P van Dommelen, E Dusseldorp, M M Boere-Boonekamp, E Hafkamp-de Groen, P H Verkerk
{"title":"Universal Scale for Child Development Predicts Limited Intellectual Functioning at an Early Stage.","authors":"P van Dommelen, E Dusseldorp, M M Boere-Boonekamp, E Hafkamp-de Groen, P H Verkerk","doi":"10.1111/apa.70296","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.70296","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aim: </strong>Early identification of limited intellectual functioning is important for providing support. This study investigated whether a universal child development score (D-score) at 12, 24 and 36 months can predict limited intellectual functioning at 5-10 years of age, in addition to neonatal and parental characteristics.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A case-control study using developmental milestones and health records from three Dutch child healthcare organisations. D-scores transformed into z-scores (DAZ) were calculated from communication and all milestones.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Data were available for 148 children with an intelligence quotient (IQ) of 50-69, 152 children with an IQ of 70-85 (special education) and 300 controls (mainstream education) at 5-10 years of age. The area under the curve for predicting an IQ of 50-69 was 0.75 using neonatal and parental characteristics. This increased to 0.89 with the addition of DAZ communication scores and to 0.94 with the inclusion of DAZ scores using all milestones instead of only communication milestones. For predicting an IQ of 70-85, these values were 0.67, 0.75 and 0.79, respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In addition to neonatal and parental characteristics, early child development significantly predicted limited intellectual functioning. The D-score, currently derivable from 14 different instruments, serves as a powerful predictive tool in clinical practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":55562,"journal":{"name":"Acta Paediatrica","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145014419","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Ambient Ozone Exposure and Global Child Health: A Systematic Review of Epidemiological Studies.","authors":"Ying Zhou, Lanqing Qu, Die Li, Weize Xu","doi":"10.1111/apa.70293","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.70293","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aim: </strong>Ozone is a photochemical pollutant, with exposure levels typically peaking during warm seasons in urban areas with intense sunlight and high traffic emissions. The rising annual average tropospheric ozone concentration risks children's health. This paper provided an in-depth overview of research on ambient ozone exposure and child health.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A meticulous search was conducted within the PubMed database from 1 January 1964 to 4 October 2024 to identify epidemiological studies on the association between ambient ozone exposure and children's health. In addition, this study innovatively compiled the average ozone exposure levels from each epidemiological investigation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In total, 85 papers were included. Ambient ozone exposure's effects remain controversial in most diseases. Consistent evidence exists that ambient ozone exposure is a risk factor for low birth weight, asthma, respiratory disease and obesity in children, even if ozone concentrations are below the World Health Organization (WHO) standard. Both long-term ozone exposure and short-term spikes in ozone concentrations can harm children's health.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Current ambient ozone air quality standards inadequately protect children's health and urgently require revision. Further research is needed to furnish evidence concerning the contentious aspects of research and to offer guidance to child health practitioners and public health policymakers.</p>","PeriodicalId":55562,"journal":{"name":"Acta Paediatrica","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145002014","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abigail O'Connell, Rosie Rogers, Eibhlín Carys Healy, Marah Shaikhyousef, Carmen Regan, Alexander Douglass, Anne Doolan, Patricia Fitzpatrick, Des W Cox, Michelle Downes
{"title":"Vaping and Smoking in Pregnancy-A Meta-Analysis of Neurobehavioural Development in Prenatally Exposed Offspring.","authors":"Abigail O'Connell, Rosie Rogers, Eibhlín Carys Healy, Marah Shaikhyousef, Carmen Regan, Alexander Douglass, Anne Doolan, Patricia Fitzpatrick, Des W Cox, Michelle Downes","doi":"10.1111/apa.70285","DOIUrl":"10.1111/apa.70285","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aim: </strong>Electronic cigarette usage has become increasingly popular in recent years, advertised as a safe alternative to smoking. However, the long-term impact on prenatal development is not well understood. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to investigate the impact of prenatal electronic cigarette exposure on self-regulation and motor development in existing human and animal research and to identify the common assessment measures.