Pediatric Reports最新文献

{"title":"Self-Efficacy and Psychological Well-Being in Adolescents: Evaluating the Moderating Role of Socioeconomic Status and Cultural Factors.","authors":"Giulia Raimondi, James Dawe, Fabio Alivernini, Sara Manganelli, Pierluigi Diotaiuti, Laura Mandolesi, Michele Zacchilli, Fabio Lucidi, Elisa Cavicchiolo","doi":"10.3390/pediatric17020039","DOIUrl":"10.3390/pediatric17020039","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/objectives: </strong>Adolescence is a crucial developmental stage characterized by significant psychological and emotional changes. Within the school context, academic self-efficacy (ASE) influences students' emotional well-being, including positive and negative affective states. Research has shown that both ASE and emotional well-being are associated with socioeconomic status (SES) and immigrant background. This study aims to examine whether SES and immigrant background moderate the relationship between ASE and positive/negative affect among adolescents.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data were collected from a representative sample of 26,564 10th-grade students in Italian schools. ASE, positive and negative affect, SES, and immigrant background were assessed through validated measures. Multigroup structural equation modeling (multigroup SEM) was conducted to test the moderating roles of SES (low, middle, high) and immigrant background (native, first-generation immigrant, second-generation immigrant) on the relationship between ASE and affective states.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results indicated that ASE significantly predicted positive affect (β = 0.34, <i>p</i> < 0.001) and negative affect (β = -0.17, <i>p</i> < 0.001) across all groups. However, results indicated no significant differences in the ASE-emotional affect relationship across SES and immigrant background groups, indicating that neither SES nor immigrant background moderated these associations.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The findings suggest that ASE is associated with both positive affect and negative affect in adolescents, irrespective of SES and immigrant background. This highlights the universal importance of fostering ASE in school settings to support emotional well-being across diverse demographic groups.</p>","PeriodicalId":45251,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Reports","volume":"17 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11932233/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143693859","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fathers Matter Too: Investigating Their Role with the P-CRS.","authors":"Alexandro Fortunato, Maria Quintigliano, Costanza Franchini, Marco Lauriola, Anna Maria Speranza","doi":"10.3390/pediatric17020038","DOIUrl":"10.3390/pediatric17020038","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The development of children is shaped by a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors, yet the role of fathers remains underrepresented in research. This study contributes to addressing this gap by examining paternal involvement through the Parent-Child Relationship Scale (P-CRS), an observational tool previously validated for mother-child interactions.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The sample included 204 father-child dyads, with children aged 6 months to 5 years (mean age: 43.3 months), encompassing both clinical and non-clinical groups. Experienced clinicians conducted in vivo observations across 4-5 sessions, scoring interactions along three dimensions: parent, child, and interaction.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) validated the P-CRS's applicability to father-child relationships, confirming its psychometric robustness and alignment with the factors observed in mother-child dyads.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These findings highlight the unique and complementary role of fathers in shaping developmental trajectories and underscore the importance of incorporating fathers in parenting interventions and assessments. Additionally, they demonstrate the P-CRS's effectiveness in capturing the nuanced dynamics of early parent-child relationships. Future research should investigate longitudinal differences in parental roles and expand the P-CRS's application to diverse family structures.</p>","PeriodicalId":45251,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Reports","volume":"17 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11932202/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143693853","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Influence of the Timing of Gender Dysphoria Presentation and Suicidal Behaviors on Internalizing Symptoms, Emotion Dysregulation, and Body Investment in Adolescents Seeking Gender Affirmation.","authors":"Maria Giuseppina Petruzzelli, Federica Annecchini, Flora Furente, Fabio Tarantino, Valeria Carruolo, Elisabetta Lavorato, Maria Pia Riccio, Andrea De Giacomo, Emilia Matera","doi":"10.3390/pediatric17020037","DOIUrl":"10.3390/pediatric17020037","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Studies have consistently shown that gender-diverse youth experience higher rates of internalizing disorders and self-harm behaviors (SH) compared to their cisgender peers. However, there is limited research on how body investment and emotion regulation influence these symptoms, especially in relation to the age of gender dysphoria (GD) presentation.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study aimed to explore the relationship between the timing of GD presentation (early vs. late) and psychological distress in adolescents seeking gender affirmation (GA), specifically focusing on internalizing symptoms, emotion regulation, and body investment. The study also investigated how SH during the year preceding the request for gender affirmation might have impacted these factors.