Children-Basel最新文献

{"title":"Physical Fitness Benchmarks for Preschool Children in South Korea: A Population-Based Study.","authors":"Moon-Yeon Oh, Jae-Ho Lee","doi":"10.3390/children12030361","DOIUrl":"10.3390/children12030361","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background</b>: Physical fitness is vital for children's development and future health. However, Asian preschool-aged populations lack robust physical fitness benchmarks. <b>Objectives</b>: This study aimed to establish age- and sex-specific physical fitness reference values for Korean preschool children and examine associations with anthropometric measures. <b>Methods</b>: A retrospective analysis of data from 36,118 children aged 3 to 6 years was conducted, using five physical fitness tests (Sit and Reach Test, V-Sit Endurance Test, Standing Long Jump, Single-Leg Stand, and 5-Meter Shuttle Run). Percentile curves were generated via Generalized Additive Models for Location, Scale, and Shape (GAMLSS). Relationships between fitness and anthropometric measures were analyzed with LOESS regression. <b>Results</b>: Girls outperformed boys in flexibility, endurance, and balance, while boys excelled in jumping power. Physical fitness improved with age, with performance peaking near average height and weight z-scores. <b>Conclusions</b>: This study provides the first large-scale reference standards for physical fitness in Korean preschoolers, facilitating early identification of fitness deficits and guiding interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":48588,"journal":{"name":"Children-Basel","volume":"12 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11941459/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143732531","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessment of Trends in Non-Restorative and Preventative Dental Treatment Pre- and Post-COVID-19: A Health Informatics Pilot Study.","authors":"Tanner Gamble, Carter Wilkerson, Cindy Kim, Karl Kingsley, Victoria Sullivan","doi":"10.3390/children12030357","DOIUrl":"10.3390/children12030357","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/objectives: </strong>The implementation of preventive treatments in pediatric dental care has been a priority in recent years. Understanding the factors that influence the timing and frequency of childhood preventive treatments, such as the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, are the focus of many health informatics researchers.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective study was approved to assess changes in specific preventive treatments at a pediatric dental school clinic (sealants, fluoride varnish, and silver diamine fluoride) in the three years prior to (2017-2019) and following the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2022).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A detailed analysis of these data revealed significant and unexpected shifts in these preventive services, with significant increases in dental sealants from pre- to post-pandemic (35.1%, <i>p</i> = 0.012), but corresponding decreases in other preventive treatments, such as the number of fluoride varnish (-37.6%, <i>p</i> = 0.011) and SDF treatments (-24.0%, <i>p</i> = 0.032), among this patient population.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These data suggest that the selective pursuit of particular preventive dental services and treatments rather than others and understanding these shifts might help health informatics and dental public health researchers understand which factors influenced these decisions and behaviors, such as long-term durability and efficacy (sealants) or changing public perceptions of safety (fluoride and SDF).</p>","PeriodicalId":48588,"journal":{"name":"Children-Basel","volume":"12 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11941021/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143732497","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluating the Global Intensive Feeding Therapy (GIFT) for Children with CHARGE Syndrome: A Quasi-Experimental Study.","authors":"Antonella Cerchiari, Francesca Pizza, Giorgia Biondo, Carolina Giordani, Martina De Paolis, Gessica Della Bella, Massimiliano Raponi, Marco Tofani","doi":"10.3390/children12030362","DOIUrl":"10.3390/children12030362","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This pilot investigation aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Global Intensive Feeding Therapy (GIFT) on feeding and swallowing abilities in children with CHARGE Syndrome (CS). GIFT is a novel rehabilitation program designed to leverage the principles of neuroplasticity, intensity, individualized treatment, and ecological validity. The program comprises 15 sessions conducted over one week, with sessions delivered three times per day.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>GIFT was preliminarily implemented in a cohort of seven children diagnosed with CS. To assess the risk of dysphagia, the Pediatric Screening-Priority Evaluation Dysphagia (PS-PED) was administered. The effectiveness of the intervention was evaluated using three instruments: the Karaduman Chewing Performance Scale (KCPS) for chewing performance, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association National Outcome Measurement System (ASHA NOMS) for overall feeding abilities, and the Feeding Assessment Scale (FAS) to capture parents' perceptions. Data were collected at baseline (T0), immediately post-intervention (T1), and at a six-month follow-up (T2). The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was employed for statistical analysis, and effect sizes for specific outcomes were determined using Kendall's W.