological accuracy during their spoken narrative. Overall, the current study shows an association between white matter structure in a traditional language pathway and narrative performance in TD children. In the autism group, associations were only found in the ILF, suggesting that during real world language use, children with HFA rely less on typical pathways and instead rely on alternative ventral pathways that possibly mediate visual elements of language. PMID:23810972

Second-stage transsphenoidal approach (TSA) for highly vascular pituicytomas in children.

PubMed

Kim, Young Gyu; Park, Young Seok

2015-06-01

A pituicytoma in the sellar area is extremely rare in children and, due to its highly vascularized nature, can be difficult to address using the transsphenoid approach (TSA) to surgery. Here, we report a rare case of a pituicytoma that was completely removed from a child through a staged operation using the TSA. A 13-year-old girl was admitted with a 1-year history of visual disturbance and amenorrhea. Visual field examination showed left total blindness and right temporal hemianopsia. Laboratory results revealed hormonal levels all within normal ranges. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a homogeneous, highly enhancing sellar and suprasellar mass, typically suggestive of a pituitary adenoma. TSA surgery revealed the tumor had a rubbery-firm consistency, hypervascularity, and profuse bleeding. We removed the tumor partially and planned a second-stage operation. Gross total removal is the treatment of choice for this type of tumor. Attempted resection of these presumed adenomas or meningiomas using the TSA often results in unexpectedly heavy intraoperative bleeding due to the high vascularity of this rare tumor, making surgery challenging, especially in children where the tumor is within a relatively narrow corridor. While pituicytomas are a rare differential diagnosis for sellar or parasellar tumors in children, total removal by second-stage TSA surgery is indicated in the case of profuse bleeding or uncertainty of biopsy. Following first-stage TSA surgery and pathologic confirmation of pituicytoma, the strategy is typically gross total removal during second-stage TSA surgery. Although very rare in children, a pituicytoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of a mass in the sellar area if the tumor is highly enhancing or very vascular. Second-stage TSA surgery is another strategy when the pathology is not clear during the first-stage TSA surgery.

High Reading Skills Mask Dyslexia in Gifted Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

van Viersen, Sietske; Kroesbergen, Evelyn H.; Slot, Esther M.; de Bree, Elise H.

2016-01-01

This study investigated how gifted children with dyslexia might be able to mask literacy problems and the role of possible compensatory mechanisms. The sample consisted of 121 Dutch primary school children that were divided over four groups (typically developing [TD] children, children with dyslexia, gifted children, gifted children with…

High-Dose Azithromycin versus High-Dose Amoxicillin-Clavulanate for Treatment of Children with Recurrent or Persistent Acute Otitis Media

PubMed Central

Arrieta, Antonio; Arguedas, Adriano; Fernandez, Pilar; Block, Stan L.; Emperanza, Paz; Vargas, Sergio L.; Erhardt, William A.; de Caprariis, Pascal J.; Rothermel, Constance D.

2003-01-01

Infants and young children, especially those in day care, are at risk for recurrent or persistent acute otitis media (AOM). There are no data on oral alternatives to high-dose amoxicillin-clavulanate for treating AOM in these high-risk patients. In this double-blind, double-dummy multicenter clinical trial, we compared a novel, high-dose azithromycin regimen with high-dose amoxicillin-clavulanate for treatment of children with recurrent or persistent AOM. Three hundred four children were randomized; 300 received either high-dose azithromycin (20 mg/kg of body weight once a day for 3 days) or high-dose amoxicillin-clavulanate (90 mg/kg divided twice a day for 10 days). Tympanocentesis was performed at baseline; clinical response was assessed at day 12 to 16 and day 28 to 32. Two-thirds of patients were aged ≤2 years. A history of recurrent, persistent, or recurrent plus persistent AOM was noted in 67, 18, and 14% of patients, respectively. Pathogens were isolated from 163 of 296 intent-to-treat patients (55%). At day 12 to 16, clinical success rates for azithromycin and amoxicillin-clavulanate were comparable for all patients (86 versus 84%, respectively) and for children aged ≤2 years (85 versus 79%, respectively). At day 28 to 32, clinical success rates for azithromycin were superior to those for amoxicillin-clavulanate for all patients (72 versus 61%, respectively; P = 0.047) and for those aged ≤2 years (68 versus 51%, respectively; P = 0.017). Per-pathogen clinical efficacy against Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae was comparable between the two regimens. The rates of treatment-related adverse events for azithromycin and amoxicillin-clavulanate were 32 and 42%, respectively (P = 0.095). Corresponding compliance rates were 99 and 93%, respectively (P = 0.018). These data demonstrate the efficacy and safety of high-dose azithromycin for treating recurrent or persistent AOM. PMID:14506028

High-Expenditure Pharmaceutical Use Among Children in Medicaid.

PubMed

Cohen, Eyal; Hall, Matt; Lopert, Ruth; Bruen, Brian; Chamberlain, Lisa J; Bardach, Naomi; Gedney, Jennifer; Zima, Bonnie T; Berry, Jay G

2017-09-01

Medication use may be a target for quality improvement, cost containment, and research. We aimed to identify medication classes associated with the highest expenditures among pediatric Medicaid enrollees and to characterize the demographic, clinical, and health service use of children prescribed these medications. Retrospective, cross-sectional study of 3 271 081 Medicaid-enrolled children. Outpatient medication spending among high-expenditure medication classes, defined as the 10 most expensive among 261 mutually exclusive medication classes, was determined by using transaction prices paid to pharmacies by Medicaid agencies and managed care plans among prescriptions filled and dispensed in 2013. Outpatient medications accounted for 16.6% of all Medicaid expenditures. The 10 most expensive medication classes accounted for 63.9% of all medication expenditures. Stimulants (amphetamine-type) accounted for both the highest proportion of expenditures (20.6%) and days of medication use (14.0%) among medication classes. Users of medications in the 10 highest-expenditure classes were more likely to have a chronic condition of any complexity (77.9% vs 41.6%), a mental health condition (35.7% vs 11.9%), or a complex chronic condition (9.8% vs 4.3%) than other Medicaid enrollees (all P < .001). The 4 medications with the highest spending were all psychotropic medications. Polypharmacy was common across all high-expenditure classes. Medicaid expenditure on pediatric medicines is concentrated among a relatively small number of medication classes most commonly used in children with chronic conditions. Interventions to improve medication safety and effectiveness and contain costs may benefit from better delineation of the appropriate prescription of these medications. Copyright © 2017 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The Use of Mentoring Programs to Improve Energy Balance Behaviors in High Risk Children

PubMed Central

Haire-Joshu, Debra; Nanney, Marilyn S.; Elliott, Michael; Davey, Cynthia; Caito, Nicole; Loman, Deborah; Brownson, Ross; Kreuter, Matthew

2013-01-01

Introduction This study tested the impact of “Partners of all Ages Reading About Diet and Exercise” (PARADE), an energy balance intervention incorporated into child mentoring programs. Methods We used a group randomized nested cohort design which randomized mentoring program sites (n=112) and children (N = 296; age=8.5 years) to intervention or usual care conditions. PARADE mentors delivered 8 lesson plans, 8 child-focused computer-tailored storybooks, and 8 parent action support newsletters addressing positive diet and activity behavior patterns. Results When compared to the control group, PARADE children were more knowledgeable of diet and activity guidelines (p<0.01), challenged themselves more to eat 5 fruits and vegetables per day (p=0.04) and to be active one hour daily (p=0.02). Calories from high fat foods decreased in overweight/obese children (p=0.05) but not for normal weight children. There were no significant differences in percent time being active. Among parents there were no significant differences between PARADE and control groups. PARADE parents did report an increase in minutes of walking (p=.13) and modeling activity behaviors to their child (p=.12). Discussion PARADE motivated high needs children to develop healthy energy balance patterns. Children need to be supported by stronger parental involvement and behavior change in providing a positive food and activity environment. Conclusion PARADE provides evidence for the use of multi-component, community-based approaches to reach high risk children and their parents as a routine component of their mentoring experience. PMID:20107465

JPRS Report, China

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-03-10

achievements of the earlier round of reform, for instance, by bringing back the irrational price ratios of yesteryear. Below are some personal opinions...beauty of the contract system and stimulate the exuberant vitality of the socialist state-owned economy. Capital Iron and Steel’s way of contracting way...owned enterprises in which Capital Iron and Steel’s contracting system is representative are filled with vim and vigor, and exhibit great exuberance

The Use of Grammatical Morphemes by Mandarin-Speaking Children with High Functioning Autism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zhou, Peng; Crain, Stephen; Gao, Liqun; Tang, Ye; Jia, Meixiang

2015-01-01

The present study investigated the production of grammatical morphemes by Mandarin-speaking children with high functioning autism. Previous research found that a subgroup of English-speaking children with autism exhibit deficits in the use of grammatical morphemes that mark tense. In order to see whether this impairment in grammatical morphology…

High Reading Skills Mask Dyslexia in Gifted Children.

PubMed

van Viersen, Sietske; Kroesbergen, Evelyn H; Slot, Esther M; de Bree, Elise H

2016-01-01

This study investigated how gifted children with dyslexia might be able to mask literacy problems and the role of possible compensatory mechanisms. The sample consisted of 121 Dutch primary school children that were divided over four groups (typically developing [TD] children, children with dyslexia, gifted children, gifted children with dyslexia). The test battery included measures of literacy (reading/spelling) and cognitive abilities related to literacy and language (phonological awareness [PA], rapid automatized naming [RAN], verbal short-term memory [VSTM], working memory [WM], grammar, and vocabulary). It was hypothesized that gifted children with dyslexia would outperform children with dyslexia on literacy tests. In addition, a core-deficit model including dyslexia-related weaknesses and a compensational model involving giftedness-related strengths were tested using Bayesian statistics to explain their reading/spelling performance. Gifted children with dyslexia performed on all literacy tests in between children with dyslexia and TD children. Their cognitive profile showed signs of weaknesses in PA and RAN and strengths in VSTM, WM, and language skills. Findings indicate that phonology is a risk factor for gifted children with dyslexia, but this is moderated by other skills such as WM, grammar, and vocabulary, providing opportunities for compensation of a cognitive deficit and masking of literacy difficulties. © Hammill Institute on Disabilities 2014.

Urinary Cortisol Circadian Rhythm in a Group of High-Functioning Children with Autism.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Richdale, Amanda L.; Prior, Margot R.

1992-01-01

This study found no evidence for abnormal temporal placement of the basal urinary cortisol circadian rhythm in a group of 18 high-functioning children (ages 4-14) with autism. There was a tendency toward cortisol hypersecretion during the day, predominantly in autistic children who were integrated into the normal school system. (Author/JDD)

An investigation of the security of caregiver attachment during middle childhood in children with high-functioning autistic disorder.

PubMed

Chandler, Felicity; Dissanayake, Cheryl

2014-07-01

Previous research has investigated caregiver attachment relationships in children with autism during early childhood, with few differences found from matched control groups. However, little is known of this relationship during middle childhood (ages 8-12 years). In this study, the aim was to establish whether there are differences in the security of attachment in children with high-functioning autism compared to typically developing children. A secondary aim was to establish whether caregivers' perceptions of their child's attachment to them accorded with the children's own reports. Twenty-one children with high-functioning autism and 17 typically developing children were administered the Kerns Security Scale and the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment-Revised, and caregivers completed the same questionnaires from the viewpoint of their child. There were no differences between the groups in the children's and parents' reports of attachment security. Parents' and children's reports were moderately correlated on the Kerns Security Scale but were not correlated on the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment-Revised. The results indicate that levels of attachment security in children with high-functioning autism are not different from those in typically developing children. © The Author(s) 2013.

Family History Fails to Detect the Majority of Children with High Capillary Blood Total Cholesterol.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Davidson, Dennis M.; And Others

1991-01-01

To examine the predictive value of family history in detecting children with high blood cholesterol, finger-stick screening was done in children (n=1,118) ages 9-10 with parental and grandparental history of cardiovascular disease and risk factors. Findings showed that screening only children with positive family histories will leave most problems…

High Blood Pressure and Chronic Kidney Disease in Children: A Guide for Parents

MedlinePlus

... Events Advocacy Donate A to Z Health Guide High Blood Pressure and Kidney Disease in Children Print Email High ... such as the heart and brain. What is high blood pressure? Blood pressure is the force of your blood ...

Do Social Attribution Skills Improve with Age in Children with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bal, Elgiz; Yerys, Benjamin E.; Sokoloff, Jennifer L.; Celano, Mark J.; Kenworthy, Lauren; Giedd, Jay N.; Wallace, Gregory L.

2013-01-01

Age-related changes in social attribution skills were assessed using the "Triangles Playing Tricks" task in 7-17 year old high functioning children with ASDs (n = 41) and in typically developing (TD) children (n = 58) matched on age, IQ, and sex ratio. Children with ASDs gave responses that received lower intentionality and appropriateness ratings…

Abstract analogical reasoning in high-functioning children with autism spectrum disorders.

PubMed

Green, Adam E; Kenworthy, Lauren; Mosner, Maya G; Gallagher, Natalie M; Fearon, Edward W; Balhana, Carlos D; Yerys, Benjamin E

2014-12-01

Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) exhibit a deficit in spontaneously recognizing abstract similarities that are crucial for generalizing learning to new situations. This may contribute to deficits in the development of appropriate schemas for navigating novel situations, including social interactions. Analogical reasoning is the central cognitive mechanism that enables typically developing children to understand abstract similarities between different situations. Intriguingly, studies of high-functioning children with ASD point to a relative cognitive strength in basic, nonabstract forms of analogical reasoning. If this analogical reasoning ability extends to abstract analogical reasoning (i.e., between superficially dissimilar situations), it may provide a bridge between a cognitive capability and core ASD deficits in areas such as generalization and categorization. This study tested whether preserved analogical reasoning abilities in ASD can be extended to abstract analogical reasoning, using photographs of real-world items and situations. Abstractness of the analogies was determined via a quantitative measure of semantic distance derived from latent semantic analysis. Children with ASD performed as well as typically developing children at identifying abstract analogical similarities when explicitly instructed to apply analogical reasoning. Individual differences in abstract analogical reasoning ability predicted individual differences in a measure of social function in the ASD group. Preliminary analyses indicated that children with ASD, but not typically developing children, showed an effect of age on abstract analogical reasoning. These results provide new evidence that children with ASD are capable of identifying abstract similarities through analogical reasoning, pointing to abstract analogical reasoning as a potential lever for improving generalization skills and social function in ASD. © 2014 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley

Basic Reading Skills in High-Functioning Swedish Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders or Attention Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Asberg, Jakob; Dahlgren, SvenOlof; Dahlgren Sandberg, Annika

2008-01-01

High-functioning children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have been reported to have an early success in reading. Children with attention disorders such as DAMP or ADHD, on the other hand, often struggle acquiring reading skills. The primary aim of the study was two-fold: (a) to compare reading performance of children with ASD, DAMP and…

Social Anxiety in High-Functioning Children and Adolescents with Autism and Asperger Syndrome

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kuusikko, Sanna; Pollock-Wurman, Rachel; Jussila, Katja; Carter, Alice S.; Mattila, Marja-Leena; Ebeling, Hanna; Pauls, David L.; Moilanen, Irma

2008-01-01

We examined social anxiety and internalizing symptoms using the Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory for Children (SPAI-C), the Social Anxiety Scale for Children -Revised (SASC-R), and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) in a sample of fifty-four high-functioning subjects with autism or Asperger syndrome (HFA/AS) (M = 11.2 plus or minus 1.7 years)…

Group Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Children with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders and Anxiety: A Randomized Trial

PubMed Central

Reaven, Judy; Blakeley-Smith, Audrey; Culhane-Shelburne, Kathy; Hepburn, Susan

2015-01-01

Background Children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are at high risk for developing significant anxiety. Anxiety can adversely impact functioning across school, home and community environments. Cognitive behavior therapies (CBT) are frequently used with success for children with anxiety symptoms. Modified CBT interventions for anxiety in children with ASD have also yielded promising results. Methods Fifty children with high-functioning ASD and anxiety were randomized to group CBT or Treatment as Usual (TAU) for 12 weeks. Independent Clinical Evaluators, blind to condition, completed structured interviews (Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule – Parent Version; ADIS-P) pre- and post-intervention condition. Results Forty-seven children completed either the CBT or TAU condition. Results indicated markedly better outcomes for the CBT group. Significant differences by group were noted in Clinician Severity Ratings, diagnostic status, and clinician ratings of global improvement. In the intent-to-treat sample, ten of 20 children (50%) in the CBT group had a clinically meaningful positive treatment response, compared to 2 of 23 children (8.7%) in the TAU group. Conclusions Initial results from this rigorously designed treatment study suggest that a group CBT intervention specifically developed for children with ASD may be effective in decreasing anxiety. Limitations of this study include small sample size, lack of an attention control group, and use of outcome measures normed with typically developing children. PMID:22435114

Lexical and Affective Prosody in Children with High-Functioning Autism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Grossman, Ruth B.; Bemis, Rhyannon H.; Skwerer, Daniela Plesa; Tager-Flusberg, Helen

2010-01-01

Purpose: To investigate the perception and production of lexical stress and processing of affective prosody in adolescents with high-functioning autism (HFA). We hypothesized preserved processing of lexical and affective prosody but atypical lexical prosody production. Method: Sixteen children with HFA and 15 typically developing (TD) peers…

The influence of unsupervised time on elementary school children at high risk for inattention and problem behaviors.

PubMed

Na, Kyoung-Sae; Lee, Soyoung Irene; Hong, Hyun Ju; Oh, Myoung-Ja; Bahn, Geon Ho; Ha, Kyunghee; Shin, Yun Mi; Song, Jungeun; Park, Eun Jin; Yoo, Heejung; Kim, Hyunsoo; Kyung, Yun-Mi

2014-06-01

In the last few decades, changing socioeconomic and family structures have increasingly left children alone without adult supervision. Carefully prepared and limited periods of unsupervised time are not harmful for children. However, long unsupervised periods have harmful effects, particularly for those children at high risk for inattention and problem behaviors. In this study, we examined the influence of unsupervised time on behavior problems by studying a sample of elementary school children at high risk for inattention and problem behaviors. The study analyzed data from the Children's Mental Health Promotion Project, which was conducted in collaboration with education, government, and mental health professionals. The child behavior checklist (CBCL) was administered to assess problem behaviors among first- and fourth-grade children. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the influence of unsupervised time on children's behavior. A total of 3,270 elementary school children (1,340 first-graders and 1,930 fourth-graders) were available for this study; 1,876 of the 3,270 children (57.4%) reportedly spent a significant amount of time unsupervised during the day. Unsupervised time that exceeded more than 2h per day increased the risk of delinquency, aggressive behaviors, and somatic complaints, as well as externalizing and internalizing problems. Carefully planned afterschool programming and care should be provided to children at high risk for inattention and problem behaviors. Also, a more comprehensive approach is needed to identify the possible mechanisms by which unsupervised time aggravates behavior problems in children predisposed for these behaviors. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Unimpaired Perception of Social and Physical Causality, but Impaired Perception of Animacy in High Functioning Children with Autism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Congiu, Sara; Schlottmann, Anne; Ray, Elizabeth

2010-01-01

We investigated perception of social and physical causality and animacy in simple motion events, for high-functioning children with autism (CA = 13, VMA = 9.6). Children matched 14 different animations to pictures showing physical, social or non-causality. In contrast to previous work, children with autism performed at a high level similar to…

High incidence of oral corticosteroids prescriptions in children with asthma in early childhood.

PubMed

Arabkhazaeli, Ali; Vijverberg, Susanne J H; van der Ent, Cornelis K; Raaijmakers, Jan A M; Maitland-van der Zee, Anke H

2016-12-01

Severe asthma exacerbations are often treated with short courses of oral corticosteroids (OCS). This study assessed the incidence of OCS being prescribed in asthmatic children of various age groups and calculated their chances of receiving subsequent OCS prescriptions. Longitudinal Dutch community pharmacy data of 2272 children who were regular users of asthma medication was analyzed retrospectively. Incidence rates for first, second and third prescriptions of OCS were calculated, stratified by age and sex. Probabilities of receiving first, second or third OCS prescriptions were assessed with Kaplan-Meier analysis. Incidence rates for first OCS prescriptions were 4.5 for the 1(st) year of life per 100 person-years (100PY); 3.9 for the 2(nd); 4.6 for the 3(rd); 4.2 for the 4(th), and 4.7 for the 5(th) year of life per 100PY. This was relatively high compared to incidence rates for children between the ages of 6 and 11 (ranging between 2.2 per 100PY (age 9) and 3.7(age 11)). Incidence rates for second and third OCS prescriptions were very high: 78.2(95%CI: 45.0-123.7) and 241.2(95%CI: 81.2-583.4) per 100PY for infants, respectively. The chances of receiving a first OCS prescription was higher in males (P value < 0.01). In the Netherlands, the incidence of OCS being prescribed to children being treated with asthma medication in early childhood is relatively high for first OCS prescriptions and extremely high for second and third OCS prescriptions compared to other ages. Furthermore, there is a high probability of receiving a further OCS prescription shortly after an OCS prescription.

Elevated Metabolites of Steroidogenesis and Amino Acid Metabolism in Preadolescent Female Children With High Urinary Bisphenol A Levels: A High-Resolution Metabolomics Study.

PubMed

Khan, Adnan; Park, Hyesook; Lee, Hye Ah; Park, Bohyun; Gwak, Hye Sun; Lee, Hye-Ra; Jee, Sun Ha; Park, Youngja H

2017-12-01

Health risks associated with bisphenol A (BPA) exposure are controversially highlighted by numerous studies. High-resolution metabolomics (HRM) can confirm these proposed associations and may provide a mechanistic insight into the connections between BPA exposure and metabolic perturbations. This study was aimed to identify the changes in metabolomics profile due to BPA exposure in urine and serum samples collected from female and male children (n = 18) aged 7-9. Urine was measured for BPA concentration, and the children were subsequently classified into high and low BPA groups. HRM, coupled with Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/MS, followed by multivariate statistical analysis using MetaboAnalyst 3.0, were performed on urine to discriminate metabolic profiles between high and low BPA children as well as males and females, followed by further validation of our findings in serum samples obtained from same population. Metabolic pathway analysis showed that biosynthesis of steroid hormones and 7 other pathways-amino acid and nucleotide biosynthesis, phenylalanine metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, tyrosine metabolism, lysine degradation, pyruvate metabolism, and arginine biosynthesis-were affected in high BPA children. Elevated levels of metabolites associated with these pathways in urine and serum were mainly observed in female children, while these changes were negligible in male children. Our results suggest that the steroidogenesis pathway and amino acid metabolism are the main targets of perturbation by BPA in preadolescent girls. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Toxicology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Are high lags of accommodation in myopic children due to motor deficits?

PubMed

Labhishetty, Vivek; Bobier, William R

2017-01-01

Children with a progressing myopia exhibit an abnormal pattern of high accommodative lags coupled with high accommodative convergence (AC/A) and high accommodative adaptation. This is not predicted by the current models of accommodation and vergence. Reduced accommodative plant gain and reduced sensitivity to blur have been suggested as potential causes for this abnormal behavior. These etiologies were tested by altering parameters (sensory, controller and plant gains) in the Simulink model of accommodation. Predictions were then compared to the static and dynamic blur accommodation (BA) measures taken using a Badal optical system on 12 children (6 emmetropes and 6 myopes, 8-13years) and 6 adults (20-35years). Other critical parameters such as CA/C, AC/A, and accommodative adaptation were also measured. Usable BA responses were classified as either typical or atypical. Typical accommodation data confirmed the abnormal pattern of myopia along with an unchanged CA/C. Main sequence relationship remained invariant between myopic and nonmyopic children. An overall reduction was noted in the response dynamics such as peak velocity and acceleration with age. Neither a reduced plant gain nor reduced blur sensitivity could predict the abnormal accommodative behavior. A model adjustment reflecting a reduced accommodative sensory gain (ASG) coupled with an increased AC cross-link gain and reduced vergence adaptive gain does predict the empirical findings. Empirical measures also showed a greater frequency of errors in accommodative response generation (atypical responses) in both myopic and control children compared to adults. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Reflections on having children in the future--interviews with highly educated women and men without children.

PubMed

Eriksson, Carola; Larsson, Margareta; Tydén, Tanja

2012-08-01

There is a trend to delay birth of the first child until the age at which female reproductive capacity has started to decrease. The aim of the present study was to explore how highly educated women and men reflected on future parenthood. Twenty-two women and 18 men, who had started their professional career, were subjected to individual qualitative semi-structured interviews with qualitative content analysis guiding the analysis. All informants, except for three women, planned to have children when some important prerequisites were fulfilled. Women and men reflected in much the same way, and prerequisites for parenthood were being of reasonable age and having a partner in the same phase of life. A reasonable age was considered in relation to reproductive capacity, and both women and men expressed awareness of the natural decline in fertility at higher ages. Good living conditions with stable finances were also important. Parenthood was perceived as a challenge and a sacrifice but also as enriching life. Reasons for having children included being part of the future and settling down to build their own family. Many concluded that there would never be a perfect time for having children. Highly educated women and men reflect on various factors when considering family planning. Being of reasonable age and having good living conditions, in particular a sound personal economy, were important. Given their goals, it is not surprising that many postpone parenthood until ages when female reproductive capacity is decreased.

Effects of topical application of silver sulfadiazine cream, triple antimicrobial ointment, or hyperosmolar nanoemulsion on wound healing, bacterial load, and exuberant granulation tissue formation in bandaged full-thickness equine skin wounds.

PubMed

Harmon, Caroline C Gillespie; Hawkins, Jan F; Li, Jianming; Connell, Sean; Miller, Margaret; Saenger, Megan; Freeman, Lynetta J

2017-05-01

OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of 3 topically applied treatments (1% silver sulfadiazine cream [SSC], triple antimicrobial ointment [TAO], and hyperosmolar nanoemulsion [HNE]) on microbial counts, exuberant granulation tissue (EGT) development, and reepithelialization of contaminated wounds at the distal aspect of the limbs of horses. ANIMALS 8 healthy adult horses. PROCEDURES A 2.5 × 2.5-cm, full-thickness, cutaneous wound was created at the dorsal aspect of each metacarpus and metatarsus (1 wound/limb/horse), covered with nonadhesive dressing, and bandaged. Wounds were inoculated with bacteria and fungi the next day. Each wound on a given horse was randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups (SSC, TAO, HNE, or no topical treatment [control]). Bandage changes, culture of wound samples, treatments, photography for wound measurements, and biopsy were performed at predetermined time points. Time (days) until wound closure, number of EGT excisions, microbial counts, and scores for selected histologic characteristics were compared among groups. RESULTS Median time to wound closure for all groups was 42 days. Time to wound closure and histologic characteristics of wound healing did not differ among groups. Least squares mean microbial counts were significantly higher for HNE-treated wounds on days 9 and 21, compared with SSC-treated and TAO-treated wounds, but not controls. Proportions of SSC-treated (7/8) or HNE-treated (5/8) wounds needing EGT excision were significantly greater than that of TAO-treated (1/8) wounds. The proportion of SSC-treated wounds with EGT excision was greater than that of controls (3/8). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE None of the treatments resulted in more rapid wound closure, compared with that for untreated control wounds under the study conditions. When treatment is warranted, TAO may help to limit EGT formation.

Current insights in invasive group A streptococcal infections in pediatrics.

PubMed

Filleron, Anne; Jeziorski, Eric; Michon, Anne-Laure; Rodière, Michel; Marchandin, Hélène

2012-11-01

A rising incidence of invasive group A Streptococcus infections (IGASI) has been noted in children in the past three decades. The relative frequency of the infection types showed marked differences to IGASI in adults, and severity of the disease resulted in a mortality rate usually comprising between 3.6% and 8.3%. The emm1-type group A Streptococcus (GAS) subclone displaying a particular pattern of virulence factors was widely disseminated and prevalent in children with IGASI while the emm3-type GAS subclone appeared as a recent emerging genotype. However, the implication of these hypervirulent clones in the increase of IGASI in children is still controversial. Recent advances in our knowledge on pathogenesis of IGASI underlined that deregulation of virulence factor production, individual susceptibility, as well as exuberant cytokine response are important factors that may account for the severity of the disease in children. Future changes in IGASI epidemiology are awaited from current prospects for a safe and effective vaccine against GAS. IGASI are complex infections associating septic, toxic, and immunological disorders. Treatment has to be effective on both the etiologic agent and its toxins, due to the severity of the disease associated to the spread of highly virulent bacterial clones. More generally, emergence of virulent clones responsible for septic and toxic disease is a matter of concern in pediatric infectiology in the absence of vaccination strategy.

Tolerability of donkey's milk in 92 highly-problematic cow's milk allergic children.

PubMed

Monti, G; Viola, S; Baro, C; Cresi, F; Tovo, P A; Moro, G; Ferrero, M P; Conti, A; Bertino, E

2012-01-01

Not exclusively breastfed children with cow's milk allergy (CMA) require a formula or other alternative food, but past and present guidelines differ concerning the best choice. Our aim was to investigate the clinical tolerability, palatability and nutritional adequacy of donkey's milk (DM) in children with proven CMA. It was important to identify a CM replacement for these children, highly problematic from the feeding standpoint, in spite of their age. A prospective study was conducted on 92 children with CMA, diagnosed through a CM elimination diet, followed by double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge (DBPCFC) unless contraindicated. Maternal milk was unavailable and current CM substitutes could not be used. Moreover, 89 percent were affected by multiple FA, and subjected to very restricted diets. Within 3 months after the last CM challenge, DBPCFC for DM was performed. CM or DM skin prick test and sIgE determination preceded the CM or DM challenge, respectively. Native electrophoresis and immunoblotting were used to identify CM and DM cross-reactive proteins. Z-scores of weight and length/stature for age were calculated at DM food challenge (T0) and during DM assumption. 83 children (90.2 percent) liked and tolerated DM, at challenge and during follow-up, with increased Z-score for weight and length/stature and improved nutritional parameters. Bovine beta-lactoglobulin was identified as the cross-reacting protein among the DM allergic patients. DM was found to be a valid alternative foodstuff, in terms of clinical tolerability, palatability and nutritional adequacy, in subjects with CMA who were highly problematic from the feeding standpoint.

Maladaptive cognitive appraisals in children with high-functioning autism: associations with fear, anxiety and theory of mind.

PubMed

Sharma, Shilpi; Woolfson, Lisa M; Hunter, Simon C

2014-04-01

Despite the well-documented success of cognitive restructuring techniques in the treatment of anxiety disorders, there is still little clarity on which cognitions underpin fear and anxiety in children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder. This study examined whether certain cognitive appraisals, known to be associated with fear and anxiety in typically developing groups, may help explain these emotions in children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder. It also investigated relations between these cognitive appraisals and theory of mind. Appraisals, fear and anxiety were assessed using a vignette approach in 22 children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders and 22 typically developing children. The two groups differed significantly on all four appraisal types. Anxiety was negatively correlated with future expectancy and positively with problem-focused coping potential in the high-functioning autism spectrum disorder group but was not correlated with appraisals in the typically developing group. The two appraisals associated with fear were emotion-focused coping potential (in the high-functioning autism spectrum disorder group only) and self-accountability (in the typically developing group only). Linear regression analysis found that appraisals of emotion-focused coping potential, problem-focused coping potential and future expectancy were significant predictors of theory-of-mind ability in the high-functioning autism spectrum disorders group. These findings indicate that specific, problematic patterns of appraisal may characterise children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders.

Using Grounded Theory to Understand Resiliency in Pre-Teen Children of High-Conflict Families

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pomrenke, Marlene

2007-01-01

Using grounded theory, this study identified factors that contributed to children's ability to utilize their resilient attributes. Children between the ages of 9 and 12 from high-conflict separated or divorced families participated in a study that examined how family and community interactions promote resilient behaviour. Substantive-level theory…

Preference for High Status Predicts Implicit Outgroup Bias among Children from Low-Status Groups

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Newheiser, Anna-Kaisa; Dunham, Yarrow; Merrill, Anna; Hoosain, Leah; Olson, Kristina R.

2014-01-01

Whereas members of high-status racial groups show ingroup preference when attitudes are measured implicitly, members of low-status racial groups--both adults and children--typically show no bias, potentially reflecting awareness of the ingroup's low status. We hypothesized that when status differences are especially pronounced, children from…

Diabetes risk factors in children: a partnership between nurse practitioner and high school students.

PubMed

Lipman, Terri H; Schucker, Mary McGrath; Ratcliffe, Sarah J; Holmberg, Tyler; Baier, Scott; Deatrick, Janet A

2011-01-01

This project was a 4-year university/community collaboration to (1) screen for diabetes risk factors in children from in an inner-city community; (2) assess children's knowledge of nutrition and measure their physical endurance; and (3) survey parents about barriers to healthy living. Descriptive cross-sectional study utilizing a community participatory-based research approach. For a 4-week period each year, nurse practitioner students and high school students partnered in an evaluation of elementary school children that included assessment of (1) height, weight, waist circumference, BMI, and acanthosis nigricans; (2) scores on a nutrition knowledge test; and (3) recovery heart rate after a dance activity. Parents of the children were surveyed regarding barriers to healthy eating and activity. A total of 240 African American children were evaluated: 25% were obese, 24% had a waist circumference >95th percentile, and 14% had acanthosis nigricans. The mean score of a nutrition knowledge test was 65%, and recovery heart rates were significantly higher than preexercise heart rates. Of 48 parents surveyed, the most common barrier to eating healthy reported was the children's picky eating (62%), and most common barrier to activity was lack of access to safe places to play (54%). Nurses working with children from inner-city communities should be especially aware of the children's many risk factors for diabetes. Clinicians who hope to make a difference in altering these risks should collaborate with the community to target high-risk populations for diabetes screening, promote good nutrition and exercise, and address barriers to healthy living. When developing plans of care for children, regardless of setting, it is critical to understand the community and incorporate the families as partners in developing culturally relevant interventions.

Neuropsychological evaluation of high-risk children from birth to seven years of age.

PubMed

Nogueira Cruz, Judith; Laynez Rubio, Carolina; Cruz Quintana, Francisco; Perez Garcia, Miguel

2012-03-01

High Risk Children (HRC) are those with an increased risk of abnormal development due to any factor affecting neurological growth. Those factors have been the focus of most studies in this area. However, little is known about their long-term consequences over the course of child development. The goal was to study the cognitive, emotional and academic outcomes of 7-year-old children diagnosed as HRC at birth. We compared 14 HRC and 20 healthy children using the WISC-IV, BASC and Brunet-Lezine tests. HRC showed cognitive, emotional and academic deficits compared with healthy children. However, Brunet-Lezine scores obtained over the course of development (6, 12, 18 and 24 months) were not predictive of the children's' current psychological status. Long-term follow-up with HRC should be maintained until 7 years of age, at which point an appropriate treatment should be implemented.

Self-Management for Children with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wilkinson, Lee A.

2008-01-01

Supporting children with autism spectrum disorders in the general education classroom presents a unique challenge to the teachers and schools that serve them. This article addresses the utility of self-management as a proactive strategy for increasing the task engagement and compliant behavior of high-functioning students with autism. The author…

Mean-level change and intraindividual variability in self-esteem and depression among high-risk children

PubMed Central

Kim, Jungmeen; Cicchetti, Dante

2012-01-01

This study investigated mean-level changes and intraindividual variability of self-esteem among maltreated (n=142) and nonmaltreated (n=109) school-aged children from low-income families. Longitudinal factor analysis revealed higher temporal stability of self-esteem among maltreated children compared to nonmaltreated children. Cross-domain latent growth curve models indicated that nonmaltreated children showed higher initial levels and greater increases in self-esteem than maltreated children, and that the initial levels of self-esteem were significantly associated with depressive symptoms among maltreated and nonmaltreated children. The average level (mean of repeated measurements) of self-esteem was predictive of depression at the final occasion for both maltreated and nonmaltreated children. For nonmaltreated children intraindividual variability of self-esteem had a direct contribution to prediction of depression. The findings enhance our understanding of developmental changes in self-esteem and the role of the average level and within-person variability of self-esteem in predicting depressive symptoms among high-risk children. PMID:22822280

Public Concern about the Sale of High-Caffeine Drinks to Children 12 Years or Younger: An Australian Regulatory Perspective

PubMed Central

Pollard, Christina Mary; McStay, Catrina Lisa; Meng, Xingqiong

2015-01-01

Background. Dietary exposure to high caffeine is a health risk for children. Governments are considering measures to restrict the sale of formulated caffeinated beverages (FCB) to children. Objectives. To investigate community concern about sales of high-caffeine drinks to children among Western Australian adults and describe Australian and New Zealand regulatory processes regarding FCB. Methods. Data from the 2009 and 2012 Department of Health's Nutrition Monitoring Survey Series of 2,832 Western Australians aged 18–64 years was pooled with descriptive and ordinal logistic regression analysis performed. Current regulatory processes for FCB are reported. Results. Most (85%) participants were concerned about the sale of high-caffeine drinks to children; 77.4% were very concerned in 2012 compared to 66.5% in 2009, p < .008. Females and those living with children had higher concern (odds ratio (OR) 2.11; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.44–3.10; OR 2.16; 95% CI 1.51–3.09, resp., p < .001). Concern increased with each year of age (OR 1.04; 95% CI 1.02, 1.05, p < .001). Conclusions. Community concern regarding sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children is high and increasing. Being female and living with children were associated with greater concern. These findings support the Australian and New Zealand regulatory controls of FCB, including labelling, promotion, and advertising to children. PMID:26504823

Public Concern about the Sale of High-Caffeine Drinks to Children 12 Years or Younger: An Australian Regulatory Perspective.

PubMed

Pollard, Christina Mary; McStay, Catrina Lisa; Meng, Xingqiong

2015-01-01

Dietary exposure to high caffeine is a health risk for children. Governments are considering measures to restrict the sale of formulated caffeinated beverages (FCB) to children. Objectives. To investigate community concern about sales of high-caffeine drinks to children among Western Australian adults and describe Australian and New Zealand regulatory processes regarding FCB. Data from the 2009 and 2012 Department of Health's Nutrition Monitoring Survey Series of 2,832 Western Australians aged 18-64 years was pooled with descriptive and ordinal logistic regression analysis performed. Current regulatory processes for FCB are reported. Most (85%) participants were concerned about the sale of high-caffeine drinks to children; 77.4% were very concerned in 2012 compared to 66.5% in 2009, p < .008. Females and those living with children had higher concern (odds ratio (OR) 2.11; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.44-3.10; OR 2.16; 95% CI 1.51-3.09, resp., p < .001). Concern increased with each year of age (OR 1.04; 95% CI 1.02, 1.05, p < .001). Community concern regarding sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children is high and increasing. Being female and living with children were associated with greater concern. These findings support the Australian and New Zealand regulatory controls of FCB, including labelling, promotion, and advertising to children.

