BMC Pediatrics最新文献

{"title":"Can fecal calprotectin be used as a biomarker of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in obese adolescents?","authors":"Büşra Tetik Dinçer, Ayşe Merve Usta, Alev Kural, Nazlı Helvacı, Ahmet Uçar, Nafiye Urgancı","doi":"10.1186/s12887-024-05327-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12887-024-05327-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing with obesity, and it is believed that the ongoing low-grade inflammation in obesity and alterations in the enterohepatic axis contributing this process. This study aimed to determine the role of fecal calprotectin (FC) as inflammatory biomarker in obesity and NAFLD.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Between November 2022-August 2023, 31 obese and 10 healthy adolescents aged between 10 and 18 years enrolled in this prospective controlled study. Body mass index higher than 2 standard deviation is considered as obesity. Obese adolescents were divided into two subgroups: obese adolescents (n = 11) and Obese + NAFLD group (n = 20). NAFLD diagnosis was made with biochemical analysis or ultrasonography. FC levels and laboratory parameters analyzed in study group, while only FC samples taken from control group. Anthropometric and laboratory parameters were compared between groups. This study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06229184).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The median (IQR P25-75) FC levels in the obese + NAFLD, obese and the healthy controls were 136.23 (43.36-332.04), 61.77 (29.70-285.92) and 38.95 (27.59-50.52) µg/g feces, respectively (p = 0.018). Subgroup analyses revealed that the significant difference was between the obese + NAFLD group and the control group (p = 0.02), while no significant differences were observed between the control and obese groups, or between the obese and obese + NAFLD groups. FC positivity rates were 20% (n = 2) in the control group, 54.5% (n = 6) in the obese group, and 75% (n = 15) in the Obese + NAFLD group (p = 0.018).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>FC is significantly higher in obese adolescents compared to healthy peers, but no significant difference was observed between obese and obese + NAFLD groups. Further studies needed on this subject.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>This trial is registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (Trial registration number [ClinicalTrials.gov ID] NCT06229184).</p>","PeriodicalId":9144,"journal":{"name":"BMC Pediatrics","volume":"24 1","pages":"834"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11665081/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142881241","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":"Lung recruitment with HFOV versus VTV/AC in preterm infants with RDS.","authors":"Marwa Eldegwi, Ali Shaltout, Osama Elagamy, Dina Salama, Mohammed Elshaer, Basma Shouman","doi":"10.1186/s12887-024-05271-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12887-024-05271-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To compare the effect of lung recruitment using high frequency ventilation versus volume targeted ventilation on duration of intubation as well as its effect on lung inflammation in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study was conducted on a total of 40 preterm infants, 34 weeks gestational age or less, having RDS that needed intubation and mechanical ventilation within the first 72 h after their birth at the NICU of Mansoura University Children's Hospital during the period from July 2020 to July 2022. Infants included were randomly assigned into two groups, Group A who were subjected to LRM using HFOV (20 cases) and Group B who were subjected to LRM using VTV/AC (20 cases). TGF-β1 level was measured in BAL samples of all studied infants at two time points; before lung recruitment maneuver and at day 5 after lung recruitment or just before extubation if extubation occurs earlier than 5 days.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Lung recruitment maneuver had no significant effect on time to extubation. Both groups showed no significant difference in rate of prematurity complications nor delta change of TFG-β1 level in tracheal aspirate of those preterm infants measured before lung recruitment and five days after recruitment or at extubation when extubation occurred earlier.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Lung recruitment maneuver was not associated with significant difference between both groups of preterm infants. The results obtained from our study, being the first of its kind to compare the effect of lung recruitment, provide a promising research area for further investigations.</p>","PeriodicalId":9144,"journal":{"name":"BMC Pediatrics","volume":"24 1","pages":"832"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11665117/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142881265","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":"Music medicine and music therapy in neonatal care: a scoping review of passive music listening research applications and findings on infant development and medical practice.","authors":"Efthymios Papatzikis, Maria Agapaki, Rosari Naveena Selvan, Deanna Hanson-Abromeit, Christian Gold, Shulamit Epstein, U Wun Vivian Lok, Evrykleia Barda, Varun Pandey","doi":"10.1186/s12887-024-05275-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12887-024-05275-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In recent years, the use of music as a therapeutic and developmental tool for infants, especially within neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), has seen a surge in interest. Despite a growing body of research underscoring the potential benefits of music therapy and music medicine in enhancing infant development and aiding medical practices, the specific characteristics of music that maximize these benefits remain poorly understood.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This scoping review aims to provide a comprehensive foundation by mapping the existing literature on passive music listening and identifying gaps, trends, and patterns that are crucial precursors to the development of best practices.