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The findings indicated that children with CS were at a high risk of dysphagia as measured by the PS-PED at baseline. Statistically significant improvements in chewing performance were observed at the six-month follow-up (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Feeding abilities, as measured by the ASHA NOMS, showed significant enhancement immediately post-intervention (<i>p</i> = 0.02) and at the follow-up (<i>p</i> = 0.03). Similarly, parents reported significant improvements in their children's feeding abilities at both post-intervention and follow-up assessments (<i>p</i> = 0.02), further corroborating the clinical benefits of the intervention.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These preliminary results suggest that GIFT may be an effective rehabilitation program for addressing feeding and swallowing disorders in children with CS. Further studies with larger sample sizes and controlled designs are warranted to substantiate these findings and refine the intervention protocol.</p>","PeriodicalId":48588,"journal":{"name":"Children-Basel","volume":"12 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11941461/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143732462","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Long-Gap Esophageal Atresia Gross Type C and D: A Retrospective Study of Surgical Management and Postoperative Complications Within the First Year of Life in the Nordic Countries.","authors":"Ann Christine Waarkjær Olsen, Antti Koivusalo, Ragnhild Emblem, Audun Mikkelsen, Jan F Svensson, Anna Maria Tollne, Markus Almström, Linus Jönsson, Helene Lilja, Felipe Donoso, Thorstein Sæter, Jørgen Mogens Thorup, Pernilla Stenström, Einar Arnbjörnsson, Niels Qvist","doi":"10.3390/children12030363","DOIUrl":"10.3390/children12030363","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Several surgical approaches are being used in the reconstruction of long-gap esophageal atresia. We investigated which methods are being used in the Nordic countries and the postoperative complications that occurred in the first year of life.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study is a retrospective multicenter study, where medical records on children with esophageal atresia Gross type C or D born in the period from 1 January 2000 to 1 May 2017 were reviewed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Forty-four patients were included in this study, forty-three with Gross type C and one with Gross type D. Thirty-six patients were included in the statistical analysis. Delayed esophageal anastomosis was performed in half of the patients and an esophageal replacement procedure in the other half. Postoperative complications were common, but there was no difference in postoperative complications or weight-gain within the first year of life. There were no differences in hospital stay or duration of parenteral nutrition. Attempted primary esophageal anastomosis was significantly more common in patients that underwent an esophageal replacement procedure compared to those who underwent a delayed esophageal anastomosis.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>No significant relationship between surgical approach and postoperative complications within the first year of life could be demonstrated. Long-term functional studies are warranted.</p>","PeriodicalId":48588,"journal":{"name":"Children-Basel","volume":"12 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11940838/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143732239","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Parent Feedback on the Reducing Emotional Distress for Childhood Hypoglycemia in Parents (REDCHiP) Intervention: A Qualitative Analysis.","authors":"Nicole A Kahhan, MaryJane S Campbell, Mark A Clements, Kimberly A Driscoll, Amy I Milkes, Holly K O'Donnell, Susana R Patton","doi":"10.3390/children12030360","DOIUrl":"10.3390/children12030360","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Severe hypoglycemia is more common among young children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) than older youth, and parents report significant hypoglycemia fear (HF). Parents experiencing HF describe constant and extreme worry about the occurrence of hypoglycemia and may engage in potentially risky behaviors to avoid hypoglycemia. Our team developed and tested a behavioral intervention, Reducing Emotional Distress for Childhood Hypoglycemia in Parents (REDCHiP), to decrease HF in parents of young children with T1DM. Here, we qualitatively analyzed parent feedback to refine and optimize future intervention iterations.