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>2116 records from six databases were retrieved, of which 70 (56 human; 14 animal) were retained for review. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted on eligible studies.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The emerging animal literature provides evidence for the impact of electronic cigarette exposure on offspring development. Meta-analysis results of 42 eligible human studies indicated that prenatal exposure to nicotine or cannabis by combustible or electronic cigarette was associated with deficits in cognitive, emotional, and behavioural self-regulatory domains, as well as motor function and neuromotor development. Only one human study included electronic cigarettes.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The combined findings of human and animal literature suggest overlapping influences of combustible and electronic cigarettes across self-regulation and motor domains. Given the policy implications, there is an urgent need for more research on electronic cigarette use in humans during pregnancy.</p>","PeriodicalId":55562,"journal":{"name":"Acta Paediatrica","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144979667","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Outcomes for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia in Three Decades: A Report From a UK Surgical Centre.","authors":"Wan Teng Lee, Paul D Losty","doi":"10.1111/apa.70295","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.70295","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aims: </strong>Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is associated with lung hypoplasia, pulmonary hypertension and high mortality. Three decades experience from a UK centre is reported.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Medical records of CDH newborns between February 1990 and November 2021 and attending a multidisciplinary clinic were examined. Survival and health outcomes are recorded.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 220 CDH newborns, left-sided defects were 177 (80%) cases. Diaphragm patch was required in 91 (41%) patients and 42 (19%) additionally required abdominal wall prosthesis. Materials deployed included Gore-Tex biological Surgisis patches all had early recurrences. Diaphragmatic patch was significantly associated with fundoplication (p 0.005). Overall survival rate was 85%-(90% survival primary defect vs. 79% patch) (p 0.035). Comparing decades, the post-2010 CDH study cohort was a sicker patient group comprising more index cases with cardiac malformations (69% vs. 28%, p < 0.001) requiring greater cardiovascular inotrope support (61% vs. 25%, p < 0.001) and ECMO (15% vs. 5%, p 0.023).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>While a modestly excellent 85% survival rate is reported over three decades, CDH management at this UK university surgical centre witnessed a growing complexity of patients with mixed severity phenotype(s). Future challenges remain to be solved to improve survival for the most complex vulnerable patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":55562,"journal":{"name":"Acta Paediatrica","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144979710","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Danilo Buonsenso, Luca Mastrantoni, Rolando Ulloa-Gutierrez, Jimena García-Silva, Gabriela Ivankovich-Escoto, Marco A Yamazaki-Nakashimada, Enrique Faugier-Fuentes, Olguita Del Águila, German Camacho-Moreno, Dora Estripeaut, Iván F Gutiérrez-Tobar, Adriana H Tremoulet
{"title":"Development and Validation of Multivariable Machine-Learning Models for the Prediction of Multisystemic Inflammatory Syndrome Outcomes in Latin American Children.","authors":"Danilo Buonsenso, Luca Mastrantoni, Rolando Ulloa-Gutierrez, Jimena García-Silva, Gabriela Ivankovich-Escoto, Marco A Yamazaki-Nakashimada, Enrique Faugier-Fuentes, Olguita Del Águila, German Camacho-Moreno, Dora Estripeaut, Iván F Gutiérrez-Tobar, Adriana H Tremoulet","doi":"10.1111/apa.70290","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.70290","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aim: </strong>We aimed to develop and test machine learning algorithms for the prediction of severe outcomes associated with MIS-C.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>An observational ambispective cohort study was conducted including children aged from 1 month to 18 years old in 84 hospitals from the REKAMLATINA (Red de la Enfermedad de Kawasaki en America Latina) network diagnosed with MIS-C from 1st January 2020 to 31st June 2022. Multiple models were developed to predict four main outcomes: paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission, need for inotropes, need for mechanical ventilation, and death. Performance measures were accuracy for PICU admission, inotropes use and mechanical ventilation, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) for death. Variable contribution was analysed using Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) values.