Change in Behavioural Symptoms in Children with High-Functioning Autism and Asperger Syndrome: Evidence for One Disorder?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dissanayake, Cheryl

2004-01-01

The aim of the study reported here was to establish whether the behavioural profiles of children with high-functioning autism (HFA) come to approximate the profile of children with Asperger Syndrome (AS) over time. The parents of 21 children with HFA and 19 children with AS, all aged between five and 11 years and matched on chronological and…

An examination of handedness and footedness in children with high functioning autism and Asperger syndrome.

PubMed

Markoulakis, R; Scharoun, S M; Bryden, P J; Fletcher, P C

2012-10-01

Motor control deficits have been documented in children with high functioning autism and Asperger syndrome (HFA/AS), but the extent to which these disorders affect the children's footedness must be delineated. Twelve typically developing (TD) children and 12 children with HFA/AS, ages 6-9 years, were recruited. Motor control skills were assessed through a variety of footedness tasks to determine location and nature of impairment, regarding motor dominance. Overall, greater inconsistencies in dominance arose in children with HFA/AS, through disparities in measures of preference. Results will have broader implications for understanding motor impairments in children with HFA/AS as determined by comparing performance on footedness tasks, as well as for the design of interventions to account for these deficits.

Group Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Children with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders and Anxiety: A Randomized Trial

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reaven, Judy; Blakeley-Smith, Audrey; Culhane-Shelburne, Kathy; Hepburn, Susan

2012-01-01

Background: Children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are at high risk for developing significant anxiety. Anxiety can adversely impact functioning across school, home and community environments. Cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT) are frequently used with success for children with anxiety symptoms. Modified CBT interventions…

High reticulocyte count is an independent risk factor for cerebrovascular disease in children with sickle cell anemia.

PubMed

Silva, Célia Maria; Giovani, Poliana; Viana, Marcos Borato

2011-01-01

Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) is an important way of detecting risk of ischemic stroke in children with sickle cell anemia. A random sample of 262 FS-hemoglobin children from a newborn screening inception cohort in Brazil (1998-2005) was followed up to May 2009. Pulsed TCD followed STOP protocol. Children with mean blood flow velocity < 170 cm/sec in cerebral arteries were classified as low risk; between 170 and 184, low conditional risk; between 185 and 199, high conditional risk; and ≥ 200, high risk. Median age, 6.2 years (2-11.2 years); 147 female; 13 children (5%) had ischemic stroke prior to TCD; 186/249 (74.7%) were classified as low risk; 19 (7.6%) as low conditional; 7 (2.8%) as high conditional; and 8 (3.2%) as high risk; inadequate tests, 11.6%. The probability of ischemic stroke at 10 years was 8.3% (SEM 2.3%); of stroke or high-risk TCD 15.6% (3.5%). Children with stroke or altered TCD (conditional and high risk) were compared to children with normal examinations. They were younger (P = 0.03), with lower hemoglobin (P = 0.003), higher leukocytosis (P = 0.015), and higher reticulocytosis (P < 0.001). Episodes per year of acute chest syndrome were also higher in that group, but not significantly (P = 0.09). Reticulocytosis remained the only significant variable upon multivariate analysis (P = 0.004). Basilar and middle cerebral artery velocities were significantly correlated (R = 0.55; P < 0.001). Probability of stroke was similar to international reports; of belonging to high-risk group, lower. High-reticulocyte count was the most important factor associated with cerebrovascular disease. Basilar artery velocity > 130 cm/sec seems to be an indirect sign of an underlying cerebrovascular disease. Copyright © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Preference for High Status Predicts Implicit Outgroup Bias among Children from Low-Status Groups

PubMed Central

Newheiser, Anna-Kaisa; Dunham, Yarrow; Merrill, Anna; Hoosain, Leah; Olson, Kristina R.

2014-01-01

Whereas members of high-status racial groups show ingroup preference when attitudes are measured implicitly, members of low-status racial groups – both adults and children – typically show no bias, potentially reflecting awareness of the ingroup’s low status. We hypothesized that when status differences are especially pronounced, children from low-status groups would show an implicit outgroup bias, the strength of which might relate to attitudes toward status. We tested these predictions among 6–11-year-old Black and Coloured (i.e., multiracial) children from South Africa, a country marked by extreme status differentials among racial groups. As a measure of implicit intergroup bias, children (N=78) completed an Implicit Association Test, a speeded categorization task that assesses the relative strength of association between two target groups (in the present study, either Whites vs. Blacks or Whites vs. Coloureds) and positive versus negative evaluation. Children also completed explicit (i.e., self-report) measures of attitudes toward racial groups, as well as rich and poor people (a measure of attitudes toward status). Both groups of children showed an implicit outgroup-favoring (i.e., pro-White) bias, suggesting that children were sensitive to the extent of status differences. The only instance in which implicit pro-White bias did not emerge involved Black children’s evaluations of Whites versus Coloureds, both higher-status outgroups. Explicit preference for high status predicted implicit pro-White bias, particularly when the IAT contrasted two outgroups. The impact of status on the development of implicit and explicit intergroup bias is discussed. PMID:24219317

Identifying Children at Risk of High Myopia Using Population Centile Curves of Refraction.

PubMed

Chen, Yanxian; Zhang, Jian; Morgan, Ian G; He, Mingguang

2016-01-01

To construct reference centile curves of refraction based on population-based data as an age-specific severity scale to evaluate their efficacy as a tool for identifying children at risk of developing high myopia in a longitudinal study. Data of 4218 children aged 5-15 years from the Guangzhou Refractive Error Study in Children (RESC) study, and 354 first-born twins from the Guangzhou Twin Eye Study (GTES) with annual visit were included in the analysis. Reference centile curves for refraction were constructed using a quantile regression model based on the cycloplegic refraction data from the RESC. The risk of developing high myopia (spherical equivalent ≤ -6 diopters [D]) was evaluated as a diagnostic test using the twin follow-up data. The centile curves suggested that the 3rd, 5th, and 10th percentile decreased from -0.25 D, 0.00 D and 0.25 D in 5 year-olds to -6.00 D, -5.65D and -4.63 D in 15 year-olds in the population-based data from RESC. In the GTES cohort, the 5th centile showed the most effective diagnostic value with a sensitivity of 92.9%, a specificity of 97.9% and a positive predictive value (PPV) of 65.0% in predicting high myopia onset (≤-6.00D) before the age of 15 years. The PPV was highest (87.5%) in 3rd centile but with only 50.0% sensitivity. The Mathew's correlation coefficient of 5th centile in predicting myopia of -6.0D/-5.0D/-4.0D by age of 15 was 0.77/0.51/0.30 respectively. Reference centile curves provide an age-specific estimation on a severity scale of refractive error in school-aged children. Children located under lower percentiles at young age were more likely to have high myopia at 15 years or probably in adulthood.

Reflections on having children in the future—interviews with highly educated women and men without children

PubMed Central

Eriksson, Carola; Larsson, Margareta

2012-01-01

Background There is a trend to delay birth of the first child until the age at which female reproductive capacity has started to decrease. The aim of the present study was to explore how highly educated women and men reflected on future parenthood. Methods Twenty-two women and 18 men, who had started their professional career, were subjected to individual qualitative semi-structured interviews with qualitative content analysis guiding the analysis. Results All informants, except for three women, planned to have children when some important prerequisites were fulfilled. Women and men reflected in much the same way, and prerequisites for parenthood were being of reasonable age and having a partner in the same phase of life. A reasonable age was considered in relation to reproductive capacity, and both women and men expressed awareness of the natural decline in fertility at higher ages. Good living conditions with stable finances were also important. Parenthood was perceived as a challenge and a sacrifice but also as enriching life. Reasons for having children included being part of the future and settling down to build their own family. Many concluded that there would never be a perfect time for having children. Conclusion Highly educated women and men reflect on various factors when considering family planning. Being of reasonable age and having good living conditions, in particular a sound personal economy, were important. Given their goals, it is not surprising that many postpone parenthood until ages when female reproductive capacity is decreased. PMID:22300332

FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH INDISCRIMINATE FRIENDLINESS IN HIGH-RISK CHILDREN.

PubMed

Love, Leighanne; Minnis, Helen; O'connor, Suzy

2015-01-01

Indiscriminate friendliness (IF) refers to a lack of reticence with strangers and is well-documented in neglected children. This risky behavior is distinct from attachment insecurity, and persists when parenting/caregiving improves. A previous review has suggested that caregiving quality is not associated with IF. This review aimed to explore factors associated with IF and whether quality of caregiving is important. Ten articles were reviewed using the S.H. Downs and N. Black (1998) Checklist for randomized and nonrandomized studies. Overall quality was high. Results showed that IF is present in fostered populations and postinstitutionalized children. Attachment security was not associated with IF. Length of time in institution and inhibitory control were associated with IF. Inhibitory control moderated the association between IF and number of caregivers. Genetic factors predispose children to IF and may impact on persistence. Quality of caregiving was associated with IF. Emotional availability (i.e., the degree to which carer and child are able to respond to each other's emotional signals) predicted IF. Limitations across studies included heterogeneity in IF measurement and unreliable measures of preadoptive care. Parenting may be a useful target for intervention. Future research should focus on developing a standardized measure of IF as well as evaluating a parental intervention. © 2015 Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health.

Outcome of Children with Hyperventilation-Induced High-Amplitude Rhythmic Slow Activity with Altered Awareness

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barker, Alexander; Ng, Joanne; Rittey, Christopher D. C.; Kandler, Rosalind H.; Mordekar, Santosh R.

2012-01-01

Hyperventilation-induced high-amplitude rhythmic slow activity with altered awareness (HIHARS) is increasingly being identified in children and is thought to be an age-related non-epileptic electrographic phenomenon. We retrospectively investigated the clinical outcome in 15 children (six males, nine females) with HIHARS (mean age 7y, SD 1y 11mo;…

Impact of the DSM-V Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Criteria for Diagnosing Children With High IQ.

PubMed

Thongseiratch, Therdpong; Worachotekamjorn, Juthamas

2016-10-01

This study compared the number of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) cases defined by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM)-IV versus DSM-V criterion in children who have learning or behavioral problems with high IQ. The medical records of children ≤15 years of age who presented with learning or behavioral problems and underwent a Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC)-III IQ test at the Pediatric Outpatient Clinic unit between 2010 and 2015 were reviewed. Information on DSM-IV and DSM-V criteria for ADHD were derived from computer-based medical records. Twenty-eight children who had learning or behavioral problems were identified to have a full-scale IQ ≥120. Sixteen of these high-IQ children met the DSM-IV criteria diagnosis for ADHD. Applying the extension of the age-of-onset criterion from 7 to 12 years in DSM-V led to an increase of three cases, all of which were the inattentive type ADHD. Including the pervasive developmental disorder criterion led to an increase of one case. The total number of ADHD cases also increased from 16 to 20 in this group. The data supported the hypothesis that applying the extension of the age-of-onset ADHD criterion and enabling the diagnosis of children with pervasive developmental disorders will increase the number of ADHD diagnoses among children with high IQ. © The Author(s) 2016.

Maternal high-risk fertility behavior and association with chronic undernutrition among children under age 5 y in India, Bangladesh, and Nepal: Do poor children have a higher risk?

PubMed

Rahman, Mosiur; Haque, Syed Emdadul; Zahan, Sarwar; Islam, Jahirul; Rahman, Mosfequr; Asaduzzaman, M D; Haque, Nuruzzaman; Islam, Ahmed Zohirul; Huda, Durul; Mostofa, Golam

2018-05-01

We aimed to examine whether an association exists between maternal high-risk fertility behavior and chronic undernutrition among children under 5 y of age. In addition, we explored the relationship between poverty and high-risk fertility behavior and the relative roles they play as obstacles in the reduction of the risk of undernutrition among children. The analysis was based on responses from married women ages 15 to 49 who lived with at least one child under the age of 5; and three cross-sectional, nationally representative samples from India, Bangladesh, and Nepal were considered. Maternal high-risk fertility behavior was associated with an increased risk of chronic undernutrition among children in India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. Multiple high-risk categories appeared to have more profound consequences on the outcomes measured. Findings also demonstrated that with regard to the risk of undernutrition, children of mothers who were either poor or who experienced high-risk fertility were not uniquely disadvantaged. The results suggest that with regard to the risk of chronic undernutrition, the negative effect of high-risk fertility behavior extends across all economic backgrounds and is not limited to children of mothers who were either poor or who experienced high-risk fertility. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Affective empathy, cognitive empathy and social attention in children at high risk of criminal behaviour.

PubMed

van Zonneveld, Lisette; Platje, Evelien; de Sonneville, Leo; van Goozen, Stephanie; Swaab, Hanna

2017-08-01

Empathy deficits are hypothesized to underlie impairments in social interaction exhibited by those who engage in antisocial behaviour. Social attention is an essential precursor to empathy; however, no studies have yet examined social attention in relation to cognitive and affective empathy in those exhibiting antisocial behaviour. Participants were 8- to 12-year-old children at high risk of developing criminal behaviour (N = 114, 80.7% boys) and typically developing controls (N = 43, 72.1% boys). The high-risk children were recruited through an ongoing early identification and intervention project of the city of Amsterdam, focusing on the underage siblings or children of delinquents and those failing primary school. Video clips with neutral and emotional content (fear, happiness and pain) were shown, while heart rate (HR), skin conductance level (SCL) and skin conductance responses (SCRs) were recorded to measure affective empathy. Answers to questions about emotions in the clips were coded to measure cognitive empathy. Eye-tracking was used to evaluate visual scanning patterns towards social relevant cues (eyes and face) in the clips. The high-risk group did not differ from the control group in social attention and cognitive empathy, but showed reduced HR to pain and fear, and reduced SCL and SCRs to pain. Children at high risk of developing criminal behaviour show impaired affective empathy but unimpaired social attention and cognitive empathy. The implications for early identification and intervention studies with antisocial children are discussed. © 2017 Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health.

High blood Pressure in children and its correlation with three definitions of obesity in childhood

PubMed Central

de Moraes, Leonardo Iezzi; Nicola, Thaís Coutinho; de Jesus, Julyanna Silva Araújo; Alves, Eduardo Roberty Badiani; Giovaninni, Nayara Paula Bernurdes; Marcato, Daniele Gasparini; Sampaio, Jéssica Dutra; Fuly, Jeanne Teixeira Bessa; Costalonga, Everlayny Fiorot

2014-01-01

Background Several authors have correlated the increase of cardiovascular risk with the nutritional status, however there are different criteria for the classification of overweight and obesity in children. Objectives To evaluate the performance of three nutritional classification criteria in children, as definers of the presence of obesity and predictors of high blood pressure in schoolchildren. Methods Eight hundred and seventeen children ranging 6 to 13 years old, enrolled in public schools in the municipality of Vila Velha (ES) were submitted to anthropometric evaluation and blood pressure measurement. The classification of the nutritional status was established by two international criteria (CDC/NCHS 2000 and IOTF 2000) and one Brazilian criterion (Conde e Monteiro 2006). Results The prevalence of overweight was higher when the criterion of Conde e Monteiro (27%) was used, and inferior by the IOTF (15%) criteria. High blood pressure was observed in 7.3% of children. It was identified a strong association between the presence of overweight and the occurrence of high blood pressure, regardless of the test used (p < 0.001). The test showing the highest sensitivity in predicting elevated BP was the Conde e Monteiro (44%), while the highest specificity (94%) and greater overall accuracy (63%), was the CDC criterion. Conclusions The prevalence of overweight in Brazilian children is higher when using the classification criterion of Conde e Monteiro, and lower when the criterion used is IOTF. The Brazilian classification criterion proved to be the most sensitive predictor of high BP risk in this sample. PMID:24676372

The Impact of Altitude on Sleep-Disordered Breathing in Children Dwelling at High Altitude: A Crossover Study.

PubMed

Hughes, Benjamin H; Brinton, John T; Ingram, David G; Halbower, Ann C

2017-09-01

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is prevalent among children and is associated with adverse health outcomes. Worldwide, approximately 250 million individuals reside at altitudes higher than 2000 meters above sea level (masl). The effect of chronic high-altitude exposure on children with SDB is unknown. This study aims to determine the impact of altitude on sleep study outcomes in children with SDB dwelling at high altitude. A single-center crossover study was performed to compare results of high-altitude home polysomnography (H-PSG) with lower altitude laboratory polysomnography (L-PSG) in school-age children dwelling at high altitude with symptoms consistent with SDB. The primary outcome was apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), with secondary outcomes including obstructive AHI; central AHI; and measures of oxygenation, sleep quality, and pulse rate. Twelve participants were enrolled, with 10 included in the final analysis. Median altitude was 1644 masl on L-PSG and 2531 masl on H-PSG. Median AHI was 2.40 on L-PSG and 10.95 on H-PSG. Both obstructive and central respiratory events accounted for the difference in AHI. Oxygenation and sleep fragmentation were worse and pulse rate higher on H-PSG compared to L-PSG. These findings reveal a clinically substantial impact of altitude on respiratory, sleep, and cardiovascular outcomes in children with SDB who dwell at high altitude. Within this population, L-PSG underestimates obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea compared to H-PSG. Given the shortage of high-altitude pediatric sleep laboratories, these results suggest a role for home sleep apnea testing for children residing at high altitude. © Sleep Research Society 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Sleep Research Society. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail journals.permissions@oup.com.

Unimpaired perception of social and physical causality, but impaired perception of animacy in high functioning children with autism.

PubMed

Congiu, Sara; Schlottmann, Anne; Ray, Elizabeth

2010-01-01

We investigated perception of social and physical causality and animacy in simple motion events, for high-functioning children with autism (CA = 13, VMA = 9.6). Children matched 14 different animations to pictures showing physical, social or non-causality. In contrast to previous work, children with autism performed at a high level similar to VMA-matched controls, recognizing physical causality in launch and social causality in reaction events. The launch deficit previously found in younger children with autism, possibly related to attentional/verbal difficulties, is apparently overcome with age. Some events involved squares moving non-rigidly, like animals. Children with autism had difficulties recognizing this, extending the biological motion literature. However, animacy prompts amplified their attributions of social causality. Thus children with autism may overcome their animacy perception deficit strategically.

Performance of children with developmental dyslexia on high and low topological entropy artificial grammar learning task.

PubMed

Katan, Pesia; Kahta, Shani; Sasson, Ayelet; Schiff, Rachel

2017-07-01

Graph complexity as measured by topological entropy has been previously shown to affect performance on artificial grammar learning tasks among typically developing children. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of graph complexity on implicit sequential learning among children with developmental dyslexia. Our goal was to determine whether children's performance depends on the complexity level of the grammar system learned. We conducted two artificial grammar learning experiments that compared performance of children with developmental dyslexia with that of age- and reading level-matched controls. Experiment 1 was a high topological entropy artificial grammar learning task that aimed to establish implicit learning phenomena in children with developmental dyslexia using previously published experimental conditions. Experiment 2 is a lower topological entropy variant of that task. Results indicated that given a high topological entropy grammar system, children with developmental dyslexia who were similar to the reading age-matched control group had substantial difficulty in performing the task as compared to typically developing children, who exhibited intact implicit learning of the grammar. On the other hand, when tested on a lower topological entropy grammar system, all groups performed above chance level, indicating that children with developmental dyslexia were able to identify rules from a given grammar system. The results reinforced the significance of graph complexity when experimenting with artificial grammar learning tasks, particularly with dyslexic participants.

Depression and blood pressure in high-risk children and adolescents: an investigation using two longitudinal cohorts

PubMed Central

Hammerton, Gemma; Harold, Gordon; Thapar, Anita; Thapar, Ajay

2013-01-01

Objective To examine the relationship between blood pressure and depressive disorder in children and adolescents at high risk for depression. Design Multisample longitudinal design including a prospective longitudinal three-wave high-risk study of offspring of parents with recurrent depression and an on-going birth cohort for replication. Setting Community-based studies. Participants High-risk sample includes 281 families where children were aged 9–17 years at baseline and 10–19 years at the final data point. Replication cohort includes 4830 families where children were aged 11–14 years at baseline and 14–17 years at follow-up and a high-risk subsample of 612 offspring with mothers that had reported recurrent depression. Main outcome measures The new-onset of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder, fourth edition defined depressive disorder in the offspring using established research diagnostic assessments—the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Assessment in the high-risk sample and the Development and Wellbeing Assessment in the replication sample. Results Blood pressure was standardised for age and gender to create SD scores and child's weight was statistically controlled in all analyses. In the high-risk sample, lower systolic blood pressure at wave 1 significantly predicted new-onset depressive disorder in children (OR=0.65, 95% CI 0.44 to 0.96; p=0.029) but diastolic blood pressure did not. Depressive disorder at wave 1 did not predict systolic blood pressure at wave 3. A significant association between lower systolic blood pressure and future depression was also found in the replication cohort in the second subset of high-risk children whose mothers had experienced recurrent depression in the past. Conclusions Lower systolic blood pressure predicts new-onset depressive disorder in the offspring of parents with depression. Further studies are needed to investigate how this association arises. PMID:24071459

A Pilot Study Examining Activity Participation, Sensory Responsiveness, and Competence in Children with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reynolds, Stacey; Bendixen, Roxanna M.; Lawrence, Tami; Lane, Shelly J.

2011-01-01

This pilot study explored activity patterns in children with and without ASD and examined the role of sensory responsiveness in determining children's level of competence in activity performance. Twenty-six children with high functioning ASD and twenty-six typically-developing children 6-12 years old were assessed using the Sensory Profile and the…

Recognition of facial emotions among maltreated children with high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder

PubMed Central

Masten, Carrie L.; Guyer, Amanda E.; Hodgdon, Hilary B.; McClure, Erin B.; Charney, Dennis S.; Ernst, Monique; Kaufman, Joan; Pine, Daniel S.; Monk, Christopher S.

2008-01-01

Objective The purpose of this study is to examine processing of facial emotions in a sample of maltreated children showing high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Maltreatment during childhood has been associated independently with both atypical processing of emotion and the development of PTSD. However, research has provided little evidence indicating how high rates of PTSD might relate to maltreated children’s processing of emotions. Method Participants’ reaction time and labeling of emotions were measured using a morphed facial emotion identification task. Participants included a diverse sample of maltreated children with and without PTSD and controls ranging in age from 8 to 15 years. Maltreated children had been removed from their homes and placed in state custody following experiences of maltreatment. Diagnoses of PTSD and other disorders were determined through combination of parent, child, and teacher reports. Results Maltreated children displayed faster reaction times than controls when labeling emotional facial expressions, and this result was most pronounced for fearful faces. Relative to children who were not maltreated, maltreated children both with and without PTSD showed enhanced response times when identifying fearful faces. There was no group difference in labeling of emotions when identifying different facial emotions. Conclusions Maltreated children show heightened ability to identify fearful faces, evidenced by faster reaction times relative to controls. This association between maltreatment and atypical processing of emotion is independent of PTSD diagnosis. PMID:18155144

Birth weight, current anthropometric markers, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein in Brazilian school children.

PubMed

Boscaini, Camile; Pellanda, Lucia Campos

2015-01-01

Studies have shown associations of birth weight with increased concentrations of high sensitivity C-reactive protein. This study assessed the relationship between birth weight, anthropometric and metabolic parameters during childhood, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein. A total of 612 Brazilian school children aged 5-13 years were included in the study. High sensitivity C-reactive protein was measured by particle-enhanced immunonephelometry. Nutritional status was assessed by body mass index, waist circumference, and skinfolds. Total cholesterol and fractions, triglycerides, and glucose were measured by enzymatic methods. Insulin sensitivity was determined by the homeostasis model assessment method. Statistical analysis included chi-square test, General Linear Model, and General Linear Model for Gamma Distribution. Body mass index, waist circumference, and skinfolds were directly associated with birth weight (P < 0.001, P = 0.001, and P = 0.015, resp.). Large for gestational age children showed higher high sensitivity C-reactive protein levels (P < 0.001) than small for gestational age. High birth weight is associated with higher levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein, body mass index, waist circumference, and skinfolds. Large for gestational age altered high sensitivity C-reactive protein and promoted additional risk factor for atherosclerosis in these school children, independent of current nutritional status.

Migration, Remittances, and Children's High School Attendance: The Case of Rural China

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hu, Feng

2012-01-01

This paper uses a large nationally representative survey data to examine the impact of China's rural-urban migration on high school attendance of left-behind children by disentangling the effect of remittances from that of migration. The results show that the absence of adult household members has a negative impact on the high school attendance of…

High-Flow Nasal Cannula versus Conventional Oxygen Therapy in Children with Respiratory Distress.

PubMed

Sitthikarnkha, Punthila; Samransamruajkit, Rujipat; Prapphal, Nuanchan; Deerojanawong, Jitladda; Sritippayawan, Suchada

2018-05-01

The aim of this study is to determine the clinical efficacy of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy compared with conventional oxygen therapy in children presented with respiratory distress. This was a randomized controlled study. Infants and children aged between 1 month to 5 years who were admitted to our tertiary referral center for respiratory distress (July 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015) and met the inclusion criteria were recruited. Infants and children hospitalized with respiratory distress were randomized into two groups of interventions. All clinical data, for example, respiratory score, pulse rate, and respiratory rate were recorded. The results were subsequently analyzed. A total of 98 respiratory distress children were enrolled during the study period. Only 4 children (8.2%) failed in HFNC therapy, compared with 10 children (20.4%) in conventional oxygen therapy group ( P = 0.09). After adjusted for body weight, underlying diseases, and respiratory distress score, there was an 85% reduction in the odds of treatment failure in HFNC therapy group (adjusted odds ratio 0.15, 95% confidence interval 0.03-0.66, P = 0.01). Most children in HFNC therapy group had significant improvement in clinical respiratory score, heart rate, and respiratory rate at 240, 360, and 120 min compared with conventional oxygen therapy ( P = 0.03, 0.04, and 0.03). HFNC therapy revealed a potential clinical advantage in management children hospitalized with respiratory distress compared with conventional respiratory therapy. The early use of HFNC in children with moderate-to-severe respiratory distress may prevent endotracheal tube intubation. TCTR 20170222007.

Efficacy and tolerability of high-dose phenobarbital in children with focal seizures.

PubMed

Okumura, Akihisa; Nakahara, Eri; Ikeno, Mitsuru; Abe, Shinpei; Igarashi, Ayuko; Nakazawa, Mika; Takasu, Michihiko; Shimizu, Toshiaki

2016-04-01

We retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of children with focal epilepsy treated with oral high-dose phenobarbital. We reviewed data on children (aged<15 years) with focal seizures treated with high-dose phenobarbital (>5 mg/kg/day to maintain a target serum level >40 μg/mL) for at least 6 months. Seizure frequency was evaluated after phenobarbital titration, and 1 and 2 years after high-dose phenobarbital treatment commenced. Treatment was judged effective when seizure frequencies fell by ⩾75%. Seven boys and eight girls were treated. The median age at commencement of high-dose phenobarbital therapy was 30 months. The maximal serum phenobarbital level ranged from 36.5 to 62.9 μg/mL. High-dose PB was effective in seven. In two patients, treatment was transiently effective, but seizure frequency later returned to the baseline. High-dose PB was ineffective in six. No significant association between effectiveness and any clinical variable was evident. Drowsiness was recorded in nine patients, but no patient developed a behavioral problem or hypersensitivity. Oral high-dose phenobarbital was effective in 7 of 15 patients with focal epilepsy and well tolerated. High-dose PB may be useful when surgical treatment is difficult. Copyright © 2015 The Japanese Society of Child Neurology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Anxiety and the Processing of Emotionally Threatening Stimuli: Distinctive Patterns of Selective Attention among High- and Low-Test-Anxious Children.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vasey, Michael W.; And Others

1996-01-01

Tested for bias toward shifting attention toward threatening stimuli among high-anxious children and away from such stimuli among low-anxious children, ages 11-14. Results supported the predicted attentional bias toward threat cues among high-test-anxious children. Unexpectedly, the predicted attentional bias away from threat cues among…

High frequency of pertussis in older children and adolescents with prolonged cough in Turkey.

PubMed

Aslan, Aslı; Kurugöl, Zafer; Aydemir, Şöhret; Gürsel, Derya; Koturoğlu, Güldane

2016-01-01

This study aimed to determine the frequency of B. pertussis infection among Turkish children with prolonged cough. Nasopharyngeal specimens were collected from 7-18 year old children, presenting with prolonged cough of two to four weeks' duration. Specimens were examined for B. pertussis by PCR. Of 101 children with prolonged cough, 20 (19.8%) had a positive PCR testing for B. pertussis. Children who were vaccinated ≥5 years previously had a 6.13-fold higher risk of PCR-confirmed pertussis than those who were vaccinated < 5 years before. The classic symptoms of pertussis (paroxysmal cough, whooping and post-tussive vomiting) were seen in 30%, 15% and 25% of the patients with positive PCR, respectively; 55% of them had only a prolonged cough without any classic symptoms. Pertussis is common among Turkish children with prolonged cough, even after implementation of a fifth dose of pertussis vaccination and despite high vaccination coverage.

Vestibulo-ocular reflex function in children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders.

PubMed

Carson, Tana B; Wilkes, Bradley J; Patel, Kunal; Pineda, Jill L; Ko, Ji H; Newell, Karl M; Bodfish, James W; Schubert, Michael C; Radonovich, Krestin; White, Keith D; Lewis, Mark H

2017-02-01

Sensorimotor processing alterations are a growing focus in the assessment and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The rotational vestibulo-ocular reflex (rVOR), which functions to maintain stable vision during head movements, is a sensorimotor system that may be useful in understanding such alterations and their underlying neurobiology. In this study, we assessed post-rotary nystagmus elicited by continuous whole body rotation among children with high-functioning ASD and typically developing children. Children with ASD exhibited increased rVOR gain, the ratio of eye velocity to head velocity, indicating a possible lack of cerebellar inhibitory input to brainstem vestibular nuclei in this population. The ASD group also showed less regular or periodic horizontal eye movements as indexed by greater variance accounted for by multiple higher frequency bandwidths as well as greater entropy scores compared to typically developing children. The decreased regularity or dysrhythmia in the temporal structure of nystagmus beats in children with ASD may be due to alterations in cerebellum and brainstem circuitry. These findings could potentially serve as a model to better understand the functional effects of differences in these brain structures in ASD. Autism Res 2017, 10: 251-266. © 2016 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A Cost of Illness Study of Children with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders and Comorbid Anxiety Disorders as Compared to Clinically Anxious and Typically Developing Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Steensel, Francisca J.; Dirksen, Carmen D.; Bögels, Susan M.

2013-01-01

The study's aim was to estimate the societal costs of children with high-functioning ASD and comorbid anxiety disorder(s) (ASD + AD-group; n = 73), and to compare these costs to children with anxiety disorders (AD-group; n = 34), and typically developing children (controls; n = 87). Mean total costs for the ASD + AD-group amounted €17,380 per…

The Importance of Self-Regulation for the School and Peer Engagement of Children with High-Functioning Autism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jahromi, Laudan B.; Bryce, Crystal I.; Swanson, Jodi

2013-01-01

This study examined individual differences in self-regulation, emotional and behavioral school engagement, and prosocial peer engagement in a sample of 40 children that included children with high functioning autism (HFA; n = 20) and their typical peers (n = 20). Children were 54.57 months on average at recruitment. Measures of self-regulation…

The effect of a fictitious peer on young children's choice of familiar v. unfamiliar low- and high-energy-dense foods.

PubMed

Bevelander, Kirsten E; Anschütz, Doeschka J; Engels, Rutger C M E

2012-09-28

The present experimental study was the first to investigate the impact of a remote (non-existent) peer on children's food choice of familiar v. unfamiliar low- and high-energy-dense food products. In a computer task, children (n 316; 50·3 % boys; mean age 7·13 (SD 0·75) years) were asked to choose between pictures of familiar and unfamiliar foods in four different choice blocks using the following pairs: (1) familiar v. unfamiliar low-energy-dense foods (fruits and vegetables), (2) familiar v. unfamiliar high-energy-dense foods (high sugar, salt and/or fat content), (3) familiar low-energy-dense v. unfamiliar high-energy-dense foods and (4) unfamiliar low-energy-dense v. familiar high-energy-dense foods. Participants who were not in the control group were exposed to the food choices (either always the familiar or always the unfamiliar food product) of a same-sex and same-age fictitious peer who was supposedly completing the same task at another school. The present study provided insights into children's choices between (un)familiar low- and high-energy-dense foods in an everyday situation. The findings revealed that the use of fictitious peers increased children's willingness to try unfamiliar foods, although children tended to choose high-energy-dense foods over low-energy-dense foods. Intervention programmes that use peer influence to focus on improving children's choice of healthy foods should take into account children's strong aversion to unfamiliar low-energy-dense foods as well as their general preference for familiar and unfamiliar high-energy-dense foods.

Brief Report: Additive and Subtractive Counterfactual Reasoning of Children with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Begeer, Sander; Terwogt, Mark Meerum; Lunenburg, Patty; Stegge, Hedy

2009-01-01

The development of additive ("If only I had done...") and subtractive ("If only I had not done....") counterfactual reasoning was examined in children with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders (HFASD) (n = 72) and typically developing controls (n = 71), aged 6-12 years. Children were presented four stories where they could generate…

A Developmental Assessment of Motor Performance in High M-Processing and Low M-Processing Children.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bender, Peter R.

This study was undertaken to determine whether neo-Piagetian theory might provide a functional interpretation of children's motor development, particularly linear positioning. In addition, intra-age and inter-age comparisons for both high- and low-mental-processing children were made. Pascual-Leone's Figural Intersection Test was used to select 15…

A technological approach to studying motor planning ability in children at high risk for ASD.

PubMed

Taffoni, F; Focaroli, V; Keller, F; Iverson, J M

2014-01-01

In this work we propose a new method to study the development of motor planning abilities in children and, in particular, in children at high risk for ASD. Although several modified motor signs have been found in children with ASD, no specific markers enabling the early assessment of risk have been found yet. In this work, we discuss the problem posed by objective and quantitative behavioral analysis in non-structured environment. After an initial description of the main constraints imposed by the ecological approach, a technological and methodological solution to these issues is presented. Preliminary results on 12 children are reported and briefly discussed.

DNA damage in buccal mucosa cells of pre-school children exposed to high levels of urban air pollutants.

PubMed

Ceretti, Elisabetta; Feretti, Donatella; Viola, Gaia C V; Zerbini, Ilaria; Limina, Rosa M; Zani, Claudia; Capelli, Michela; Lamera, Rossella; Donato, Francesco; Gelatti, Umberto

2014-01-01

Air pollution has been recognized as a human carcinogen. Children living in urban areas are a high-risk group, because genetic damage occurring early in life is considered able to increase the risk of carcinogenesis in adulthood. This study aimed to investigate micronuclei (MN) frequency, as a biomarker of DNA damage, in exfoliated buccal cells of pre-school children living in a town with high levels of air pollution. A sample of healthy 3-6-year-old children living in Brescia, Northern Italy, was investigated. A sample of the children's buccal mucosa cells was collected during the winter months in 2012 and 2013. DNA damage was investigated using the MN test. Children's exposure to urban air pollution was evaluated by means of a questionnaire filled in by their parents that included items on various possible sources of indoor and outdoor pollution, and the concentration of fine particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5) and NO2 in the 1-3 weeks preceding biological sample collection. 181 children (mean age ± SD: 4.3 ± 0.9 years) were investigated. The mean ± SD MN frequency was 0.29 ± 0.13%. A weak, though statistically significant, association of MN with concentration of air pollutants (PM10, PM2.5 and NO2) was found, whereas no association was apparent between MN frequency and the indoor and outdoor exposure variables investigated via the questionnaire. This study showed a high MN frequency in children living in a town with heavy air pollution in winter, higher than usually found among children living in areas with low or medium-high levels of air pollution.

Clinical, nutritional and immunological characteristics of HIV-infected children in an area of high HIV prevalence.

PubMed

Pedrini, Maura; Moraleda, Cinta; Macete, Eusebio; Gondo, Kizito; Brabin, Bernard J; Menéndez, Clara

2015-08-01

To evaluate the clinical, nutritional and neurodevelopment status of HIV-infected children in a high HIV prevalence area. All HIV-infected children under 15 years of age attending an outpatient clinic of Mozambique between April and May 2010 were recruited. Clinical data were collected and physical examination was performed. In all, 140 children were recruited. The median age at HIV diagnosis was 2.1 years. Fifty-one percent of the children were classified in WHO clinical Stages 3 or 4. Median age of antiretroviral treatment commencement was 3.9 years. Overall, 68% were undernourished, mainly stunted. Forty-four percent failed to pass the national psychomotor developmental test. The pathways for early HIV diagnosis and start of antiretrovirals in children should be improved in Mozambique. Malnutrition, especially stunting, and developmental delay were highly prevalent. Further research focused on early diagnosis of neurocognitive disorders and on the indications of antiretroviral treatment commencement based on chronic malnutrition is required. © The Author [2015]. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

High Maternal Blood Mercury Level Is Associated with Low Verbal IQ in Children.

PubMed

Jeong, Kyoung Sook; Park, Hyewon; Ha, Eunhee; Shin, Jiyoung; Hong, Yun Chul; Ha, Mina; Park, Hyesook; Kim, Bung Nyun; Lee, Boeun; Lee, Soo Jeong; Lee, Kyung Yeon; Kim, Ja Hyeong; Kim, Yangho

2017-07-01

The objective of the present study was to investigate the relationship of IQ in children with maternal blood mercury concentration during late pregnancy. The present study is a component of the Mothers and Children's Environmental Health (MOCEH) study, a multi-center birth cohort project in Korea that began in 2006. The study cohort consisted of 553 children whose mothers underwent testing for blood mercury during late pregnancy. The children were given the Korean language version of the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, revised edition (WPPSI-R) at 60 months of age. Multivariate linear regression analysis, with adjustment for covariates, was used to assess the relationship between verbal, performance, and total IQ in children and blood mercury concentration of mothers during late pregnancy. The results of multivariate linear regression analysis indicated that a doubling of blood mercury was associated with the decrease in verbal and total IQ by 2.482 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.749-4.214) and 2.402 (95% CI, 0.526-4.279), respectively, after adjustment. This inverse association remained after further adjustment for blood lead concentration. Fish intake is an effect modifier of child IQ. In conclusion, high maternal blood mercury level is associated with low verbal IQ in children. © 2017 The Korean Academy of Medical Sciences.

Social modulation of facial pain display in high-catastrophizing children: an observational study in schoolchildren and their parents.