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>On a total of 80 adolescents (mean age: 14.88 years) at their first request for GA, participants were divided into two groups: early-presentation GD (EP-GD; mean age: 14.93 years) and late-presentation GD (LP-GD; mean age: 14.83 years). Among the sample, 60% exhibited SH. Internalizing symptoms, emotion regulation, and body investment were assessed using the Youth Self-Report (YSR), the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), and the Body Investment Scale (BIS).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Results revealed that LP-GD adolescents had significantly higher emotion dysregulation (ED), particularly in the Strategies domain of the DERS (<i>p</i> = 0.040), and more social problems in the YSR (<i>p</i> = 0.047) compared to EP-GD ones. SH were associated with higher internalizing symptoms, including anxiety, withdrawal, and somatic complaints (<i>p</i> < 0.03), as well as increased body dissatisfaction, particularly in the BIS Care and Protection dimensions (<i>p</i> = 0.044; <i>p</i> = 0.034).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These findings supported the hypothesis that LP-GD adolescents and youths with a history of SH showed more pronounced emotion regulation difficulties and internalizing symptoms, further emphasizing the need for early intervention programs targeting both GD and co-occurring mental health problems.</p>","PeriodicalId":45251,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Reports","volume":"17 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11932281/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143693855","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes of Cervical Colonization in Adolescent Pregnancies: A Brief Report.","authors":"Maisa Manasar-Dyrbuś, Jakub Staniczek, Rafał Stojko, Piotr Gibała, Cecylia Jendyk, Ewa Winkowska, Kacper Niziński, Diana Sieroszewska, Aleksander Sieroszewski, Agnieszka Drosdzol-Cop","doi":"10.3390/pediatric17020036","DOIUrl":"10.3390/pediatric17020036","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study examines early neonatal adaptation and birth complications in adolescents with term pregnancies who had positive cervical canal cultures upon hospital admission.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective study analyzed data from 1 January 2015 to 15 November 2024. Conducted at Bonifraters Medical Center in Katowice, Poland, the study included 267 individuals, with 178 over the age of 19 and 89 under the age of 19.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Adolescents exhibited significantly higher rates of positive GBS cultures in the third trimester (62.92% vs. 38.20%; <i>p</i> < 0.001) than older individuals. Neonates of adolescent mothers experienced increased congenital pneumonia (7.87% vs. 1.12%; <i>p</i> = 0.012) and antibiotic administration (10.11% vs. 2.81%; <i>p</i> = 0.026). Lactation failure was markedly higher in adolescent mothers (10.11% vs. 1.12%; <i>p</i> = 0.002). Adolescents also showed more postpartum blood loss (median: 250 mL vs. 200 mL; <i>p</i> < 0.001) and more extended hospital stays (median: 3 vs. 2 days; <i>p</i> = 0.002). Neonatal anthropometric measures revealed shorter body lengths in the adolescent group (median: 53 cm vs. 54 cm; <i>p</i> = 0.003).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Adolescent pregnancies are associated with significantly higher rates of complications and adverse neonatal outcomes, especially infectious causes. Although our study results are preliminary, it appears that chronic GBS colonization in pregnant adolescents may impact pregnancy and newborn outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":45251,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Reports","volume":"17 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11932239/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143693857","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Treatments for Eating Disorders in People with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Scoping Review.","authors":"Rachele Simeon, Giovanni Galeoto, Serena Cracolici, Francescaroberta Panuccio, Anna Berardi","doi":"10.3390/pediatric17020035","DOIUrl":"10.3390/pediatric17020035","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This scoping review aims to synthesize existing evidence on non-pharmacological interventions for managing food selectivity in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Specifically, it explores sensory, behavioral, and environmental factors influencing intervention outcomes and examines the role of occupational therapists (OTs) within multidisciplinary teams.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A search was conducted across MEDLINE, EBSCO, Web of Science, OTseeker, and SCOPUS from August 2023 to October 2023. Only experimental studies published in English were included, focusing on behavioral treatments and/or occupational therapy interventions.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 1618 studies were identified. After removing duplicates (170 records), 259 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility, resulting in 61 studies included for qualitative synthesis.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The findings highlight a wide range of interventions, yet methodological inconsistencies and small sample sizes limit the strength of the evidence. While occupational therapists play an increasing role in feeding interventions, their specific impact remains underexplored. Future research should focus on larger, well-designed studies with standardized outcome measures to better define the effectiveness of interventions and the role of OTs within multidisciplinary teams.