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The randomized pilot study included parents (<i>n</i> = 73) of young children with T1DM who participated in the 10-session video-based intervention. We qualitatively analyzed 21 recordings of the final intervention session, where parents provided feedback about intervention content. Trained coders independently reviewed each session. The frequency of parent quotes regarding active REDCHiP treatment components were calculated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The coded themes reflected active treatment components [viz., Use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Skills, Coping, Behavioral Parenting Strategies]. Also, two secondary process codes were identified: Appreciate REDCHiP Content and Challenges in Applying REDCHiP Strategies. Parents provided examples of skills or concepts they applied from REDCHiP, the challenges they encountered, and if they planned to apply these skills in the future.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>A qualitative analysis provided insight into parent perceptions of the active treatment components within the REDCHiP intervention, their acceptability, and parents' intention to apply REDCHiP skills/concepts within daily T1DM cares. Future iterations of the intervention that trial alternative formats (i.e., individual vs. group and asynchronous vs. telehealth) may increase accessibility and scalability.</p>","PeriodicalId":48588,"journal":{"name":"Children-Basel","volume":"12 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11941356/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143732474","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Respiratory Microbiota and Health Risks in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Narrative Review.","authors":"Pavlina Peneva, Rouzha Pancheva, Silviya P Nikolova","doi":"10.3390/children12030358","DOIUrl":"10.3390/children12030358","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Children diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP) frequently face a range of intricate health challenges that go beyond their main condition. Respiratory problems represent one of the most crucial factors contributing to morbidity and mortality. This review employed a systematic approach to identify and collate recent findings on the respiratory microbiota in children with CP. The review emphasizes notable microbial alterations in the respiratory systems of children with CP, marked by a decrease in beneficial bacteria (such as <i>Corynebacterium</i> spp. and <i>Dolosigranulum</i> spp.) and an increase in opportunistic pathogens like <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>, <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>, and <i>Klebsiella pneumonia.</i> These changes probably increase the vulnerability of children with CP to frequent respiratory infections, ongoing inflammation, and infections that are resistant to antibiotics. Key factors influencing the composition of microbiota include living in urban areas, socioeconomic factors, seasonal variations, vaccination status, dietary habits, breastfeeding, etc. Although new research has shed significant light on this topic, there are still considerable gaps in our understanding of how these microbial communities develop and interact with the immune responses of the host. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to track microbiota changes over time and identify interventions that optimize respiratory health in CP.</p>","PeriodicalId":48588,"journal":{"name":"Children-Basel","volume":"12 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11941506/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143731567","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Conversational AI in Pediatric Mental Health: A Narrative Review.","authors":"Masab Mansoor, Ali Hamide, Tyler Tran","doi":"10.3390/children12030359","DOIUrl":"10.3390/children12030359","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/objectives: </strong>Mental health disorders among children and adolescents represent a significant global health challenge, with approximately 50% of conditions emerging before age 14. Despite substantial investment in services, persistent barriers such as provider shortages, stigma, and accessibility issues continue to limit effective care delivery. This narrative review examines the emerging application of conversational artificial intelligence (AI) in pediatric mental health contexts, mapping the current evidence base, identifying therapeutic mechanisms, and exploring unique developmental considerations required for implementation.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We searched multiple electronic databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, PsycINFO, ACM Digital Library, IEEE Xplore, and Scopus) for literature published between January 2010 and February 2025 that addressed conversational AI applications relevant to pediatric mental health. We employed a narrative synthesis approach with thematic analysis to organize findings across technological approaches, therapeutic applications, developmental considerations, implementation contexts, and ethical frameworks.