PubMed

Vervoort, Tine; Caes, Line; Trost, Zina; Sullivan, Michael; Vangronsveld, Karoline; Goubert, Liesbet

2011-07-01

The present study examined existing communal and operant accounts of children's pain behavior by looking at the impact of parental presence and parental attention upon children's pain expression as a function of child pain catastrophizing. Participants were 38 school children and 1 of their parents. Children completed a cold pressor pain task (CPT) twice, first when told that no one was observing (alone condition) and subsequently when told that they were being observed by their parent (parent-present condition). A 3-minute parent-child interaction occurred between the 2 CPT immersions, allowing measurement of parental attention to their child's pain (ie, parental pain-attending talk vs non-pain-attending talk). Findings showed that child pain catastrophizing moderated the impact of parental presence upon facial displays of pain. Specifically, low-catastrophizing children expressed more pain in the presence of their parent, whereas high-catastrophizing children showed equally pronounced pain expression when alone or in the presence of a parent. Furthermore, children's catastrophizing moderated the impact of parental attention upon facial displays and self-reports of pain; higher levels of parental nonpain talk were associated with increased facial expression and self-reports of pain among high-catastrophizing children; for low-catastrophizing children, facial and self-report of pain was independent of parental attention to pain. The findings are discussed in terms of possible mechanisms that may drive and maintain pain expression in high-catastrophizing children, as well as potential limitations of traditional theories in explaining pediatric pain expression. Copyright © 2011 International Association for the Study of Pain. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Prevalence of Vitamin B12 and Folate Deficiency in School Children Residing at High Altitude Regions in India.

PubMed

Gupta, Aakriti; Kapil, Umesh; Ramakrishnan, Lakshmy; Pandey, Ravindra Mohan; Yadav, Chander Prakash

2017-04-01

To assess the prevalence of vitamin B 12 and folate deficiencies among children residing at high altitude regions of Himachal Pradesh, India. A total of 215 school children in the age group of 6-18 y were included. Biochemical estimation of serum vitamin B 12 and folate levels was undertaken using chemiluminescence immunoassay method. The consumption pattern of foods high in dietary vitamin B 12 and folate was recorded using Food Frequency Questionnaire. The median levels (interquartile range) of serum vitamin B 12 and folate were 326 (259-395) pg/ml and 7.7 (6-10) ng/ml respectively. The prevalence of vitamin B 12 and folate deficiency amongst school age children was found as 7.4% and 1.5% respectively. A low prevalence of vitamin B 12 and folate deficiencies was found amongst children aged 6-18 y living at high altitude regions in India. This is possibly due to high frequency of consumption of foods rich in vitamin B 12 and folate.

Discriminating Factors for Low or High IQ of Children in Care.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dumaret, A. C.; Duyme, M.; Tomkiewicz, S.

1998-01-01

Examined major discriminating factors for cognitive development in high-IQ and low-IQ children in child care who had been adopted after age four. Found that birth rank, maternal mental retardation, pregnancy/delivery complications, severe prematurity or low birthweight, and number of hospitalizations differentiated the two groups. Over time, IQs…

Normal Rates of Neuroradiological Findings in Children with High Functioning Autism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vasa, Roma A.; Ranta, Marin; Huisman, Thierry A. G. M.; Pinto, Pedro S.; Tillman, Rachael M.; Mostofsky, Stewart H.

2012-01-01

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been used to analyze highly specific volumetric and morphological features of the brains of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To date, there are few comprehensive studies examining the prevalence of neuroradiologic findings seen on routine MRI scans in children with ASD. This study examined the…

High normal post-load plasma glucose, cardiometabolic risk factors and signs of organ damage in obese children.

PubMed

Di Bonito, Procolo; Licenziati, Maria Rosaria; Baroni, Marco Giorgio; Congiu, Tiziana; Incani, Michela; Iannuzzi, Arcangelo; Maffeis, Claudio; Perrone, Laura; Valerio, Giuliana; Del Giudice, Emanuele Miraglia

2014-08-01

To evaluate normoglycemic overweight/obese (Ow/Ob) children whose post-load plasma glucose (2hPG) cut-point may be significantly associated with cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRFs) and whether this cut-point predicts preclinical signs of organ damage. One thousand seven hundred and thrity four normoglycemic Ow/Ob children were stratified into quintiles of 2hPG, the sixth group was constituted by 101 children with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Moving from the lower quintiles of 2hPG to IGT, the groups differed for Prepubertal stage, BMI, fasting PG, insulin levels, blood pressure, and lipids. To evaluate the best cut-off of 2hPG related to CMRFs, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and the Youden's index was calculated. Insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and high triglyceride/HDL-C ratio were associated with a 2hPG cut-off of 110 mg/dl. Children with 2hPG ≥110 mg/dl showed 1.3-3.2 fold higher risk to have high levels of ALT (as surrogate of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease) or increased carotid intima-media thickness. This study, performed in a large cohort of Ow/Ob children, shows that an atherogenic risk profile and preclinical signs of organ damage are associated with post-challenge elevations in plasma glucose still considered in the high normal range. Copyright © 2014 The Obesity Society.

How Young Children Learn To Read in High/Scope Programs: A Series of Position Papers.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

High/Scope Educational Research Foundation, Ypsilanti, MI.

Current debates regarding teaching children to read are centered around the most effective way to establish a foundation for literacy in the early years. This document is comprised of a set of three position papers on how the High/Scope Educational Research Foundation teaches young children to read in its infant-toddler, preschool, and early…

Haploidentical stem cell transplantation for children with high-risk leukemia.

PubMed

Palma, Julia; Salas, Lucia; Carrión, Flavio; Sotomayor, Cristián; Catalán, Paula; Paris, Claudia; Turner, Victoria; Jorquera, Hugo; Handgretinger, Rupert; Rivera, Gastón K

2012-11-01

The Chilean population is ethnically diverse, and more than 50% of children referred for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) lack a suitable donor. To expand the donor pool, we assessed the feasibility, tolerance, and efficacy of using a haploidentical (HI) donor and a reduced-intensity conditioning regimen for high-risk pediatric leukemia. This study was facilitated by technology transfer from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital over the 2 preceding years. Between March 2006 and April 2009, 10 patients (median age, 9.8 years) received T cell-depleted grafts at Calvo Mackenna Hospital in Santiago. Median cell doses were CD34+: 7.45 × 10(6)/kg (range, 4.00-20.20 × 10(6)/kg); CD3+: 0.88 × 10(5)/kg (0.11-1.35 × 10(5)/kg); and CD56+: 71.30 × 10(6)/kg (31.50-131.80 × 10(6)/kg). Nine patients experienced complete engraftment; six of the nine remain alive and clinically well 13-50 months post-HSCT. Three patients died after bone marrow relapse, while only one died of transplant-related causes. Virus reactivation was the main post-transplant complication: 5/10 had positive CMV PCR but none had CMV disease. One patient developed acute GvHD > grade II and only one had chronic GvHD. HI-HSCT is feasible in our setting, offers a rational treatment option, and expands the donor pool significantly for children with high-risk leukemia in a developing country. This information is especially relevant to other ethnically diverse populations that are poorly represented in international donor registries. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

High-Intensity Targeted Screening for Elevated Blood Lead Levels Among Children in 2 Inner-City Chicago Communities

PubMed Central

Dignam, Timothy A.; Evens, Anne; Eduardo, Eduard; Ramirez, Shokufeh M.; Caldwell, Kathleen L.; Kilpatrick, Nikki; Noonan, Gary P.; Flanders, W. Dana; Meyer, Pamela A.; McGeehin, Michael A.

2004-01-01

Objectives. We assessed the prevalence of elevated blood lead levels (≥ 10 micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood), risk factors, and previous blood lead testing among children in 2 high-risk Chicago, Ill, communities. Methods. Through high-intensity targeted screening, blood lead levels were tested and risks were assessed among a representative sample of children aged 1 to 5 years who were at risk for lead exposure. Results. Of the 539 children who were tested, 27% had elevated blood lead levels, and 61% had never been tested previously. Elevated blood lead levels were associated with chipped exterior house paint. Conclusions. Most of the children who lived in these communities—where the prevalence for elevated blood lead levels among children was 12 times higher than the national prevalence—were not tested for lead poisoning. Our findings highlight the need for targeted community outreach that includes testing blood lead levels in accordance with the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendations. PMID:15514235

[Food and nutrition knowledge of elementary and high school-age children from Chile's Metropolitan Region].

PubMed

Ivanovic, D; Castro, C G; Ivanovic, R

1996-09-01

In Chile there is scarce food and nutrition knowledge among school age children. To determine the degree of food and nutrition knowledge of elementary and high school children and its relationship to socioeconomic status, sex, type of school and geographic area. Between 1986 and 1987, a representative and proportional sample of 4509 children was chosen from the Metropolitan Region. This sample was stratified according to school grade, sex, type of school and geographical area. Graffar's modified method was used to measure socioeconomic status. Food and nutrition knowledge was assessed by a specific test for each grade, based on the objectives pursued by the curricular programs of the Ministry of Education. The test was applied to 4197 children. Food and nutrition knowledge was significantly lower in the second subcycle of elementary school, in males, in older children from each grade, in rural areas, in children of low socioeconomic status and in public schools. School age children were unaware of fundamental aspects related to food and nutrition and curriculum programs of the Ministry of Education should be reformulated to overcome these deficiencies.

Social Skills Interventions for Children with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schreiber, Catherine

2011-01-01

While the number of children diagnosed with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders (HFASD) continues to rise, the number of research-based methods to meet the needs of this population lags behind. Social dysfunction is perhaps the most pervasive and debilitating deficit for those diagnosed with HFASD. This article presents a narrative review…

Eating habits of preschool children with high migrant status in Switzerland according to a new food frequency questionnaire.

PubMed

Ebenegger, Vincent; Marques-Vidal, Pedro; Barral, Jérôme; Kriemler, Susi; Puder, Jardena J; Nydegger, Andreas

2010-02-01

Assessment of eating habits in young children from multicultural backgrounds has seldom been conducted. Our objectives were to study the reproducibility and the results of a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) developed to assess changes in eating habits of preschool children with a high migrant population, in the context of a multidisciplinary multilevel lifestyle intervention. Three kindergarten classes (53% from migrant backgrounds) in French-speaking Switzerland were randomly selected and included 16 girls and 28 boys (mean age +/- SD, 5.4 +/- 0.7 years). The FFQ was filled out twice within a 4-week interval by the parents. Spearman rank correlations between the first and the second FFQ for the 39 items of the food questions were as follows: low (r < 0.50) for 8 (7 P < .05 and 1 nonsignificant), moderate (0.50 high (r >or= 0.70) for 9 (all P < .01). In addition, 28 of 39 intraclass correlation coefficients were high (>0.50, all P < .01). Eighty-six percent of the children ate breakfast at home daily, but only 67% had lunch at home. The percentages of children eating at least once a week in front of the TV were as follows: 50% for breakfast, 33% for lunch, 38% for dinner, and 48% for snacks. Forty percent of children asked their parents to buy food previously seen in advertisements and ate fast food between once a week and once a month. Children generally consumed foods with a high-energy content. The FFQ yielded good test-retest reproducibility for most items of the food questions and gave relevant findings about the eating habits of preschool children in areas with a high migrant population. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Understanding differences in access to water fountains and sugar-sweetened beverages in children׳s environments: a pilot study in high and low deprivation neighbourhoods.

PubMed

Pearson, Amber L; de Latour, Phillip; Kemp, Gabrielle; Findlay, Nohoana; Halim, Angela; Atkinson, Nicola; Chong, Mark; Cameron, Rose; Brown, Courtney; Kim, Grace; Campbell, Paul; Hills, Toby; Jayawant, Aditya; Chae, Matthew; Bhagavan, Chiranth; French, Claire; Jenkin, Gabrielle; Smith, Moira; Signal, Louise

2014-11-01

Access to water fountains and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) in children׳s environments may impact on child obesity and may vary with neighbourhood deprivation. Our pilot analyses of access to water fountains and SSBs in Wellington, New Zealand revealed that water fountain access was high in school environments and low in recreational environments. There were also differences in water fountain and SSB access points by neighbourhood deprivation. The methods piloted in this study could be translated in a larger study, more capable of detecting significant differences in access and allowing for more sophisticated analyses. Such future studies may provide important evidence for the improvement of children׳s health and well-being. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety in Children With High-Functioning Autism: A Meta-analysis

PubMed Central

Bloch, Michael H.; Panza, Kaitlyn E.; Reichow, Brian

2013-01-01

BACKGROUND Anxiety is a common and impairing problem in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). There is emerging evidence that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) could reduce anxiety in children with high-functioning ASD. OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the evidence of using CBT to treat anxiety in children and adolescents with ASD. Methods for this review were registered with PROSPERO (CRD42012002722). METHODS: We included randomized controlled trials published in English in peer-reviewed journals comparing CBT with another treatment, no treatment control, or waitlist control. Two authors independently screened 396 records obtained from database searches and hand searched relevant journals. Two authors independently extracted and reconciled all data used in analyses from study reports. RESULTS: Eight studies involving 469 participants (252 treatment, 217 comparison) met our inclusion criteria and were included in meta-analyses. Overall effect sizes for clinician- and parent-rated outcome measures of anxiety across all studies were d = 1.19 and d = 1.21, respectively. Five studies that included child self-report yielded an average d = 0.68 across self-reported anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: Parent ratings and clinician ratings of anxiety are sensitive to detecting treatment change with CBT for anxiety relative to waitlist and treatment-as-usual control conditions in children with high-functioning ASD. Clinical studies are needed to evaluate CBT for anxiety against attention control conditions in samples of children with ASD that are well characterized with regard to ASD diagnosis and co-occurring anxiety symptoms. PMID:24167175

Which DSM-IV-TR criteria best differentiate high-functioning autism spectrum disorder from ADHD and anxiety disorders in older children?

PubMed Central

HARTLEY, SIGAN L.; SIKORA, DARRYN M.

2010-01-01

Diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is often delayed in high-functioning children with milder and more varied forms of ASD. The substantial overlap between ASD and other psychiatric disorders is thought to contribute to this delay. This study examined the endorsement of DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria for ASD based on semi-structured parent interviews across three groups of older children referred to an ASD clinic: 55 children diagnosed with high-functioning ASD, 27 children diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and 23 children diagnosed with anxiety disorder. Results indicate that the criteria within the domains of communication and social relatedness were largely able to discriminate the high-functioning ASD group from the ADHD and anxiety disorder groups, but criteria within the domain of restricted/repetitive/stereotyped patterns were not. PMID:19759063

Verbal Memory Deficits in Relation to Organization Strategy in High- and Low-Functioning Autistic Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cheung, Mei-chun; Chan, Agnes S.; Sze, Sophia L.; Leung, Winnie W.; To, Cho Yee

2010-01-01

The present study examined the verbal memory profile and its relation to organizational strategies in high-functioning (Hi-AUT) and low-functioning (Lo-AUT) children with autism. Twenty-two Hi-AUT and 16 Lo-AUT, and 22 age-, gender- and handedness-matched normal children (NC) were required to remember a list of semantically related words for…

Site-Specific Transmission of a Floor-Based, High-Frequency, Low-Magnitude Vibration Stimulus in Children With Spastic Cerebral Palsy.

PubMed

Singh, Harshvardhan; Whitney, Daniel G; Knight, Christopher A; Miller, Freeman; Manal, Kurt; Kolm, Paul; Modlesky, Christopher M

2016-02-01

To determine the degree to which a high-frequency, low-magnitude vibration signal emitted by a floor-based platform transmits to the distal tibia and distal femur of children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) during standing. Cross-sectional study. University research laboratory. Children with spastic CP who could stand independently (n=18) and typically developing children (n=10) (age range, 4-12y) participated in the study (N=28). Not applicable. The vibration signal at the high-frequency, low-magnitude vibration platform (approximately 33Hz and 0.3g), distal tibia, and distal femur was measured using accelerometers. The degree of plantar flexor spasticity was assessed using the Modified Ashworth Scale. The high-frequency, low-magnitude vibration signal was greater (P<.001) at the distal tibia than at the platform in children with CP (.36±.06g vs .29±.05g) and controls (.40±.09g vs .24±.07g). Although the vibration signal was also higher at the distal femur (.35±.09g, P<.001) than at the platform in controls, it was lower in children with CP (.20±.07g, P<.001). The degree of spasticity was negatively related to the vibration signal transmitted to the distal tibia (Spearman ρ=-.547) and distal femur (Spearman ρ=-.566) in children with CP (both P<.05). A high-frequency, low-magnitude vibration signal from a floor-based platform was amplified at the distal tibia, attenuated at the distal femur, and inversely related to the degree of muscle spasticity in children with spastic CP. Whether this transmission pattern affects the adaptation of the bones of children with CP to high-frequency, low-magnitude vibration requires further investigation. Copyright © 2016 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Reading Comprehension Intervention for High-Functioning Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Woolley, Gary

2016-01-01

The prevalence of children with autism spectrum disorders appears to be on the increase and educators are becoming more aware of their educational and social needs. In particular, many students with high-functioning autism have a deficit in reading comprehension. As a consequence, there is now a greater determination by educators to design the…

Activity of antioxidant enzymes in children from families at high risk of premature coronary heart disease.

PubMed

Siemianowicz, K; Gmiński, J; Francuz, T; Wójcik, A; Posielezna, B

2003-01-01

A positive family history of coronary heart disease (CHD) is one of the most predictive risk factors of CHD. Many children with increased risk of CHD because of their positive family history of CHD do not present other risk factors, such as altered serum lipid profile. Oxidative stress plays an important part in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Serum antioxidants and intracellular enzymatic antioxidants composed mainly of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase counterbalance oxidative stress. Diminished activity of this system may lead to accelerated progression of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to assess the activity of CAT, GSH-Px, SOD and glutathione reductase in children with a family history of premature CHD who did not present any other major risk factors of CHD (diabetes, obesity, dyslipidaemia or hypertension). Twenty-two healthy children from high-risk families, selected according to the National Cholesterol Education Program definition, were enrolled in the study. The control group comprised 18 children without a family history of CHD. All the children were healthy and had been screened for hyperlipidaemia, diabetes, hypertension and obesity prior to the study. The erythrocyte activity of CAT, GSH-Px, SOD and glutathione reductase was assessed. Children at high risk of CHD had a statistically significant lower level of GSH-Px and CAT activity than the children in the control group. There were no statistically significant differences in the activity of SOD and glutathione reductase.

The High/Scope Preschool Key Experiences: Essential Elements of Young Children's Learning.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hohmann, Mary

2002-01-01

Discusses High/Scope's preschool key experiences (a set of 58 statements that describe young children's social, cognitive, and physical development). The key experiences are grouped into 10 major developmental areas (creative representation, language and literacy, social relations, movement, music, classification, seriation, number, space, and…

Do Japanese children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder respond differently to Wh-questions and Yes/No-questions?

PubMed

Oi, Manabu

2010-09-01

The present study compared 12 Japanese children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (HFASD), ranging in age from 7.3-14.8 years, with 12 typically developing (TD) children matched for age, gender, and vocabulary. The means of full-scale IQ and verbal-IQ of the children with HFASD were 95.92 (SD = 15.30) and 98.00 (SD = 18.44), respectively. Children responded to questions from their mothers in conversations collected under a semi-structured setting, and the responses of both groups were examined from the viewpoint of adequacy. Compared to TD children, HFASD children produced more inadequate responses to Wh-questions than to Yes/No questions. To both types of questions, HFASD children produced more inappropriate responses than TD children. The findings suggest that parents of HFASD children should consider the influence of the question format on these children's response inadequacies.

Effects of Vocal Fold Nodules on Glottal Cycle Measurements Derived from High-Speed Videoendoscopy in Children

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

The goal of this study is to quantify the effects of vocal fold nodules on vibratory motion in children using high-speed videoendoscopy. Differences in vibratory motion were evaluated in 20 children with vocal fold nodules (5–11 years) and 20 age and gender matched typically developing children (5–11 years) during sustained phonation at typical pitch and loudness. Normalized kinematic features of vocal fold displacements from the mid-membranous vocal fold point were extracted from the steady-state high-speed video. A total of 12 kinematic features representing spatial and temporal characteristics of vibratory motion were calculated. Average values and standard deviations (cycle-to-cycle variability) of the following kinematic features were computed: normalized peak displacement, normalized average opening velocity, normalized average closing velocity, normalized peak closing velocity, speed quotient, and open quotient. Group differences between children with and without vocal fold nodules were statistically investigated. While a moderate effect size was observed for the spatial feature of speed quotient, and the temporal feature of normalized average closing velocity in children with nodules compared to vocally normal children, none of the features were statistically significant between the groups after Bonferroni correction. The kinematic analysis of the mid-membranous vocal fold displacement revealed that children with nodules primarily differ from typically developing children in closing phase kinematics of the glottal cycle, whereas the opening phase kinematics are similar. Higher speed quotients and similar opening phase velocities suggest greater relative forces are acting on vocal fold in the closing phase. These findings suggest that future large-scale studies should focus on spatial and temporal features related to the closing phase of the glottal cycle for differentiating the kinematics of children with and without vocal fold nodules. PMID:27124157

Social anxiety in high-functioning children and adolescents with Autism and Asperger syndrome.

PubMed

Kuusikko, Sanna; Pollock-Wurman, Rachel; Jussila, Katja; Carter, Alice S; Mattila, Marja-Leena; Ebeling, Hanna; Pauls, David L; Moilanen, Irma

2008-10-01

We examined social anxiety and internalizing symptoms using the Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory for Children (SPAI-C), the Social Anxiety Scale for Children -Revised (SASC-R), and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) in a sample of fifty-four high-functioning subjects with autism or Asperger syndrome (HFA/AS) (M = 11.2 +/- 1.7 years) and 305 community subjects (M = 12.2 +/- 2.2 years). Children and adolescents completed the SPAI-C and SASC-R, and their parents completed the CBCL Internalizing scale. Adolescents with HFA/AS scored higher than the community sample on all measures. Behavioural avoidance and evaluative social anxiety increased by age within the HFA/AS group, whereas behavioural avoidance decreased by age in control participants. Data support that HFA/AS in adolescents may be associated with clinically relevant social anxiety symptoms.

Attention to Low- and High-Spatial Frequencies in Categorizing Facial Identities, Emotions and Gender in Children with Autism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Deruelle, Christine; Rondan, Cecilie; Salle-Collemiche, Xavier; Bastard-Rosset, Delphine; Da Fonseca, David

2008-01-01

This study was aimed at investigating face categorization strategies in children with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD). Performance of 17 children with ASD was compared to that of 17 control children in a face-matching task, including hybrid faces (composed of two overlapping faces of different spatial bandwidths) and either low- or high-pass…

Body Mass Index and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Children and Adolescents with High Birth Weight.

PubMed

Ledo, Daniel L; Suano-Souza, Fabíola Isabel; Franco, Maria do Carmo P; Strufaldi, Maria Wany L

2018-01-01

This study aimed to identify a possible association among high birth weight with overweight/obesity, high arterial blood pressure, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance in children and adolescents. This is a cross-sectional study with 719 children and adolescents (6-12 years) stratified according to birth weight (low birth weight [LBW] <2,500 g, adequate birth weight [ABW] 2,500-3,999 g, and high birth weight [HBW] ≥4,000 g). Data collected were anthropometric data, arterial blood pressure levels, lipid profile, and insulin resistance (fasting glucose and insulin, used to calculate homeostatic model assessment-IR). The mean age of schoolchildren was 9.5 ± 2.0 years and 371 (51.6%) were male. LBW and HBW were observed in 79 of 719 (10.9%) and 40 of 719 (55.6%) children/adolescents, respectively. There was no increased risk of overweight (OR 0.9; 95% CI 0.4-2.1; p = 0.964) and obesity (OR 1.4; 95% CI 0.6-3.5; p = 0.588) in HBW group compared to LBW and ABW groups. HBW was not associated with high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance. The LBW group was independently associated with higher values of systolic (OR 1.07; 95% CI 1.05-1.10; p < 0.01) and diastolic blood pressure (OR 1.04; 95% CI 1.00-1.07; p = 0.044). There was no association between HBW with overweight/obesity and classic cardiovascular risk factors in this group of children/adolescents. Only LBW was related to higher blood pressure levels. © 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Use of occlusal sealant in a community program and caries incidence in high- and low-risk children.

PubMed

Baldini, Vânia; Tagliaferro, Elaine Pereira da Silva; Ambrosano, Gláucia Maria Bovi; Meneghim, Marcelo de Castro; Pereira, Antonio Carlos

2011-08-01

The aims of this study were to investigate the effectiveness of sealant placement under the guidelines of the Oral Health Promotion Program for Children and Adolescents (Portugal), and to test the influence of clinical and socioeconomic variables on the DMFT increment in 277 children, born in 1997. A dental hygienist performed the initial examinations and sealant placement (Helioseal, Vivadent) on the permanent first molars in 2005. These activities were registered in dental records that were assessed in 2007. Children were classified according to caries risk at baseline [high (HR: DMFT+dmft>0); low (LR: DMFT+dmft=0) risk] and sealant placement as follows: HR-S and LR-S Groups (with sealant placement); HR-NS and LR-NS Groups (without sealant placement). A calibrated dentist performed the final examination in 2007 at school, based on the World Health Organization recommendations. The variables collected were: dental caries, visible dental plaque, malocclusions, and socioeconomic level (questionnaire sent to children's parents). For univariate (Chi-square or Fisher tests) and multivariate (Multiple logistic regression) analyses the DMFT increment >0 was selected as dependent variable. Approximately 17.0% of the children showed DMFT increment>0 (mean=0.25). High-risk children presented a significant increase in the number of decayed and/or filled teeth. These children had 7.94 more chance of developing caries. Children who did not receive sealant were 1.8 more prone to have DMFT increment >0. It appears that sealant placement was effective in preventing dental caries development. Moreover, the variables "risk" and "sealant placement" were predictors for DMFT increment in the studied children.

The triglyceride-to-high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio in overweight Korean children and adolescents.

PubMed

Yoo, Dong-Yoon; Kang, Yu Sun; Kwon, Eun Byul; Yoo, Eun-Gyong

2017-09-01

The triglyceride-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio has recently been reported as a biomarker of cardiometabolic risk in obese children and adolescents. The purpose of this study is to describe the TG/HDL-C ratio and related factors in overweight and normal weight Korean children and to evaluate whether the high TG/HDL-C ratio is associated with insulin resistance in overweight children and adolescents. Data from 255 overweight (aged 8.7±2.0 years) and 514 normal weight (aged 8.9±1.8 years) children and adolescents were evaluated. Glucose, insulin, total cholesterol (TC), HDL-C and TG levels were measured after overnight fasting, and the TG/HDL-C ratio, non-HDL-C and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were calculated. The TG/HDL-C ratio was higher in overweight group compared to normal weight group (P<0.001). Among overweight children and adolescents, alanine aminotransferase (P=0.018), non-HDL-C (P<0.001), and HOMA-IR (P=0.004) were different between the TG/HDL-C ratio tertile groups. The prevalence of elevated HOMA-IR was increased with increasing TG/HDL-C ratio tertiles (P for trend=0.003). On regression analysis adjusted for age and sex, the BMI (β=0.402, P=0.001) and TG/HDL-C ratio (β=0.251, P=0.014) were independently associated with HOMA-IR (adjusted R2=0.324). The TG/HDL-C ratio of 2.0 or more showed higher sensitivity (55.6%) and specificity (72.9%), when compared to TC (≥200 mg/dL), non-HDL-C (≥145 mg/dL), and LDL-C (≥130 mg/dL) for identifying overweight children with elevated HOMA-IR. The TG/HDL-C ratio is independently associated with insulin resistance in overweight children and adolescents, and it can be useful in identifying those at higher cardiometabolic risk.

The triglyceride-to-high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio in overweight Korean children and adolescents

PubMed Central

Yoo, Dong-Yoon; Kang, Yu Sun; Kwon, Eun Byul

2017-01-01

Purpose The triglyceride-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio has recently been reported as a biomarker of cardiometabolic risk in obese children and adolescents. The purpose of this study is to describe the TG/HDL-C ratio and related factors in overweight and normal weight Korean children and to evaluate whether the high TG/HDL-C ratio is associated with insulin resistance in overweight children and adolescents. Methods Data from 255 overweight (aged 8.7±2.0 years) and 514 normal weight (aged 8.9±1.8 years) children and adolescents were evaluated. Glucose, insulin, total cholesterol (TC), HDL-C and TG levels were measured after overnight fasting, and the TG/HDL-C ratio, non–HDL-C and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were calculated. Results The TG/HDL-C ratio was higher in overweight group compared to normal weight group (P<0.001). Among overweight children and adolescents, alanine aminotransferase (P=0.018), non–HDL-C (P<0.001), and HOMA-IR (P=0.004) were different between the TG/HDL-C ratio tertile groups. The prevalence of elevated HOMA-IR was increased with increasing TG/HDL-C ratio tertiles (P for trend=0.003). On regression analysis adjusted for age and sex, the BMI (β=0.402, P=0.001) and TG/HDL-C ratio (β=0.251, P=0.014) were independently associated with HOMA-IR (adjusted R2=0.324). The TG/HDL-C ratio of 2.0 or more showed higher sensitivity (55.6%) and specificity (72.9%), when compared to TC (≥200 mg/dL), non–HDL-C (≥145 mg/dL), and LDL-C (≥130 mg/dL) for identifying overweight children with elevated HOMA-IR. Conclusions The TG/HDL-C ratio is independently associated with insulin resistance in overweight children and adolescents, and it can be useful in identifying those at higher cardiometabolic risk. PMID:29025201

Why Identify Gifted Children?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Congdon, Peter

1985-01-01

Emphasizes need to systematically identify gifted children. Defines the term "gifted" and considers three groups in detail: children of high intelligence, children of high academic aptitude, and talented children. Offers strategy for educational diagnosis of gifted children. (DST)

Empathic responsiveness of children and adolescents with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder.

PubMed

Scheeren, Anke M; Koot, Hans M; Mundy, Peter C; Mous, Larissa; Begeer, Sander

2013-10-01

Previous studies have shown reduced empathic responsiveness to others' emotions in preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and an intellectual disability. However, age and intelligence may promote children's empathic responsiveness. Therefore, we examined the empathic responsiveness in normally intelligent school-aged children and adolescents with a clinical diagnosis of ASD (n = 151) and in a typically developing comparison group (n = 50), using structured observations and parent reports. Based on the observations, participants' responses to the emotional displays of an interviewer were surprisingly similar. However, compared with parents from the comparison group, parents of a child with ASD reported significantly fewer empathic responses, particularly when the child received a high score on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule. Even though parents report a reduced empathic responsiveness in school-aged children and adolescents with ASD, it may be difficult to find these empathic limitations during brief observations in a structured setting. © 2013 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Tuberculosis caseload in children with severe acute malnutrition related with high hospital based mortality in Lusaka, Zambia.

PubMed

Munthali, Tendai; Chabala, Chishala; Chama, Elson; Mugode, Raider; Kapata, Nathan; Musonda, Patrick; Michelo, Charles

2017-06-12

Tuberculosis and severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in children pose a major treatment and care challenge in high HIV burden countries in Africa. We investigated the prevalence of Tuberculosis notifications among hospitalised under-five children with severe acute malnutrition. A retrospective review of medical records for all children aged 0-59 months admitted to the University Teaching Hospital from 2009 to 2013 was performed. Descriptive statistics were employed to estimate TB caseload. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of the TB caseload. A total of (n = 9540) under-five children with SAM were admitted over the period reviewed. The median age was 16 months (IQR 11-24) and the proportion diagnosed with TB was 1.58% (95% CI 1.3, 1.8) representing 151 cases. Of these, only 37 (25%) were bacteriologically confirmed cases. The HIV seroprevalence of children with SAM and TB was 46.5%. Children with SAM and TB were 40% more likely to die than children with SAM and without TB. Tuberculosis contributes to mortality among children with SAM in high TB and HIV prevalence settings. The under detection of cases and association of TB with HIV infection in malnutrition opens up opportunities to innovate integrative case finding approaches beyond just HIV counselling and testing within existing mother and child health service areas to include TB screening and prevention interventions, as these are critical primary care elements.

The Use of Linguistic Cues in Sentence Comprehension by Mandarin-Speaking Children with High-Functioning Autism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zhou, Peng; Crain, Stephen; Gao, Liqun; Jia, Meixiang

2017-01-01

Two studies were conducted to investigate how high-functioning children with autism use different linguistic cues in sentence comprehension. Two types of linguistic cues were investigated: word order and morphosyntactic cues. The results show that children with autism can use both types of cues in sentence comprehension. However, compared to…

The Simple View of Reading in Bilingual Language-Minority Children Acquiring a Highly Transparent Second Language

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bonifacci, Paola; Tobia, Valentina

2017-01-01

The present study evaluated which components within the simple view of reading model better predicted reading comprehension in a sample of bilingual language-minority children exposed to Italian, a highly transparent language, as a second language. The sample included 260 typically developing bilingual children who were attending either the first…

Unusually high incidence of multifocal epithelial hyperplasia in children of the Nahuatl population of Mexico.

PubMed

Ledesma-Montes, Constantino; Mendez-Mendoza, Amilcar

2017-01-01

Multifocal epithelial hyperplasia is an uncommon disease of the oral mucosa caused by the human papilloma virus. To study the clinical and pathological findings of multifocal epithelial hyperplasia detected during an oral examination of 343 Mexican Nahuatl children from a single primary school in El Paso de Cupilco, Mexico. A thorough oral examination was performed in all children and clinical data (age, gender, location and number of lesions) were documented and analyzed. Multifocal epithelial hyperplasia was diagnosed in 110 of the 343 children (32.3%). The ages of the children varied from 5 to 15 years, and of these, 56.3% were girls. The lesions were asymptomatic, 0.2 to 3.0 cm in diameter, soft, round to oval, smooth surfaced, sessile papulonodules, similar in colour to that of the surrounding mucosa. The lesions were commonly seen on the buccal mucosa and tongue, and most affected children (85%) had less than 5 lesions. Children in the 7 to 10 years age group were most often affected. Human papillomavirus typing was not done owing to a lack of facilities. There is a high incidence of multifocal epithelial hyperplasia in Nahuatl children with a predilection for females.

Social Skills Training for Children with Asperger Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

White, Susan Williams

2011-01-01

This practical, research-based guide provides a wealth of tools and strategies for implementing social skills training in school or clinical settings. Numerous case examples illustrate common social difficulties experienced by children with Asperger syndrome and high-functioning autism; the impact on peer relationships, school performance, and…

Virtual-Reality-Based Social Interaction Training for Children with High-Functioning Autism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ke, Fengfeng; Im, Tami

2013-01-01

Employing the multiple-baseline across-subjects design, the authors examined the implementation and potential effect of a virtual-reality-based social interaction program on the interaction and communication performance of children with high functioning autism. The data were collected via behavior observation and analysis, questionnaires, and…

White Matter Integrity and Pictorial Reasoning in High-Functioning Children with Autism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sahyoun, Cherif P.; Belliveau, John W.; Mody, Maria

2010-01-01

The current study investigated the neurobiological role of white matter in visuospatial versus linguistic processing abilities in autism using diffusion tensor imaging. We examined differences in white matter integrity between high-functioning children with autism (HFA) and typically developing controls (CTRL), in relation to the groups' response…

Brief Report: Compliance and Noncompliance to Parental Control Strategies in Children with High-Functioning Autism and Their Typical Peers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bryce, Crystal I.; Jahromi, Laudan B.

2013-01-01

The present study examined children's compliance and noncompliance behaviors in response to parental control strategies in 20 children with high-functioning autism (HFA) and 20 matched typically-developing children. Observational coding was used to measure child compliance (committed, situational), noncompliance (passive, defiance, self-assertion,…

Spatial and numerical processing in children with high and low visuospatial abilities.

PubMed

Crollen, Virginie; Noël, Marie-Pascale

2015-04-01

In the literature on numerical cognition, a strong association between numbers and space has been repeatedly demonstrated. However, only a few recent studies have been devoted to examine the consequences of low visuospatial abilities on calculation processing. In this study, we wanted to investigate whether visuospatial weakness may affect pure spatial processing as well as basic numerical reasoning. To do so, the performances of children with high and low visuospatial abilities were directly compared on different spatial tasks (the line bisection and Simon tasks) and numerical tasks (the number bisection, number-to-position, and numerical comparison tasks). Children from the low visuospatial group presented the classic Simon and SNARC (spatial numerical association of response codes) effects but showed larger deviation errors as compared with the high visuospatial group. Our results, therefore, demonstrated that low visuospatial abilities did not change the nature of the mental number line but rather led to a decrease in its accuracy. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Cross-sectional associations between high-deprivation home and neighbourhood environments, and health-related variables among Liverpool children

PubMed Central

Noonan, Robert J; Boddy, Lynne M; Knowles, Zoe R; Fairclough, Stuart J

2016-01-01

Objectives (1) To investigate differences in health-related, home and neighbourhood environmental variables between Liverpool children living in areas of high deprivation (HD) and medium-to-high deprivation (MD) and (2) to assess associations between these perceived home and neighbourhood environments and health-related variables stratified by deprivation group. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting 10 Liverpool primary schools in 2014. Participants 194 children aged 9–10 years. Main outcome measures Health-related variables (self-reported physical activity (PA) (Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children, PAQ-C), cardiorespiratory fitness, body mass index (BMI) z-scores, waist circumference), home environment variables: (garden/backyard access, independent mobility, screen-based media restrictions, bedroom media) and neighbourhood walkability (Neighbourhood Environment Walkability Scale for Youth, NEWS-Y). Explanatory measures Area deprivation. Results There were significant differences between HD and MD children's BMI z-scores (p<0.01), waist circumference (p<0.001) and cardiorespiratory fitness (p<0.01). HD children had significantly higher bedroom media availability (p<0.05) and independent mobility scores than MD children (p<0.05). MD children had significantly higher residential density and neighbourhood aesthetics scores, and lower crime safety, pedestrian and road traffic safety scores than HD children, all of which indicated higher walkability (p<0.01). HD children's BMI z-scores (β=−0.29, p<0.01) and waist circumferences (β=−0.27, p<0.01) were inversely associated with neighbourhood aesthetics. HD children's PA was negatively associated with bedroom media (β=−0.24, p<0.01), and MD children's PA was positively associated with independent mobility (β=0.25, p<0.01). MD children's independent mobility was inversely associated with crime safety (β=−0.28, p<0.01) and neighbourhood aesthetics (β=−0.24, p<0.05). Conclusions Children

Increased gray-matter volume in medication-naive high-functioning children with autism spectrum disorder.

PubMed

Palmen, Saskia J M C; Hulshoff Pol, Hilleke E; Kemner, Chantal; Schnack, Hugo G; Durston, Sarah; Lahuis, Bertine E; Kahn, René S; Van Engeland, Herman

2005-04-01

To establish whether high-functioning children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have enlarged brains in later childhood, and if so, whether this enlargement is confined to the gray and/or to the white matter and whether it is global or more prominent in specific brain regions. Brain MRI scans were acquired from 21 medication-naive, high-functioning children with ASD between 7 and 15 years of age and 21 comparison subjects matched for gender, age, IQ, height, weight, handedness, and parental education, but not pubertal status. Patients showed a significant increase of 6% in intracranium, total brain, cerebral gray matter, cerebellum, and of more than 40% in lateral and third ventricles compared to controls. The cortical gray-matter volume was evenly affected in all lobes. After correction for brain volume, ventricular volumes remained significantly larger in patients. High-functioning children with ASD showed a global increase in gray-matter, but not white-matter and cerebellar volume, proportional to the increase in brain volume, and a disproportional increase in ventricular volumes, still present after correction for brain volume. Advanced pubertal development in the patients compared to the age-matched controls may have contributed to the findings reported in the present study.