</p>","PeriodicalId":45251,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Reports","volume":"17 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11932270/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143693861","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Association Between TikTok Use and Anxiety, Depression, and Sleepiness Among Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study in Greece.","authors":"Angeliki Bilali, Aglaia Katsiroumpa, Ioannis Koutelekos, Chrysoula Dafogianni, Parisis Gallos, Ioannis Moisoglou, Petros Galanis","doi":"10.3390/pediatric17020034","DOIUrl":"10.3390/pediatric17020034","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>TikTok use is increasing, especially among children and adolescents. However, the negative effects of TikTok use have not been sufficiently investigated.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To examine the association between TikTok use and anxiety, depression, and sleepiness in adolescents.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a web-based cross-sectional study in Greece. We employed a convenience sample of 219 adolescents in Greece. All participants had a TikTok account. We used the TikTok Addiction Scale (TTAS) to measure TikTok use and the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) to measure anxiety and depression. We constructed multivariable regression models, and we performed a stratified analysis according to gender.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean age was 18.5 years (standard deviation: 0.5, range: 18 to 19). In our sample, 81.3% were girls and 18.7% were boys. Mean daily TikTok usage and TTAS scores were statistically higher for girls than for boys. Our multivariable linear regression analysis was adjusted for age and showed that problematic TikTok use was associated with higher levels of anxiety and depression symptoms in both genders. In particular, we found a positive association between mood modification and anxiety score (beta = 0.404, <i>p</i>-value = 0.006). Moreover, we found a positive association between conflict and depression score (beta = 0.472, <i>p</i>-value < 0.001). Additionally, we found that the impact of TikTok on anxiety and depression was greater among boys than girls. We also found that problematic TikTok use was associated with increased sleepiness in both genders (mood modification: beta = 0.655, <i>p</i>-value < 0.001; conflict: beta = 0.674, <i>p</i>-value < 0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our findings showed a positive association between TikTok use and anxiety, depression, and sleepiness. Early identification of problematic TikTok users is essential to promote their mental health and well-being. Healthcare professionals should be alert to recognize symptoms of problematic TikTok use.</p>","PeriodicalId":45251,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Reports","volume":"17 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11932271/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143693933","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Adolescent-Reported Interparental Conflict and Related Emotional-Behavioral Difficulties: The Mediating Role of Psychological Inflexibility.","authors":"Ludovica Giani, Cecilia Amico, Chiara Crepaldi, Marcella Caputi, Simona Scaini, Giovanni Michelini, Barbara Forresi","doi":"10.3390/pediatric17020033","DOIUrl":"10.3390/pediatric17020033","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/objectives: </strong>Interparental conflict, with its multiple dimensions, represents a risk factor for youth mental health, triggering a series of cascading processes. Despite recent evidence highlighting that psychological inflexibility is a risk factor for adolescents' psychopathology after stressful events, a limited number of studies have investigated its role in family conflicts. This study aims to investigate whether psychological inflexibility mediates the impact of conflict characteristics (intensity, frequency, and resolution) and threat appraisal of interparental conflict on the psychological difficulties of adolescent offspring.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A sample of 195 adolescents aged between 15 and 19 years old completed the Children's Perception of Interparental Conflict Scale, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and the Avoidance and Fusion Questionnaire for Youth on Google Forms.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The findings revealed that adolescents living in a family environment characterized by high levels of perceived interparental conflicts exhibit a wide spectrum of psychological difficulties, either emotional or behavioral, partially mediated by their psychological inflexibility. However, when conflict between parents is interpreted as threatening, adolescents' inflexibility appears to mediate the relationship between conflict and psychological difficulties.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>While future studies are needed to better understand this association, psychological flexibility might represent a relevant treatment target in adolescents exposed to interparental conflict.</p>","PeriodicalId":45251,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Reports","volume":"17 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11932208/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143693928","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Approach to Macrodactyly: A Case Report and Diagnostic Algorithm for Syndromic and Isolated Forms.","authors":"Ioannis Kyriakidis, Iordanis Pelagiadis, Nikolaos Katzilakis, Eftichia Stiakaki","doi":"10.3390/pediatric17020032","DOIUrl":"10.3390/pediatric17020032","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Macrodactyly (megalodactyly or digital gigantism) is a rare condition of overgrowth affecting one or more fingers or toes.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We report a case of a 16-year-old Caucasian male with macrodactyly, lipomas, nevi, dysmorphic features, and autism. The clinical suspicion for a Proteus-like syndrome was high.