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We included 1303 children with a diagnosis of MIS-C. The model for the prediction of PICU admission (random forest [RF]) reached an accuracy of 0.80 (95% CI: 0.76-0.84), the model for inotrope use (RF) an accuracy of 0.86 (95% CI: 0.82-0.90), the model for mechanical ventilation (histogram-based gradient boosting [HBGB]) an accuracy of 0.84 (95% CI 0.80-0.88), and the model for death (RF) reached an AUROC of 0.85 (95% CI 0.77-0.93).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>We developed and validated machine learning models for the prediction of MIS-C related outcomes that can help clinicians risk stratify patients to identify those most likely to have a severe outcome from MIS-C.</p>","PeriodicalId":55562,"journal":{"name":"Acta Paediatrica","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144979669","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M Serrano Oarbeaskoa, M Camarero Pagonabarraga, I Iriarte Uribeecheverria, I Gangoiti, B Gomez, D Jimenez-Gonzalez, S Mintegi
{"title":"Electrolyte Imbalance in Infants Younger Than 90 Days of Age With Febrile Urinary Tract Infection.","authors":"M Serrano Oarbeaskoa, M Camarero Pagonabarraga, I Iriarte Uribeecheverria, I Gangoiti, B Gomez, D Jimenez-Gonzalez, S Mintegi","doi":"10.1111/apa.70291","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.70291","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aim: </strong>To analyse the prevalence of electrolyte and kidney function alterations in infants ≤ 90 days with febrile urinary tract infection (UTI).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Secondary analysis of a prospective registry including infants ≤ 90 days with fever without a source seen between 2010 and 2022 in an emergency department. We analysed electrolyte and kidney function laboratory parameters in relation to the definitive diagnosis and a group of healthy controls.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We registered 2361 episodes: 495 UTI (34 with an associated invasive bacterial infection [IBI]), 43 IBI not related to a UTI, and 1823 without bacterial infection. Further, we included 205 healthy controls. The median duration of fever was 4 h, and 98.5% were well appearing. Among infants with UTI without an associated IBI, blood creatinine levels were abnormal in 0.2%, urea in 1.1% and glomerular filtration rate in 3.2%, similar to infants not diagnosed with bacterial infections and healthy controls, and significantly lower than in those with UTI and an associated IBI (9.4%, 18.1% and 17.2% respectively). No patients had signs or symptoms of acute kidney injury.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Electrolyte imbalance and kidney function impairment are rare in well-appearing infants younger than 90 days with febrile UTI and a short duration of fever.</p>","PeriodicalId":55562,"journal":{"name":"Acta Paediatrica","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-08-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144979657","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Atopic Dermatitis and Food Allergy in Children.","authors":"Sonila Borici","doi":"10.1111/apa.70283","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.70283","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aim: </strong>This study investigates current scientific perspectives on the relationship between atopic dermatitis (AD) and food allergy (FA) in children, focusing on shared mechanisms, clinical implications and treatment approaches.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A targeted analysis and synthesis of recent scientific publications was conducted, including studies on diagnostic strategies, immunopathology and clinical guidelines. Selection criteria emphasised thematic relevance to AD-FA interplay and innovations in therapy.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Findings indicate that impaired skin barrier function, systemic sensitisation, and Th2-driven inflammation are central to both conditions. Filaggrin deficiency, lipid abnormalities and altered skin microbiota contribute to cutaneous and systemic immune dysregulation. Children with severe AD show a higher prevalence of food sensitisation, suggesting a bidirectional link. Sensitisation via damaged skin may promote gastrointestinal allergic responses. Effective diagnosis requires integrated use of history-taking, laboratory markers and provocation testing. Treatment should aim to restore skin integrity, modulate immune responses and manage dietary allergens.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>AD and FA share common pathophysiological pathways that warrant coordinated diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Understanding their interrelation is essential for developing individualised prevention and treatment plans, especially in paediatric populations vulnerable to allergic progression.</p>","PeriodicalId":55562,"journal":{"name":"Acta Paediatrica","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144979342","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lugli Licia, Bedetti Luca, Pugliese Marisa, Guidotti Isotta, Ancora Gina, Gargano Giancarlo, Perrone Serafina, Solinas Agostina, Motta Mario, Corvaglia Luigi Tommaso, Sansavini Alessandra, Stella Marcello, Cuoghi Costantini Riccardo, DiCaprio Antonella, Della Casa Muttini Elisa, Roversi Maria Federica, Bertoncelli Natascia, Catenazzi Piero, Ballardini Elisa, Grandi Sara, Moretti Sabrina, Turoli Daniela, Aceti Arianna, Braibanti Silvia, Insalaco Anna, Camilla Migliozzi, Fumagalli Monica, Ferrari Fabrizio, Berardi Alberto