"Because Then You Could Never Ever Get a Job!": Children's Constructions of NAPLAN as High-Stakes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Howell, Angelique

2017-01-01

In the midst of the debate surrounding the question of whether Australia's National Assessment Program: Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) test is high-stakes, it is evident that children's own accounts of their experiences remain sparse. This paper describes the findings of a case study which documented the experiences of 105 children across two…

ERP markers of target selection discriminate children with high vs. low working memory capacity.

PubMed

Shimi, Andria; Nobre, Anna Christina; Scerif, Gaia

2015-01-01

Selective attention enables enhancing a subset out of multiple competing items to maximize the capacity of our limited visual working memory (VWM) system. Multiple behavioral and electrophysiological studies have revealed the cognitive and neural mechanisms supporting adults' selective attention of visual percepts for encoding in VWM. However, research on children is more limited. What are the neural mechanisms involved in children's selection of incoming percepts in service of VWM? Do these differ from the ones subserving adults' selection? Ten-year-olds and adults used a spatial arrow cue to select a colored item for later recognition from an array of four colored items. The temporal dynamics of selection were investigated through EEG signals locked to the onset of the memory array. Both children and adults elicited significantly more negative activity over posterior scalp locations contralateral to the item to-be-selected for encoding (N2pc). However, this activity was elicited later and for longer in children compared to adults. Furthermore, although children as a group did not elicit a significant N2pc during the time-window in which N2pc was elicited in adults, the magnitude of N2pc during the "adult time-window" related to their behavioral performance during the later recognition phase of the task. This in turn highlights how children's neural activity subserving attention during encoding relates to better subsequent VWM performance. Significant differences were observed when children were divided into groups of high vs. low VWM capacity as a function of cueing benefit. Children with large cue benefits in VWM capacity elicited an adult-like contralateral negativity following attentional selection of the to-be-encoded item, whereas children with low VWM capacity did not. These results corroborate the close coupling between selective attention and VWM from childhood and elucidate further the attentional mechanisms constraining VWM performance in children.

Correlates of sun protection behaviors among Hispanic children residing in a high UVR environment.

PubMed

Miller, Kimberly A; Huh, Jimi; Unger, Jennifer B; Richardson, Jean L; Allen, Martin W; Peng, David H; Cockburn, Myles G

2017-03-01

Rates of melanoma are rising in Hispanics in the United States. Excessive sun exposure in childhood increases the risk of melanoma in adulthood, and little is known about the factors motivating sun protection behaviors among Hispanic youth. Correlates of sun protection were examined among Hispanic children residing in Los Angeles, California (N = 1891). Associations between multiple constructs (psychosocial, familial, and cultural) and sun protection outcomes (use of sunscreen, protective clothing, and shade seeking/sun avoidance) were examined. Family variables were associated with more frequent sun protection among Hispanic children across outcomes, as were perceived peer norms, perceived self-efficacy, and fewer sun protection barriers. Skin cancer risk factors such as lighter skin and sunburn experience, and level of acculturation were not associated with greater sun protection. Family sun protection habits are instrumental to Hispanic children's sun safe behaviors, and interventions that engage the family may be most effective. Increasing risk communication to high-risk subgroups of Hispanic children (those with lighter, more sun reactive skin) is important when developing intervention strategies. However, there is overlap between Hispanic children's sun protection correlates and those observed among non-Hispanic white children, suggesting that interventions to improve sun protection may generalize across cultural contexts. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

High Functioning Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Novel Test of Multitasking

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mackinlay, Rachael; Charman, Tony; Karmiloff-Smith, Annette

2006-01-01

High functioning children with a diagnosis of autism or Asperger's syndrome (HF-ASD) often experience difficulties organising goal-directed actions in their day-to-day lives, requiring support to schedule daily activities. This study aimed to capture these everyday difficulties experimentally using multitasking, a methodology that taps into the…

High Prevalence of Obesity in Ambulatory Children and Adolescents with Intellectual Disability

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stewart, L.; Van de Ven, L.; Katsarou, V.; Rentziou, E.; Doran, M.; Jackson, P.; Reilly, J. J.; Wilson, D.

2009-01-01

Background: Obesity prevalence is unusually high among adults with intellectual disability (ID). There is limited and conflicting evidence on obesity prevalence among ambulatory children and adolescents with ID. The present study aimed to estimate obesity prevalence in this group and to compare with population prevalence. Methods: Survey of nine…

[High frequency of dyslipidemia in children and adolescents with Down Syndrome].

PubMed

de la Piedra, María J; Alberti, Gigliola; Cerda, Jaime; Cárdenas, Antonia; Paul, María A; Lizama, Macarena

2017-01-01

Down Syndrome (DS) shows an increased risk of chronic diseases, associated to higher morbidity and mortality for cardiovascular disease. Some studies have shown a worse lipid profile in children with DS, however, until now there is no recommendation for screening for dyslipidemia in these subjects. To describe the frequency of dyslipidemia in a population of Chilean children and adolescents with DS. Retrospective study, including patients with DS, aged 2 to 18 years, who participated in a special health care program for people with DS in Health Net UC CHRISTUS, between 2007 and 2015. Patients who had a lipid profile between their routine laboratory tests were included. Clinical characteristics, relevant comorbidities, malformations, medications, nutritional status and pubertal development were obtained from medical records. Diagnosis of dyslipidemia was considered according to the criteria of the NHLBI 2011. The medical records of 218 children with DS were revised, 58,3% had some type of dyslipidemia. The most frequent single dyslipidemias were low HDL Chol (15,1%) and hypertriglyceridemia (12,8%). Atherogenic dyslipidemia (low HDL plus hypertriglyceridemia) was the most frequent combined dyslipidemia (13,3%). The occurrence of atherogenic dyslipidemia was not associated with overnutrition and obesity. A high frequency of dyslipidemia was found in Chilean children and adolescents with DS. Our results make us suggest that lipid profile should be performed early in all patients with DS, independent of the presence of risk factors for dyslipidemia.

Left-Hemispheric Microstructural Abnormalities in Children With High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder

PubMed Central

Peterson, Daniel; Mahajan, Rajneesh; Crocetti, Deana; Mejia, Amanda; Mostofsky, Stewart

2014-01-01

Current theories of the neurobiological basis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) posit an altered pattern of connectivity in large-scale brain networks. Here we used Diffusion Tensor Imaging to investigate the microstructural properties of the white matter that mediates inter-regional connectivity in 36 high-functioning children with ASD (HF-ASD), as compared to 37 controls. By employing an atlas-based analysis using LDDMM registration, a widespread, but left-lateralized pattern of abnormalities was revealed. The Mean Diffusivity (MD) of water in the white matter of HF-ASD children was significantly elevated throughout the left hemisphere, particularly in the outer-zone cortical white matter. Across diagnostic groups there was a significant effect of age on left hemisphere MD, with a similar reduction in MD during childhood in both TD and HF-ASD children. The increased MD in children with HF-ASD suggests hypomyelination, and may reflect increased short-range cortico-cortical connections subsequent to early white matter overgrowth. These findings also highlight left hemispheric connectivity as relevant to the pathophysiology of ASD, and indicate that the spatial distribution of microstructural abnormalities in HF-ASD is widespread, and left-lateralized. This altered left-hemispheric connectivity may contribute to deficits in communication and praxis observed in ASD. PMID:25256103

High-dose nebulized budesonide is effective for mild asthma exacerbations in children under 3 years of age.

PubMed

Saito, M; Kikuchi, Y; Kawarai Lefor, A; Hoshina, M

2017-01-01

Background. High-dose inhaled steroid therapy has been shown to be effective in children and adults with asthma exacerbations. However, few reports are available regarding its efficacy for asthma exacerbations in younger children. Objective. In this study, we administered high-dose nebulized budesonide therapy for mild asthma exacerbations in children < 3 years of age and compared its efficacy and safety with systemic steroid therapy. Methods. This study included children < 3 years old with mild asthma exacerbations. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups: the BIS group was given 1 mg of nebulized budesonide twice daily, and the PSL group received prednisolone 0.5 mg/kg iv three times daily. Days to disappearance of wheezing, days of steroid use, days of oxygen use, serum cortisol level, and incidence of adverse events during treatment were compared between the groups. Result. Wheezing disappeared after an average of five days, and steroids were administered for an average of five days in both groups, with no significant difference in days of oxygen use. Serum cortisol levels at initiation and during the course of treatment remained unchanged in the BIS group, and were decreased in the PSL group; however, the decrease in the latter group was not pathologic. Conclusion. For children < 3 years old with mild asthma exacerbations, high-dose nebulized budesonide therapy is equally as effective as systemic steroid therapy.

For Our Own Safety: Examining the Safety of High-Risk Interventions for Children and Young People

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nunno, Michael A., Ed.; Day, David M., Ed.; Bullard, Lloyd B., Ed.

2008-01-01

"For Our Own Safety" is devoted entirely to the subject of, and risks associated with, restraint and seclusion of children. This book is a collection of the diverse viewpoints presented at the international symposium, "Examining the Safety of High-Risk Interventions for Children and Young People" (Ithaca, New York, June 1-4, 2005). It presents…

Randomized Controlled Trial of "Mind Reading" and In Vivo Rehearsal for High-Functioning Children with ASD

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thomeer, Marcus L.; Smith, Rachael A.; Lopata, Christopher; Volker, Martin A.; Lipinski, Alanna M.; Rodgers, Jonathan D.; McDonald, Christin A.; Lee, Gloria K.

2015-01-01

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the efficacy of a computer software (i.e., "Mind Reading") and in vivo rehearsal treatment on the emotion decoding and encoding skills, autism symptoms, and social skills of 43 children, ages 7-12 years with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (HFASD). Children in treatment (n = 22)…

High provitamin A carotenoid serum concentrations, elevated retinyl esters, and saturated retinol-binding protein in Zambian preschool children are consistent with the presence of high liver vitamin A stores.

PubMed

Mondloch, Stephanie; Gannon, Bryan M; Davis, Christopher R; Chileshe, Justin; Kaliwile, Chisela; Masi, Cassim; Rios-Avila, Luisa; Gregory, Jesse F; Tanumihardjo, Sherry A

2015-08-01

Biomarkers of micronutrient status are needed to best define deficiencies and excesses of essential nutrients. We evaluated several supporting biomarkers of vitamin A status in Zambian children to determine whether any of the biomarkers were consistent with high liver retinol stores determined by using retinol isotope dilution (RID). A randomized, placebo-controlled, biofortified maize efficacy trial was conducted in 140 rural Zambian children from 4 villages. A series of biomarkers were investigated to better define the vitamin A status of these children. In addition to the assessment of total-body retinol stores (TBSs) by using RID, tests included analyses of serum carotenoids, retinyl esters, and pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP) by using high-pressure liquid chromatography, retinol-binding protein by using ELISA, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity by using a colorimetric assay. Children (n = 133) were analyzed quantitatively for TBSs by using RID. TBSs, retinyl esters, some carotenoids, and PLP differed by village site. Serum carotenoids were elevated above most nonintervened reference values for children. α-Carotene, β-carotene, and lutein values were >95th percentile from children in the US NHANES III, and 13% of children had hypercarotenemia (defined as total carotenoid concentration >3.7 μmol/L). Although only 2% of children had serum retinyl esters >10% of total retinol plus retinyl esters, 16% of children had >5% as esters, which was consistent with high liver retinol stores. Ratios of serum retinol to retinol-binding protein did not deviate from 1.0, which indicated full saturation. ALT activity was low, which was likely due to underlying vitamin B-6 deficiency, which was confirmed by very low serum PLP concentrations. The finding of hypervitaminosis A in Zambian children was supported by high circulating concentrations of carotenoids and mildly elevated serum retinyl esters. ALT-activity assays may be compromised with co-existing vitamin B-6

Overweight, obesity, high blood pressure and lifestyle factors among Mexican children and their parents

PubMed Central

Vergara-Castañeda, Arely; Colín-Ramírez, Eloisa; Orea-Tejeda, Arturo

2010-01-01

Objective The objective of this study was to identify associations in the prevalence of overweight, obesity and high blood pressure between children and their parents, as well as their eating and physical patterns. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we obtained data on 83 pairs of school-aged children and one of their parents relating to dietary habits and various physical parameters, including the body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure of the children, which were adjusted by age and gender. Both the children and the parents were asked to complete a questionnaire aimed at providing measures of eating behavior. The questions focused on the consumption of fruit and vegetables and soda drinks as well as on physical activity patterns. Parent BMI was calculated from self-reported height and weight values. Results Obesity was diagnosed in 10.8% of the children, and the prevalence of overweight was 28.9%. There was a relationship between a child’s weight status and that of his/her parent according to the BMI; 45% of overweight/obese children had overweight/obese parents. In addition, a parent’s fruit and vegetable consumption was associated with his/her child’s fruit and vegetable consumption (r = 0.47, p < 0.001), and both were associated with soda drink consumption in both parents and children (r = 0.30, p < 0.001). Conclusion Our results confirmed that there is a relationship between the weight status, fruit and vegetable consumption and soda drink intake of children and those of their parents. PMID:21432567

Overweight, obesity, high blood pressure and lifestyle factors among Mexican children and their parents.

PubMed

Vergara-Castañeda, Arely; Castillo-Martínez, Lilia; Colín-Ramírez, Eloisa; Orea-Tejeda, Arturo

2010-11-01

The objective of this study was to identify associations in the prevalence of overweight, obesity and high blood pressure between children and their parents, as well as their eating and physical patterns. In this cross-sectional study, we obtained data on 83 pairs of school-aged children and one of their parents relating to dietary habits and various physical parameters, including the body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure of the children, which were adjusted by age and gender. Both the children and the parents were asked to complete a questionnaire aimed at providing measures of eating behavior. The questions focused on the consumption of fruit and vegetables and soda drinks as well as on physical activity patterns. Parent BMI was calculated from self-reported height and weight values. Obesity was diagnosed in 10.8% of the children, and the prevalence of overweight was 28.9%. There was a relationship between a child's weight status and that of his/her parent according to the BMI; 45% of overweight/obese children had overweight/obese parents. In addition, a parent's fruit and vegetable consumption was associated with his/her child's fruit and vegetable consumption (r = 0.47, p < 0.001), and both were associated with soda drink consumption in both parents and children (r = 0.30, p < 0.001). Our results confirmed that there is a relationship between the weight status, fruit and vegetable consumption and soda drink intake of children and those of their parents.

Renal function in children suffering from sickle cell disease: challenge of early detection in highly resource-scarce settings.

PubMed

Aloni, Michel Ntetani; Ngiyulu, René Makwala; Gini-Ehungu, Jean-Lambert; Nsibu, Célestin Ndosimao; Ekila, Mathilde Bothale; Lepira, François Bompeka; Nseka, Nazaire Mangani

2014-01-01

The prevalence of Sickle cell disease is extremely high in Democratic Republic of Congo. Despite this high prevalence of the disease, data on renal abnormalities in children are rare. The study proposed to assess blood pressure, glomerular function, urea and uric acid levels in 65 steady state Congolese children with homozygous sickle cell disease and 67 normal controls. In Hb-SS group, blood pressure level tended to be lower than Hb-AA groups but there was no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) between the two groups. The absolute values for GFR corrected for BSA were significantly higher in Hb-SS group compared to Hb-AA group (130.5±34.1 ml/min/1.73 m2 vs 113.7±24.5 ml/min/1.73 m2; p = 0.004). Children with Hb-SS were more likely to hyperfiltrate (30.8% of subjects) than children with Hb-AA (6.1% of subjects). Proteinuria was found in 4 (6.2%) children with Hb-SS. Uric acid level was significantly increased in children with Hb-SS compared to corresponding values in control group (4.4±1.3 mg/dl vs 3.5±1.1 mg/dl; p<0.001). Urea level was significantly decreased compared to corresponding values in Hb-AA group (15.3±8.3 mg/dl vs 22.9±10.1 mg/dl; p<0.001). Hyperfiltration, low creatinine, lower urea and high uric acid are more common in children with sickle cell disease than in normal controls.

Long-term follow-up of children with high-risk neuroblastoma: the ENSG5 trial experience.

PubMed

Moreno, Lucas; Vaidya, Sucheta J; Pinkerton, C Ross; Lewis, Ian J; Imeson, John; Machin, David; Pearson, Andrew D J

2013-07-01

Therapy for high-risk neuroblastoma is intensive and multimodal, and significant long-term adverse effects have been described. The aim of this study was to identify the nature and severity of late complications of metastatic neuroblastoma survivors included in the ENSG5 clinical trial. The trial protocol included induction chemotherapy (randomized "Standard" OPEC/OJEC vs. "Rapid" COJEC), surgery of primary tumor and high-dose melphalan with stem cell rescue. Two hundred and sixty-two children were randomized, 69 survived >5 years, and 57 were analyzed. Data were obtained from the ENSG5 trial database and verified with questionnaires sent to participating centers. Median follow-up was 12.9 (6.9-16.5) years. No differences were found in late toxicities between treatment arms. Twenty-eight children (49.1%) developed hearing loss. Nine patients (15.8%) developed glomerular filtration rate <80 ml/min/1.73 m(2), but no cases of chronic renal failure were documented. Endocrine complications (28.1% of children) included mainly hypogonadism and delayed growth. Four children developed second malignancies, three of them 5 years after diagnosis: one osteosarcoma, one carcinoma of the parotid gland and one ependymoma. There were no hematological malignancies or deaths in remission. This study analyzed a wide cohort of high-risk neuroblastoma survivors from a multi-institutional randomized trial and established the profile of long-term toxicity within the setting of an international clinical trial. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

High-flow nasal prong oxygen therapy or nasopharyngeal continuous positive airway pressure for children with moderate-to-severe respiratory distress?*.

PubMed

ten Brink, Fia; Duke, Trevor; Evans, Janine

2013-09-01

The aim of this study was to compare the use of high-flow nasal prong oxygen therapy to nasopharyngeal continuous positive airway pressure in a PICU at a tertiary hospital; to understand the safety and effectiveness of high-flow nasal prong therapy; in particular, what proportion of children require escalation of therapy, whether any bedside monitoring data predict stability or need for escalation, and complications of the therapies. This was a prospective observational study of the first 6 months after the introduction of high-flow nasal prong oxygen therapy at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne. Data were collected on all children who were managed with either high-flow nasal prong oxygen therapy or nasopharyngeal continuous positive airway pressure. The mode of respiratory support was determined by the treating medical staff. Data were collected on each patient before the use of high-flow nasal prong or nasopharyngeal continuous positive airway pressure, at 2 hours after starting the therapy, and the children were monitored and data collected until discharge from the ICU. Therapy was considered to be escalated if children on high-flow nasal prong required a more invasive form or higher level of respiratory support, including nasopharyngeal continuous positive airway pressure or mask bilevel positive airway pressure or endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. Therapy was considered to be escalated if children on nasopharyngeal continuous positive airway pressure required bilevel positive airway pressure or intubation and mechanical ventilation. As the first mode of respiratory support, 72 children received high-flow nasal prong therapy and 37 received nasopharyngeal continuous positive airway pressure. Forty-four patients (61%) who received high-flow nasal prong first were weaned to low-flow oxygen or to room air and 21 (29%) required escalation of respiratory support, compared with children on nasopharyngeal continuous positive airway pressure

Maternal educational level and preschool children's consumption of high-calorie snacks and sugar-containing beverages: mediation by the family food environment.

PubMed

Wijtzes, Anne I; Jansen, Wilma; Jansen, Pauline W; Jaddoe, Vincent W V; Hofman, Albert; Raat, Hein

2013-11-01

To examine the associations between maternal educational level and preschoolers' consumption of high-calorie snacks and sugar-containing beverages, and to assess the mediating effects of variables relating to the family food environment. We analyzed data from 2814 native Dutch preschoolers enrolled in a birth cohort study in Rotterdam (the Netherlands), between 2002 and 2006. Logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios of snacking ≥ 2 times/day and consuming sugar-containing beverages ≥ 3 glasses/day for children of mothers with low, mid-low, and mid-high educational levels (reference group: high educational level), before and after adjustment for mediators. Children of low and mid-low educated mothers were significantly more likely to consume excessive amounts of high-calorie snacks and sugar-containing beverages compared with children of high educated mothers, with the highest odds in children of low educated mothers (OR: 2.44; 95% CI: 1.84, 3.23 and OR: 2.46; 95% CI: 1.87, 3.24 respectively). Parental feeding practices, parental consumption of sugar-containing beverages, and children's television time partly explained these associations. Maternal educational level is inversely related to preschoolers' consumption of high-calorie snacks and sugar-containing beverages. Targeting the family food environment may be an effective way of reducing educational inequalities in children's unhealthy dietary behaviors. © 2013.

Antibiotics for preventing lower respiratory tract infections in high-risk children aged 12 years and under.

PubMed

Onakpoya, Igho J; Hayward, Gail; Heneghan, Carl J

2015-09-26

Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in young children account for 1.4 million deaths annually worldwide. Antibiotics could be beneficial in preventing LRTIs in high-risk children, and may also help prevent school absenteeism and work days missed by children and/or carers. While it is well documented that the efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis for RTIs decreases over time, there are no reviews that describe the use of antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent LRTIs in high-risk children aged 12 years and under. To assess the effectiveness and safety of antibiotic prophylaxis in the prevention of bacterial LRTIs in high-risk children aged 12 years and under. We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL 2015, Issue 1) and the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE), MEDLINE and MEDLINE In-Process (OvidSP) (1946 to 13 February 2015), EMBASE (OvidSP) (1974 to 12 February 2015), Science Citation Index Expanded (1945 to 13 February 2015) and Conference Proceedings Citation Index-Science (Web of Science Core Collection) (1990 to 13 February 2015). We searched for ongoing studies on ClinicalTrials.gov and the World Health Organization ICTRP. We handsearched the bibliographies of retrieved full texts of relevant studies. We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing oral or intravenous antibiotics versus placebo or no treatment to prevent infections in high-risk children aged 12 years and under. We used a combination of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Health Service (NHS), American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines to define conditions at higher risk of complications. Our primary outcome was the incidence of bacterial lower respiratory infections. Secondary outcomes included clinical function, hospital admission, mortality, growth, use of secondary antibiotics, time off school or parental work, quality of life and adverse events

Children with moderate-high infection with Entamoeba coli have higher percentage of body and abdominal fat than non-infected children.

PubMed

Zavala, G A; García, O P; Campos-Ponce, M; Ronquillo, D; Caamaño, M C; Doak, C M; Rosado, J L

2016-12-01

Intestinal parasites, virus and bacterial infections are positively associated with obesity and adiposity in vitro and in animal models, but conclusive evidence of this relationship in humans is lacking. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine differences in adiposity between infected and non-infected children, with a high prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection and obesity. A total of 296 school-aged children (8.0 ± 1.5 years) from a rural area in Querétaro, Mexico, participated in this study. Anthropometry (weight, height and waist circumference) and body fat (DXA) were measured in all children. A fresh stool sample was collected from each child and analysed for parasites. Questionnaires related to socioeconomic status and clinical history were completed by caretakers. Approximately 11% of the children were obese, and 19% were overweight. The overall prevalence of infection was 61%. Ascaris lumbricoides was the most prevalent soil transmitted helminth (16%) followed by hookworm. Entamoeba coli was the predominant protozoa (20%) followed by Endolimax nana, Balantidium coli, Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, Iodamoeba bütschlii and Giardia lamblia. Children with moderate-heavy infection of E. coli had significantly higher waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, body and abdominal fat than children not infected or with light-intensity infection (p < 0.05). These findings raise the possibility that a moderate or heavy infection with E. coli may contribute to fat deposition and thereby have long-term consequences on human health. Further studies are needed to better understand if E. coli contributes directly to fat deposition and possible mechanisms. © 2015 World Obesity Federation.

[Relationship between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and obesity/metabolic syndrome in children].

PubMed

Chen, Fangfang; Wang, Wenpeng; Teng, Yue; Hou, Dongqing; Zhao, Xiaoyuan; Yang, Ping; Yan, Yinkun; Mi, Jie

2014-06-01

To explore the relationship between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and obesity/metabolic syndrome (MetS) related factors in children. 403 children aged 10-14 and born in Beijing were involved in this study. Height, weight, waist circumference, fat mass percentage (Fat%), blood pressure (BP), hsCRP, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), high and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C, LDL-C) were observed among these children. hsCRP was transformed with base 10 logarithm (lgCRP). MetS was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation 2007 definition. Associations between MetS related components and hsCRP were tested using partial correlation analysis, analysis of covariance and linear regression models. 1) lgCRP was positively correlated with BMI, waist circumference, Fat%,BP, FPG, LDL-C and TC while negatively correlated with HDL-C. With BMI under control, the relationships disappeared, but LDL-C (r = 0.102). 2) The distributions of lgCRP showed obvious differences in all the metabolic indices, in most groups, respectively. With BMI under control, close relationships between lgCRP and high blood pressure/high TG disappeared and the relationship with MetS weakened. 3) Through linear regression models, factors as waist circumference, BMI, Fat% were the strongest factors related to hsCRP, followed by systolic BP, HDL-C, diastolic BP, TG and LDL-C. With BMI under control, the relationships disappeared, but LDL-C(β = 0.045). hsCRP was correlated with child obesity, lipid metabolism and MetS. Waist circumference was the strongest factors related with hsCRP. Obesity was the strongest and the independent influencing factor of hsCRP.

Prevalence of high body mass index among children and adolescents at a US military treatment facility, 2008-2009.

PubMed

Choi, Y Sammy; Berry-Caban, Cristobal; Stratman, Rachel; Fleming, Jill H

2012-01-01

We assessed the prevalence of high body mass index (BMI) in a large cohort of military children. We compared BMI data from electronic medical records of military children aged 2 to 18 years with BMI data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The 23,778 military children studied were significantly less likely than the NHANES children to be overweight (27.1% vs 31.8%) or obese (11.9% vs 16.9%). Even though military parents are required to maintain fitness and weight standards, the absolute difference between military and civilian children was small.

A Step Toward High Reliability: Implementation of a Daily Safety Brief in a Children's Hospital.

PubMed

Saysana, Michele; McCaskey, Marjorie; Cox, Elaine; Thompson, Rachel; Tuttle, Lora K; Haut, Paul R

2017-09-01

Health care is a high-risk industry. To improve communication about daily events and begin the journey toward a high reliability organization, the Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health implemented a daily safety brief. Various departments in our children's hospital were asked to participate in a daily safety brief, reporting daily events and unexpected outcomes within their scope of responsibility. Participants were surveyed before and after implementation of the safety brief about communication and awareness of events in the hospital. The length of the brief and percentage of departments reporting unexpected outcomes were measured. The analysis of the presurvey and the postsurvey showed a statistically significant improvement in the questions related to the awareness of daily events as well as communication and relationships between departments. The monthly mean length of time for the brief was 15 minutes or less. Unexpected outcomes were reported by 50% of the departments for 8 months. A daily safety brief can be successfully implemented in a children's hospital. Communication between departments and awareness of daily events were improved. Implementation of a daily safety brief is a step toward becoming a high reliability organization.

Measuring Reciprocity in High Functioning Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

van Ommeren, Tineke Backer; Begeer, Sander; Scheeren, Anke M.; Koot, Hans M.

2012-01-01

Few instruments have been developed that measure impairments in reciprocity, a defining feature of autism. We introduce a new test assessing the quality of reciprocal behaviour: the interactive drawing test (IDT). Children and adolescents (n = 49) with and without high functioning autism spectrum disorders (HFASD) were invited to collaborate with…

Superior Nonverbal Intelligence in Children with High-Functioning Autism or Asperger's Syndrome

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chen, Fei; Planche, Pascale; Lemonnier, Eric

2010-01-01

Some early studies showed discordance in cognitive strengths and weaknesses in individuals with high-functioning autism (HFA) or Asperger's syndrome (AS). The present study administered the French version of Colored Raven's Progressive Matrices in 14 children with HFA/AS and in 26 chronological age matched peers with typical development. We found…

Answering Contextually Demanding Questions: Pragmatic Errors Produced by Children with Asperger Syndrome or High-Functioning Autism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Loukusa, Soile; Leinonen, Eeva; Jussila, Katja; Mattila, Marja-Leena; Ryder, Nuala; Ebeling, Hanna; Moilanen, Irma

2007-01-01

This study examined irrelevant/incorrect answers produced by children with Asperger syndrome or high-functioning autism (7-9-year-olds and 10-12-year-olds) and normally developing children (7-9-year-olds). The errors produced were divided into three types: in Type 1, the child answered the original question incorrectly, in Type 2, the child gave a…

A review of early influences on physical activity and sedentary behaviors of preschool-age children in high-income countries.

PubMed

Lindsay, Ana Cristina; Greaney, Mary L; Wallington, Sherrie F; Mesa, Tatiana; Salas, Carlos F

2017-07-01

Promoting physical activity (PA) is a key component of preventing and controlling childhood obesity. Despite well-documented benefits of PA, globally, rates of PA among young children have declined over the past decades, and most children are not accruing sufficient PA daily. Helping children develop the foundation for PA habits early in life is critical for the promotion of health in childhood and prevention of chronic diseases later in life, and will ultimately promote longer and healthier lives for individuals and the general population. The purpose of this review is to provide a synthesis of current evidence on influences on PA and sedentary behaviors of preschool-age children in high-income countries. A systematic review of three databases was performed. Studies conducted in high-income countries and published from 2000 onward that addressed influences on PA and sedentary behaviors of preschool-age children were identified and reviewed. Additionally, reference lists of identified articles and relevant published reviews were reviewed. Studies that met the following inclusion criteria were considered: (a) sample included preschoolers (age ≤5 years); (b) PA and/or sedentary behaviors or factors associated with PA and/or sedentary behaviors was assessed; (c) published in English; (d) used either quantitative or qualitative methods; and (e) conducted in a high-income country. Data were extracted from selected studies to identify influences on PA and sedentary behaviors of preschool-age children and organized using the social-ecological model according to multiple levels of influence. Results from included studies identify multiple factors that influence PA and sedentary behaviors of young children in high-income countries at the various levels of the social-ecological model including intrapersonal, interpersonal, environmental, organizational, and policy. Given pediatric nurses' role as primary care providers, and their frequent and continued contact with parents

High incidence of vesicoureteric reflux in asymptomatic siblings of children with known reflux

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Treves, S.T.; Van den Abbeele, A.D.; Davis, R.T.

1985-05-01

A significant occurrence of vesicoureteric reflux in siblings of children with reflux has been previously suggested. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of vesicoureteric reflux in asymptomatic siblings of children with vesicoureteric reflux using radionuclide voiding cystography (RNC). A random group of 52 siblings was studied. Their ages were from 2 mos. to 13 yrs. (mean 4 yrs.). Seventy-one percent were female and 29% male, RNC was performed with the patients supine, and Tc-99m pertechnetate (2mCi/1) was infused into the bladder by catheter. A computerized gamma camera recorded the filling and voiding phase of the studymore » at 1 frame/5 sec. Reflux was detected in 40% of the patients. It was bilateral in 17% and unilateral in 23% of the patients. Reflux was identified to the renal pelves in half of the patients. In two of these patients Tc-99m DMSA scans were obtained which revealed significant renal scarring. This study demonstrates the high incidence of reflux of various degrees in these asymptomatic siblings on high risk of developing significant renal disease. Identification and proper treatment of asymptomatic children with vesicoureteric reflux may help prevent the development of renal damage.« less

Low Vitamin D Status and Inadequate Nutrient Intakes of Elementary School Children in a Highly Educated Pacific Northwest Community

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Frei, Simone; Frei, Balz; Bobe, Gerd

2014-01-01

Are Extension healthy youth programs needed in highly educated U.S. communities? To answer this question, 175 children from four public elementary schools in Corvallis, Oregon, self-reported in a cross-sectional study their dietary intake, and 71 children provided a blood sample for measuring vitamin D concentrations. Most children had…

When Asking Questions Is Not Enough: An Observational Study of Social Communication Differences in High Functioning Children with Autism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jones, Christopher D.; Schwartz, Ilene S.

2009-01-01

This investigation examined communication patterns between high functioning children with autism and their families and typically developing children and their families within traditional dinner time conversation. Twenty families with a child with autism (3.5-7 years.) and ten families with typically developing children (3.5-6 years) were video…

Clinical high risk for psychosis in children and adolescents: a systematic review.

PubMed

Tor, Jordina; Dolz, Montserrat; Sintes, Anna; Muñoz, Daniel; Pardo, Marta; de la Serna, Elena; Puig, Olga; Sugranyes, Gisela; Baeza, Inmaculada

2017-09-15

The concept of being at risk for psychosis has been introduced both for adults and children and adolescents, but fewer studies have been conducted in the latter population. The aim of this study is to systematically review the articles associated with clinical description, interventions, outcome and other areas in children and adolescents at risk for psychosis. We searched in MEDLINE/PubMed and PsycINFO databases for articles published up to 30/06/16. Reviewed articles were prospective studies; written in English; original articles with Clinical High Risk (CHR) for psychosis samples; and mean age of samples younger than 18 years. From 103 studies initially selected, 48 met inclusion criteria and were systematically reviewed. Studies show that CHR children and adolescents present several clinical characteristics at baseline, with most attenuated positive-symptom inclusion criteria observed, reporting mostly perceptual abnormalities and suspiciousness, and presenting comorbid conditions such as depressive and anxiety disorders. CHR children and adolescents show lower general intelligence and no structural brain changes compared with controls. Original articles reviewed show rates of conversion to psychosis between 17 and 20% at 1 year follow-up and between 7 and 21% at 2 years. While 36% of patients recovered from their CHR status at 6-year follow-up, 40% still met CHR criteria. Studies in children and adolescents with CHR were conducted with different methodologies, assessments tools and small samples. It is important to conduct studies on psychopharmacological and psychological treatment, as well as replication of the few studies found.

High Prevalence of Faecal Carriage of ESBL-Producing Enterobacteriaceae among Children in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

PubMed

Tellevik, Marit G; Blomberg, Bjørn; Kommedal, Øyvind; Maselle, Samuel Y; Langeland, Nina; Moyo, Sabrina J

2016-01-01

Faecal carriage of ESBL-producing bacteria is a potential risk for transmission and infection. Little is known about faecal carriage of antibiotic resistance in Tanzania. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of faecal carriage of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae and to identify risk factors for carriage among young children in Tanzania. From August 2010 to July 2011, children below 2 years of age were recruited in Dar es Salaam, including healthy community children (n = 250) and children hospitalized due to diarrhoea (n = 250) or other diseases (n = 103). ChromID ESBL agar and ChromID CARBA SMART agar were used for screening. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by the disk diffusion method. ESBL genotypes were identified by Real-Time PCR and sequencing. The overall prevalence of ESBL carriage was 34.3% (207/ 603). The prevalence of ESBL carriage was significantly higher among hospitalized children (50.4%), compared to community children (11.6%; P < 0.001; OR = 7.75; 95% CI: 4.99-12.03). We found high prevalence of Multidrug-resistance (94%) among Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates. No resistance to carbapenems was detected. For the majority of isolates (94.7%) we detected a blaCTX-M-15-like gene. In addition, the plasmid mediated AmpC beta-lactamase CMY-2 was detected for the first time in Tanzania. ESBL prevalence was significantly higher among HIV positive (89.7%) than HIV negative (16.9%) children (P = 0.001; OR = 9.99; 95% CI: 2.52-39.57). Use of antibiotics during the past 14 days and age below 1 year was also associated with ESBL carriage. We report a high rate of faecal carriage of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae among children below 2 years of age in Tanzania, particularly those with HIV-infection. Resistance to a majority of the available antimicrobials commonly used for children in Tanzania leaves few treatment options for infections when caused by these bacteria.

The Modality Shift Experiment in Adults and Children with High Functioning Autism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Williams, Diane L.; Goldstein, Gerald; Minshew, Nancy J.

2013-01-01

This study used the modality shift experiment, a relatively simple reaction time measure to visual and auditory stimuli, to examine attentional shifting within and across modalities in 33 children and 42 adults with high-functioning autism as compared to matched numbers of age- and ability-matched typical controls. An exaggerated "modality shift…

Health-related quality of life in parents of school-age children with Asperger syndrome or high-functioning autism

PubMed Central

Allik, Hiie; Larsson, Jan-Olov; Smedje, Hans

2006-01-01

Background The estimated prevalence rate of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD) in children is 6 per 1.000. Parenting children who are intellectually impaired and have PDDs is known to be linked to the impaired well-being of the parents themselves. However, there is still little available data on health-related quality of life (HRQL) in parents of children with Asperger Syndrome (AS) and High-Functioning Autism (HFA), or other PDD diagnoses in children of normal intelligence. The present study aimed to evaluate aspects of HRQL in parents of school-age children with AS/HFA and the correlates with child behaviour characteristics. Methods The sample consisted of 31 mothers and 30 fathers of 32 children with AS/HFA and 30 mothers and 29 fathers of 32 age and gender matched children with typical development. Parental HRQL was surveyed by the use of the 12 Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) which measures physical and mental well-being. The child behaviour characteristics were assessed using the structured questionnaires: The High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ) and The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Results The mothers of children with AS/HFA had lower SF-12 scores than the controls, indicating poorer physical health. The mothers of children with AS/HFA also had lower physical SF-12 scores compared to the fathers. In the AS/HFA group, maternal health was related to behaviour problems such as hyperactivity and conduct problems in the child. Conclusion Mothers but not fathers of children with AS/HFA reported impaired HRQL, and there was a relationship between maternal well-being and child behaviour characteristics. PMID:16393335

Centre-based day care for children younger than five years of age in high-income countries.

PubMed

van Urk, Felix C; Brown, Taylor W; Waller, Rebecca; Mayo-Wilson, Evan

2014-09-23

A large proportion of children younger than five years of age in high-income countries experience significant non-parental care. Centre-based day care services may influence the development of children and the economic situation of parents. To assess the effects of centre-based day care without additional interventions (e.g. psychological or medical services, parent training) on the development and well-being of children and families in high-income countries (as defined by the World Bank 2011). In April 2014, we searched CENTRAL, Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, the Education Resources Information Center (ERIC) and eight other databases. We also searched two trials registers and the reference lists of relevant studies. We included randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials of centre-based day care for children younger than five years of age. We excluded studies that involved co-interventions not directed toward children (e.g. parent programmes, home visits, teacher training). We included the following outcomes: child cognitive development (primary outcome), child psychosocial development, maternal and family outcomes and child long-term outcomes. Two review authors independently assessed the risk of bias and extracted data from the single included study. We contacted investigators to obtain missing information. We included in the review one trial, involving 120 families and 143 children. Risk of bias was high because of contamination between groups, as 63% of control group participants accessed day care services separate from those offered within the intervention. No evidence suggested that centre-based day care, rather than no treatment (care at home), improved or worsened children's cognitive ability (Griffiths Mental Development Scale, standardised mean difference (SMD) 0.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.01 to 0.69, 127 participants, 1 study, very low-quality evidence) or psychosocial development (parental report of abnormal development, risk ratio (RR

The Use of Linguistic Cues in Sentence Comprehension by Mandarin-Speaking Children with High-Functioning Autism.