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Targeted <i>PIK3CA</i>, <i>AKT1</i>, and <i>PTEN</i> sequencing for the affected tissue was negative. Subsequent genetic testing revealed a 16p11.2 duplication along with a heterozygous pathogenic variant in <i>PRRT2</i> (not causally associated with digit malformation).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The clinical management of syndromic macrodactyly is well described by consensus guidelines, but isolated macrodactyly also needs pediatricians' attention and warrants a multidisciplinary approach. After reviewing the literature, a diagnostic algorithm for the approach and differential diagnosis of macrodactyly is provided. Phenotypes associated with PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway mutations (including PIK3CA-related overgrowth spectrum PROS) are described. Late effects, follow-up schedules, and surveillance for cancer are discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":45251,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Reports","volume":"17 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11932304/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143693929","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring the Effects of a School Mindfulness-Based Intervention in French Primary Public Schools-A Pilot Study.","authors":"Jessica Monsillion, Lucia Romo, Rafika Zebdi","doi":"10.3390/pediatric17020031","DOIUrl":"10.3390/pediatric17020031","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background/Objectives</b>: School-Mindfulness-Based Interventions (SMBIs) have shown positive effects on children's mental health by enhancing emotional regulation and present-moment awareness. This pilot study explored the effects of an SMBI program on anxiety, depression, mindfulness, emotional awareness, executive functioning, and school well-being among French primary school students (mean age = 116 months; SD = 9.06). <b>Methods</b>: A quasi-experimental longitudinal design was employed, with assessments at pre-intervention (T1), post-intervention (T2), and follow-up (T3). Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA. <b>Results</b>: The study found no statistically significant changes across all assessed dimensions. The lack of significant results may reflect factors such as the program's duration, small sample size, reliance on self-report measures, and contextual challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic. However, slight numerical trends in anxiety and mindfulness scores suggest potential benefits that larger studies may better detect. <b>Conclusions</b>: While no significant improvements were observed, the findings highlight important considerations for SMBI implementation in schools in France and internationally. Future research should address current limitations by increasing sample sizes, employing multi-informant assessments, and integrating SMBIs with complementary approaches, such as social-emotional learning. Extending the program duration or incorporating booster sessions may enhance effectiveness. Embedding SMBIs into school curricula through a whole-school approach could foster the sustainable and impactful integration of mindfulness practices into daily school life.</p>","PeriodicalId":45251,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Reports","volume":"17 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11932234/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143693939","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparison and Optimization of DNA Extraction Methods for Human DNA from Dried Blood Spot Samples.","authors":"Natalja Van Biesen, Piet Cools, Eline Meyers","doi":"10.3390/pediatric17020030","DOIUrl":"10.3390/pediatric17020030","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/objectives: </strong>DNA extraction from dried blood spot (DBS) samples is often applied in neonatal screening programs. Although various methods to extract DNA from DBSs have been described, the optimal approach remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to compare and optimize extraction methods to establish a reliable and efficient protocol for human DNA extraction from DBSs.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a back-to-back comparison of five different DNA extraction methods on 20 DBS samples: three column-based kits (QIAamp DNA mini kit, High Pure PCR Template Preparation kit, DNeasy Blood & Tissue kit) and two in-house boiling methods (one using TE buffer, one using Chelex-100 resin). DNA recovery was measured with DeNovix DS-11 and <i>ACTB</i> qPCR. Further optimization of elution volumes and starting material was performed on the best-performing methods (sample size = 5). Additionally, T-cell receptor excision circle (TREC) DNA was assessed by qPCR as an application.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The Chelex boiling method yielded significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.0001) higher <i>ACTB</i> DNA concentrations compared to the other methods. Column-based methods showed low DNA recovery, except for Roche, which showed significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.0001) higher DNA concentrations than the other column-based methods, as measured by DeNovix DS-11. Decreasing elution volumes (150 vs. 100 vs. 50 µL) increased <i>ACTB</i> DNA concentrations significantly, while increasing starting material (two vs. one 6 mm spot) did not.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>We identified an easy and cost-effective optimized DNA extraction method using Chelex from DBSs, with an elution volume of 50 µL and 1 × 6 mm DBS punch, which is particularly advantageous for research in low-resource settings and large populations, such as neonatal screening programs.</p>","PeriodicalId":45251,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Reports","volume":"17 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11932244/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143693935","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}