{"title":"Mortality and Neurodevelopmental Outcome in an Italian Cohort of Very Low Birth Weight Infants.","authors":"Lugli Licia, Bedetti Luca, Pugliese Marisa, Guidotti Isotta, Ancora Gina, Gargano Giancarlo, Perrone Serafina, Solinas Agostina, Motta Mario, Corvaglia Luigi Tommaso, Sansavini Alessandra, Stella Marcello, Cuoghi Costantini Riccardo, DiCaprio Antonella, Della Casa Muttini Elisa, Roversi Maria Federica, Bertoncelli Natascia, Catenazzi Piero, Ballardini Elisa, Grandi Sara, Moretti Sabrina, Turoli Daniela, Aceti Arianna, Braibanti Silvia, Insalaco Anna, Camilla Migliozzi, Fumagalli Monica, Ferrari Fabrizio, Berardi Alberto","doi":"10.1111/apa.70292","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.70292","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aim: </strong>Preterm infants face high risks of mortality and neurodevelopmental impairment. We aimed to evaluate the outcomes in an Italian cohort of very low birth weight infants.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This multicenter prospective study included very low birth weight infants born in Italy between 2016 and 2020. Severe functional disability was defined as cognitive impairment, cerebral palsy, blindness or deafness.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 1381 patients were enrolled (median gestational age: 29.1 weeks; males: 678) and 136 (9.8%) died. Multivariate analysis identified gestational age (OR 0.65), prenatal steroids (OR 0.36), magnesium sulphate (OR 0.48), advanced resuscitation (OR 4.04) and admission body temperature (OR 0.84) as predictors of mortality. A total of 802 (65.5%) completed the 24-month neurodevelopmental follow-up. Severe functional disability was observed in 71/802 (8.9%) infants, including neuropsychological impairment (59.1%), cerebral palsy (4.2%), deafness (1%) and blindness (0.2%). Multivariate analysis identified male gender (OR 1.84), advanced resuscitation (OR 1.92), periventricular leukomalacia (OR 9.94) and periventricular-intraventricular haemorrhage (OR 1.74) as predictors of severe functional disability.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Mortality and neurodevelopmental impairments in very low birth weight infants were associated with gestational age and neonatal complications. Early interventions, including prenatal steroids, magnesium sulphate and improved neonatal care, may enhance survival and outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":55562,"journal":{"name":"Acta Paediatrica","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-08-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144979727","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Manon Casabianca, David Akouka, Linda Maman, Anne-Aurélie Lopes
{"title":"Caffeine Was Associated With Shorter Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Treatment for Infants up to Eight Weeks Old Hospitalised for Bronchiolitis.","authors":"Manon Casabianca, David Akouka, Linda Maman, Anne-Aurélie Lopes","doi":"10.1111/apa.70279","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.70279","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aim: </strong>Bronchiolitis is the leading cause of hospitalisation before 1 year of age, with no treatment available, while caffeine stimulates respiratory function in young infants. This pilot study investigated the impact of caffeine on infants up to 8-week-old hospitalised for bronchiolitis, regardless of apnoea.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>An observational study was conducted from October 2021 to February 2022 and from October 2022 to February 2023 in two Paris hospitals. The outcomes included adverse events and the need for, and duration of, ventilatory support and nutritional support.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We recruited 186 patients (55% boys) at a median age of 4.5 weeks. The 65 patients who received caffeine required nutritional support significantly less often than the no caffeine group (p < 0.001). The duration of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) was significantly shorter in patients in the caffeine group (4.1 days) than in the no caffeine group (7.1 days) (p = 0.003). There was a nonsignificant shorter duration of nutritional support in those who required ventilatory support (p = 0.05). Caffeine was well tolerated.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Caffeine reduced the duration of CPAP and the need for and duration of nutritional support through a direct effect on the digestive system or overall improvement. These results should be confirmed by randomised trials.</p>","PeriodicalId":55562,"journal":{"name":"Acta Paediatrica","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-08-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144979630","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}