PubMed

Zhou, Peng; Crain, Stephen; Gao, Liqun; Jia, Meixiang

2017-01-01

Two studies were conducted to investigate how high-functioning children with autism use different linguistic cues in sentence comprehension. Two types of linguistic cues were investigated: word order and morphosyntactic cues. The results show that children with autism can use both types of cues in sentence comprehension. However, compared to age-matched typically developing peers, children with autism relied significantly more on word order cues and exhibited significantly more difficulties in interpreting sentences in which there was a conflict between the morphosyntactic cue and the word order cue. We attribute the difficulties exhibited by children with autism to their deficits in executive function. We then discuss the implications of the findings for understanding the nature of the sentence processing mechanism in autism.

Does consumption of high-fructose corn syrup beverages cause obesity in children?

PubMed

Morgan, R E

2013-08-01

The consumption of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) beverages has increased since the 1970s. At the same time, childhood obesity is on the rise, causing children to be at risk of heart disease, diabetes and other diseases. Healthcare providers have attributed childhood obesity to the consumption of HFCS in the form of beverages. This article will look at the available research and determine if there is scientific evidence underlying the idea that sweetened soft drinks, especially those containing HFCS, could cause or contribute to childhood obesity. A thorough literature search was performed using the ISI Web of Sciences, PubMed and Scopus databases within the years 2006-2012. The search generated 19 results. The articles were screened, and six were deemed eligible: four systematic reviews and two meta-analyses. Two systematic reviews found that there is no relationship between consumption of HFCS beverages and obesity in children. The other two systematic reviews found possible links between HFCS and childhood obesity. The meta-analysis articles found that consumption of HFCS beverages can contribute to childhood obesity, and limitation of sweetened beverages may help decrease obesity in children. Available research studies demonstrate inconclusive scientific evidence definitively linking HFCS to obesity in children. © 2013 The Author. Pediatric Obesity © 2013 International Association for the Study of Obesity.

Perceptions about the value and cost of children: Australian and Papua New Guinean high school youth.

PubMed

Callan, V J; Wilks, J

1984-01-01

The present study of 329 Australian and 281 Papua New Guinean (PNG) high school youth compared students' perceptions of the economic role of children, the importance of personal aspirations, evidence of support for the conjugal family and for cultural props. When asked about the number of children they wanted to have, the majority of students (86%) wanted from 2 to 4 children. Mean family sizes were 3.7 children for PNG males, 2.7 for PNG females, 2.5 for Australian males, and 2.9 for Australian females. 43% of PNG males wanted 4 or more children, but only 27% of Australian male students wanted this number. The most striking result is that PNG female students expected to have 2 or 3 children only, while their mean family size was slightly lower than Australian females. Thus, if values of children reflect fertility behavior, the analysis of values and costs of children would be expected to reveal a somewhat strong similarity between Australian youth and PNG female students, or at least a marked difference in the perceptions of PNG male and female students. As predicted, the economic role of children was more important to PNG students, and considerably less so to young Australians. Predicted differences in personal aspirations were less clear cut, but young Australians cited more frequently the restrictions and economic costs in having children. In addition, Australians emphasized more than PNG students the pleasure, pride, fulfilment and achievement in having children. As expected in a low fertility country, Australian students mentioned more often the love and companionship of children, although students in both countries had similar views about the impact of children on the marital relationship. Lineage and religious benefits from children were more salient to PNG youth.

High success rates of sedation-free brain MRI scanning in young children using simple subject preparation protocols with and without a commercial mock scanner–the Diabetes Research in Children Network (DirecNet) experience

PubMed Central

Barnea-Goraly, Naama; Weinzimer, Stuart A.; Mauras, Nelly; Beck, Roy W.; Marzelli, Matt J.; Mazaika, Paul K.; Aye, Tandy; White, Neil H.; Tsalikian, Eva; Fox, Larry; Kollman, Craig; Cheng, Peiyao; Reiss, Allan L.

2013-01-01

Background The ability to lie still in an MRI scanner is essential for obtaining usable image data. To reduce motion, young children are often sedated, adding significant cost and risk. Objective We assessed the feasibility of using a simple and affordable behavioral desensitization program to yield high-quality brain MRI scans in sedation-free children. Materials and methods 222 children (4–9.9 years), 147 with type 1 diabetes and 75 age-matched non-diabetic controls, participated in a multi-site study focused on effects of type 1 diabetes on the developing brain. T1-weighted and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) MRI scans were performed. All children underwent behavioral training and practice MRI sessions using either a commercial MRI simulator or an inexpensive mock scanner consisting of a toy tunnel, vibrating mat, and video player to simulate the sounds and feel of the MRI scanner. Results 205 children (92.3%), mean age 7±1.7 years had high-quality T1-W scans and 174 (78.4%) had high-quality diffusion-weighted scans after the first scan session. With a second scan session, success rates were 100% and 92.5% for T1-and diffusion-weighted scans, respectively. Success rates did not differ between children with type 1 diabetes and children without diabetes, or between centers using a commercial MRI scan simulator and those using the inexpensive mock scanner. Conclusion Behavioral training can lead to a high success rate for obtaining high-quality T1-and diffusion-weighted brain images from a young population without sedation. PMID:24096802

Investigating the Visual-Motor Integration Skills of 60-72-Month-Old Children at High and Low Socio-Economic Status as Regard the Age Factor

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ercan, Zülfiye Gül; Ahmetoglu, Emine; Aral, Neriman

2011-01-01

This study aims to define whether age creates any differences in the visual-motor integration skills of 60-72 months old children at low and high socio-economic status. The study was conducted on a total of 148 children consisting of 78 children representing low socio-economic status and 70 children representing high socio-economic status in the…

High fat consumption in children with celiac disease.

PubMed

Ferrara, P; Cicala, M; Tiberi, E; Spadaccio, C; Marcella, L; Gatto, A; Calzolari, P; Castellucci, G

2009-01-01

The purpose of this study was to estimate the caloric intake and fat consumption in children with celiac disease (CD) following a gluten-free diet (GFD). This study enrolled 100 subjects, including 50 children with CD on a gluten-free diet and a control group of 50 healthy children. Statistical analysis to compare groups was performed using one-way ANOVA. A significant increase in fat consumption was observed in children with CD as compared to healthy children. The daily fat intake was 72.5 +/- 37.2 g per 100 g of food in the CD group and 52.9 +/- 35.4 g per 100 g of food in the control group (p < 0.008). A significant difference in fat intake was found between celiac and healthy females (10.21 +/- 3.15 g/100 g in the celiac group vs 7.46 +/- 2.91 g/100 g in the control group), p = 0.004. This study describes a significantly higher fat consumption in patients with CD on GFD as compared to controls. This increase was more pronounced in females and during the puberal age. Based on these interesting preliminary results we estimate that further investigations are necessary, such as a randomized multicentre study on the long-term effects of GFD with particular attention to the imbalance in daily fat intake.

Experiences of the parents caring for their children during a tuberculosis outbreak in high school: a qualitative study.

PubMed

Zhang, Shaoru; Ruan, Wei; Li, Yingqun; Wang, Xiangni; Wang, Xing

2014-02-07

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a serious epidemic in China. In the past five years, the number of TB infections in high school students is rising and thus high school students are becoming a high risk group of TB. Parents of children with TB have to endure high psychological pressures from the disease itself, children's education, employment and life. The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychological pressure of parents with high school students suffering from TB. A total of 22 parents who have been taking care of their children suffering from TB were interviewed and a framework approach was used to analyze the interviews. In our study, 21/22 parents had low levels of understanding about TB; 22/22 were under psychological stress; and 20/22 stated that their daily life was impacted on TB. Parents need to be given appropriate knowledge on TB and psychological counseling. Authorities should not only implement the therapeutic measures, but also focus on solving the psychological problems of patients and their families when a similar outbreak occurs.

Intervening to Improve Communication between Parents, Teachers, and Primary Care Providers of Children with ADHD or at High Risk for ADHD

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wolraich, Mark L.; Bickman, Leonard; Lambert, E. Warren; Simmons, Tonya; Doffing, Melissa A.

2005-01-01

This study examines interventions designed to improve communication between individuals who take care of children with ADHD. A teacher rating of 6,171 elementary school children identifies 1,573 children with ADHD or with high risk for ADHD. Parent interviews and information from teachers are collected on 243 children who are randomized into…

Quality of Life of High-Functioning Children and Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Typically Developing Peers: Self- and Proxy-Reports

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Egilson, Snaefrídur T.; Ólafsdóttir, Linda B.; Leósdóttir, Thóra; Saemundsen, Evald

2017-01-01

Studies have shown parents to report lower quality of life for their children with autism spectrum disorder than children's self-report scores and the same applies for data on typically developing children. Our objectives were to: (1) explore how high-functioning children with autism spectrum disorder rate their quality of life compared with…

Epidemiological investigation of physique situation for birth high-risk children aged 9-15 years in Chengdu, Southwest China.

PubMed

Xiong, F; Yang, F; Huo, T Z; Li, P; Mao, M

2014-01-01

As the intrauterine environment can effect children's growth and development, this study aimed to explore the relationship between birth high-risk and physique situation of 9 to 15-year-old children by cross-sectional investigation, and to provide clues for the monitoring, prevention, and treatment of growth deviation in children. This study recruited 7,194 students aged 9 to 15 years in primary and junior schools. Their parents were asked to complete the birth situation questionnaire. Measurements included height, weight, and body mass index (BMI). Birth high-risk infant was defined according to the gestational age and birth weight. Growth deviation was classified as underweight, short stature, overweight, and obesity. The prevalence of all kinds of growth deviations in preterm, full-term, and post-term birth groups were similar, the same as the physique situation at school age among both sexes. The incidence of small for gestational age (SGA) was 6.23%, when at school age, part of SGA had catch-up growth. However, the prevalence of underweight and short stature for SGA was highest in three groups. The weight and height at school age in SGA group was less than that in appropriate for gestational age (AGA) and large for gestational age (LGA) groups. The prevalence of overweight and obesity for LGA and macrosomia were highest in three groups. At school age, the weight in macrosomia and LGA groups was higher than that in the other groups. Longitudinal height and weight development and growth of children with birth high-risk are different from normal children. In order to improve healthy situation, more attention should be paid to height and weight development of those children with birth high-risk at school age, even in pre-school age. Prevention may already begin during pregnancy.

Model Policies in Support of High Performance School Buildings for All Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

21st Century School Fund, 2006

2006-01-01

Model Policies in Support of High Performance School Buildings for All Children is to begin to create a coherent and comprehensive set of state policies that will provide the governmental infrastructure for effective and creative practice in facility management. There are examples of good policy in many states, but no state has a coherent set of…

Child maltreatment, callous-unemotional traits, and defensive responding in high-risk children: An investigation of emotion-modulated startle response.

PubMed

Dackis, Melissa N; Rogosch, Fred A; Cicchetti, Dante

2015-11-01

Child maltreatment is associated with disruptions in physiological arousal, emotion regulation, and defensive responses to cues of threat and distress, as well as increased risk for callous unemotional (CU) traits and externalizing behavior. Developmental models of CU traits have focused on biological and genetic risk factors that contribute to hypoarousal and antisocial behavior, but have focused less on environmental influences (Blair, 2004; Daversa, 2010; Hare, Frazell, & Cox, 1978; Krueger, 2000; Shirtcliff et al., 2009; Viding, Fontaine, & McCrory, 2012). The aim of the present investigation was to measure the independent and combined effects of child maltreatment and high CU traits on emotion-modulated startle response in children. Participants consisted of 132 low-income maltreated (n = 60) and nonmaltreated (n = 72) children between 8 and 12 years old who attended a summer camp program. Acoustic startle response (ASR) was elicited in response to a 110-dB 50-ms probe while children viewed a slideshow of pleasant, neutral, and unpleasant IAPS images. Maltreatment status was assessed through examination of Department of Human Services records. CU traits were measured using counselor reports from the Inventory of Callous and Unemotional Traits (Frick, 2004), and conduct problems were measured using counselor and child self-report. We found no significant differences in emotion-modulated startle in the overall sample. However, significant differences in ASR by maltreatment status, maltreatment subtype, and level of CU traits were apparent. Results indicated differential physiological responses for maltreated and nonmaltreated children based on CU traits, including a pathway of hypoarousal for nonmaltreated/high CU children that differed markedly from a more normative physiological trajectory for maltreated/high CU children. Further, we found heightened ASR for emotionally and physically neglected children with high CU and elevated antisocial behavior in these

Child Maltreatment, Callous-Unemotional Traits, and Defensive Responding In High-Risk Children: An Investigation of Emotion-Modulated Startle Response

PubMed Central

Dackis, Melissa N.; Rogosch, Fred A.; Cicchetti, Dante

2015-01-01

Child maltreatment is associated with disruptions in physiological arousal, emotion regulation, and defensive responses to cues of threat and distress, as well as increased risk for callous unemotional (CU) traits and externalizing behavior. Developmental models of callous unemotional (CU) traits have focused on biological and genetic risk factors that contribute to hypoarousal and antisocial behavior, but have focused less on environmental influences (Blair, 2004; Daversa, 2010; Hare, Frazell, & Cox, 1978; Krueger, 2000; Shirtcliff et al., 2009; Viding, Fontaine, & McCrory, 2012). The aim of the present investigation was to measure the independent and combined effects of child maltreatment and high CU trait on emotion-modulated startle (EMS) response in children. Participants consisted of 132 low-income maltreated (n = 60) and nonmaltreated (n = 72) children between 8–12 years old who attended a summer camp program. Acoustic startle response (ASR) was elicited in response to a 110-dB 50-ms probe while children viewed a slideshow of pleasant, neutral, and unpleasant IAPS images. Maltreatment status was assessed through examination of Department of Human Services records. CU traits were measured using counselor reports from the Inventory of Callous and Unemotional Traits (ICU; Frick, 2004), and conduct problems were measured using counselor and child self-report. We found no significant differences in emotion-modulated startle in the overall sample. However, significant differences in ASR by maltreatment status, maltreatment subtype, and level of CU traits were apparent. Results indicated differential physiological responses for maltreated and nonmaltreated children based on CU traits, including a pathway of hypoarousal for nonmaltreated/high CU children that differed markedly from a more normative physiological trajectory for maltreated/high CU children. Further, we found heightened ASR for emotionally and physically neglected children with high CU and elevated

C-reactive protein and its relation to high blood pressure in overweight or obese children and adolescents

PubMed Central

Noronha, Juliana Andreia F.; Medeiros, Carla Campos M.; Cardoso, Anajás da Silva; Gonzaga, Nathalia Costa; Ramos, Alessandra Teixeira; Ramos, André Luiz C.

2013-01-01

OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between C-reactive protein (CRP) and high blood pressure (BP) in overweight or obese children and adolescents. METHODS Cross-sectional study with 184 overweight or obese children and adolescents aged from two to 18 years old, from April, 2009 to April, 2010. The classification of nutritional status used the body mass index (BMI). Based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention curve, individuals were classified as: overweight (BMI between the 85th-95th percentiles), obesity (BMI between 95th-97th percentiles) and severe obesity (BMI >97th percentile). Abnormal values were considered for systolic BP (SBP) and/or diastolic (DBP) if ≥90th percentile of the BP curve recommended for children and adolescents in the V Brazilian Guidelines on Hypertension, for waist circumference (WC) if ≥90th percentile of the curve established by the National Cholesterol Education Program, and for high sensitive CRP (hs-CRP) if >3mg/dL. To evaluate the association of inadequate values of CRP and the studied groups, chi-square test and analysis of variance were applied, using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 17.0 and adopting a significance level of 5%. RESULTS Among the evaluated sample, 66.3% were female, 63.5%, non-white, 64.1% had severe obesity, 78.3% had altered WC and 70.6% presented high BP. There was a significant association of CRP high levels with altered WC and BMI ≥97th percentile. In adolescents, high CRP was related to high SBP. CRP mean values were higher in individuals with elevated SBP. CONCLUSIONS Inadequate values of hs-CRP were associated with severe obesity and high SBP in the studied population. These markers can be used to identify children and adolescents at higher risk for developing atherosclerosis. PMID:24142315

Do Children's Executive Functions Account for Associations Between Early Autonomy-Supportive Parenting and Achievement Through High School?

PubMed

Bindman, Samantha W; Pomerantz, Eva M; Roisman, Glenn I

2015-08-01

This study evaluated whether the positive association between early autonomy-supportive parenting and children's subsequent achievement is mediated by children's executive functions. Using observations of mothers' parenting from the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development ( N = 1,306), analyses revealed that mothers' autonomy support over the first 3 years of life predicted enhanced executive functions (i.e., inhibition, delay of gratification, and sustained attention) during the year prior to kindergarten and academic achievement in elementary and high school even when mothers' warmth and cognitive stimulation, as well as other factors (e.g., children's early general cognitive skills and mothers' educational attainment) were covaried. Mediation analyses demonstrated that over and above other attributes (e.g., temperament), children's executive functions partially accounted for the association between early autonomy-supportive parenting and children's subsequent achievement.

Critical assessment of the use of growth monitoring for identifying high risk children in primary health care programmes.

PubMed Central

Briend, A.; Bari, A.

1989-01-01

OBJECTIVE--To see whether change in weight was a more useful index than weight for age in assessing the risk of dying among malnourished children. DESIGN--Prospective cohort study. SETTING--Rural community in Bangladesh being served by international health organisation. PARTICIPANTS--1011 Children aged under 5, of whom 66 died. END POINT--Efficient screening method for identifying malnourished children at risk of dying. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS--Weight was measured every month. Weight for age and monthly change in weight averaged over one and three months were calculated. Sensitivity and specificity curves were used to compare the values of these two variables in identifying children with a high risk of dying. Weight for age was more sensitive than change in weight at all levels of specificity. Changes in weight, however, were independently related to the risk of dying even when intercurrent diseases and low weight for age were taken into account. CONCLUSIONS--For identifying children with a high risk of dying weight for age is a more efficient screening tool than a recent change in weight. Growth monitoring as currently recommended for primary health care programmes in developing countries does not seem to be the most effective approach in identifying children in need of urgent help. PMID:2503147

Conversation Compass: A Teacher's Guide to High-Quality Language Learning in Young Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Curenton, Stephanie M.

2016-01-01

Classroom conversation plays an important role in the development of children's language and reasoning. However, studies show that classroom talk relies too much on directives and close-ended questions. "Conversation Compass" provides the tools to strengthen your language-learning environment: (1) The Compass: guide high-quality…

Parents' and Teachers' Beliefs about Children's School Readiness in a High-Need Community.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Piotrkowski, Chaya S.; Botsko, Michael; Matthews, Eunice

2000-01-01

Compared the beliefs of preschool teachers, kindergarten teachers, and parents regarding children's school readiness in one mostly Hispanic and Black high-need urban school district. Found that parents held remarkably similar beliefs, regardless of ethnicity or education. Parents rated all classroom-related readiness resources such as…

School lunches in Japan: their contribution to healthier nutrient intake among elementary-school and junior high-school children.

PubMed

Asakura, Keiko; Sasaki, Satoshi

2017-06-01

The role of school lunches in diet quality has not been well studied. Here, we aimed to determine the contribution of school lunches to overall nutrient intake in Japanese schoolchildren. The study was conducted nationwide under a cross-sectional design. A non-consecutive, three-day diet record was performed on two school days and a non-school day separately. The prevalence of inadequate nutrient intake was estimated for intakes on one of the school days and the non-school day, and for daily habitual intake estimated by the best-power method. The relationship between food intake and nutrient intake adequacy was examined. Fourteen elementary and thirteen junior high schools in Japan. Elementary-school children (n 629) and junior high-school children (n 281). Intakes between the school and non-school days were significantly different for ≥60 % of nutrients. Almost all inadequacies were more prevalent on the non-school day. Regarding habitual intake, a high prevalence of inadequacy was observed for fat (29·9-47·7 %), dietary fibre (18·1-76·1 %) and salt (97·0-100 %). Inadequate habitual intake of vitamins and minerals (except Na) was infrequent in elementary-school children, but was observed in junior high-school children, particularly boys. School lunches appear to improve total diet quality, particularly intake of most vitamins and minerals in Japanese children. However, excess intakes of fat and salt and insufficient intake of dietary fibre were major problems in this population. The contribution of school lunches to improving the intakes of these three nutrients was considered insufficient.

Cross-sectional and longitudinal relations among children's trust beliefs, psychological maladjustment and social relationships: are very high as well as very low trusting children at risk?

PubMed

Rotenberg, Ken J; Boulton, Michael J; Fox, Claire L

2005-10-01

Four hundred and thirty-four children enrolled in school years 5 and 6 in the United Kingdom were administered measures of trust beliefs in peers/best friends and psychosocial functioning (internalized maladjustment, self-perceived social acceptance, social preference, and social exclusion) across an 8-month period (mean age = 9 years-9 months at Time 1). The relation between children's trust beliefs in peers or trust beliefs within best friend dyads and measures of psychosocial functioning conformed to a quadratic pattern. Compared to children in the middle range of trust beliefs, children with very low trust beliefs and those with very high trust beliefs in peers and/or within best friend dyads displayed higher internalized maladjustment, lower self-perceived social acceptance, higher social exclusion, and lower social preference. The relation between the trust beliefs and internalized maladjustment was asymmetrical, with children who held very low trust beliefs being comparatively more disadvantaged.

Psychometric Properties of the Sutter-Eyberg Student Behavior Inventory with Rural Middle School and High School Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Floyd, Erin M.; Rayfield, Arista; Eyberg, Sheila M.; Riley III, Joseph L.

2004-01-01

This study examined the psychometric properties of the Sutter-Eyberg Student Behavior Inventory (SESBI) in a rural sample of children and adolescents. Thirty-eight 5th- through 12th-grade teachers completed the SESBI on 726 children in their classrooms. High Cronbach's alphas supported the reliability of the SESBI scales in this population. Higher…

Drug abuse prevention for high-risk African American children and their families: a review and model program.

PubMed

Van Hasselt, V B; Hersen, M; Null, J A; Ammerman, R T; Bukstein, O G; McGillivray, J; Hunter, A

1993-01-01

In this article we are specifically concerned with the familial and socioeconomic factors that contribute to the exceedingly high prevalence rates of drug abuse in African-American children. In addition to detailing the impact of drug abuse in African-American children and their families, we consider how this critical health problem can be prevented using existing knowledge and strategies known to mental health professionals. A model program entitled Project for a Substance Abuse-Free Environment (SAFE) is outlined. Its objectives are to implement: (a) a broad-spectrum family intervention to empower disadvantaged and high-risk families in their communities: (b) a competency-based skills intervention to increase resilience and decrease drug use and other maladaptive behaviors in at-risk children; (c) alternative activities that will promote self-efficacy, achievement, and self-esteem; (d) a culturally-relevant evaluation plan that includes both formative (process) and summative (outcome) evaluation; (e) a comprehensive approach for assessing project impact; (e) systematic procedures for enhancing the maintenance and generalization of gains in participating children and families.

High-risk single ventricle palliation in children with Down syndrome: single institution experience.

PubMed

Ooi, Yinn K; Sinha, Pranava; Gierdalski, Marcin; Harahsheh, Ashraf

2015-03-01

Of the children with Down syndrome 40-50% have cardiac defects and the majority of these cardiac defects are amenable to biventricular repair. The outcome of single ventricle palliation is improving; nonetheless, there are limited data on Down syndrome patients with associated high-risk factors undergoing single ventricle palliation. Our aim was to study the outcomes of children with Down syndrome and high-risk factors on the single ventricle palliation pathway. A retrospective study on all patients with Down syndrome on the single ventricle palliation pathway from 2005 until 2011 was conducted. Operative, clinical, echocardiographic, haemodynamic data, and follow-up data were reviewed. A total of 310 patients underwent at least one single ventricle surgical intervention. Of those, eight patients had Down syndrome, five of which had associated risk factors - low birth weight, high pulmonary vascular resistance, pulmonary vein stenosis, significant atrioventricular valve regurgitation, and extracardiac anomalies. Mortality in the high-risk group was 80% (4/5), compared with 33% (1/3) in the non-high-risk patients. Overall, after a median follow-up period of 138 days (8-576 days), only 37.5% (3/8) of patients were alive. Despite many improvements in the care of single ventricle patients, the fate of those with Down syndrome and associated high-risk factors remains poor. Further multicentre longer-term studies are needed to validate and quantify the cumulative effects of negative prognostic factors in this complex group of patients.

Factors associated with high hospital resource use in a population-based study of children with orofacial clefts

PubMed Central

Razzaghi, Hilda; Dawson, April; Grosse, Scott D.; Allori, Alexander C.; Kirby, Russell S.; Olney, Richard S.; Correia, Jane; Cassell, Cynthia H.

2015-01-01

Background Little is known about population-based maternal, child, and system characteristics associated with high hospital resource use for children with orofacial clefts (OFC) in the US. Methods This was a statewide, population-based, retrospective observational study of children with OFC born between 1998 and 2006, identified by the Florida Birth Defects Registry whose records were linked with longitudinal hospital discharge records. We stratified the descriptive results by cleft type [cleft lip with cleft palate (CLP), cleft lip (CL) and cleft palate (CP)] and by isolated vs. non-isolated OFC (accompanied by other coded major birth defects). We used Poisson regression to analyze associations between selected characteristics and high hospital resource use (≥90th percentile of estimated hospitalized days and inpatient costs) for birth, post-birth, and total hospitalizations initiated before age two years. Results Our analysis included 2,129 children with OFC. Infants who were born low birth weight (<2500 grams) were significantly more likely to have high birth hospitalization costs for CLP [adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR): 1.6 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.0–2.7)], CL [aPR: 3.0 (95% CI: 1.1–8.1)], and CP [aPR: 2.3 (95% CI: 1.3–4.0)]. Presence of multiple birth defects was significantly associated with a three- to eleven-fold and a three- to nine-fold increase in the prevalence of high costs and number of hospitalized days, respectively; at birth, post-birth before age two years and overall hospitalizations. Conclusion Children with CP had the greatest hospital resources use. Additionally, the presence of multiple birth defects contributed to greater inpatient days and costs for children with OFC. PMID:25721952

Prevalence of hereditary cancer susceptibility syndromes in children with cancer in a highly consanguineous population.

PubMed

Jastaniah, Wasil; Aljefri, Abdullah; Ayas, Mouhab; Alharbi, Musa; Alkhayat, Nawaf; Al-Anzi, Faisal; Yassin, Fawwaz; Alkasim, Fawaz; Alharbi, Qasim; Abdullah, Shaker; Abrar, Mohammed Burhan; Alsultan, Abdulrahman

2018-05-30

Hereditary cancer susceptibility syndromes (HCSS) are reported in up to one-third of children with cancer. Diagnosis of HCSS is crucial for implementation of surveillance protocols. We identified children who fulfilled criteria for HCSS in Saudi Arabia using the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines, addressing the utility of these guidelines in a highly consanguineous population. This multi-center cross-sectional study recruited 1858 children with cancer between January 2011 and December 2014. HCSS criteria were based on the ACMG guidelines. Seven hundred and four (40.4%) out of 1742 eligible patients fulfilled criteria for HCSS. Consanguinity was reported in 629 (38%) patients, with 50 (2.9%) first-degree, 535 (30.7%) second-degree, and 272 (15.6%) third-degree relatives affected with cancer. Two hundred and eighty eight (17.4%) leukemia and 87 (5.3%) brain tumour patients fulfilled HCSS criteria, with parental consanguinity being the most frequent criterion in both (leukemia 85.4%, brain tumors 83.9%). However, leukemia was less frequent in patients of consanguineous parents (p = 0.023). Four out of 10 children with cancer fulfilled criteria for HCSS, most often due to consanguinity. This higher than expected prevalence suggests the need to validate consanguinity as a criterion for HCSS in highly consanguineous populations. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Low and High Birth Weights Are Risk Factors for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Children.

PubMed

Newton, Kimberly P; Feldman, Haruna S; Chambers, Christina D; Wilson, Laura; Behling, Cynthia; Clark, Jeanne M; Molleston, Jean P; Chalasani, Naga; Sanyal, Arun J; Fishbein, Mark H; Lavine, Joel E; Schwimmer, Jeffrey B

2017-08-01

To examine the distribution of birth weight in children with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) compared with the general US population, and to investigate the relationship between birth weight and severity of NAFLD. A multicenter, cross-sectional study of children with biopsy-proven NAFLD enrolled in the Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Clinical Research Network Database. Birth weight was categorized as low birth weight (LBW), normal birth weight (NBW), or high birth weight (HBW) and compared with the birth weight distribution in the general US population. The severity of liver histology was assessed by birth weight category. Children with NAFLD (n = 538) had overrepresentation of both LBW and HBW compared with the general US population (LBW, 9.3%; NBW, 75.8%; HBW, 14.9% vs LBW, 6.1%; NBW, 83.5%; HBW 10.5%; P < .0001). Children with HBW had significantly greater odds of having more severe steatosis (OR, 1.82, 95% CI. 1.15-2.88) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (OR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.21-3.40) compared with children with NBW. In addition, children with NAFLD and LBW had significantly greater odds of having advanced fibrosis (OR, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.08-4.62). Birth weight involves maternal and in utero factors that may have long-lasting consequences. Children with both LBW and HBW may be at increased risk for developing NAFLD. Among children with NAFLD, those with LBW or HBW appear to be at increased risk for more severe disease. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Heterogeneity in perceptual category learning by high functioning children with autism spectrum disorder

PubMed Central

Mercado, Eduardo; Church, Barbara A.; Coutinho, Mariana V. C.; Dovgopoly, Alexander; Lopata, Christopher J.; Toomey, Jennifer A.; Thomeer, Marcus L.

2015-01-01

Previous research suggests that high functioning (HF) children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) sometimes have problems learning categories, but often appear to perform normally in categorization tasks. The deficits that individuals with ASD show when learning categories have been attributed to executive dysfunction, general deficits in implicit learning, atypical cognitive strategies, or abnormal perceptual biases and abilities. Several of these psychological explanations for category learning deficits have been associated with neural abnormalities such as cortical underconnectivity. The present study evaluated how well existing neurally based theories account for atypical perceptual category learning shown by HF children with ASD across multiple category learning tasks involving novel, abstract shapes. Consistent with earlier results, children’s performances revealed two distinct patterns of learning and generalization associated with ASD: one was indistinguishable from performance in typically developing children; the other revealed dramatic impairments. These two patterns were evident regardless of training regimen or stimulus set. Surprisingly, some children with ASD showed both patterns. Simulations of perceptual category learning could account for the two observed patterns in terms of differences in neural plasticity. However, no current psychological or neural theory adequately explains why a child with ASD might show such large fluctuations in category learning ability across training conditions or stimulus sets. PMID:26157368

High myopia in Greater Beijing School Children in 2016.

PubMed

Guo, Yin; Duan, Jia Li; Liu, Li Juan; Sun, Ying; Tang, Ping; Lv, Yan Yun; Xu, Liang; Jonas, Jost B

2017-01-01

To assess prevalence and associated factors of myopia and high myopia in schoolchildren in Greater Beijing. The school-based, cross-sectional Greater Beijing School Children Myopia study was carried out in the year 2016 in 54 schools randomly selected from 15 districts in Beijing. Non-cycloplegic auto-refractometry of the right eyes was performed. The study included 35,745 (99.4%) out of 35,968 eligible pupils with a mean age of 12.6±3.4 years (range 6-18 years). Prevalence of myopia defined as myopic refractive error of ≥-0.50 diopters (D),≥-1D,≥-6D,≥-8D and ≥-10D was 70.9%(95% confidence intervals (CI):70.5,71.4), 60.9% (95%CI:60.4,61.4), 8.6%(95%CI:8.4,8.9), 2.2%(95%CI:2.0,2.4), and 0.3% (95%CI:0.3,0.4), respectively. The frequency of high myopia (≥-6D, ≥-8D, ≥-10D) increased from 1.5% (95%CI:1.0,2.0), 0.4% (95%CI:0.1,0.6) and 0.1% (95%CI:0.00,0.02), respectively in 10-year-olds to 19.4% (95%CI:17.3,21.6), 5.2% (95%CI:4.0,6.4) and 0.9% (95%CI:0.4,1.5), respectively, in 18-year-olds. Mean refractive error in the 18-year-olds was -3.74±2.56D (median:-3.63D;range:-19.6D to + 6.25D). Higher prevalence of high myopia (≥-6D and ≥-8D) was correlated (all P<0.001) with older age (OR:1.18, and 1.15, respectively), female gender (OR: 1.44 and 1.40, respectively), higher body mass index (OR: 1.02 and 1.03, respectively), taller body height (OR: 1.03 and 1.02, respectively), urban region of habitation (OR: 1.26 and 1.33, respectively) and higher school type (OR:1.57 and 2.22, respectively). Prevalence of severe high myopia (≥-10D) was associated only with older age (P<0.001; OR: 1.44; 95%CI: 1.31, 1.59) but not with any education-related parameter such as higher school type (P = 0.48), urban region of habitation (P = 0.07) or female gender (P = 0.37). In this most recent survey, prevalence of high myopia (≥-6D:19.4%;≥-8D:5.2%;≥-10D:0.9%) in 18-year-old school children was higher than in previous surveys from mainland China. In contrast to minor

Low zinc serum levels and high blood lead levels among school-age children in coastal area

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pramono, Adriyan; Panunggal, Binar; Rahfiludin, M. Zen; Swastawati, Fronthea

2017-02-01

The coverage of environmental lead toxicant was quiet wide. Lead exposure recently has been expected to be associated with zinc deficiency and blood indices disturbance. Emphasizing on children, which could absorb more than 50 % of lead that enters the body. Lead became the issue on the coastal area due to it has polluted the environment and waters as the source of fisheries products. This was a cross sectional study to determined nutritional status, blood lead levels, zinc serum levels, blood indices levels, fish intake among school children in coastal region of Semarang. This study was carried out on the school children aged between 8 and 12 years old in coastal region of Semarang. Nutritional status was figured out using anthropometry measurement. Blood lead and zinc serum levels were analyzed using the Atomic Absorbent Spectrophotometry (AAS) at a wavelength of 213.9 nm for zinc serum and 283.3 nm for blood lead. Blood indices was measured using auto blood hematology analyzer. Fish intake was assessed using 3-non consecutive days 24-hours food recall. The children had high lead levels (median 34.86 μg/dl, range 11.46 - 58.86 μg/dl) compared to WHO cut off. Zinc serum levels was low (median 18.10 μg/dl, range 10.25 - 41.39 μg/dl) compared to the Joint WHO/UNICEF/IAEA/IZiNCG cut off. Approximately 26.4% of children were anemic. This study concluded that all school children had high blood lead levels, low zinc serum, and presented microcytic hypochromic anemia. This phenomenon should be considered as public health concern.

Motavizumab for prophylaxis of respiratory syncytial virus in high-risk children: a noninferiority trial.

PubMed

Carbonell-Estrany, Xavier; Simões, Eric A F; Dagan, Ron; Hall, Caroline B; Harris, Brian; Hultquist, Micki; Connor, Edward M; Losonsky, Genevieve A

2010-01-01

Palivizumab reduces respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) hospitalization in children at high risk by approximately 50% compared with placebo. We compared the efficacy and safety of motavizumab, an investigational monoclonal antibody with enhanced anti-RSV activity in preclinical studies, with palivizumab. This randomized, double-blind, multinational, phase 3, noninferiority trial assessed safety and RSV hospitalization in 6635 preterm infants aged children aged Children receiving prophylaxis with motavizumab or palivizumab had low rates of RSV hospitalization; motavizumab recipients experienced 50% fewer RSV MALRIs than palivizumab recipients. AEs were similar in both groups, although cutaneous AEs were higher for motavizumab recipients. Motavizumab may offer an improved alternative in prophylaxis for serious RSV disease in infants and children at high risk.

High degree of supervision improves adherence to inhaled corticosteroids in children with asthma

PubMed Central

Park, Geun Mi; Han, Hye Won; Kim, Hee Se; Kim, Jae Youn; Lee, Eun; Cho, Hyun-Ju; Yang, Song-I; Jung, Young-Ho; Hong, Soo-Jong; Kim, Hyung Young; Seo, Ju-Hee

2015-01-01

Purpose Adherence to treatment with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) is a critical determinant of asthma control. The objective of this study was to assess factors that determine adherence to ICS therapy in children with asthma. Methods Fifty-eight children with asthma, aged 5 to 16 years, used ICS with or without a spacer for 3 months. Adherence rates as measured from questionnaires and canisters, asthma symptom scores, and inhalation technique scores were assessed every 30 days. The degree of supervision by caregivers was assessed at day 30. Results Adherence rates measured using canisters were lower at day 60 than at day 30 (P=0.044) and did not change thereafter (74.4%±17.4% at day 30, 66.5%±18.4% at day 60, and 67.4%±22.2% at day 90). Adherence rates at days 60 and 90 and during the total study period were significantly different when measured by using questionnaires versus canisters (P<0.001, P=0.022, and P=0.001, respectively). In the comparison of adherence rates repeatedly measured at days 30, 60, and 90 and adherence rates during the total study period among the 3 groups, adherence rates in the high-degree supervision group were significantly higher than those in the low-degree supervision group (82.0±16.0 vs. 66.1±14.5, 75.4±14.4 vs. 56.2±18.4, 75.0±18.3 vs. 55.0±19.7 [P=0.027]; 77.9±12.2 vs. 59.1±11.4 [P=0.021]) after adjustment for sex and age. Conclusion The level of caregiver supervision is an important factor affecting adherence to ICS therapy in children with asthma. Therefore, a high degree of supervision may be required to increase adherence to ICS therapy in children with asthma. PMID:26770222

Do Children's Executive Functions Account for Associations Between Early Autonomy-Supportive Parenting and Achievement Through High School?

PubMed Central

Bindman, Samantha W.; Pomerantz, Eva M.; Roisman, Glenn I.

