Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics最新文献

{"title":"Bayley Assessment Score Revisions in High-risk Population After Release of new Normatives.","authors":"Desiree Starzyk, Jacob B W Holzman, Kelly Wolfe, Allison G Dempsey","doi":"10.1097/DBP.0000000000001466","DOIUrl":"10.1097/DBP.0000000000001466","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Fourth Edition (Bayley-4), which was released in 2019, received updated normative data in 2023, raising concerns about potential score shifts in previously collected data. This study examined whether developmental interpretations based on the original versus revised norms differ within a cohort of medically complex children.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Scores from 61 children assessed with the Bayley-4 before revised norms were released were used in this study. Frequency of changes in results across Standard Scores at the composite level (cognitive, language, motor) and paired samples t tests of original and new Standard Scores sets were analyzed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Score changes witnessed went beyond the publisher's descriptions that resulted in increases and decreases throughout several descriptive classifications that are used for clinical interpretation. Of the 3 domains analyzed, language scores showed a minor but statistically significant increase between sample sets ( p < 0.01), whereas motor and cognitive scores showed no significant difference ( p > 0.05). Only 1 change between original and revised scores in the motor domain resulted in a different descriptive classification.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Although many of the revised scores on the Bayley-4 yielded minor differences, unanticipated changes were observed such as score decreases, classification change, and notable differences in mean language scores. Because of these discrepancies, researchers and clinicians using the Bayley-4 during 2019 to 2023 should consider re-evaluating scores.</p>","PeriodicalId":50215,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics","volume":" ","pages":"e357-e361"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146229672","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Challenging Case: \"Digital Addiction\" in a Neurodivergent Adolescent.","authors":"Maryam Tariq, Ann Genovese, Marilyn Augustyn","doi":"10.1097/DBP.0000000000001464","DOIUrl":"10.1097/DBP.0000000000001464","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Case: </strong>Adam is a 15-year-old boy who was born prematurely, with prenatal substance exposure, and was diagnosed in early childhood with combined-type attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and oppositional defiant disorder. He was not found to meet criteria for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Despite treatment with stimulant medications and other adjunctive medications, Adam experienced ongoing difficulties with impulse control, sleep, and aggression. Adam was introduced to digital devices at an early age, resulting in unfiltered, poorly supervised, and prolonged screen exposure.Over time, Adam's digital use escalated into late-night gaming and engaging with social media platforms. Attempts by parents and other caregivers to apply parental controls were inconsistent because of family instability and ongoing caregiver substance use. Exposure to disturbing online content (including violence and conspiracy narratives) disrupted Adam's sleep and resulted in increased emotional lability, often triggering nightmares and severe irritability.The school also implemented restrictions on electronic device use (including phones and laptops). Related disciplinary consequences contributed to social stress and peer conflict. In addition, the patient disclosed a history of childhood sexual trauma, which occurred during unsupervised online interactions, further deepening his reliance on digital environments as a coping mechanism. Subsequent identification and treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder helped to alleviate some of the associated distressing emotional symptoms for Adam but did not alter his compulsive use of digital technology.Finally, when consistent efforts were made to limit Adam's screen time, it provoked severe mood dysregulation, aggressive outbursts, and even suicidal ideation.How can clinicians effectively manage digital addiction in a neurodivergent adolescent when restricting device use provokes severe emotional dysregulation and suicidal ideation?What multimodal treatment strategies can balance behavioral containment with trauma-informed care?How can families and clinicians collaboratively establish digital boundaries that promote recovery without triggering psychological destabilization?What does this case reveal about the need for early screening, prevention, and family education regarding digital addiction in neurodivergent youth?</p>","PeriodicalId":50215,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics","volume":" ","pages":"e376-e378"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146108269","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Five-year Outcomes From a Career Exploration Pilot Program for Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics.","authors":"Shruti Mittal, Elizabeth Barnhardt, Silvia Pereira-Smith, Shawna McCafferty, Rohan Patel, Karen Miller, Ellen Perrin","doi":"10.1097/DBP.0000000000001462","DOIUrl":"10.1097/DBP.0000000000001462","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate the impact of a national career exploration program, Exploring DBP , on trainee interest in pursuing exploring developmental-behavioral pediatrics (DBP) fellowship, and to describe participant demographics, knowledge gains, and perceived barriers to entering the field.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Presurvey and postsurvey results were analyzed from the program's 2019 to 2023 cohorts assessing demographics, DBP knowledge, program satisfaction, and likelihood to apply for fellowship. Data were analyzed descriptively. Qualitative responses were analyzed to explore career decision factors.