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The review identified promising applications for conversational AI in pediatric mental health, particularly for common conditions like anxiety and depression, psychoeducation, skills practice, and bridging to traditional care. However, most robust empirical research has focused on adult populations, with pediatric applications only beginning to receive dedicated investigation. Key therapeutic mechanisms identified include reduced barriers to self-disclosure, cognitive change, emotional validation, and behavioral activation. Developmental considerations emerged as fundamental challenges, necessitating age-appropriate adaptations across cognitive, emotional, linguistic, and ethical dimensions rather than simple modifications of adult-oriented systems.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Conversational AI has potential to address significant unmet needs in pediatric mental health as a complement to, rather than replacement for, human-delivered care. Future research should prioritize developmental validation, longitudinal outcomes, implementation science, safety monitoring, and equity-focused design. Interdisciplinary collaboration involving children and families is essential to ensure these technologies effectively address the unique mental health needs of young people while mitigating potential risks.</p>","PeriodicalId":48588,"journal":{"name":"Children-Basel","volume":"12 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11941195/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143732065","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessment of Culture-Negative Neonatal Early-Onset Sepsis: Risk Factors and Utility of Currently Used Serum Biomarkers.","authors":"Diana Iulia Vasilescu, Adriana Mihaela Dan, Laura Andreea Stefan, Sorin Liviu Vasilescu, Vlad Dima, Monica Mihaela Cîrstoiu","doi":"10.3390/children12030355","DOIUrl":"10.3390/children12030355","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Introduction: &lt;/strong&gt;Neonatal sepsis is a severe and life-threatening condition caused by pathogens in the systemic circulation within the first 28 days of life. The classical definition of neonatal sepsis implies positive central cultures, but recent findings discuss culture-negative sepsis (clinical sepsis associated with laboratory findings). Since infected neonates initially express few non-specific clinical signs and there are unreliable biochemical markers to identify sepsis in the early stages, it is essential to improve the accuracy of diagnosis and reduce unnecessary antibiotic exposure.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Objective: &lt;/strong&gt;Our study aims to assess the influence of risk factors and the utility of currently used biomarkers in culture-negative neonatal early-onset sepsis (CN-EOS).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Materials and methods: &lt;/strong&gt;We performed a retrospective study at Bucharest University Hospital, which included 131 preterm and term newborns at risk for EOS admitted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) over 12 months. The neonates included were classified into two groups: confirmed negative-culture early-onset sepsis (CN-EOS) and suspected early-onset sepsis (S-EOS). Patients from both groups received antibiotic therapy from the first day of life; the type and duration of antibiotic therapy were different in the two groups. For all the patients, we measured C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT) and white blood count (WBC) at birth and after 72 h, tested blood culture in the first 24 h of life and correlated the results with clinical signs and prenatal risk factors. Categorical variables were presented as frequencies and percentages, while the continuous variables were the mean and the standard deviation. The differences between the continuous variable groups were determined by Student's &lt;i&gt;t&lt;/i&gt;-test or the Mann-Whitney U test, whereas for the categorical variables, the Chi-square test (X&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;) was employed. The performance of laboratory biomarkers (CRP and PCT) in diagnosing confirmed EOS was calculated. All the tests were statistically significant at a &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt;-value &lt; 0.05.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;The findings support the significance of low birth weight and gestational age and low Apgar scores as potential indicators for EOS; PROM diagnosed with chorioamnionitis and smoking during the pregnancy were also important predictive risk factors. Respiratory signs, such as apnea and respiratory distress syndrome, were most encountered in the clinical evaluation of infants with CN-EOS. Inflammatory markers were inconsistent in CN-EOS cases, proving that they are not reliable enough for initiating, continuing or stopping antibiotic therapy.