2015-01-01

This study evaluated whether the positive association between early autonomy-supportive parenting and children's subsequent achievement is mediated by children's executive functions. Using observations of mothers’ parenting from the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development (N = 1,306), analyses revealed that mothers’ autonomy support over the first 3 years of life predicted enhanced executive functions (i.e., inhibition, delay of gratification, and sustained attention) during the year prior to kindergarten and academic achievement in elementary and high school even when mothers’ warmth and cognitive stimulation, as well as other factors (e.g., children's early general cognitive skills and mothers’ educational attainment) were covaried. Mediation analyses demonstrated that over and above other attributes (e.g., temperament), children's executive functions partially accounted for the association between early autonomy-supportive parenting and children's subsequent achievement. PMID:26366009

The Efficacy of a Social Skills Group Intervention for Improving Social Behaviors in Children with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

DeRosier, Melissa E.; Swick, Danielle C.; Davis, Naomi Ornstein; McMillen, Janey Sturtz; Matthews, Rebecca

2011-01-01

This study tested the efficacy of a new social skills intervention, "S ocial S kills GR oup IN tervention-High Functioning Autism" ("S.S.GRIN-HFA"), designed to improve social behaviors in children with high functioning autism spectrum disorders. Fifty-five children were randomly assigned to "S.S.GRIN-HFA" treatment (n = 27) or control (i.e.,…

Caring for caregivers of high-needs children.

PubMed

Peckham, Allie; Spalding, Karen; Watkins, Jillian; Bruce-Barrett, Cindy; Grasic, Marta; Williams, A Paul

2014-01-01

The Caregiver Framework for Children with Medical Complexity, led by the Hospital for Sick Children, is a ground-breaking initiative that validates and supports the vital role of unpaid, family caregivers. The project uses a supported self-management model that includes a modest amount of funding to address pressing needs, and relies on Key Workers who provide ongoing education, counselling and care management to assist caregivers in planning over the longer-term. This paper describes the findings from a multi-stage, mixed-methods evaluation to examine the design and outcomes of the Caregiver Framework. Copyright © 2014 Longwoods Publishing.

Exuberant juvenile hyaline fibromatosis in two patients.

PubMed

Muniz, Mariela Leão; Lobo, Alice Zoghbi Coelho; Machado, Maria Cecília da Matta Rivitti; Valente, Neusa Yuriko Sakai; Kim, Chong Ae; Lourenço, Sílvia Vanessa; Nico, Marcello Menta Simonsen

2006-01-01

Juvenile hyaline fibromatosis and infantile systemic hyalinosis are rare autosomal recessive disorders of infancy and early childhood that are histologically characterized by deposition of hyaline material. The main clinical features are papulo-nodular skin lesions, gingival hypertrophy, joint contractures, and bone abnormalities. However, infantile systemic hyalinosis has a more severe clinical presentation, including visceral involvement and premature death. Very recently, genetic studies identified mutations in the same gene in patients with both conditions, strongly suggesting that they belong to the same disease spectrum. We report two new nonrelated patients who met the criteria for the diagnosis of juvenile hyaline fibromatosis/infantile systemic hyalinosis. Clinical, histopathologic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural findings are presented, as well as an extensive review of the literature. Recent information regarding pathogenesis and treatment is discussed.

Test Anxiety Associated with High-Stakes Testing among Elementary School Children: Prevalence, Predictors, and Relationship to Student Performance

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Segool, Natasha Katherine

2009-01-01

The current study explored differences in test anxiety on high-stakes standardized achievement testing and classroom testing among elementary school children. This is the first study to directly examine differences in student test anxiety across two testing conditions with different stakes among young children. Three hundred and thirty-five…

The effect of parenting stress on child behavior problems in high-risk children with prenatal drug exposure.

PubMed

Bagner, Daniel M; Sheinkopf, Stephen J; Miller-Loncar, Cynthia; LaGasse, Linda L; Lester, Barry M; Liu, Jing; Bauer, Charles R; Shankaran, Seetha; Bada, Henrietta; Das, Abhik

2009-03-01

To examine the relationship between early parenting stress and later child behavior in a high-risk sample and measure the effect of drug exposure on the relationship between parenting stress and child behavior. A subset of child-caregiver dyads (n=607) were selected from the Maternal Lifestyle Study (MLS), which is a large sample of children (n=1,388) with prenatal cocaine exposure and a comparison sample unexposed to cocaine. Of the 607 dyads, 221 were prenatally exposed to cocaine and 386 were unexposed to cocaine. Selection was based on the presence of a stable caregiver at 4 and 36 months with no evidence of change in caregiver between those time points. Parenting stress at 4 months significantly predicted child externalizing behavior at 36 months. These relations were unaffected by cocaine exposure suggesting the relationship between parenting stress and behavioral outcome exists for high-risk children regardless of drug exposure history. These results extend the findings of the relationship between parenting stress and child behavior to a sample of high-risk children with prenatal drug exposure. Implications for outcome and treatment are discussed.

Brief Report: IQ Split Predicts Social Symptoms and Communication Abilities in High-Functioning Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

PubMed Central

Wallace, Gregory L.; Sokoloff, Jennifer L.; Kenworthy, Lauren

2011-01-01

We investigated the relationship of discrepancies between VIQ and NVIQ (IQ split) to autism symptoms and adaptive behavior in a sample of high-functioning (mean FSIQ = 98.5) school-age children with autism spectrum disorders divided into three groups: discrepantly high VIQ (n = 18); discrepantly high NVIQ (n = 24); and equivalent VIQ and NVIQ (n = 36). Discrepantly high VIQ and NVIQ were associated with autism social symptoms but not communication symptoms or repetitive behaviors. Higher VIQ and NVIQ were associated with better adaptive communication but not socialization or Daily Living Skills. IQ discrepancy may be an important phenotypic marker in autism. Although better verbal abilities are associated with better functional outcomes in autism, discrepantly high VIQ in high-functioning children may also be associated with social difficulties. PMID:19572193

Young Children Selectively Expect Failure Disclosure to High-Achieving Peers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hicks, Catherine M.; Liu, David

2017-01-01

Children make many decisions about whether and how to disclose their performance to peers, teachers, parents and others. Previous research has found that children's disclosure declines with age and that older children and teenagers preferentially choose a peer audience for performance disclosure based on similar achievement. This research examines…

Skin Carotenoid Response to a High-Carotenoid Juice in Children: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

PubMed

Aguilar, Sheryl S; Wengreen, Heidi J; Dew, Jeffrey

2015-11-01

Previous studies have shown an increase in serum carotenoid status among children when fed carotenoids. This study looked at the effect and dose-response of a known amount of carotenoid consumption on change in skin carotenoid status among children. Participants were children aged 5 to 17 years from Cache County, UT (n=58). Children were randomly assigned to one of three groups: high (n=18) or low (n=18) dose of a carotenoid-rich juice (2.75 mg carotenoids/30 mL juice), or placebo juice (n=22). Children were asked to drink an assigned dose of the juice (30 to 120 mL/day) based on the weight of the child and group assignment, every day for 8 weeks. Skin carotenoids were measured every 2 weeks by resonance Raman spectroscopy. Participants were asked to maintain their usual diet throughout the study. Usual diet was assessed using three averaged 24-hour recalls; diet constancy was measured using food frequency questionnaires administered at baseline, Week 4, and Week 8. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to assess the group differences in skin carotenoid status over time. The high-dose and low-dose groups had mean±standard deviation increases in skin carotenoid status of 11,515±1,134 and 10,009±1,439 Raman intensity counts, respectively (both P values <0.001, for change in means compared with baseline) at Week 8, although they showed significant change from baseline by Week 2. The placebo group's change of 985 Raman intensity counts was not statistically significant. The difference in change between the 2 experimental groups was not significant at Week 2, 4, 6, or 8. Consumption of 30 to 120 mL (2.75 to 11 mg carotenoids) of a carotenoid-rich juice significantly increased skin carotenoid status over an 8-week period among children aged 5 to 17 years. The amount of carotenoids found in this amount of juice is equal to the amount found in approximately 23 to 92 g cooked carrots per day. Copyright © 2015 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Published by

Use of microencapsulated iron(II) fumarate sprinkles to prevent recurrence of anaemia in infants and young children at high risk.

PubMed Central

Zlotkin, Stanley; Antwi, Kojo Yeboah; Schauer, Claudia; Yeung, George

2003-01-01

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of microencapsulated iron(II) fumarate sprinkles (with and without vitamin A), iron(II) sulfate drops, and placebo sprinkles in preventing recurrence of anaemia and to determine the long-term haematological outcomes in children at high risk of recurrence of anaemia 12 months after the end of supplementation. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled design was used to study 437 Ghanaian children aged 8-20 months who were not anaemic (haemoglobin > or = 100 g/l). Four groups were given microencapsulated iron(II) fumarate sprinkles, microencapsulated iron(II) fumarate sprinkles with vitamin A, iron(II) sulfate drops or placebo sprinkles daily for six months. Primary outcome measures were change in haemoglobin and anaemic status at baseline and study end. Non-anaemic children at the end of the supplementation period were reassessed 12 months after supplementation ended. FINDINGS: Overall, 324 children completed the supplementation period. Among the four groups, no significant changes were seen in mean haemoglobin, ferritin or serum retinol values from baseline to the end of the supplementation period. During the trial, 82.4% (267/324) of children maintained their non-anaemic status. Sprinkles were well accepted without complications. At 12 months post-supplementation, 77.1% (162/210) of children with no intervention remained non-anaemic. This proportion was similar for children among the four groups. CONCLUSION: In most children previously treated for anaemia, further supplementation was not needed to maintain their non-anaemic status. These results may have important implications for community intervention programmes in which initial high-dose treatment is needed because of a high prevalence of anaemia. PMID:12756979

Beneficial effect of a high number of copies of salivary amylase AMY1 gene on obesity risk in Mexican children.

PubMed

Mejía-Benítez, María A; Bonnefond, Amélie; Yengo, Loïc; Huyvaert, Marlène; Dechaume, Aurélie; Peralta-Romero, Jesús; Klünder-Klünder, Miguel; García Mena, Jaime; El-Sayed Moustafa, Julia S; Falchi, Mario; Cruz, Miguel; Froguel, Philippe

2015-02-01

Childhood obesity is a major public health problem in Mexico, affecting one in every three children. Genome-wide association studies identified genetic variants associated with childhood obesity, but a large missing heritability remains to be elucidated. We have recently shown a strong association between a highly polymorphic copy number variant encompassing the salivary amylase gene (AMY1 also known as AMY1A) and obesity in European and Asian adults. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the association between AMY1 copy number and obesity in Mexican children. We evaluated the number of AMY1 copies in 597 Mexican children (293 obese children and 304 normal weight controls) through highly sensitive digital PCR. The effect of AMY1 copy number on obesity status was assessed using a logistic regression model adjusted for age and sex. We identified a marked effect of AMY1 copy number on reduced risk of obesity (OR per estimated copy 0.84, with the number of copies ranging from one to 16 in this population; p = 4.25 × 10(-6)). The global association between AMY1 copy number and reduced risk of obesity seemed to be mostly driven by the contribution of the highest AMY1 copy number. Strikingly, all children with >10 AMY1 copies were normal weight controls. Salivary amylase initiates the digestion of dietary starch, which is highly consumed in Mexico. Our current study suggests putative benefits of high number of AMY1 copies (and related production of salivary amylase) on energy metabolism in Mexican children.

Face Memory and Object Recognition in Children with High-Functioning Autism or Asperger Syndrome and in Their Parents

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kuusikko-Gauffin, Sanna; Jansson-Verkasalo, Eira; Carter, Alice; Pollock-Wurman, Rachel; Jussila, Katja; Mattila, Marja-Leena; Rahko, Jukka; Ebeling, Hanna; Pauls, David; Moilanen, Irma

2011-01-01

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) have reported to have impairments in face, recognition and face memory, but intact object recognition and object memory. Potential abnormalities, in these fields at the family level of high-functioning children with ASD remains understudied despite, the ever-mounting evidence that ASDs are genetic and…

Differences in High School and College Students' Basic Knowledge and Perceived Education of Internet Safety: Do High School Students Really Benefit from the Children's Internet Protection Act?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yan, Zheng

2009-01-01

The Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA; 2000) requires an Internet filtering and public awareness strategy to protect children under 17 from harmful visual Internet depictions. This study compared high school students who went online with the CIPA restriction and college students who went online without the restriction in order to…

High prevalence of dental caries among HIV-infected children in West Africa compared to uninfected siblings.

PubMed

Rajonson, Noëlla; Meless, David; Ba, Boubacar; Faye, Malick; Diby, Jean-Serge; N'zore, Serge; Datté, Sébastien; Diecket, Lucrèce; N'Diaye, Clémentine; Aka, Edmond Addi; Kouakou, Kouadio; Ba, Abou; Ekouévi, Didier Koumavi; Dabis, François; Shiboski, Caroline; Arrivé, Elise

2017-06-01

The objectives of this study were to investigate the association between HIV infection and dental caries among children in West Africa, and to identify factors associated with dental caries among HIV-infected children. We conducted a multi-center cross-sectional study in Mali, Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire with a random sample of HIV-infected children aged 5-15 years on antiretroviral therapy and their uninfected siblings. A standardized examination was performed by calibrated dentists. The association between the number of decayed, missing or filled permanent and primary teeth surfaces (DMFdefS) and HIV status was investigated by fitting multivariable zero-inflated negative binomial models, for each age group (<12 and ≥12 years). Factors associated with dental caries could be investigated only for HIV-infected children <12 years old. The sample included 420 HIV-infected children and 418 non-infected siblings. The median DMFdefS was 7 for the HIV-infected children and 2 for the uninfected siblings. The proportion of children with DMFdefS ≥1 was significantly higher among the HIV-infected children than uninfected children (86.0 percent versus 64.4 percent, P < 0.001). The HIV-infected children were less likely to be caries-free than the uninfected siblings in both age groups. We found a higher degree of caries experience among HIV-infected children < 12 years old, in whom it was associated with sweet drink consumption, history of night bottle use, immunosuppression, and younger age at study entry. Although preventable, the burden of dental disease was high in children from families affected by HIV in West Africa and was associated with HIV infection and immunosuppression. © 2017 American Association of Public Health Dentistry.

The High Prevalence of Anemia in Cambodian Children and Women Cannot Be Satisfactorily Explained by Nutritional Deficiencies or Hemoglobin Disorders

PubMed Central

Wieringa, Frank Tammo; Dahl, Miriam; Chamnan, Chhoun; Poirot, Etienne; Kuong, Khov; Sophonneary, Prak; Sinuon, Muth; Greuffeille, Valerie; Hong, Rathavuth; Berger, Jacques; Dijkhuizen, Marjoleine Amma; Laillou, Arnaud

2016-01-01

Background: Anemia is highly prevalent in Cambodian women and children, but data on causes of anemia are scarce. We performed a national micronutrient survey in children and women that was linked to the Cambodian Demographic Health Survey 2014 (CDHS-2014) to assess the prevalence of micronutrient deficiency, hemoglobin disorders and intestinal parasite infection. Methods: One-sixth of households from the CDHS-2014 were selected for a follow-up visit for the micronutrient survey. Households were visited from two weeks to two months after the CDHS-2014 visit. Data on micronutrient status were available for 1512 subjects (792 children and 720 women). Results: Anemia was found in 43% of the women and 53% of the children. Hemoglobin disorders affected >50% of the population, with Hemoglobin-E the most prevalent disorder. Deficiencies of iron (ferritin < 15 g/L), vitamin A (retinol-binding-protein (RBP) < 0.70 mol/L) or vitamin B12 (<150 pmol/L) were not prevalent in the women (<5% for all), whereas 17.8% of the women had low concentrations of folic acid (<10 nmol/L). In the children, the prevalence of iron, vitamin A, vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency was <10%. Zinc deficiency, hookworm infection and hemoglobinopathy were significantly associated with anemia in children, whereas in the women none of the factors was significantly associated with anemia. Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) was more prevalent in children <2 years, but in older children and women, the prevalence of IDA was <5%. The most prevalent, preventable causes of anemia were hookworm infection and zinc and folic acid deficiency. Over 40% of the anemia was not caused by nutritional factors. Conclusion: The very high prevalence of anemia in Cambodian women and children cannot be explained solely by micronutrient deficiencies and hemoglobin disorders. Micronutrient interventions to improve anemia prevalence are likely to have limited impact in the Cambodian setting. The focus of current interventions to

Association between Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields from High Voltage Transmission Lines and Neurobehavioral Function in Children

PubMed Central

Huang, Jiongli; Tang, Tiantong; Hu, Guocheng; Zheng, Jing; Wang, Yuyu; Wang, Qiang; Su, Jing; Zou, Yunfeng; Peng, Xiaowu

2013-01-01

Background Evidence for a possible causal relationship between exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) emitted by high voltage transmission (HVT) lines and neurobehavioral dysfunction in children is insufficient. The present study aims to investigate the association between EMF exposure from HVT lines and neurobehavioral function in children. Methods Two primary schools were chosen based on monitoring data of ambient electromagnetic radiation. A cross-sectional study with 437 children (9 to 13 years old) was conducted. Exposure to EMF from HVT lines was monitored at each school. Information was collected on possible confounders and relevant exposure predictors using standardized questionnaires. Neurobehavioral function in children was evaluated using established computerized neurobehavioral tests. Data was analyzed using multivariable regression models adjusted for relevant confounders. Results After controlling for potential confounding factors, multivariable regression revealed that children attending a school near 500 kV HVT lines had poorer performance on the computerized neurobehavioral tests for Visual Retention and Pursuit Aiming compared to children attending a school that was not in close proximity to HVT lines. Conclusions The results suggest long-term low-level exposure to EMF from HVT lines might have a negative impact on neurobehavioral function in children. However, because of differences in results only for two of four tests achieved statistical significance and potential limitations, more studies are needed to explore the effects of exposure to extremely low frequency EMF on neurobehavioral function and development in children. PMID:23843999

How Accurate Can Mothers and Teachers Be regarding Children's Emergent Literacy Development? A Comparison between Mothers with High and Low Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Korat, Ofra

2009-01-01

The relationship between mothers' and educators' evaluation of 75 children's emergent literacy levels and actual levels were investigated. Two groups of mothers participated: mothers with a low education and mothers with a high education. The children's emergent literacy was measured. The mothers evaluated their own children and 40 teachers…

Increasing Food Acceptance in the School Setting for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Using High Probability Requests Sequences

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Congdon, Marissa

2013-01-01

Behavioral feeding difficulties occur at a high rate in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and can have a serious impact on their overall health and development. Although there are a number of studies demonstrating effective strategies for addressing behavioral feeding difficulties in children with ASD, the majority of them have been…

The Contribution of Executive Functions to Participation in School Activities of Children with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zingerevich, Chaya; Patricia D., LaVesser

2009-01-01

This study describes the contribution of executive functions to participation in school activities of children diagnosed with ASD ages 6-9 years while controlling for sensory processing. Twenty-four children, ages 73-112 months (S.D. = 11.4), diagnosed with high functioning ASD were assessed with the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. Their teachers…

Contribution of Theory of Mind, Executive Functioning, and Pragmatics to Socialization Behaviors of Children with High-Functioning Autism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Berenguer, Carmen; Miranda, Ana; Colomer, Carla; Baixauli, Inmaculada; Roselló, Belén

2018-01-01

Social difficulties are a key aspect of autism, but the intervening factors are still poorly understood. This study had two objectives: to compare the profile of ToM skills, executive functioning (EF), and pragmatic competence (PC) of children with high-functioning autism (HFA) and children with typical development (TD), and analyze their mediator…

Contribution of Theory of Mind, Executive Functioning, and Pragmatics to Socialization Behaviors of Children with High-Functioning Autism.

PubMed

Berenguer, Carmen; Miranda, Ana; Colomer, Carla; Baixauli, Inmaculada; Roselló, Belén

2018-02-01

Social difficulties are a key aspect of autism, but the intervening factors are still poorly understood. This study had two objectives: to compare the profile of ToM skills, executive functioning (EF), and pragmatic competence (PC) of children with high-functioning autism (HFA) and children with typical development (TD), and analyze their mediator role in social functioning. The participants were 52 children with HFA and 37 children with TD matched on age, intelligence quotient, and expressive vocabulary. Significant differences were found on measures of ToM, both explicit and applied, EF, and PC between children with HFA and TD. Multiple mediation analysis revealed that applied ToM skills and PC mediated the relations between autism symptoms and social functioning. Implications for social cognitive interventions to address these findings are discussed.

Pathways from parental stimulation of children's curiosity to high school science course accomplishments and science career interest and skill

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eskeles Gottfried, Adele; Johnson Preston, Kathleen Suzanne; Gottfried, Allen W.; Oliver, Pamella H.; Delany, Danielle E.; Ibrahim, Sirena M.

2016-08-01

Curiosity is fundamental to scientific inquiry and pursuance. Parents are important in encouraging children's involvement in science. This longitudinal study examined pathways from parental stimulation of children's curiosity per se to their science acquisition (SA). A latent variable of SA was indicated by the inter-related variables of high school science course accomplishments, career interest, and skill. A conceptual model investigated parental stimulation of children's curiosity as related to SA via science intrinsic motivation and science achievement. The Fullerton Longitudinal Study provided data spanning school entry through high school (N = 118). Parental stimulation of curiosity at age 8 years comprised exposing children to new experiences, promoting curiosity, encouraging asking questions, and taking children to a museum. Intrinsic motivation was measured at ages 9, 10, and 13 years, and achievement at ages 9, 10, and 11 years. Structural equation modelling was used for analyses. Controlling for socio-economic status, parental stimulation of curiosity bore positive and significant relations to science intrinsic motivation and achievement, which in turn related to SA. Gender neither related to stimulation of curiosity nor contributed to the model. Findings highlight the importance of parental stimulation of children's curiosity in facilitating trajectories into science, and relevance to science education is discussed.

Open-Fit Domes and Children with Bilateral High-Frequency Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Benefits and Outcomes.

PubMed

Johnstone, Patti M; Yeager, Kelly R; Pomeroy, Marnie L; Hawk, Nicole

2018-04-01

Open-fit domes (OFDs) coupled with behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids were designed for adult listeners with moderate-to-severe bilateral high-frequency hearing loss (BHFL) with little to no concurrent loss in the lower frequencies. Adult research shows that BHFL degrades sound localization accuracy (SLA) and that BTE hearing aids with conventional earmolds (CEs) make matters worse. In contrast, research has shown that OFDs enhance spatial hearing percepts in adults with BHFL. Although the benefits of OFDs have been studied in adults with BHFL, no published studies to date have investigated the use of OFDs in children with the same hearing loss configuration. This study seeks to use SLA measurements to assess efficacy of bilateral OFDs in children with BHFL. To measure SLA in children with BHFL to determine the extent to which hearing loss, age, duration of CE use, and OFDs affect localization accuracy. A within-participant experimental design using repeated measures was used to determine the effect of OFDs on localization accuracy in children with BHFL. A between-participant experimental design was used to compare localization accuracy between children with BHFL and age-matched controls with normal hearing (NH). Eighteen children with BHFL who used CE and 18 age-matched NH controls. Children in both groups were divided into two age groups: older children (10-16 yr) and younger children (6-9 yr). All testing was done in a sound-treated booth with a horizontal array of 15 loudspeakers (radius of 1 m). The stimulus was a spondee word, "baseball": the level averaged 60 dB SPL and randomly roved (±8 dB). Each child was asked to identify the location of a sound source. Localization error was calculated across the loudspeaker array for each listening condition. A significant interaction was found between immediate benefit from OFD and duration of CE usage. Longer CE usage was associated with degraded localization accuracy using OFDs. Regardless of chronological age

High blood lead levels are associated with lead concentrations in households and day care centers attended by Brazilian preschool children.

PubMed

da Rocha Silva, Júlia Prestes; Salles, Fernanda Junqueira; Leroux, Isabelle Nogueira; da Silva Ferreira, Ana Paula Sacone; da Silva, Agnes Soares; Assunção, Nilson Antonio; Nardocci, Adelaide Cassia; Sayuri Sato, Ana Paula; Barbosa, Fernando; Cardoso, Maria Regina Alves; Olympio, Kelly Polido Kaneshiro

2018-08-01

A previous study observed high blood lead levels (BLL) in preschool children attending 50 day care centers (DCC) in São Paulo, Brazil. To identify whether lead levels found in both homes and DCC environments are associated with high blood lead levels. Children attending 4 DCCs, quoted here as NR, VA, PS and PF, were divided into two groups according to BLL: high exposure (HE: ≥13.9 μg/dL; 97.5 percentile of the 2013 year sample) and low exposure (LE: <5 μg/dL). For in situ lead measurements (lead paint mode: mg/cm 2 and ROHS mode: μg/g) in the children's households and in the DCC environments, a field portable X-ray-fluorescence analyzer was used. Multiple logistic regressions were performed to control for confounding factors. Odds ratios were adjusted for age, sex, day care center's measured lead, and tobacco. In an NR DCC building, 33.8% of the measurements had lead levels >600 μg/g, whereas such levels were observed in 77.1% of NR playground measurements. In VA DCC, 22% and 23% of the measurements in the building and in the playgrounds had levels higher than 600 μg/g, respectively. The percentage of high lead levels in the children's houses of the LE group was 5.9% (95% CI: 4.3-7.6%) and 13.2 (95% CI: 8.3-18.0%) in the HE group. Moreover, a significant association was found between high BLLs and lead levels found both in households and DCCs (p < 0.001). Most of the high lead measurements were found in tiles and playground equipment. Lead exposure estimated from the DCCs, where children spend about 10 h/day, can be as relevant as their household exposure. Therefore, public authorities should render efforts to provide a rigorous surveillance for lead-free painting supplies and for all objects offered to children. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Gaze and visual search strategies of children with Asperger syndrome/high functioning autism viewing a magic trick.

PubMed

Joosten, Annette; Girdler, Sonya; Albrecht, Matthew A; Horlin, Chiara; Falkmer, Marita; Leung, Denise; Ordqvist, Anna; Fleischer, Håkan; Falkmer, Torbjörn

2016-01-01

To examine visual search patterns and strategies used by children with and without Asperger syndrome/high functioning autism (AS/HFA) while watching a magic trick. Limited responsivity to gaze cues is hypothesised to contribute to social deficits in children with AS/HFA. Twenty-one children with AS/HFA and 31 matched peers viewed a video of a gaze-cued magic trick twice. Between the viewings, they were informed about how the trick was performed. Participants' eye movements were recorded using a head-mounted eye-tracker. Children with AS/HFA looked less frequently and had shorter fixation on the magician's direct and averted gazes during both viewings and more frequently at not gaze-cued objects and on areas outside the magician's face. After being informed of how the trick was conducted, both groups made fewer fixations on gaze-cued objects and direct gaze. Information may enhance effective visual strategies in children with and without AS/HFA.

Dyslipidemia in a Cohort of HIV-infected Latin American Children Receiving Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy*

PubMed Central

Brewinski, Margaret; Megazzini, Karen; Freimanis Hance, Laura; Cruz, Miguel Cashat; Pavia-Ruz, Noris; Della Negra, Marinella; Ferreira, Flavia Gomes Faleiro; Marques, Heloisa

2011-01-01

In order to describe the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia in a cohort of HIV-infected children and adolescents in Latin America and to determine associations with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), we performed this cross-sectional analysis within the NICHD International Site Development Initiative pediatric cohort study. Eligible children had to be at least 2 years of age and be on HAART. Among the 477 eligible HIV-infected youth, 98 (20.5%) had hypercholesterolemia and 140 (29.4%) had hypertriglyceridemia. In multivariable analyses, children receiving protease inhibitor (PI)-containing HAART were at increased risk for hypercholesterolemia [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3–5.6] and hypertriglyceridemia (AOR = 3.5, 95% CI 1.9–6.4) compared with children receiving non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)-containing HAART. In conclusion, HIV-infected youth receiving PI-containing HAART in this Latin American cohort were at increased risk for hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia compared with those receiving NNRTI-containing HAART. PMID:20889625

Psychometric Properties of the Adapted Skillstreaming Checklist for High-Functioning Children with ASD

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lopata, Christopher; Rodgers, Jonathan D.; Donnelly, James P.; Thomeer, Marcus L.; McDonald, Christin A.; Volker, Martin A.

2017-01-01

This study examined the reliability and criterion-related validity of parent ratings on the Adapted Skillstreaming Checklist (ASC) for a sample of 275 high-functioning children, ages 6-12 years, with ASD. Internal consistency for the total sample was 0.92. For two subsamples, test-retest reliability was very good at the 6-week and good at the…

The triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein ratio identifies children who may be at risk of developing cardiometabolic disease.

PubMed

Bailey, Daniel P; Savory, Louise A; Denton, Sarah J; Davies, Ben R; Kerr, Catherine J

2014-08-01

It is important to develop simple, reliable methods to identify high-risk individuals who may benefit from intervention. This study investigated the association between the triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL) ratio and cardiometabolic risk, cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity in children. Anthropometric, biochemical parameters, cardiorespiratory fitness and accelerometry determined physical activity were assessed in 155 children (80 girls) from 10 to 14 years of age from Bedfordshire, UK. Participants were grouped into high and low TG/HDL ratio groups, according to published thresholds. MANCOVA and logistic regression were used in the analysis. Cardiometabolic risk factor levels were significantly higher in participants with a high TG/HDL ratio (p < 0.05). The odds of having high waist circumference (OR = 13.99; 95% CI 2.93, 69.25), elevated systolic blood pressure (5.27; 1.39, 20.01), high non-HDL cholesterol (19.47; 4.42, 85.81) and ≥2 cardiometabolic risk factors (15.32; 3.10, 75.79) were higher in participants with a high TG/HDL ratio. The TG/HDL ratio values were significantly lower in those with high cardiorespiratory fitness (p = 0.01), but there was no association with physical activity. These findings support the use of the TG/HDL ratio to identify children with cardiometabolic risk factors who may be at risk of developing cardiometabolic disease. ©2014 Foundation Acta Paediatrica. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Children who witness violence, and parent report of children's behavior.

PubMed

Augustyn, Marilyn; Frank, Deborah A; Posner, Michael; Zuckerman, Barry

2002-08-01

To examine how much distress children report in response to violence that they have witnessed and how this is associated with parental reports of children's behavior. As part of a study of in utero exposure to cocaine, children completed the Levonn interview for assessing children's symptoms of distress in response to witnessing violence. The children's caregivers completed the Exposure to Violence Interview (EVI), a caretaker-report measure of the child's exposure to violent events during the last 12 months. The EVI was analyzed as a 3-level variable: no exposure, low exposure, and high exposure. The caregivers also completed the Children's Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Of 94 six-year-old children, 58% had no exposure to violence, 36% had low exposure to violence, and 6% had high exposure to violence, according to caretaker reports. The children's median+/-SD Levonn score was 64 (SD +/- 19.3). The mean SD +/- CBCL total T-score was 53 (SD +/- 10.2). In multiple regression analyses with gender, low and high exposure on EVI, Levonn, and prenatal cocaine exposure status as predictors, the Levonn score explained 4.8% of total variance in children's CBCL internalizing scores, 9.1% of the total variance in CBCL externalizing score, and 12.2% of the total variance in CBCL total score (P =.04, P =.004, and P<.001, respectively). After accounting for the caretaker's report of the level of the child's exposure to violence, the child's own report significantly increased the amount of variance in predicting child behavior problems with the CBCL. These findings indicate that clinicians and researchers should elicit children's own accounts of exposure to violence in addition to the caretakers' when attempting to understand children's behavior.

Effectiveness of the Friends for Life Program in Portuguese Schools: Study with a Sample of Highly Anxious Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pereira, Ana Isabel; Marques, Teresa; Russo, Vanessa; Barros, Luísa; Barrett, P.

2014-01-01

The FRIENDS for Life program is a cognitive-behavioral group program that targets anxiety in children. The main purpose of this study was to analyze the effectiveness of the Portuguese version of the FRIENDS for Life Program, which was implemented in schools to reduce anxiety problems in a group of highly anxious children. The study used a…

Eye-Tracking Measurements of Language Processing: Developmental Differences in Children at High Risk for ASD

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chita-Tegmark, Meia; Arunachalam, Sudha; Nelson, Charles A.; Tager-Flusberg, Helen

2015-01-01

To explore how being at high risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), based on having an older sibling diagnosed with ASD, affects word comprehension and language processing speed, 18-, 24- and 36-month-old children, at high and low risk for ASD were tested in a cross-sectional study, on an eye gaze measure of receptive language that measured how…

High and low body mass index may predict severe disease course in children with inflammatory bowel disease.

PubMed

Yerushalmy-Feler, Anat; Ben-Tov, Amir; Weintraub, Yael; Amir, Achiya; Galai, Tut; Moran-Lev, Hadar; Cohen, Shlomi

2018-04-24

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been historically associated with underweight and malnutrition. The impact of both underweight and obesity on the clinical course of IBD in adults is controversial. This study described the association between body mass index (BMI) at diagnosis to disease course in children with IBD. We reviewed the medical records of children with IBD from the database of the 'Dana-Dwek' Children's Hospital between 2010 and 2016. Demographic and anthropometric data were collected as were disease characteristics, course and therapy. Patients were categorized in quartiles according to BMI percentiles at diagnosis (Q1-Q4). Of 100 children who were identified, 62 had Crohn's disease (CD) and 38 had ulcerative colitis (UC). The median age (interquartile range, IQR) at diagnosis was 13.7 (range 11.9-15.2) years. The median (IQR) follow-up was 2.1 (1.2-3.8) years. At diagnosis, 46 children (46%) were in Q1, 20 (20%) in Q2, 19 (19%) in Q3 and 15 (15%) in Q4. Prolonged time to diagnosis was associated with BMI in Q1 and Q4, as well as high disease activity at diagnosis (p < .001). In a multivariate analysis, BMI in the lower and upper quartiles was associated with disease exacerbation (HR 3.212 and 4.651, respectively, p = .016) and anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy (HR 4.489 and 3.972, respectively, p = .021). BMI in the lower and upper quartiles was associated with more severe disease course in children with IBD. BMI may serve as a simple and highly accessible predictor of pediatric IBD course and prognosis.

The Assimilation of Two Classes of T.M.H. Children Into a Typical Junior High School.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smokoski, Fred; And Others

Twenty-five trainable mentally handicapped young adults were placed in two junior high schools. The curriculum included communication, basic knowledge, family living and personal hygiene, work preparation, and body usage. Among the concerns expressed by the children's parents were that the junior high youth would not accept the retarded students…

Repetitive behaviour in children with high functioning autism and obsessive compulsive disorder.

PubMed

Zandt, Fiona; Prior, Margot; Kyrios, Michael

2007-02-01

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and children with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) were compared on a range of repetitive behaviours. Parents reported similar levels of sameness behaviour and repetitive movements in the clinical groups, although children with OCD engaged in more repetitive behaviour focussed around routines and rituals. Children with OCD reported more compulsions and obsessions than children with ASD; both groups reported more compulsions and obsessions than a typically developing comparison group. Types of compulsions and obsessions tended to be less sophisticated in children with ASD than those with OCD. Sameness behaviour was more prevalent in younger children with OCD, but for children with ASD, age was not significantly related to sameness behaviour, repetitive movements, compulsions, or obsessions.

Children with autism and their friends: a multidimensional study of friendship in high-functioning autism spectrum disorder.

PubMed

Bauminger, Nirit; Solomon, Marjorie; Aviezer, Anat; Heung, Kelly; Gazit, Lilach; Brown, John; Rogers, Sally J

2008-02-01

This study of Israeli and American preadolescent children examined characteristics of friendship in 44 children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (HFASD) compared to 38 typically developing children (TYP), as they interacted with a close friend Participants were 8-12 years of age (HFASD: Israel, n = 24; USA, n = 20; TYP: Israel, n = 23; USA, n = 15), and were matched on SES, receptive language vocabulary, child age, and gender (each study group included one girl). Multidimensional assessments included: individual behaviors of target children and observed child-friend interactions during construction and drawing scenarios; target child's and friend's self-perceived mutual friendship qualities; and mother-reported characteristics (friendship's duration/frequency; friend's age/gender/disability status). Overall, children with HFASD displayed a number of differences on individual and dyadic friendship measures. Both age and verbal abilities affected friendship behaviors. Children with HFASD and their friends perceived friendship qualities similarly, suggesting that preadolescents with HFASD have capacities for interpersonal awareness. Between-group similarities also emerged on several complex social behaviors, suggesting that friendship follows a developmental trajectory in autism and may enhance social interaction skills in autism.

High validity and reliability of the PedsQL™ Multidimensional Fatigue Scale for Brazilian children with cancer.

PubMed

Nascimento, Lucila Castanheira; Nunes, Michelle Darezzo Rodrigues; Rocha, Ester Leonardo; Bomfim, Emiliana Omena; Floria-Santos, Milena; Dos Santos, Claudia Benedita; Dos Santos, Danielle Maria de Souza Serio; de Lima, Regina Aparecida Garcia

2015-01-01

Among the main factors that affect patients' quality of life, fatigue is a significant symptom experienced by children during treatment. Despite the high incidence, there has been no validated scale to evaluate fatigue in children with cancer in Brazil. The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the PedsQL™ Multidimensional Fatigue Scale, using self-reports of Brazilian children, 8 to 18 years of age, and proxy reports. A cross-sectional method was used to collect data from 216 subjects over an 18-month period. Reliability ranged from .70 to .90 except for sleep/rest fatigue, self-report (α = .55). No floor or ceiling effects were found in any dimension. Convergent validity was higher than .40 and divergent validity had 100% adjustment. The root mean square error of approximation was acceptable. The comparative fit index was lower than expected. The agreement between self and proxy responses was weak and moderate. The results demonstrate the reliability and validity of the Brazilian version in children with cancer. This is the first validated scale that assesses fatigue in Brazilian children and adolescents with cancer. © 2014 by Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses.

Virtual Reality Based Collaborative Design by Children with High-Functioning Autism: Design-Based Flexibility, Identity, and Norm Construction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ke, Fengfeng; Lee, Sungwoong

2016-01-01

This exploratory case study examined the process and potential impact of collaborative architectural design and construction in an OpenSimulator-based virtual reality (VR) on the social skills development of children with high-functioning autism (HFA). Two children with a formal medical diagnosis of HFA and one typically developing peer, aged…

Supporting the Spectrum Hypothesis: Self-Reported Temperament in Children and Adolescents with High Functioning Autism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Burrows, Catherine A.; Usher, Lauren V.; Schwartz, Caley B.; Mundy, Peter C.; Henderson, Heather A.

2016-01-01

This study tested the "spectrum hypothesis," which posits that children and adolescents with high functioning autism (HFA) differ "quantitatively" but not "qualitatively" from typically developing peers on self-reported temperament. Temperament refers to early-appearing, relatively stable behavioral and emotional…

A high sensitivity of children to swimming associated gastrointestinal illness (response to letter by Linn)

EPA Science Inventory

We disagree with Mr. Linn’s interpretation of our paper, “High Sensitivity of Children to Swimming-Associated Gastrointestinal Illness”.1 His comments are focused on hypothetical interpretation of our results as related to criteria development rather than the science presented. ...

An Analysis on Children's Rights in Stories Recommended for Children in Turkey

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Karaman-Kepenekci, Yasemin

2010-01-01

Children's rights are legally protected benefits for children to develop physically, mentally, emotionally, socially and morally with freedom and honor in a healthy and normal way. It is important that children know the rights they have. Works of high quality children's literature ensure the socialization of children by making them understand or…

PARENTAL AND SIBLING MIGRATION AND HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AMONG RURAL CHILDREN IN CHINA.