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>From 2019 to 2023, 239 participants completed the program (50.1% residents, 44.8% medical students, and 5.0% general pediatricians). The cohort had greater representation of trainees from ethnically diverse backgrounds compared with national averages (e.g., 26.6% Hispanic vs 7%-9%). Participants consistently rated mentorship and personal stories from DBP professionals as the most valuable program components. After the program, the proportion of participants who were \"likely\" or \"very likely\" to apply for a DBP fellowship rose from 46% to 79%. Key reported barriers to pursuing fellowship included inadequate compensation, training length, student loan burden, and competing interest in fields such as child psychiatry or neurology. A 2022 follow-up survey found that 41% of eligible early participants had successfully matched into a DBP fellowship program.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The program effectively increased knowledge and interest in pursuing a DBP career. Structured early exposure may support recruitment into undersubscribed pediatric subspecialties.</p>","PeriodicalId":50215,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics","volume":" ","pages":"e322-e325"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146151217","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"How are School-aged Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder Using Digital Media? A Qualitative Study of Families' Lived Experiences.","authors":"Deanna Pennewitt, Aubrey Borgen, Megan Warfle, Angela Fish, Sarah Mohiuddin, Tiffany Munzer","doi":"10.1097/DBP.0000000000001468","DOIUrl":"10.1097/DBP.0000000000001468","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Children with autism may be more likely to experience challenges and adverse effects from digital media use; however, prior work has not qualitatively examined children's and caregivers' experiences. Among caregivers and school-age children with autism, we aim to qualitatively examine the context, content, and function of digital media use, behavioral strategies, and challenges navigating digital media.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Caregivers of school-aged children with autism (aged 6-11 years) completed questionnaires on demographic information, child characteristics, and digital media habits. A total of 22 caregivers and 10 children with autism participated in qualitative interviews by Zoom. Questions probed for family experiences, challenges, and digital media strategies. A multidisciplinary team used interview transcripts to conduct an inductive thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Children with autism in the study had an average of 4.3 hours of screen media use daily; 68.2% had their own tablet and 27.3% had their own mobile device. We identified 7 themes: Wired World (children are exposed to digital media across settings), Diving Deep and Building Skills (children use media to learn and delve into interests), Retreat/Relief from Reality (digital media is less stressful than other tasks), No Size Fits All (caregivers used diverse strategies), Societal Blame and Parental Shame (caregivers expressed internalized guilt around children's media use), The Digital Dark Side (concerns about inappropriate content and privacy), and The Double Edged Sword (digital media comes with both benefits and challenges).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Results from this study emphasize the need for individualized guidance, flexibility, and understanding of digital media's functional role in families of children with autism.</p>","PeriodicalId":50215,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics","volume":" ","pages":"e287-e293"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13084617/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146229697","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Conscientiousness and Glycemic Control in Youth With Type 1 Diabetes: The Mediating Role of Technology.","authors":"Ángel Rebollo Román, Carmen Tabernero Urbieta, Joaquín Villaécija, Bárbara Luque Salas","doi":"10.1097/DBP.0000000000001456","DOIUrl":"10.1097/DBP.0000000000001456","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) requires insulin administration, adjusting doses depending on multiple lifestyle factors. Studies show that personality traits influence glycemic management in patients with T1DM. The evidence regarding the relationship between conscientiousness, a personality trait associated with self-discipline, remains limited. The objective of this study was to investigate this relationship in children and adolescents with T1DM.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>One hundred eighteen children and adolescents diagnosed with T1DM (42.4% girls, mean age 15.79 ± 1.98 years) were recruited for this study. Conscientiousness was measured using a 13-item shortened version of the Big Five Questionnaire. Glycemic management was evaluated with data obtained from intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Higher levels of conscientiousness are associated with a better glycemic management and a greater adherence to isCGM usage in our study. Besides, greater adherence to isCGM correlates with a better glycemic management. We found a model where constant adherence to isCGM across the study period mediates the relationship between conscientiousness and glycemic management.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our results highlight the importance of assessing personality traits and integrating this information into the therapeutic education of adolescents with T1DM to improve their glycemic management.</p>","PeriodicalId":50215,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics","volume":" ","pages":"e370-e375"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146013234","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Examining the Relationship Between Family-centered Care and Family Resilience in Families of Children and Adolescents With Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.","authors":"Carey Anne Wheelhouse, Christopher Wichman, Cynthis Ellis, Shinobu Watanabe-Galloway, Melissa Tibbits","doi":"10.1097/DBP.0000000000001485","DOIUrl":"10.1097/DBP.0000000000001485","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with multilevel risk and prognostic factors. Family resilience (FR) has a positive impact on youth ADHD prognosis. Research suggests health care interventions can enhance FR. Family-centered care (FCC), a component of the Medical Home Model often missed in families of youth with ADHD, is 1 possible health care intervention. This secondary analysis examined the relationship between FCC and FR in families of youth with ADHD in the United States.