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions: &lt;/strong&gt;Culture-negative neonatal sepsis remains a significant challenge for the neonatologist, since the time elapsed between the moment sepsis is suspected and the initiation of empirical therapy can make the difference between survival and deat","PeriodicalId":48588,"journal":{"name":"Children-Basel","volume":"12 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11941370/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143732470","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Association Between In-Utero Exposure to Antibiotics and Offspring's Hearing Loss: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.","authors":"Jing Wang, Nur Farah Addina Lee Binte Zailan, Yichao Wang, Samuel Lake, Yanhong Jessika Hu","doi":"10.3390/children12030356","DOIUrl":"10.3390/children12030356","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Objectives:</b> Antibiotic exposure during pregnancy is common, accounting for over 80% of all medications prescribed. Antibiotics in pregnancy are linked to increased childhood disease risk, through direct toxicity or potentially microbiome dysbiosis. This systematic review investigated the relationship between in-utero exposure to antibiotics and childhood hearing loss. <b>Methods:</b> We searched Ovid Medline, Embase, and PubMed for studies examining antibiotic exposure during pregnancy and its associations with hearing loss in offspring. Studies with children whose mothers had data on antibiotic exposure during pregnancy were selected. The meta-analysis calculated (1) pooled prevalence of childhood hearing loss and (2) pooled odds ratios (ORs) for associations between in-utero exposure to antibiotics and childhood hearing loss. <b>Results:</b> Of 1244 studies identified, 18 met the inclusion criteria. Among 161,053 children exposed in-utero to antibiotics, 4368 developed hearing loss. The pooled prevalence of childhood hearing loss was 0.9% (95% CI 0.0-2.8%, I² = 99.6%). In-utero exposure to antibiotics was associated with an increased risk of childhood hearing loss (pooled OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.3, I² = 15.4%). Aminoglycoside exposure during pregnancy was associated with a higher risk of hearing loss (pooled OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.3, I² = 38.4%), while exposure to other antibiotic classes showed no association. <b>Conclusions:</b> The prevalence of childhood hearing loss among those exposed to antibiotics during pregnancy is high. Although the overall risk appears modest, aminoglycosides are linked to a significantly higher risk, suggesting maternal aminoglycoside exposure may indicate a risk for child hearing loss. Further research is needed to clarify causal pathways and long-term effects of in-utero exposure to antibiotics.</p>","PeriodicalId":48588,"journal":{"name":"Children-Basel","volume":"12 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11940907/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143732508","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Neonatal Mortality Due to Early-Onset Sepsis in Eastern Europe: A Review of Current Monitoring Protocols During Pregnancy and Maternal Demographics in Eastern Europe, with an Emphasis on Romania-Comparison with Data Extracted from a Secondary Center in Southern Romania.","authors":"Anca Vulcănescu, Mirela-Anișoara Siminel, Sorin-Nicolae Dinescu, Anda-Lorena Dijmărescu, Maria-Magdalena Manolea, Sidonia-Maria Săndulescu","doi":"10.3390/children12030354","DOIUrl":"10.3390/children12030354","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Neonatal mortality, particularly due to early-onset sepsis (EOS), remains a pressing issue in Eastern Europe, with Romania experiencing one of the highest neonatal mortality rates in the European Union. EOS, caused by bacterial infections within the first 72 h of life, significantly contributes to neonatal deaths, particularly in rural and underserved areas where healthcare resources are limited. Disparities in prenatal care access, maternal demographics, and systemic healthcare gaps worsen this issue, highlighting the need for comprehensive interventions.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This review aims to examine the prevalence of neonatal mortality due to EOS in Romania and the broader Eastern European context, focusing on current prenatal care monitoring protocols and maternal demographics, and comparing the available literature with new data. By evaluating disparities in healthcare access, costs, and outcomes, this study identifies systemic barriers to maternal and neonatal care.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A systematic review of 100 articles was conducted using PRISMA guidelines. Key sources included PubMed, Google Scholar, and open-access journals, with 25 articles meeting the inclusion criteria. The analysis encompassed maternal age, parity, literacy levels, marital status, and their impact on neonatal outcomes, alongside the financial burden of prenatal care.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The findings underscore stark inequalities in healthcare delivery between rural and urban regions, where limited prenatal visits, out-of-pocket costs, and cultural barriers hinder prompt EOS prevention and management. Advanced maternal age, low literacy, and socioeconomic disparities were identified as critical risk factors.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>To reduce neonatal mortality due to EOS, targeted efforts must address healthcare accessibility, improve prenatal care protocols, and integrate culturally sensitive practices. These interventions can bridge systemic gaps and promote equitable health outcomes for mothers and newborns across Eastern Europe.</p>","PeriodicalId":48588,"journal":{"name":"Children-Basel","volume":"12 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11941689/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143732517","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}