PubMed

Wen, Ming; Li, Kelin

2016-01-01

This study examines the associations between parental and sibling rural-to-urban migration and blood pressure (BP) of rural left-behind children (LBC) in rural China. Analysis was based on the 2000, 2004, 2006 and 2009 waves of longitudinal data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey, which is an ongoing prospective survey covering nine provinces with an individual-level response rate of 88%. Blood pressure levels were measured by trained examiners at three consecutive times on the same visit and the means of three measurements were used as the final BP values. An ordinal BP measure was then created using a recently validated age-sex-specified distribution for Chinese children and adolescents, distinguishing normal BP, pre-hypertension and hypertension. Random effect modelling was performed. Different migration circumstances play different roles in LBC's BP with mother-only and both-parent migration being particularly detrimental and father-only and sibling-only migration either having no association or a negative association with LBC's BP levels or odds of high BP. In conclusion, the link between family migration and left-behind children's blood pressure is complex, and depends on who is the person out-migrating.

Perceived athletic competence and physical activity in children with developmental coordination disorder who are clinically referred, and control children.

PubMed

Noordstar, Johannes J; Stuive, Ilse; Herweijer, Hester; Holty, Lian; Oudenampsen, Chantal; Schoemaker, Marina M; Reinders-Messelink, Heleen A

2014-12-01

The relationship between perceived athletic competence (PAC) and physical activity (PA) in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is still unclear. This study investigated differences in PAC and PA between, and within, a group of children with DCD that were clinically referred (n = 31) and a group of control children (n = 38), aged 7-12 years. All children were categorized in four groups: (1) children with DCD/low PAC, (2) children with DCD/normal to high PAC, (3) control children/low PAC, and (4) control children/normal to high PAC. PAC was assessed with the Self-Perception Profile for Children, and PA was assessed with the Modifiable Activity Questionnaire. Children with DCD participated less in unorganized PA, but not in organized PA, compared with control children. Normal to high PAC was found in more than half of the children (64.5%) with DCD. Children with DCD/low PAC and children with DCD/normal to high PAC participated significantly less in unorganized physical activity compared with control children/normal to high PAC, but not compared with control children/low PAC. The results indicate that there are large individual differences in PAC in children with DCD. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Online Processing of Sentences Containing Noun Modification in Young Children with High-Functioning Autism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bavin, Edith L.; Prendergast, Luke A.; Kidd, Evan; Baker, Emma; Dissanayake, Cheryl

2016-01-01

Background: There is variability in the language of children with autism, even those who are high functioning. However, little is known about how they process language structures in real time, including how they handle potential ambiguity, and whether they follow referential constraints. Previous research with older autism spectrum disorder (ASD)…

High prevalence of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli carrying toxin-encoding genes isolated from children and adults in southeastern Brazil.

PubMed

Spano, Liliana Cruz; da Cunha, Keyla Fonseca; Monfardini, Mariane Vedovatti; de Cássia Bergamaschi Fonseca, Rita; Scaletsky, Isabel Christina Affonso

2017-12-18

Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) are important bacterial causes of childhood diarrhea in Brazil, but its impact in adults is unknown. This study aimed at investigating DEC among children and adults living in endemic areas. A total of 327 stools specimens were collected from children (n = 141) and adults (n = 186) with diarrhea attending health centers. Diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC) were identified by their virulence genes (multiplex polymerase chain reaction) and HEp-2 cell adherence patterns. DEC were detected in 56 (40%) children and 74 (39%) adults; enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) (23%) was the most prevalent pathotype, followed by diffusely adherent E. coli (DAEC) (13%), and occurred at similar frequencies in both diarrheal groups. Atypical enteropathogenic E. coli (aEPEC) strains were recovered more frequently from children (6%) than from adults (1%). Twenty-six percent of the EAEC were classified as typical EAEC possessing aggR gene, and carried the aap gene. EAEC strains carrying aggR-aap-aatA genes were significantly more frequent among children than adults (p < 0.05). DAEC strains possessing Afa/Dr. genes were detected from children (10%) and adults (6%). EAEC and DAEC strains harboring genes for the EAST1 (astA), Pet, Pic, and Sat toxins were common in both diarrheal groups. The astA and the porcine AE/associated adhesin (paa) genes were found in most of aEPEC strains. High levels of resistance to antimicrobial drugs were found among DAEC and aEPEC isolates. The results show a high proportion of EAEC and DAEC carrying toxin-encoding genes among adults with diarrhea.

Characteristics of epidemiology of dental caries in children from regions with high and optimum fluorine content in drinking water.

PubMed

Trufanova, Valentina; Sheshukova, Olha; Davydenko, Vadym; Polishchuk, Tetiana; Bauman, Sofia; Dobroskok, Vitalina

2018-01-01

Introduction: Prevention of dental diseases in children is the priority item on the modern dentistry agenda. Among the undeniable factors known as contributing into caries incidence, there is fluoride content in the external environment, especially in drinking water, which is the main source of fluoride intake. The aim: This study is aimed at evaluating dental caries indices in children and adolescents inhabiting in areas with optimal and high-level fluoride concentration in drinking water and assessing their level of oral hygiene. Materials and methods: To explore the caries epidemiology in the regions with optimal and high fluoride content, we examined 315 children aged 6, 12 and 15 who live in the city of Poltava (fluoride content in drinking water is 0.9-1.2 mg / l) and 91 children of the same age residing in the village of a town type Mashivka (fluoride content in drinking water ranges from 1.7 to 2.9 mg / l). Results: More than half of the 6-year-old children of both groups have decayed teeth. The comparative analysis of the prevalence and intensity of caries in the children aged 12 and 15 years demonstrated a significant increase in the number of individuals diagnosed to have caries with increasing age in both groups. Conclusions: Our research suggests that, along with the number of other cariogenic factors, fluorosis contributes to a more intense course of caries progression. This situation demands wider health policy measures to support primary and secondary caries prevention and management among the children.

Developing Reading Comprehension Skills in High-Functioning Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Review of the Research, 1990-2012

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Senokossoff, Gwyn W.

2016-01-01

The purpose of this article is twofold: (a) to describe a structured literature review that was completed to determine how reading comprehension instruction has been studied with high-functioning children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and (b) to provide insight into the reading strategies that teachers might use to support these children.…

Lexical and affective prosody in children with high-functioning autism.

PubMed

Grossman, Ruth B; Bemis, Rhyannon H; Plesa Skwerer, Daniela; Tager-Flusberg, Helen

2010-06-01

To investigate the perception and production of lexical stress and processing of affective prosody in adolescents with high-functioning autism (HFA). We hypothesized preserved processing of lexical and affective prosody but atypical lexical prosody production. Sixteen children with HFA and 15 typically developing (TD) peers participated in 3 experiments that examined the following: (a) perception of affective prosody (Experiment 1), (b) lexical stress perception (Experiment 2), and (c) lexical stress production (Experiment 3). In Experiment 1, participants labeled sad, happy, and neutral spoken sentences that were low-pass filtered, to eliminate verbal content. In Experiment 2, participants disambiguated word meanings based on lexical stress (HOTdog vs. hot DOG). In Experiment 3, participants produced these words in a sentence completion task. Productions were analyzed with acoustic measures. Accuracy levels showed no group differences. Participants with HFA could determine affect from filtered sentences and disambiguate words on the basis of lexical stress. They produced appropriately differentiated lexical stress patterns but demonstrated atypically long productions, indicating reduced ability in natural prosody production. Children with HFA were as capable as their TD peers in receptive tasks of lexical stress and affective prosody. Prosody productions were atypically long, despite accurate differentiation of lexical stress patterns. Future research should use larger samples and spontaneous versus elicited productions.

Evidence of embodied social competence during conversation in high functioning children with autism spectrum disorder

PubMed Central

Fitzpatrick, Paula; Roulier, Stephanie; Duncan, Amie; Richardson, Michael J.; Schmidt, R. C.

2018-01-01

Even high functioning children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) exhibit impairments that affect their ability to carry out and maintain effective social interactions in multiple contexts. One aspect of subtle nonverbal communication that might play a role in this impairment is the whole-body motor coordination that naturally arises between people during conversation. The current study aimed to measure the time-dependent, coordinated whole-body movements between children with ASD and a clinician during a conversational exchange using tools of nonlinear dynamics. Given the influence that subtle interpersonal coordination has on social interaction feelings, we expected there to be important associations between the dynamic motor movement measures introduced in the current study and the measures used traditionally to categorize ASD impairment (ADOS-2, joint attention and theory of mind). The study found that children with ASD coordinated their bodily movements with a clinician, that these movements were complex and that the complexity of the children’s movements matched that of the clinician’s movements. Importantly, the degree of this bodily coordination was related to higher social cognitive ability. This suggests children with ASD are embodying some degree of social competence during conversations. This study demonstrates the importance of further investigating the subtle but important bodily movement coordination that occurs during social interaction in children with ASD. PMID:29505608

High fear of intra-oral injections: prevalence and relationship to dental fear and dental avoidance among 10- to 16-yr-old children.

PubMed

Berge, Karin G; Agdal, Maren L; Vika, Margrethe; Skeie, Marit S

2016-12-01

The present study aimed to: (i) estimate the prevalence of self-reported high fear of intra-oral injections, high blood-injury fear, and injection fear; (ii) explore the overlap between high fear of intra-oral injections and high fear of dental treatment; and (iii) evaluate the possible consequence of high fear of intra-oral injections in terms of avoidance of dental care. The sample included 1,441 subjects, 10- to 16-yr of age, attending elementary schools in a county of Norway. Data were collected using questionnaires that were completed in classrooms. The survey instruments used were the Intra-Oral Injection Fear-scale, the Children's Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale, the Injection Phobia scale for children, and the Mutilation Questionnaire for children. In total, 13.9% of the children reported high intra-oral injection fear. A strong association was found between fear of intra-oral injections and dental fear. When an intra-oral injection was needed, 10.6% would avoid dental treatment. In multiple regression analysis, high intra-oral injection fear was found to be associated with avoidance of dental treatment (OR = 6.52; 95% CI: 3.99-10.67). It was concluded that high fear of intra-oral injections was prevalent and might lead to avoidance of necessary dental treatment. Hence, intra-oral injection fear should be addressed before treatment of dental fear. © 2016 Eur J Oral Sci.

The use of mentoring programs to improve energy balance behaviors in high-risk children.

PubMed

Haire-Joshu, Debra; Nanney, Marilyn S; Elliott, Michael; Davey, Cynthia; Caito, Nicole; Loman, Deborah; Brownson, Ross C; Kreuter, Matthew W

2010-02-01

This study tested the impact of a multicomponent intervention entitled "Partners of all Ages Reading About Diet and Exercise" (PARADE) a child-focused energy balance intervention incorporated into mentoring programs. We used a group randomized nested cohort design randomizing mentoring program sites (n = 119) and children (N = 782; females = 49%; African American = 37%; mean (s.d.) age = 8.5 (1.5) years) to intervention or usual care conditions. PARADE mentors delivered eight lesson plans addressing key concepts related to diet and activity; eight child-focused computer-tailored storybooks with messages targeting that child's diet and activity patterns and eight parent action support newsletters. When compared to the control group, PARADE children were more knowledgeable of diet and activity guidelines (P < 0.01), challenged themselves more to eat five fruits and vegetables (FV) (P < 0.01) and be active 1 h daily (P < 0.01), and to ask for FV for snack (P = 0.015). Calories from high fat foods decreased in overweight/obese children, but not for normal weight children (P = 0.059). There were no significant differences in fruit and vegetable intake, total calories, percent time being active, or BMI z-score. The combination of one-to-one mentoring, child-focused computer based tailoring, and parent support may impact important behavioral change precursors in environments over which the child has control, especially among normal weight children. Further, work is needed to evaluate the impact of family-focused multicomponent interventions, including computer-tailored approaches, directed toward both the parent and the child.

White Matter Integrity and Pictorial Reasoning in High-Functioning Children with Autism

PubMed Central

Sahyoun, Chérif P.; Belliveau, John W.; Mody, Maria

2010-01-01

The current study investigated the neurobiological role of white matter in visuospatial versus linguistic processing abilities in autism using diffusion tensor imaging. We examined differences in white matter integrity between high-functioning children with autism (HFA) and typically developing controls (CTRL), in relation to the groups’ response times (RT) on a pictorial reasoning task under three conditions: visuospatial, V, semantic, S, and V+S, a hybrid condition allowing language use to facilitate visuospatial transformations. Diffusion-weighted images were collected from HFA and CTRL participants, matched on age and IQ, and significance maps were computed for group differences in fractional anisotropy (FA) and in RT-FA association for each condition. Typically developing children showed increased FA within frontal white matter and the superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF). HFA showed increased FA within peripheral white matter, including the ventral temporal lobe. Additionally, RT-FA relationships in the semantic condition (S) implicated white matter near the STG and in the SLF within the temporal and frontal lobes to a greater extent in CTRL. Performance in visuospatial reasoning (V, V+S), in comparison, was related to peripheral parietal and superior precentral white matter in HFA, but to the SLF, callosal, and frontal white matter in CTRL. Our results appear to support a preferential use of linguistically-mediated pathways in reasoning by typically-developing children, whereas autistic cognition may rely more on visuospatial processing networks. PMID:20542370

High prevalence of rheumatic heart disease detected by echocardiography in school children.

PubMed

Bhaya, Maneesha; Panwar, Sadik; Beniwal, Rajesh; Panwar, Raja Babu

2010-04-01

It is fairly easy to detect advanced valve lesions of established rheumatic heart disease by echocardiography in the clinically identified cases of rheumatic heart disease. However, to diagnose a subclinical case of rheumatic heart disease, no uniform set of echocardiographic criteria exist. Moderate thickening of valve leaflets is considered an indicator of established rheumatic heart disease. World Health Organization criteria for diagnosing probable rheumatic heart disease are more sensitive and are based on the detection of significant regurgitation of mitral and/or aortic valves by color Doppler. We attempted diagnosing RHD in school children in Bikaner city by cardiac ultrasound. The stratified cluster sampling technique was employed to identify 31 random clusters in the coeducational schools of Bikaner city. We selected 1059 school children aged 6-15 years from these schools. An experienced operator did careful cardiac auscultation and echocardiographic study. A second expert confirmed the echocardiographic findings. The prevalence of lesions suggestive of rheumatic heart disease by echocardiography was 51 per 1,000 (denominator = 1059; 95% CI: 38-64 per 1,000). We were able to clinically diagnose RHD in one child. None of these children or their parents having echocardiographic evidence of RHD could provide a positive history of acute rheumatic fever. By echocardiographic screening, we found a high prevalence of rheumatic heart disease in the surveyed population. Clinical auscultation had much lower diagnostic efficacy.

PROP taster status, food preferences and consumption of high-calorie snacks and sweet beverages among 6-year-old ethnically diverse children.

PubMed

Wijtzes, Anne I; Jansen, Wilma; Bouthoorn, Selma H; Kiefte-de Jong, Jessica C; Jansen, Pauline W; Franco, Oscar H; Jaddoe, Vincent W V; Hofman, Albert; Raat, Hein

2017-04-01

A healthy diet is important for optimal growth and development in children. Food preferences are a main determinant of children's intake. The aim of this study was to examine the associations of 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP) taster status (taste sensitivity to PROP) with children's food preferences and consumption of high-calorie snacks and sweet beverages among ethnically diverse children. We analysed data from 5585 6-year-old children enrolled in the Generation R Study, a birth cohort study in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. PROP taster status was evaluated using a suprathreshold screening solution. Food preferences of the children were assessed by a two-stage protocol using photographs of eight food items (candy, chocolate, mayonnaise, whipped cream, soup, potato chips, carrot and bread), yielding both hedonic ratings (1-3) and rank order scores (1-8). Univariate and multivariable linear and logistic regression analyses were performed, using tasters as the reference group. Non-tasters had a slightly higher preference for carrots (β: -0.07; 95% CI: -0.13, -0.02 and β: -0.15; 95% CI: -0.27, -0.02 for hedonic ratings and rank order scores, respectively) and bread (hedonic ratings; β: -0.06; 95% CI: -0.11, -0.01) compared with tasters. No differences were found in children's preference for sweet, fat or salty food items. Furthermore, there were no associations of PROP taster status with the consumption of high-calorie snacks ≥ 2 times/day (aOR: 1.06; 95% CI: 0.91,1.24) or sweet beverages ≥ 3 glasses/day (aOR: 1.06; 95% CI: 0.92,1.23). Other factors relating to the family food environment may be more important for young children's food preferences and consumption of high-calorie snacks and sweet beverages than their innate taste sensitivity. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Executive function in children with high and low attentional skills: correspondences between behavioural and cognitive profiles.

PubMed

Scope, Alison; Empson, Janet; McHale, Sue

2010-06-01

Cognitive performance was compared between two groups of typically developing children, who had been observed and rated as differing significantly in their attentional skills at school. The participants were 24 8- and 9-year-old children scoring poorly relative to peers, on a classroom observation scale and teacher rating scale for attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity [low-attentional skills (LAS) group] and 24 sex- and age-matched children scoring at a high level compared to peers [high-attentional skills (HAS) group]. The two groups were compared on a series of cognitive tasks to assess executive function (EF). The LAS group performed within the typical range yetat a significantly lower level than the HAS group on the majority of the EF tasks administered, namely working memory and inhibition measures, even though there were no significant differences between the groups on a measure of intellectual ability. Working memory measures followed by measures of inhibition emerged as the best predictors of group membership. These findings provide empirical evidence that there are individual differences in attentional skills. Specifically, that there is a relationship between behavioural inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity and cognitive performance on working memory and inhibitory control tasks.

Differences in physical growth of Aymara and Quechua children living at high altitude in Peru.

PubMed

de Meer, K; Bergman, R; Kusner, J S; Voorhoeve, H W

1993-01-01

Physical growth of Amerindian children living in two Aymara and three Quechua peasant communities in the Andean highlands of southern Peru (altitude 3,810-3,840 m) was studied, taking into account differences in the microclimate, agronomic situation, and sociodemographic variables. Anthropometric measurements were taken in 395 children aged under 14 years of age in a sample of 151 families in these communities, who were surveyed for sociodemographic variables as well. Data on the land system were available for 77 families. In comparison with reference populations from the United States (NCHS) and The Netherlands, stature, weight, head circumference, and midupper arm circumference (but not weight for stature) in the sample children were reduced. Growth retardation increased after the age of 1 year. Stature and weight in the present sample were very similar compared with previously published data on growth of rural Aymara children living near Lake Titicaca in Bolivia. Head circumference, midupper arm circumference, and weight for stature were significantly larger in Aymara children compared with Quechua children. Land was significantly more fragmented in Aymara compared with Quechua families, but amount of land owned was not different. Perinatal and infant mortality was elevated in Aymara vs. Quechua communities. Most families in Aymara communities used protected drinking water. One Quechua community had a severe microclimate, grim economic outlook, and weak social cohesion. Children in this community showed significant reductions in weight and midupper arm circumference compared with their peers in the other communities. We conclude that (presumably nutritionally mediated) intervillage and Aymara-Quechua differences in childhood physical growth existed in this rural high-altitude population in Peru and were associated with microclimate and the village economy, sociodemographic factors, and differences in the land system.

Obesity, High-Calorie Food Intake, and Academic Achievement Trends among U.S. School Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Li, Jian; O'Connell, Ann A.

2012-01-01

The authors investigated children's self-reported high-calorie food intake in Grade 5 and its relationship to trends in obesity status and academic achievement over the first 6 years of school. They used 3-level hierarchical linear models in the large-scale database (the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study--Kindergarten Cohort). Findings indicated…

A Screening Questionnaire for Asperger Syndrome and Other High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders in School Age Children.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ehlers, Stephan; Gillberg, Christopher; Wing, Lorna

1999-01-01

Presents data on the High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire, a 27-item checklist for completion by lay informants when assessing symptoms characteristic of Asperger syndrome and other high-functioning autism spectrum disorders in children and adolescents with normal intelligence or mild mental retardation. Reliability and…

Physical fitness and health indices in children, adolescents and adults with high or low motor competence.

PubMed

Cantell, Marja; Crawford, Susan G; Tish Doyle-Baker, P K

2008-04-01

The overall purpose of the study was to examine if individuals with low motor competence achieve age-adequate fitness and health. A group of 149 children, adolescents, and adults with low or high motor competence participated in motor, fitness, and health assessments. Individuals with low motor competence did not differ on their basic physiological health parameters, but they had less optimal levels of overall health and fitness indices than those with high motor competence. As a function of age, musculoskeletal fitness was significantly compromised for the low motor competence group. The metabolic indices suggested that the low motor competence group had significantly higher BMI's compared to the high motor competence group. Motor skills and static balance were significant predictors of the BMI. Exercise intensity differed between children in the low and high motor competence group. The findings suggest that individuals with low motor competence have compromised health-related fitness. In order to discriminate between individuals with high and low motor competence, fitness assessment should include at least back extension, curl ups, and sit and reach. In addition, health-related fitness measurements such as BMI, waist circumference, blood lipid profile and bone mineral density are also recommended.

Group Music Intervention Reduces Aggression and Improves Self-esteem in Children with Highly Aggressive Behavior: A Pilot Controlled Trial

PubMed Central

Lee, Myeong Soo; Lee, Jung-Sook

2010-01-01

We investigated the effects of group music intervention on aggression and self-esteem in children with highly aggressive behavior. Forty-eight children were allocated to either a music intervention group or an untreated control group. The music intervention group received 50 min of music intervention twice weekly for 15 consecutive weeks. The outcome measures were Child Behavior Checklist Aggression Problems Scale (Parents), Child Aggression Assessment Inventory (Teachers) and Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale. After 15 weeks, the music intervention group showed significant reduction of aggression and improvement of self-esteem compared with the control group. All outcome measures were significantly lower in the music intervention group than prior to treatment, while there was no change in the control group. These findings suggest that music can reduce aggressive behavior and improve self-esteem in children with highly aggressive behavior. Music intervention is an easily accessible therapy for children and as such may be an effective intervention for aggressive behavior. Further more, objective and replicable measures are required from a randomized controlled trial with a larger sample size and active comparable control. PMID:18955314

High Prevalence of Giardia duodenalis Assemblage B Infection and Association with Underweight in Rwandan Children

PubMed Central

Klotz, Christian; Steininger, Christian; Shyirambere, Cyprien; Lyng, Michel; Musemakweri, Andre; Aebischer, Toni; Martus, Peter; Harms, Gundel; Mockenhaupt, Frank P.

2012-01-01

Background Giardia duodenalis is highly endemic in East Africa but its effects on child health, particularly of submicroscopic infections, i.e., those below the threshold of microscopy, and of genetic subgroups (assemblages), are not well understood. We aimed at addressing these questions and at examining epidemiological characteristics of G. duodenalis in southern highland Rwanda. Methodology/Principal Findings In 583 children <5 years of age from communities and health facilities, intestinal parasites were assessed by triplicate light microscopy and by PCR assays, and G. duodenalis assemblages were genotyped. Cluster effects of villages were taken into account in statistical analysis. The prevalence of G. duodenalis as detected by microscopy was 19.8% but 60.1% including PCR results. Prevalence differed with residence, increased with age, and was reduced by breastfeeding. In 492 community children without, with submicroscopic and with microscopic infection, underweight (weight-for-age z-score <−2 standard deviations) was observed in 19.7%, 22.1%, and 33.1%, respectively, and clinically assessed severe malnutrition in 4.5%, 9.5%, and 16.7%. Multivariate analysis identified microscopically detectable G. duodenalis infection as an independent predictor of underweight and clinically assessed severe malnutrition. Submicroscopic infection showed respective trends. Overall, G. duodenalis was not associated with gastrointestinal symptoms but assemblages A parasites (proportion, 13%) were increased among children with vomiting and abdominal pain. Conclusions/Significance The prevalence of G. duodenalis in high-endemicity areas may be greatly underestimated by light microscopy, particularly when only single stool samples are analysed. Children with submicroscopic infections show limited overt manifestation, but constitute unrecognized reservoirs of transmission. The predominance of assemblage B in Rwanda may be involved in the seemingly unimposing manifestation of G

Syntactic and Story Structure Complexity in the Narratives of High- and Low-Language Ability Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

PubMed Central

Peristeri, Eleni; Andreou, Maria; Tsimpli, Ianthi M.

2017-01-01

Although language impairment is commonly associated with the autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the Diagnostic Statistical Manual no longer includes language impairment as a necessary component of an ASD diagnosis (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). However, children with ASD and no comorbid intellectual disability struggle with some aspects of language whose precise nature is still outstanding. Narratives have been extensively used as a tool to examine lexical and syntactic abilities, as well as pragmatic skills in children with ASD. This study contributes to this literature by investigating the narrative skills of 30 Greek-speaking children with ASD and normal non-verbal IQ, 16 with language skills in the upper end of the normal range (ASD-HL), and 14 in the lower end of the normal range (ASD-LL). The control group consisted of 15 age-matched typically-developing (TD) children. Narrative performance was measured in terms of both microstructural and macrostructural properties. Microstructural properties included lexical and syntactic measures of complexity such as subordinate vs. coordinate clauses and types of subordinate clauses. Macrostructure was measured in terms of the diversity in the use of internal state terms (ISTs) and story structure complexity, i.e., children's ability to produce important units of information that involve the setting, characters, events, and outcomes of the story, as well as the characters' thoughts and feelings. The findings demonstrate that high language ability and syntactic complexity pattern together in ASD children's narrative performance and that language ability compensates for autistic children's pragmatic deficit associated with the production of Theory of Mind-related ISTs. Nevertheless, both groups of children with ASD (high and low language ability) scored lower than the TD controls in the production of Theory of Mind-unrelated ISTs, modifier clauses and story structure complexity. PMID:29209258

Syntactic and Story Structure Complexity in the Narratives of High- and Low-Language Ability Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

PubMed

Peristeri, Eleni; Andreou, Maria; Tsimpli, Ianthi M

2017-01-01

Although language impairment is commonly associated with the autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the Diagnostic Statistical Manual no longer includes language impairment as a necessary component of an ASD diagnosis (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). However, children with ASD and no comorbid intellectual disability struggle with some aspects of language whose precise nature is still outstanding. Narratives have been extensively used as a tool to examine lexical and syntactic abilities, as well as pragmatic skills in children with ASD. This study contributes to this literature by investigating the narrative skills of 30 Greek-speaking children with ASD and normal non-verbal IQ, 16 with language skills in the upper end of the normal range (ASD-HL), and 14 in the lower end of the normal range (ASD-LL). The control group consisted of 15 age-matched typically-developing (TD) children. Narrative performance was measured in terms of both microstructural and macrostructural properties. Microstructural properties included lexical and syntactic measures of complexity such as subordinate vs. coordinate clauses and types of subordinate clauses. Macrostructure was measured in terms of the diversity in the use of internal state terms (ISTs) and story structure complexity, i.e., children's ability to produce important units of information that involve the setting, characters, events, and outcomes of the story, as well as the characters' thoughts and feelings. The findings demonstrate that high language ability and syntactic complexity pattern together in ASD children's narrative performance and that language ability compensates for autistic children's pragmatic deficit associated with the production of Theory of Mind-related ISTs. Nevertheless, both groups of children with ASD (high and low language ability) scored lower than the TD controls in the production of Theory of Mind-unrelated ISTs, modifier clauses and story structure complexity.

Age of onset of myopia predicts risk of high myopia in later childhood in myopic Singapore children.

PubMed

Chua, Sharon Y L; Sabanayagam, Charumathi; Cheung, Yin-Bun; Chia, Audrey; Valenzuela, Robert K; Tan, Donald; Wong, Tien-Yin; Cheng, Ching-Yu; Saw, Seang-Mei

2016-07-01

To investigate the effect of age of myopia onset on the severity of myopia later in life among myopic children. In this prospective study, school children aged 7-9 years from the Singapore Cohort Of the Risk factors for Myopia (SCORM) were followed up till 11 years (n = 928). Age of myopia onset was defined either through questionnaire at baseline (age 7-9 years) or subsequent annual follow-up visits. Age of onset of myopia was a surrogate indicator of duration of myopia progression till age 11 years. Cycloplegic refraction and axial length were measured at every annual eye examination. High myopia was defined as spherical equivalent of ≤-5.0 D. A questionnaire determined the other risk factors. In multivariable regression models, younger age of myopia onset (per year decrease) or longer duration of myopia progression was associated with high myopia (odds ratio (OR) = 2.86; 95% CI: 2.39 to 3.43), more myopic spherical equivalent (regression coefficient (β) = -0.86 D; 95% CI: -0.93 to -0.80) and longer axial length (β = 0.28 mm; 95% CI: 0.24 to 0.32) at aged 11 years, after adjusting for gender, race, school, books per week and parental myopia. In Receiver Operating Curve (ROC) analyses, age of myopia onset alone predicted high myopia by 85% (area under the curve = 0.85), while the addition of other factors including gender, race, school, books per week and parental myopia only marginally improved this prediction (area under the curve = 0.87). Age of myopia onset or duration of myopia progression was the most important predictor of high myopia in later childhood in myopic children. Future trials to retard the progression of myopia to high myopia could focus on children with younger age of myopia onset or with longer duration of myopia progression. © 2016 The Authors Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics © 2016 The College of Optometrists.

Long-term learning of stroke knowledge among children in a high-risk community.

PubMed

Williams, Olajide; DeSorbo, Alexandra; Noble, James; Shaffer, Michele; Gerin, William

2012-08-21

To evaluate the effect of Hip Hop Stroke, a school-based multimedia musical stroke literacy intervention that targets children aged 8-12 in high-risk minority communities, on the long-term learning of stroke knowledge. We enrolled a cohort of 104 fifth and sixth grade children from 2 schools in Central Harlem into a single course of Hip Hop Stroke (3 1-hour classroom sessions, delivered over 3 consecutive days). Tests evaluating knowledge of stroke symptoms and behavioral intent to call 911 using hypothetical stroke scenarios were conducted at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and 15 months after the initial and only intervention. A composite score was created from 5 traditional stroke symptoms plus a distracter (chest pain). Data were analyzed using SAS version 9.2. A total of 104 students completed both pretests (PTs) and immediate posttests (IPs), and 85 students completed all 3 tests, including a 15-month delayed posttest (DP) (81.7% retention rate). At pretest, 55.8% correctly identified calling 911. The baseline composite score was 3.24 (SD 1.45). At IP, stroke knowledge increased significantly across all items: calling 911 (85.6%, p < 0.001) and composite score (5.30, p < 0.0001). At 15 months, stroke knowledge increased significantly from PT for all measures except sudden headache with a composite score of 4.73 (p < 0.0001, PT vs DP). Three hours of Hip Hop Stroke significantly improved knowledge of stroke symptoms and behavioral intent to call 911 of fifth and sixth grade children living in a high stroke risk neighborhood. This learning persisted for up to 15 months postintervention.

A Comparative Study of the Use and Understanding of Self-Presentational Display Rules in Children with High Functioning Autism and Asperger's Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barbaro, Josephine; Dissanayake, Cheryl

2007-01-01

The use and understanding of self-presentational display rules (SPDRs) was investigated in 21 children with high-functioning autism (FHA), 18 children with Asperger's disorder (AspD) and 20 typically developing (TD) children (all male, aged 4- to 11-years, matched on mental age). Their behaviour was coded during a deception scenario to assess use…

Disembedding performance in children and adolescents with Asperger syndrome or high-functioning autism.

PubMed

Kaland, Nils; Mortensen, Erik Lykke; Smith, Lars

2007-01-01

The aim of the present study was to assess the findings, reported in earlier studies, that individuals with autism spectrum disorders process visuo-spatial tasks faster than typically developing control persons. The participants in the present study were children and adolescents with Asperger syndrome (AS) or high-functioning autism (HFA) (N = 13), and a matched group of typically developing children and adolescents (N = 13). The results showed that the participants in the clinical group performed marginally less well than those in the control group on both the Block Design Test and the Embedded Figures Test, but the differences were not statistically significant. Thus, earlier findings suggesting that individuals with autism spectrum disorders solve non-social cognitive tasks faster than typically developing control persons were not replicated. The results are discussed with special reference to the hypothesis of weak central coherence.

C-Command in the Grammars of Children with High Functioning Autism.

PubMed

Khetrapal, Neha; Thornton, Rosalind

2017-01-01

A recent study questioned the adherence of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) to a linguistic constraint on the use of reflexive pronouns (Principle A) in sentences like Bart's dad is touching himself . This led researchers to question whether children with ASD are able to compute the hierarchical structural relationship of c-command, and raised the possibility that the children rely on a linear strategy for reference assignment. The current study investigates the status of c-command in children with ASD by testing their interpretation of sentences like (1) and (2) that tease apart use of c-command and a linear strategy for reference assignment. The girl who stayed up late will not get a dime or a jewel (C-command)The girl who didn't go to sleep will get a dime or a jewel (Non C-command) These examples both contain negation ( not or did n't ) and disjunction ( or ). In (1), negation c-commands the disjunction phrase, yielding a conjunctive entailment. This gives rise to the meaning that the girl who stayed up late won't get a dime and she won't get a jewel. In (2), negation is positioned inside a relative clause and it does not c-command disjunction. Therefore, no conjunctive entailment follows. Thus, (2) is true if the girl just gets a dime or just a jewel, or possibly both. If children with ASD lack c-command, then (1) will not give rise to a conjunctive entailment. In this case, children might rely on a linear strategy for reference assignment. Since negation precedes disjunction in both (1) and (2), they might be interpreted in a similar manner. Likewise, children who show knowledge of c-command should perform well on sentences governed by Principle A. These hypotheses were tested in experiments with 12 Australian children with HFA, aged 5;4 to 12;7, and 12 typically-developing controls, matched on non-verbal IQ. There was no significant difference in the pattern of responses by children with HFA and the control children on either (1) and (2) or the

C-Command in the Grammars of Children with High Functioning Autism

PubMed Central

Khetrapal, Neha; Thornton, Rosalind

2017-01-01

A recent study questioned the adherence of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) to a linguistic constraint on the use of reflexive pronouns (Principle A) in sentences like Bart's dad is touching himself. This led researchers to question whether children with ASD are able to compute the hierarchical structural relationship of c-command, and raised the possibility that the children rely on a linear strategy for reference assignment. The current study investigates the status of c-command in children with ASD by testing their interpretation of sentences like (1) and (2) that tease apart use of c-command and a linear strategy for reference assignment. The girl who stayed up late will not get a dime or a jewel (C-command)The girl who didn't go to sleep will get a dime or a jewel (Non C-command) These examples both contain negation (not or didn't) and disjunction (or). In (1), negation c-commands the disjunction phrase, yielding a conjunctive entailment. This gives rise to the meaning that the girl who stayed up late won't get a dime and she won't get a jewel. In (2), negation is positioned inside a relative clause and it does not c-command disjunction. Therefore, no conjunctive entailment follows. Thus, (2) is true if the girl just gets a dime or just a jewel, or possibly both. If children with ASD lack c-command, then (1) will not give rise to a conjunctive entailment. In this case, children might rely on a linear strategy for reference assignment. Since negation precedes disjunction in both (1) and (2), they might be interpreted in a similar manner. Likewise, children who show knowledge of c-command should perform well on sentences governed by Principle A. These hypotheses were tested in experiments with 12 Australian children with HFA, aged 5;4 to 12;7, and 12 typically-developing controls, matched on non-verbal IQ. There was no significant difference in the pattern of responses by children with HFA and the control children on either (1) and (2) or the

DNA Repair Alterations in Children With Pediatric Malignancies: Novel Opportunities to Identify Patients at Risk for High-Grade Toxicities

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ruebe, Claudia E., E-mail: claudia.ruebe@uks.e; Fricke, Andreas; Schneider, Ruth

Purpose: To evaluate, in a pilot study, the phosphorylated H2AX ({gamma}H2AX) foci approach for identifying patients with double-strand break (DSB) repair deficiencies, who may overreact to DNA-damaging cancer therapy. Methods and Materials: The DSB repair capacity of children with solid cancers was analyzed compared with that of age-matched control children and correlated with treatment-related normal-tissue responses (n = 47). Double-strand break repair was investigated by counting {gamma}H2AX foci in blood lymphocytes at defined time points after irradiation of blood samples. Results: Whereas all healthy control children exhibited proficient DSB repair, 3 children with tumors revealed clearly impaired DSB repair capacities,more » and 2 of these repair-deficient children developed life-threatening or even lethal normal-tissue toxicities. The underlying mutations affecting regulatory factors involved in DNA repair pathways were identified. Moreover, significant differences in mean DSB repair capacity were observed between children with tumors and control children, suggesting that childhood cancer is based on genetic alterations affecting DSB repair function. Conclusions: Double-strand break repair alteration in children may predispose to cancer formation and may affect children's susceptibility to normal-tissue toxicities. Phosphorylated H2AX analysis of blood samples allows one to detect DSB repair deficiencies and thus enables identification of children at risk for high-grade toxicities.« less

Expressing negative emotions to children: Mothers' aversion sensitivity and children's adjustment.

PubMed

Moed, Anat; Dix, Theodore; Anderson, Edward R; Greene, Shannon M

2017-03-01

Research is unclear about when expressing negative emotions to children performs valuable socialization and regulatory functions and when, instead, it undermines children's adjustment. In this study, we isolated 1 kind of negative expression to test the aversion sensitivity hypothesis: that rapid increases in mothers' negativity as a function of increases in the aversiveness of children's behavior are uniquely problematic for children. During multiple assessments of a divorcing sample over 2 years (N = 284), 12-min interactions between mothers and their 4- to 11-year-old children were recorded. Forty-seven observed child behaviors were ranked from low to high aversive. Within-dyad changes demonstrated that mothers' general negativity-their tendency to express negative emotion at high rates-was unrelated to children's adjustment. In contrast, mothers' aversion-focused negativity-their tendency to increase negative emotional expression rapidly as the aversiveness of children's behavior increased-predicted children's poor social competence, poor emotion regulation, and externalizing behavior problems at the next assessment. The findings suggest that negative expression that reflects mothers' affective sensitivity to aversive child behavior may promote interaction patterns and adaptations in children that are particularly likely to place children at risk for adjustment problems. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved).