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The 2018 National Survey of Children's Health data on families of 6- to 17-year-olds with ADHD were analyzed. A cumulative logistic regression analysis was conducted to model the relationship between FCC and FR as defined by the Family Resilience and Connection Index (FRCI) in families of 6- to 17-year-olds with ADHD.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There is a significant association between FCC and FRCI. Although only 13.31% of families of 6- to 17 year-olds with ADHD had an FRCI of 6, the highest measure of FR in this study, families who reported receiving FCC were more likely to have an FRCI 6 when compared with similar families that did not report receiving FCC.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Results suggest a positive association between FCC and FRCI in families of youth with ADHD in the United States, supporting FCC as an important health care factor in youth ADHD prognosis and management. Future research may consider measuring the impact of FCC on FRCI in families of youth with ADHD and/or implementation of FCC within youth ADHD health care management.</p>","PeriodicalId":50215,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics","volume":" ","pages":"e281-e286"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147787889","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"\"I Need to Pay Attention to Everything\": Perspectives of Low-income Parents of Preterm Children on Early Relational Health.","authors":"Genevieve G Guyol, Michael Arenson, Katherine Baumann, Stacey Ruiz, Alan L Mendelsohn, Jonathan S Litt, Bryanne N Colvin, Margaret G Parker","doi":"10.1097/DBP.0000000000001469","DOIUrl":"10.1097/DBP.0000000000001469","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Supporting early relational health (ERH) positively affects lifelong health. We investigated perspectives of low-income parents of preterm children regarding child factors and parenting behaviors (defined as responsive parenting, structure/routines, and warm parent-child relationship) associated with ERH and factors associated with these behaviors.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with low-income parents of children born preterm between Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) discharge and age 3 years. We examined perceptions of ERH and used the PRECEDE framework to identify predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing factors affecting parenting behaviors associated with ERH. We developed codes and themes iteratively using a deductive qualitative approach.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We interviewed 22 parents of children born 24 to 34 weeks' gestation at 1 to 35 months corrected age. Regarding perspectives on ERH, parents shared that the NICU hospitalization heightens attention to children after discharge and that they feel an intense, sometimes overwhelming, bond with children born preterm. Parents both make accommodations for their preterm children and treat them the same as children born full term. Medical vulnerability affects how they spend time with their children. Regarding predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing factors of parenting behaviors associated with ERH, parents noted that developmental professionals can support relationships, that perceptions of preterm birth affect parents' relationships with their children, and that prior experience parenting preterm and full-term children affects confidence and knowledge of how to form relationships.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Adaptation of existing ERH interventions should incorporate ways that NICU hospitalization and views of prematurity inform low-income parents' perceptions and use of parenting behaviors associated with ERH.</p>","PeriodicalId":50215,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics","volume":" ","pages":"e348-e356"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147391333","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Relationship Between the Survey of Well-being of Young Children and Speech-language Delay Diagnosis.","authors":"Danai Kasambira Fannin, Jiang Shu, Geraldine Dawson, Gary Maslow, Benjamin A Goldstein, Lauren Franz","doi":"10.1097/DBP.0000000000001460","DOIUrl":"10.1097/DBP.0000000000001460","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The Survey of Well-being of Young Children (SWYC) supports developmental screening at well-child visits. However, a US Preventive Services Task Force report suggests insufficient evidence for this approach for speech-language delay identification. The objective of this study was to determine associations between SWYC use and score at 24-month visits and timing of speech-language delay diagnoses and whether timing differed by sociodemographic characteristics.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Using electronic health records of 7,198 children born January 2016-December 2020 in a mid-sized health care system, we fit Kaplan-Meier survival curves for time to speech-language delay diagnosis based on SWYC use and score. Cox proportional hazards time-to-event analyses were run, and interactions between SWYC use and score and sociodemographics were assessed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Fifty percent received the SWYC, with use increasing during the study period with no sociodemographic differences detected. While SWYC use had no association with diagnosis (hazard ratio: 0.986, 95% confidence interval: 0.856-1.1136), lower SWYC scores (indicating greater developmental concern) were associated with higher likelihood of diagnosis (hazard ratio: 0.114, 95% confidence interval: 0.095-0.137). Interactions between scores and diagnostic timing by payer type and race/ethnicity were detected. Boys, publicly insured children, and those with lower SWYC scores were more likely to receive a speech-language delay diagnosis at their 24-month visit.