A Randomized Trial Using Progressive Addition Lenses to Evaluate Theories of Myopia Progression in Children with a High Lag of Accommodation

PubMed Central

Sinnott, Loraine T.; Mutti, Donald O.; Zadnik, Karla

2012-01-01

Purpose. To compare the effect of wearing, then ceasing to wear, progressive addition lenses (PALs) versus single vision lenses (SVLs) on myopia progression in children with high accommodative lag to evaluate accommodative lag and mechanical tension as theories of myopia progression. Methods. Eighty-five children (age range, 6–11 years) with spherical equivalent (SE) cycloplegic autorefraction between −0.75 D and −4.50 D were randomly assigned to wear SVLs or PALs for 1 year; all children wore SVLs a second year. Children had high accommodative lag and also had near esophoria if their myopia was greater than −2.25 D SE. The primary outcome after each year was the previous year's change in SE. Results. When the children were randomly assigned to SVLs or PALs, the adjusted 1-year changes in SE were −0.52 D (SVL group) and −0.35 D (PAL group; treatment effect = 0.18 D; P = 0.01). When all children wore SVLs the second year, there was no difference in myopia progression between SVL and former PAL wearers (0.06 D; P = 0.50). Accommodative lag was not associated with myopia progression. Conclusions. The statistically significant, but clinically small, PAL effect suggests that treatments aimed at reducing foveal defocus may not be as effective as previously thought in myopic children with high accommodative lag. Finding no evidence of treatment loss after discontinuing PAL wear supports hyperopic defocus-based theories such as accommodative lag; however, not finding an association between accommodative lag and myopia progression is inconsistent with the PAL effect being due to decreased foveal blur during near work. (Clinical Trials.gov number, NCT00335049.) PMID:22205604

Tick-borne encephalitis carries a high risk of incomplete recovery in children.

PubMed

Fowler, Åsa; Forsman, Lea; Eriksson, Margareta; Wickström, Ronny

2013-08-01

To examine long-term outcome after tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in children. In this population-based cohort, 55 children with TBE with central nervous system involvement infected during 2004-2008 were evaluated 2-7 years later using the Rivermead post-concussion symptoms questionnaire (n = 42) and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning for parents and teachers (n = 32, n = 22, respectively). General cognitive ability was investigated in a subgroup (n = 20) using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, 4th edition. At long-term follow-up, two-thirds of the children experienced residual problems, the main complaints being cognitive problems, headache, fatigue, and irritability. More than one-third of the children were reported by parents or teachers to have problems with executive functioning on the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning, mainly in areas involving initiating and organizing activities and working memory. Children who underwent Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, 4th edition testing had a significantly lower working memory index compared with reference norms. A large proportion of children experience an incomplete recovery after TBE with central nervous system involvement. Cognitive problems in areas of executive function and working memory are the most prevalent. Even if mortality and severe sequelae are low in children after TBE, all children should be followed after TBE to detect cognitive deficits. Copyright © 2013 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Sensory Processing Abilities and Their Relation to Participation in Leisure Activities among Children with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (HFASD)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hochhauser, Michal; Engel-Yeger, Batya

2010-01-01

Children with autism may have atypical sensory processing abilities, which are known to impact child's performance and participation. However, lack of information exists regarding the expression of these abilities in specific groups on the spectrum, as children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (HFASD). This study aimed to…

Rapid word-learning in normal-hearing and hearing-impaired children: effects of age, receptive vocabulary, and high-frequency amplification.

PubMed

Pittman, A L; Lewis, D E; Hoover, B M; Stelmachowicz, P G

2005-12-01

This study examined rapid word-learning in 5- to 14-year-old children with normal and impaired hearing. The effects of age and receptive vocabulary were examined as well as those of high-frequency amplification. Novel words were low-pass filtered at 4 kHz (typical of current amplification devices) and at 9 kHz. It was hypothesized that (1) the children with normal hearing would learn more words than the children with hearing loss, (2) word-learning would increase with age and receptive vocabulary for both groups, and (3) both groups would benefit from a broader frequency bandwidth. Sixty children with normal hearing and 37 children with moderate sensorineural hearing losses participated in this study. Each child viewed a 4-minute animated slideshow containing 8 nonsense words created using the 24 English consonant phonemes (3 consonants per word). Each word was repeated 3 times. Half of the 8 words were low-pass filtered at 4 kHz and half were filtered at 9 kHz. After viewing the story twice, each child was asked to identify the words from among pictures in the slide show. Before testing, a measure of current receptive vocabulary was obtained using the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT-III). The PPVT-III scores of the hearing-impaired children were consistently poorer than those of the normal-hearing children across the age range tested. A similar pattern of results was observed for word-learning in that the performance of the hearing-impaired children was significantly poorer than that of the normal-hearing children. Further analysis of the PPVT and word-learning scores suggested that although word-learning was reduced in the hearing-impaired children, their performance was consistent with their receptive vocabularies. Additionally, no correlation was found between overall performance and the age of identification, age of amplification, or years of amplification in the children with hearing loss. Results also revealed a small increase in performance for both

Sex differences in aggression among children of low and high gender inequality backgrounds: a comparison of gender role and sexual selection theories.

PubMed

Nivette, Amy E; Eisner, Manuel; Malti, Tina; Ribeaud, Denis

2014-01-01

It is well understood in aggression research that males tend to exhibit higher levels of physical aggression than females. Yet there are still a number of gaps in our understanding of variation in sex differences in children's aggression, particularly in contexts outside North America. A key assumption of social role theory is that sex differences vary according to gender polarization, whereas sexual selection theory accords variation to the ecological environment that consequently affects male competition [Archer, J. (2009). Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 32, 249-311; Kenrick, D., & Griskevicious, V. (2009). More holes in social roles [Comment]. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 32, 283-285]. In the present paper, we explore these contradicting theoretical frameworks by examining data from a longitudinal study of a culturally diverse sample of 863 children at ages 7-13 in Zurich, Switzerland. Making use of the large proportion of children from highly diverse immigrant background we compare the size of the sex difference in aggression between children whose parents were born in countries with low and with high levels of gender inequality. The results show that sex differences in aggression are generally larger among children with parents from high gender inequality backgrounds. However, this effect is small in comparison to the direct effect of a child's biological sex. We discuss implications for future research on sex differences in children's aggression. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Influence of product placement in children's movies on children's snack choices.

PubMed

Brown, Callie L; Matherne, Camden E; Bulik, Cynthia M; Howard, Janna B; Ravanbakht, Sophie N; Skinner, Asheley C; Wood, Charles T; Bardone-Cone, Anna M; Brown, Jane D; Perrin, Andrew J; Levine, Cary; Steiner, Michael J; Perrin, Eliana M

2017-07-01

Media exposure affects health, including obesity risk. Children's movies often contain food placements-frequently unhealthy foods. However, it is not known if these cues influence children's food choices or consumption after viewing. We explored whether children's snack choices or consumption differs based on: 1) recent exposure to movies with high versus low product placement of unhealthy foods; and 2) children's weight status. Children ages 9-11 were assigned to watch a high ("Alvin and the Chipmunks," n = 54) or low ("Stuart Little," n = 60) product-placement movie. After viewing, participants selected a snack choice from each of five categories, several of which were specifically featured in "Alvin." Uneaten snacks from each participant were weighed upon completion. Snack choice and amount consumed by movie were compared by t-tests, and differences in snack choices by movie were tested with logistic regression. Participants consumed an average of 800.8 kcal; mean kcal eaten did not vary by movie watched. Participants who watched the high product-placement movie had 3.1 times the odds (95% CI 1.3-7.2) of choosing cheese balls (most featured snack) compared to participants who watched the low product-placement movie. Children who were overweight or obese consumed a mean of 857 kcal (95% CI: 789-925) compared to 783 kcal (95% CI: 742-823, p = 0.09) for children who were underweight or healthy weight. Children's weight status did not significantly affect their choice of snack. Branding and obesogenic messaging in children's movies influenced some choices that children made about snack foods immediately following viewing, especially food with greatest exposure time in the film, but did not affect total calories consumed. Future studies should examine how the accumulation of these messages affects children's long-term food choices. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Immunological Response of Hiv-Infected Children to Highly Active Antiretoviral Therapy at Gondar University Hospital, North-Western Ethiopia.

PubMed

Kokeb, Mehretie; Degu, Getu

2016-01-01

The effectiveness of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in children has not been well studied specially in developing countries where the burden of HIV is high. This study was aimed to assess the immunologic response of HIV-infected children to HAART at Pediatric ART Clinic Gondar University Hospital. Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted at the Pediatric ART Clinic Gondar University Hospital from March 01-April 30, 2014. The study included 283 HIV-infected children who were on HAART for 6 months and above. Medical records of HIV-infected children were reviewed using pre-tested questionnaire. CD4 count/percent was collected every 6 months retrospectively. For all statistical significance tests, the cut-off value was p<0.05. Poison Regression was used for further analysis. The mean age of children was 6.9 years with a standard deviation of 3.4 years. The median CD4 count/percent was 232/13%, 450/21%, 540/25% and 608/27% at the time of initiation, 6, 12 and 18 months of ART, respectively. HAART initiated at higher CD4 count, good adherence and HIV status disclosure were found to have positive effects for immunological response. The study revealed that there was good Immunological response to ART, and that the maximum response was in the 1(st) 6 months of ART. Low CD4 count at initiation, undisclosed HIV status and lack of good adherence were found to cause low immunological response to HAART.

High prevalence/low severity language delay in preschool children born very preterm.

PubMed

Foster-Cohen, Susan H; Friesen, Myron D; Champion, Patricia R; Woodward, Lianne J

2010-10-01

To examine the language development at corrected age 4 years of a regionally representative cohort of children born very preterm (VPT). Of particular interest was the identification of biological and socioenvironmental risk and protective factors that influence VPT children's early language development. Data were collected as part of a prospective longitudinal study of 110 VPT (VPT: ≤ 33 weeks gestation) and 113 full-term children (full term: 37-41 weeks gestation) born in Canterbury, New Zealand from 1998 to 2000. At corrected age 4 years, all children were assessed with the preschool version of the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals. Extensive information was also collected about children's family social background, perinatal health, childrearing environment, education/intervention exposures, and neurodevelopmental progress from birth to age 4. At the age of 4 years, VPT children were characterized by poorer receptive and expressive language development than full-term children. These differences persisted after exclusion of children with neurosensory impairment as well as statistical adjustment for the effects of social risk. Within the VPT group, the key predictors of children's overall language development were family social risk at birth (p =.05), severity of white matter abnormalities on neonatal magnetic resonance imaging (p =.49), observed parent-child synchrony (p =.001), and concurrent child cognitive ability (p =.001). Together, these factors accounted for 45% of the variance in children's total Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals-Preschool scores. By preschool age, children born VPT show early emerging mild to moderate language delays that are likely to affect their school success and longer-term developmental progress. Findings highlight the importance of potentially modifiable factors such as early brain injury and parenting quality in predicting the language outcomes of children born VPT.

Why Classroom Climate Matters for Children High in Anxious Solitude: A Study of Differential Susceptibility

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hughes, Kathleen; Coplan, Robert J.

2018-01-01

The goal of the current study was to examine the complex links among anxious solitude, classroom climate, engagement, achievement, and gender. In particular, drawing upon the differential susceptibility hypothesis (Belsky, 1997), we investigated if children high in anxious solitude were particularly sensitive and responsive to the classroom…

High-resolution heavily T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging for evaluation of the pituitary stalk in children with ectopic neurohypophysis.

PubMed

El Sanharawi, Imane; Tzarouchi, Loukia; Cardoen, Liesbeth; Martinerie, Laetitia; Leger, Juliane; Carel, Jean-Claude; Elmaleh-Berges, Monique; Alison, Marianne

2017-05-01

In anterior pituitary deficiency, patients with non visible pituitary stalk have more often multiple deficiencies and persistent deficiency than patients with visible pituitary stalk. To compare the diagnostic value of a high-resolution heavily T2-weighted sequence to 1.5-mm-thick unenhanced and contrast-enhanced sagittal T1-weighted sequences to assess the presence of the pituitary stalk in children with ectopic posterior pituitary gland. We retrospectively evaluated the MRI data of 14 children diagnosed with ectopic posterior pituitary gland between 2010 and 2014. We evaluated the presence of a pituitary stalk using a sagittal high-resolution heavily T2-weighted sequence and a 1.5-mm sagittal T1-weighted turbo spin-echo sequence before and after contrast medium administration. A pituitary stalk was present on at least one of the sequences in 10 of the 14 children (71%). T2-weighted sequence depicted the pituitary stalk in all 10 children, whereas the 1.5-mm-thick T1-weighted sequence depicted 2/10 (20%) before contrast injection and 8/10 (80%) after contrast injection (P=0.007). Compared with 1.5-mm-thick contrast-enhanced T1-weighted sequences, high-resolution heavily T2-weighted sequence demonstrates better sensitivity in detecting the pituitary stalk in children with ectopic posterior pituitary gland, suggesting that contrast injection is unnecessary to assess the presence of a pituitary stalk in this setting.

Why classroom climate matters for children high in anxious solitude: A study of differential susceptibility.

PubMed

Hughes, Kathleen; Coplan, Robert J

2018-03-01

The goal of the current study was to examine the complex links among anxious solitude, classroom climate, engagement, achievement, and gender. In particular, drawing upon the differential susceptibility hypothesis (Belsky, 1997), we investigated if children high in anxious solitude were particularly sensitive and responsive to the classroom environment. Participants were N = 712 children in Grade 3, drawn from the National Institute of Child and Human Development (NICHD) Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development data set. Classroom climate and engagement were assessed using the Classroom Observation Scale (NICHD, 1998). Teachers completed the Teacher Report Form (Achenbach, 1991) as a measure of anxious solitude and the Academic Rating Scale (NICHD, 2010) as a measure of achievement. Hypothesized associations among variables were tested by way of a moderated-mediation model. Among the results, engagement was found to mediate the relation between classroom climate and achievement. In addition, anxious solitude and gender were found to moderate the relation between classroom climate and engagement. Support for the differential susceptibility hypothesis was found, suggesting that children high in anxious solitude may be more reactive (both positively and negatively) to elements of the classroom environment. In addition, gender differences were observed, indicating that boys may be more responsive to the classroom environment as compared with girls. Implications for future research and educational policies are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

Social Conditions and High Levels of Dental Caries in Five-year-old Children in Brazil.

PubMed

Dantas Cabral de Melo, Márcia M; de Souza, Wayner Vieira; Tavares, Maria Cristina; de Lima, Maria Luiza Carvalho; Jamelli, Silvia; Couto, Geraldo Bosco Lindoso

2015-01-01

To identify factors associated with dental caries experience in at least four primary teeth in five-year-old Brazilian children. This was a case-control study, part of a prior investigation of the prevalence of dental caries in the primary dentition of five-year-old children conducted in 2006 in public health services in Recife, Brazil. Study patients had a decayed, missing, and filled teeth [dmft] score ≥ 4 and controls had a dmft score ≤ 3. The cutoff point was based on the dmft scores mean value of the study population. Categories of independent variables were sociodemographic, family structure, oral health behavior, and use of oral health services. Crude odds ratios and 95% CI were calculated. Variables associated with dmft greater than or equal to four at a significance level of P≤.20 in univariate analyses were included in multivariate logistic regression models using a backward stepwise variable selection method and permanence criterion in the final model of P≤.10. The study included 479 children (171 study patients and 308 controls). After controlling for confounding variables, factors associated with a dmft score ≥ 4 were children living in households with at least six people, residence in a poor area, caregiver's low educational level, consumption of sweets between meals, and the reason for and location of oral health care seeking. Most factors associated with high levels of dental caries in five-year-old children were related to the social conditions in which they lived.

High consumption of commercial food products among children less than 24 months of age and product promotion in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal.

PubMed

Pries, Alissa M; Huffman, Sandra L; Adhikary, Indu; Upreti, Senendra Raj; Dhungel, Shrid; Champeny, Mary; Zehner, Elizabeth

2016-04-01

Commercially produced complementary foods can help improve nutritional status of young children if they are appropriately fortified and of optimal nutrient composition. However, other commercially produced snack food products may be nutritionally detrimental, potentially increasing consumption of foods high in salt or sugar and displacing consumption of other more nutritious options. Helen Keller International, in collaboration with the Nepal government, implemented a study to assess mothers' utilization of commercial food products for child feeding and exposure to commercial promotions for these products. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 309 mothers of children less than 24 months of age across 15 health facilities. Utilization of breastmilk substitutes was low, having been consumed by 6.2% of children 0-5 months of age and 7.5% of children 6-23 months of age. Approximately one-fourth (24.6%) of children 6-23 months age had consumed a commercially produced complementary food in the prior day. Twenty-eight percent of mothers reported observing a promotion for breastmilk substitutes, and 20.1% reported promotions for commercially produced complementary foods. Consumption of commercially produced snack food products was high at 74.1% of children 6-23 months. Promotions for these same commercially produced snack food products were highly prevalent in Kathmandu Valley, reported by 85.4% of mothers. In order to improve diets during the complementary feeding period, development of national standards for complementary food products is recommended. Nutritious snack options should be promoted for the complementary feeding period; consumption of commercially produced snack food products high in sugar and salt and low in nutrients should be discouraged. © 2016 The Authors. Maternal & Child Nutrition published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Are stunted young Indonesian children more likely to be overweight, thin, or have high blood pressure in adolescence?

PubMed

Rachmi, Cut Novianti; Agho, Kingsley Emwinyore; Li, Mu; Baur, Louise Alison

2017-01-01

To determine whether stunted young children are at greater risk of (1) overweight/obesity or thinness, and (2) high blood pressure (HBP) in adolescence. A secondary data analysis using the Indonesian Family Life Survey waves 1 (1993) to 4 (2007). We generated a 14-year follow-up cohort (1993-2007) and two 7-year cohorts (1993-2000 and 2000-2007) of children aged 2.0-4.9 years. Stunting (HAZ < -2), thinness (BMIZ < -2), and overweight/obesity (BMIZ > +1) were determined based upon the WHO Child Growth Standards. HBP (>90th percentile) was interpreted using the 4th Report on the Diagnosis of HBP in Children and Adolescents. 765, 1083, and 1589 children were included in the 14-year cohort, and the two 7-year cohort analyses, respectively. In the 7-year cohorts, early life stunting was inversely associated with overweight/obesity (prevalence ratio 0.32 and 0.38, respectively; P < 0.05), but no significant association was found with the 14-year cohort. There was no significant association between childhood stunting and thinness at adolescence or in the odds/likelihood of having high systolic or diastolic blood pressure. We found no association between early life stunting and overweight/obesity, thinness and HBP in adolescence.

Symptoms of ADHD in children with high-functioning autism are related to impaired verbal working memory and verbal delayed recall.

PubMed

Andersen, Per Normann; Hovik, Kjell Tore; Skogli, Erik Winther; Egeland, Jens; Oie, Merete

2013-01-01

Symptoms similar to those found in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) often occur in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The objective of the current study was to compare verbal working memory, acquisition and delayed recall in children with High-Functioning Autism (HFA) to children with ADHD and typically developing children (TDC). Thirty-eight children with HFA, 79 with ADHD and 50 TDC (age 8-17) were assessed with a letter/number sequencing task and a verbal list-learning task. To investigate the possible influence of attention problems in children with HFA, we divided the HFA group into children with (HFA+) or without (HFA-) "attention problems" according to the Child Behaviour Checklist 6-18. The children with HFA+ displayed significant impairment compared to TDC on all three neurocognitive measures, while the children with HFA- were significantly impaired compared to TDC only on the working memory and acquisition measures. In addition, the HFA+ group scored significantly below the HFA- group and the ADHD group on the verbal working memory and delayed recall measures. The results support the proposition that children with HFA+, HFA-, and ADHD differ not only on a clinical level but also on a neurocognitive level which may have implications for treatment.

Verbal marking of affect by children with Asperger Syndrome and high functioning autism during spontaneous interactions with family members.

PubMed

Müller, Eve; Schuler, Adriana

2006-11-01

Verbal marking of affect by older children with Asperger Syndrome (AS) and high functioning autism (HFA) during spontaneous interactions is described. Discourse analysis of AS and HFA and typically developing children included frequency of affective utterances, affective initiations, affective labels and affective explanations, attribution of affective responses to self and others, and positive and negative markers of affect. Findings indicate that children with AS and HFA engaged in a higher proportion of affect marking and provided a higher proportion of affective explanations than typically developing children, yet were less likely to initiate affect marking sequences or talk about the affective responses of others. No significant differences were found between groups in terms of the marking of positive and negative affect.

Heightened Test Anxiety among Young Children: Elementary School Students' Anxious Responses to High-Stakes Testing

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Segool, Natasha K.; Carlson, John S.; Goforth, Anisa N.; von der Embse, Nathan; Barterian, Justin A.

2013-01-01

This study explored differences in test anxiety on high-stakes standardized achievement testing and low-stakes testing among elementary school children. This is the first study to directly examine differences in young students' reported test anxiety between No Child Left Behind (NCLB) achievement testing and classroom testing. Three hundred…

Sequential Effects of High and Low Instructional Guidance on Children's Acquisition of Experimentation Skills: Is It All in the Timing?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Matlen, Bryan J.; Klahr, David

2013-01-01

We report the effect of different sequences of high vs low levels of instructional guidance on children's immediate learning and long-term transfer of simple experimental design procedures and concepts, often called "CVS" (Control of Variables Strategy). Third-grade children (N = 57) received instruction in CVS via one of four possible orderings…

Social functioning using direct and indirect measures with children with High Functioning Autism, nonverbal learning disability, and typically developing children.

PubMed

Semrud-Clikeman, Margaret; Fine, Jodene Goldenring; Bledsoe, Jesse

2016-01-01

Social perception is an important underlying foundation for emotional development and overall adaptation. The majority of studies with children with High Functioning Autism (HFA) or nonverbal learning disabilities (NLD) evaluating social functioning have used measures of parent and/or teacher ratings. The present study utilized parent and teacher ratings of behavior as well as executive functioning in addition to direct measures of social perception. Three groups participated in this study (control [n = 38] HFA [n = 36], NLD [n = 31]). Results indicated that the HFA group experienced the most difficulty understanding emotional cues on the direct measure while both the HFA and NLD groups experienced difficulty with nonverbal cues. Significant difficulties were reported on the parent rating scale for sadness and social withdrawal for both clinical groups. Executive functioning was found to be particularly problematic for the clinical groups. The direct social perception measure was highly correlated with the measures of executive functioning and reflects the contribution that executive functions have on social functioning. These findings suggest that the clinical presentation on behavior rating scales may be very similar for children with HFA and NLD. Moreover, it appears that measures of executive functioning are sensitive to the clinical difficulties these groups experience. The findings also suggest there is a commonality in these disorders that warrants further investigation.

Association of High-Dose Ibuprofen Use, Lung Function Decline, and Long-Term Survival in Children with Cystic Fibrosis.

PubMed

Konstan, Michael W; VanDevanter, Donald R; Sawicki, Gregory S; Pasta, David J; Foreman, Aimee J; Neiman, Evgueni A; Morgan, Wayne J

2018-04-01

Cystic fibrosis deaths result primarily from lung function loss, so chronic respiratory therapies, intended to preserve lung function, are cornerstones of cystic fibrosis care. Although treatment-associated reduction in rate of lung function loss should ultimately improve cystic fibrosis survival, no such relationship has been described for any chronic cystic fibrosis therapy. In part, this is because the ages of most rapid lung function decline-early adolescence-precede the median age of cystic fibrosis deaths by more than a decade. To study associations of high-dose ibuprofen treatment with the rate of forced expiratory volume in 1 second decline and mortality among children followed in the Epidemiologic Study of Cystic Fibrosis and subsequently in the U.S. Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Patient Registry. We performed a matched cohort study using data from Epidemiologic Study of Cystic Fibrosis. Exposure was defined as high-dose ibuprofen use reported at ≥80% of encounters over 2 years. Unexposed children were matched to exposed children 5:1 using propensity scores on the basis of demographic, clinical, and treatment covariates. The rate of decline of percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second during the 2-year follow-up period was estimated by mixed-effects modeling with random slopes and intercepts. Survival over 16 follow-up years in the U.S. Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Patient Registry was compared between treatment groups by using proportional hazards modeling controlling for matching and covariates. We included 775 high-dose ibuprofen users and 3,665 nonusers who were well matched on demographic, clinical, and treatment variables. High-dose ibuprofen users declined on average 1.10 percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second/yr (95% confidence interval; 0.51, 1.69) during the 2-year treatment period, whereas nonusers declined at a rate of 1.76% percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second/yr (95% confidence interval; 1.48, 2

Parents' socioeconomic factors related to high antibiotic prescribing in primary health care among children aged 0-6 years in the Capital Region of Denmark.

PubMed

Jensen, Jette Nygaard; Bjerrum, Lars; Boel, Jonas; Jarløv, Jens Otto; Arpi, Magnus

2016-09-01

To investigate the distribution of antibiotic prescriptions in primary health care among children aged 0-6 years and its association with socioeconomic factors. A cross-sectional study describing antibiotic prescriptions and socioeconomic factors, using different population-based registers from Statistics Denmark. Antibiotic prescriptions in 2012 from primary health care in the Capital Region of Denmark. The population of children aged 0-6 years (n = 139,398) in the Capital Region of Denmark. High use of antibiotics identified by number of antibiotic prescriptions (≥ 3 prescriptions per year) and defined daily doses (DDD). A multinomial logistic regression analysis estimating the association between high antibiotic use and parents' education, employment status, income, child's sex, and ethnic background. Ten percent of children accounted for 25% of the total use DDD. There was a clear tendency that the risk for high antibiotic use increased as parental educational level decreased. The risk for high use was the highest among children of mothers and fathers with basic schooling ≤10 years (OR 1.60, 95% CI 1.29-1.98, and OR 1.60, 95% CI 1.34-1.91, respectively). Low income and unemployment were not associated with high antibiotic use. Socioeconomic factors can only partially explain differences in antibiotic use. Further research is needed to clarify the unequal distribution of antibiotic prescribing and the association between high antibiotic use and low educational level. This would provide valuable information in the planning of strategies to promote rational use of antibiotics among children. KEY POINTS The Capital Region of Denmark has the highest rate of antibiotic prescribing in Denmark. Preschool children are among the age groups with the highest use. Ten percent of the children accounted for 25% of the total antibiotic use. Low parental educational level was associated with increased antibiotic use. Parents' income or employment status was not found

The association between emotional and behavioral problems and gastrointestinal symptoms among children with high-functioning autism.

PubMed

Mazefsky, Carla A; Schreiber, Dana R; Olino, Thomas M; Minshew, Nancy J

2014-07-01

This study investigated the association between gastrointestinal symptoms and a broad set of emotional and behavioral concerns in 95 children with high-functioning autism and IQ scores ≥ 80. Gastrointestinal symptoms were assessed via the Autism Treatment Network's Gastrointestinal Symptom Inventory, and data were gathered on autism symptom severity, adaptive behavior, and multiple internalizing and externalizing problems. The majority (61%) of children had at least one reported gastrointestinal symptom. Emotional and behavioral problems were also common but with a high degree of variability. Children with and without gastrointestinal problems did not differ in autism symptom severity, adaptive behavior, or total internalizing or externalizing problem scores. However, participants with gastrointestinal problems had significantly higher levels of affective problems. This finding is consistent with a small body of research noting a relationship between gastrointestinal problems, irritability, and mood problems in autism spectrum disorder. More research to identify the mechanisms underlying this relationship in autism spectrum disorder is warranted. Future research should include a medical assessment of gastrointestinal concerns, longitudinal design, and participants with a range of autism spectrum disorder severity in order to clarify the directionality of this relationship and to identify factors that may impact heterogeneity in the behavioral manifestation of gastrointestinal concerns. © The Author(s) 2013.

[The profile of WISC-R scores in children with high-functioning autism].

PubMed

Zielinska, Monika; Sterczynski, Radoslaw; Baginska, Aneta

2014-01-01

The aim of the study was to define the intellectual profile of Polish children suffering from autism. Our study was based on the results of previous research, mostly conducted in English-speaking countries. Although these earlier studies documented the intellectual profile of an autistic child, they also identified some discrepancies. Therefore, we decided to complement the discussion on autism with our data on intellectual functioning of autistic Polish children examined with a translated version of the intelligence test. The study followed a matching design. From among 191 children with autism and 1 400 without this diagnosis, we selected 34 pairs based on gender and age, and not differing by more than 10 points in terms of intelligence quotient. The intellectual profile of the studied children was determined with the WISC-R scale. As expected, the intellectual profile of children with autism proved more variable than that of healthy controls. Children with autism scored lower on "Comprehension" scale and (at a threshold of statistical significance) on "Object assembly" scale, and achieved higher results on "Information" and "Block design" scales. The results of our study confirmed the most typical observations from previous research conducted among an English-speaking population of autistic children. Polish autistic children did not differ significantly in terms of their quotients of verbal and non-verbal intelligence. However, the intellectual profile of autistic children showed higher variance compared to normally developing controls. Children with autism were more likely to score the lowest in the "Comprehension" subtest and the highest in the "Block design" subtest.

High Mid-Flow to Vital Capacity Ratio and the Response to Exercise in Children With Congenital Heart Disease.

PubMed

Vilozni, Daphna; Alcaneses-Ofek, Maria Rosario; Reuveny, Ronen; Rosenblum, Omer; Inbar, Omri; Katz, Uriel; Ziv-Baran, Tomer; Dubnov-Raz, Gal

2016-12-01

Pulmonary mechanics may play a role in exercise intolerance in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). A reduced FVC volume could increase the ratio between mid-flow (FEF 25-75% ) and FVC, which is termed high dysanapsis. The relationship between high dysanapsis and the response to maximum-intensity exercise in children with CHD had not yet been studied. The aim of this work was to examine whether high dysanapsis is related to the cardiopulmonary response to maximum-intensity exercise in pediatric subjects with CHD. We retrospectively collected data from 42 children and adolescents with CHD who had either high dysanapsis (ratio >1.2; n = 21) or normal dysanapsis (control) (n = 21) as measured by spirometry. Data extracted from cardiopulmonary exercise test reports included peak values of heart rate, work load, V̇ O 2 , V̇ CO 2 , and ventilation parameters and submaximum values, including ventilatory threshold and ventilatory equivalents. There were no significant differences in demographic and clinical parameters between the groups. Participants with high dysanapsis differed from controls in lower median peak oxygen consumption (65.8% vs 83.0% of predicted, P = .02), peak oxygen pulse (78.6% vs 87.8% of predicted, P = .02), ventilatory threshold (73.8% vs 85.3% of predicted, P = .03), and maximum breathing frequency (106% vs 121% of predicted, P = .035). In the high dysanapsis group only, median peak ventilation and tidal volume were significantly lower than 80% of predicted values. In children and adolescents with corrected CHD, high dysanapsis was associated with a lower ventilatory capacity and reduced aerobic fitness, which may indicate respiratory muscle impairments. Copyright © 2016 by Daedalus Enterprises.

High consumption of commercial food products among children less than 24 months of age and product promotion in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

PubMed Central

Huffman, Sandra L.; Adhikary, Indu; Upreti, Senendra Raj; Dhungel, Shrid; Champeny, Mary; Zehner, Elizabeth

2016-01-01

Abstract Commercially produced complementary foods can help improve nutritional status of young children if they are appropriately fortified and of optimal nutrient composition. However, other commercially produced snack food products may be nutritionally detrimental, potentially increasing consumption of foods high in salt or sugar and displacing consumption of other more nutritious options. Helen Keller International, in collaboration with the Nepal government, implemented a study to assess mothers' utilization of commercial food products for child feeding and exposure to commercial promotions for these products. A cross‐sectional survey was conducted among 309 mothers of children less than 24 months of age across 15 health facilities. Utilization of breastmilk substitutes was low, having been consumed by 6.2% of children 0–5 months of age and 7.5% of children 6–23 months of age. Approximately one‐fourth (24.6%) of children 6–23 months age had consumed a commercially produced complementary food in the prior day. Twenty‐eight percent of mothers reported observing a promotion for breastmilk substitutes, and 20.1% reported promotions for commercially produced complementary foods. Consumption of commercially produced snack food products was high at 74.1% of children 6–23 months. Promotions for these same commercially produced snack food products were highly prevalent in Kathmandu Valley, reported by 85.4% of mothers. In order to improve diets during the complementary feeding period, development of national standards for complementary food products is recommended. Nutritious snack options should be promoted for the complementary feeding period; consumption of commercially produced snack food products high in sugar and salt and low in nutrients should be discouraged. PMID:27061954

Posttraumatic symptoms in elementary and junior high school children after the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami: symptom severity and recovery vary by age and sex.

PubMed

Iwadare, Yoshitaka; Usami, Masahide; Suzuki, Yuriko; Ushijima, Hirokage; Tanaka, Tetsuya; Watanabe, Kyota; Kodaira, Masaki; Saito, Kazuhiko

2014-04-01

To measure psychiatric symptoms exhibited by children in Ishinomaki City, Japan, an area severely damaged by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, at 8 and 20 months post-tsunami to investigate differences in symptom severity and recovery rate by age, sex, and degree of trauma experienced. Prospective data were collected from children in elementary school (5th and 6th grades) and junior high school (8th and 9th grades). Students completed the Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms for Children-15 (PTSSC-15) survey. Trauma severity was scored according to experiences of bereavement, home damage, and evacuation. In total, 3795 PTSSC-15 surveys were analyzed, yielding total scores, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) factor subscores, and depression factor subscores, which were analyzed according to grade group, sex, and degree of trauma (trauma dose). In the elementary school children, mean total PTSSC-15 score, PTSD factor score, and depression factor score were significantly improved at 20 months post-tsunami compared with 8 months (P < .0001 for all), whereas there were no significant improvements in the junior high school children. In females of the older group, the depression factor score at 20 months post-tsunami was significantly higher than at 8 months (P < .01). Elementary school and junior high school children living near the epicenter of the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami exhibited marked differences in PTSD and depressive symptoms. The mental health status of elementary school children improved, whereas that of junior high school children did not. Crown Copyright © 2014. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Recognition of Facial Emotions among Maltreated Children with High Rates of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Masten, Carrie L.; Guyer, Amanda E.; Hodgdon, Hilary B.; McClure, Erin B.; Charney, Dennis S.; Ernst, Monique; Kaufman, Joan; Pine, Daniel S.; Monk, Christopher S.

2008-01-01

Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine processing of facial emotions in a sample of maltreated children showing high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Maltreatment during childhood has been associated independently with both atypical processing of emotion and the development of PTSD. However, research has provided little…

HUMAN ACTIVITIES THAT MAY LEAD TO HIGH INHALED INTAKE DOSES IN CHILDREN AGED 6-13

EPA Science Inventory

The paper focuses on possible activities of children aged 6-13 that may make them susceptible to high hourly intake doses of ozone (O3) air pollution. Data from an O3 exposure modeling exercise indicates that a relatively few hours can account for a significant amount of the t...

Caregiver Asthma Knowledge, Aptitude, and Practice in High Healthcare Utilizing Children: Effect of an Educational Intervention

PubMed Central

Madhok, Neha; Kipperman, Stacy

2013-01-01

Factors underlying high healthcare utilization among Hispanic and African American (AA) children with asthma are not well known. We hypothesized that low parental knowledge and suboptimal practices are associated with high healthcare utlization and sought to elucidate these factors and identify ethnicity-specific differences. We also hypothesized that a targeted educational intervention will decrease emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations. A 57-item questionnaire investigating asthma knowledge, aptitude, and practice was administered during a hospitalization to 268 caregivers (158 Hispanic and 110 AA) of high healthcare utilizer children. Responses were compared between ethnicities. Participants were randomized into an education group and a control group to investigate the impact of an in-hospital educational intervention on future ED visits and hospitalizations. More than 80% of caregivers knew that asthma is associated with muscle constriction and mucus production. Overall, 66.7%–86.9% of caregivers found preventive steps including allergen avoidance, regular primary care physician (PCP) follow–up, and medication adherence helpful, but only 45.2% reported adherence to controller medications. Similarly, caregivers found management steps, including albuterol use, avoidance of ineffective medications, and need to contact PCP helpful but 33% Hispanic caregivers contacted their child's PCP at the time of the exacerbation leading the current hospitalization, compared with 17% AA caregivers (P=0.006). Moreover, 40% and 30% Hispanic and 27% and 18% AA caregivers felt stressed and helpless, respectively, about their child's asthma. Despite high baseline levels of knowledge, there were fewer ED visits in the education group (1.56±1.94) compared with the control group (2.05±2.32) (P=0.02) 2 years after the intervention. Although Hispanic and AA caregivers of children with high healthcare utilization were knowledgeable of asthma pathophysiology, and

Growth of preschool children at high risk for asthma 2 years after discontinuation of fluticasone.

PubMed

Guilbert, Theresa W; Mauger, David T; Allen, David B; Zeiger, Robert S; Lemanske, Robert F; Szefler, Stanley J; Strunk, Robert C; Bacharier, Leonard B; Covar, Ronina; Sorkness, Christine A; Taussig, Lynn M; Martinez, Fernando D

2011-11-01

The effect on linear growth of daily long-term inhaled corticosteroid therapy in preschool-aged children with recurrent wheezing is controversial. We sought to determine the effect of daily inhaled corticosteroid given for 2 years on linear growth in preschool children with recurrent wheezing. Children aged 2 and 3 years with recurrent wheezing and positive modified Asthma Predictive Index scores were randomized to a 2-year treatment period of chlorofluorocarbon-delivered fluticasone propionate (176 μg/d) or masked placebo delivered through a valved chamber with a mask and then followed for 2 years off study medication. Height growth determined by means of stadiometry was compared between treatment groups. In the study cohort as a whole, the fluticasone group did not have significantly less linear growth than the placebo group (change in height from baseline difference, -0.2 cm; 95% CI, -1.1 to 0.6) 2 years after discontinuation of study treatment. In post hoc analyses children 2 years old who weighed less than 15 kg at enrollment and were treated with fluticasone had less linear growth compared with those treated with placebo (change in height from baseline difference, -1.6 cm; 95% CI, -2.8 to -0.4; P = .009). Linear growth was not significantly different in high-risk preschool-aged children with recurrent wheezing treated with 176 μg/d chlorofluorocarbon-delivered fluticasone compared with placebo 2 years after fluticasone is discontinued. However, post hoc subgroup analyses revealed that children who are younger in age and of lesser weight relative to the entire study cohort had significantly less linear growth, possibly because of a higher relative fluticasone exposure. Copyright © 2011 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Examining the Screen for Child Anxiety-Related Emotional Disorder-71 as an Assessment Tool for Anxiety in Children with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

van Steensel, Francisca J. A.; Deutschman, Amber A. C. G.; Bögels, Susan M.

2013-01-01

The psychometric properties of a questionnaire developed to assess symptoms of anxiety disorders (SCARED-71) were compared between two groups of children: children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder and comorbid anxiety disorders (ASD-group; "n" = 115), and children with anxiety disorders (AD-group; "n" = 122).…

The Economics of Education: Public Benefits of High-Quality Preschool Education for Low-Income Children. Building Communities for Change.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Oppenheim, Jerrold; MacGregor, Theo

Noting that high-quality preschool increases the ability of low-income children to profit from elementary and secondary education, thereby increasing their high school graduation rate and generating economic and other returns for taxpayers, this report articulates and analyzes the economic benefits of providing a high-quality preschool education…

Rise in childhood obesity with persistently high rates of undernutrition among urban school-aged Indo-Asian children.

PubMed

Jafar, T H; Qadri, Z; Islam, M; Hatcher, J; Bhutta, Z A; Chaturvedi, N

2008-05-01