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>While clinicians likely rely on clinical judgement to identify delays, results suggest the SWYC is associated with speech-language delay identification. The ability of the SWYC to identify speech-language delay was moderated by insurance and race/ethnicity, warranting further study of factors shaping diagnostic decision-making.</p>","PeriodicalId":50215,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics","volume":" ","pages":"e314-e321"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13150717/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146144591","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Black Mothers' Perspectives on the Early Childhood Screening Process and the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers in Primary Care.","authors":"Ashlee Yates Flanagan, Trenesha Hill, Maya Childs, Sarah N Wozniak-Kelly, Whitney Guthrie, Kate E Wallis","doi":"10.1097/DBP.0000000000001459","DOIUrl":"10.1097/DBP.0000000000001459","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To understand Black mothers' perspectives on the autism screening process with the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) and preferences in provider communications and interactions around autism screening.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>This qualitative study thematically analyzed semi-structured interviews of Black mothers (N = 11) whose child screened positive on an autism screener administered as part of a routine well-child visit in primary care. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and entered into NVivo software for data management and analysis. Coders achieved an average of over 95% agreement in double-coded transcripts across all thematic codes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Results from a qualitative thematic analysis of Black mothers' experiences with and preferences for early autism screening in primary care produced 5 primary themes: (1) preference for the pediatrician to report positive screening results, (2) desire to discuss developmental concerns with family members, (3) online resources as key information resources on autism and child development juxtaposed to, (4) valuing face-to-face time with early childhood providers, and (5) barriers to completing the M-CHAT.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Black mothers described their preferences for completing autism screening for their children and emphasized the role of the pediatrician, family members, and online resources in providing information about child development and autism concerns. Trust in the pediatrician emerged as a salient theme, which runs counter to prior narratives that describe earned mistrust between Black caregivers and medical providers. Results can inform the improvement of early autism screening processes and health care communication for underrepresented families in primary care settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":50215,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics","volume":" ","pages":"e301-e307"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146020427","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Associations Between Dietary Patterns and Mental Health Symptoms in Early Childhood: Findings From the CHILD Cohort Study.","authors":"Susan C Campisi, Zheng Hao Chen, Elinor Simons, Piush Mandhane, Theo J Moraes, Stuart E Turvey, Padmaja Subbarao, Kozeta Miliku, Daphne J Korczak","doi":"10.1097/DBP.0000000000001453","DOIUrl":"10.1097/DBP.0000000000001453","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To determine the earliest developmental stage at which the association between unhealthy dietary patterns and depressive symptoms emerges, given that this relationship is well-documented in adolescents and adults but remains understudied in young children.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Children (N = 2360; mean age of 5.1[SD = 0.2] years; 48% female) enrolled in the CHILD birth cohort study were included. Parent-reported data on demographics, dietary intake, sleep, physical activity, mental health outcomes (Child Behavior Checklist [CBCL]), and family variables (parental education, household income, maternal depressive symptoms) were collected. Missing covariate data with <15% missingness were handled using multiple imputations by chained equations. Dietary patterns were derived using Principal Component Analysis with a varimax rotation to enhance interpretability. Multiple regression was used to test the association between dietary patterns and mental health outcomes while accounting for covariates.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Three dietary patterns were identified: \"Prudent\" (high in vegetables, fruits, legumes, eggs, and fish); \"Western-like\" (high in fast foods, meats, and sugar-sweetened beverages); and \"Refined Grain-Snack\" (high in refined grains, dairy, and salty snacks). For the full sample, the mean CBCL subscale scores were as follows: Total Problems = 41.37[9.22], Internalizing Problems = 44.69[9.18], and Externalizing Problems = 39.78[9.65]. Greater adherence to the prudent pattern was associated with fewer Total Problems (β = -0.10, p = 0.003), Internalizing Problems (β = -0.10, p = 0.001), and Externalizing Problems (β = -0.08, p = 0.016 in fully adjusted models.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Findings suggest that the relationship between mental health and diet is observable in young children, highlighting a potential opportunity for preventive interventions. Longitudinal research is needed to determine the temporal association between dietary patterns and mental health symptoms.</p>","PeriodicalId":50215,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics","volume":" ","pages":"e362-e369"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146020472","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}