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Following the PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted, covering studies published up until December 2022. The focus was on passive music listening, with a deliberate exclusion of active music interventions. Out of the initial pool of studies, 56 met the inclusion criteria, determined by the PICO framework, focusing on passive music exposure among full-term and preterm infants. Starting with a descriptive analysis approach, the study employed Non-negative Matrix Factorization (NMF) and Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) to identify key themes, including the physiological impacts of music, its role in pain management, effects on sleep and stress, and influences on feeding and weight gain.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The review revealed a predominance of quantitative research methods, a significant concentration of studies from the United States, suggesting potential geographical bias, and a notable clinical setting bias. These findings indicate a critical need for methodological diversity and a more culturally inclusive and interdisciplinary approach to research. They also point to the necessity for standardized music intervention protocols to optimize therapeutic and developmental outcomes for this vulnerable population. Future research should aim to bridge the methodological gaps identified, integrating both qualitative and quantitative approaches to provide a comprehensive understanding of music's impact on infant development and medical practices in a global, culturally nuanced context.</p>","PeriodicalId":9144,"journal":{"name":"BMC Pediatrics","volume":"24 1","pages":"829"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11664842/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142876185","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":"Urinary tract infections among under-five children with congenital anomalies of kidney and urinary tract in hospitalized patients in Addis Ababa.","authors":"Simachew Tezera, Fikrtemariam Abebe, Erdaw Tachbele","doi":"10.1186/s12887-024-05328-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12887-024-05328-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) and urinary tract infections (UTIs) are significant clinical concerns in children. Children who have UTIs are also at risk of developing long-term complications, notably kidney disease and scarring UTIs. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of urinary tract infection and its determinants among under-five children with congenital anomalies of kidney and urinary tract in Addis Ababa.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A health institution-based retrospective cross-sectional study was employed on 389 randomly selected medical records of children with CAKUT, out of a total of 850 cases. The children were admitted to Tikur Anbesa and Menelik II Hospitals between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2022. The study hospitals were purposively selected as they were the only referrals in the nation for CAKUT cases. Sociodemographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics were captured using a data extraction sheet created in the Kobo Toolbox and transferred to SPSS for analysis. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the associations of variables with a p-value of ≤ 0.05 and a confidence interval of 95%.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The majority of the study participants (336 [86.4%]) were males. A total of 194 (49.8%) children were older than 25 months, with a median age of 23 (95% CI: 22-27) months, and 117 (30.1%) (95% CI = 25.4-35.2) participants were positive for urinary tract infection (UTI). Forty were culture-positive out of 103 urine specimens tested, where, Escherichia coli (60%) was the most frequently isolated bacteria followed by Klebsiella pneumonia (20%), Enterobacter spp, (12.5%), and Staphylococci spp. (7.5%). Factors associated with UTI among CAKUT children were found to be being female (AOR = 4.3, 95% CI = (1.4-13.07), children having Posterior Ureteral Valve (PUV) (AOR = 4.8, 95% CI = (2.32-9.93), duration of hospitalization (> 4 days) (AOR = 3.08, 95% CI = (1.52-6.24), and children having fever (AOR = 5.8, 95% CI = (2.81-11.97).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In this study, almost one-third of the children developed UTIs, and female sex, longer hospitalization, PUV, and fever were identified as independent risk factors of UTIs. This emphasizes special attention should be given to high-risk children.</p>","PeriodicalId":9144,"journal":{"name":"BMC Pediatrics","volume":"24 1","pages":"826"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11660431/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142863222","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":"Epidemiological characteristics of eleven common respiratory viral infections in children.","authors":"Suling Li, Zhengfeng Xue, Yuxin Feng, Xue Zhou, Yang Qi, Na Feng, Yuanxia Li","doi":"10.1186/s12887-024-05300-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12887-024-05300-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) are one of the leading causes of hospital admissions among children. In this study, we aimed to describe the epidemiological characteristics of viral pathogens associated with LRTIs in hospitalized children in Yan'an; this has yet to be reported in the literature and may guide public health interventions and resource allocation in this region.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Between June 2021 and May 2023, we conducted a retrospective analysis of the results of viral detection using oral pharyngeal swabs from 4565 children with LRTIs in the Inpatient Department of Yan'an University Affiliated Hospital. Eleven respiratory viruses, including influenza A virus (Flu A), influenza A H1N1 virus (H1N1), seasonal influenza A H3N2 virus (H3N2), influenza B virus (Flu B), parainfluenza virus (HPIV), adenovirus (HADV), bocavirus (HBoV), rhinovirus (HRV), metapneumovirus (HNPV), coronavirus (HCoV), and respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV), were confirmed by applying a multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) kit for respiratory viruses. We evaluated the epidemiological features of infections caused by respiratory pathogens, including aging, gender and the seasonal variations of different pathogens, and explored the high-risk factors associated with virus-caused pneumonia.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>At least one virus was detected in all 4565 cases; the positivity rate was 27.95%. We also detected a total of 1,276 cases with mixed infections (with two or more viruses). Of the positive cases, 59.3% were male and 40.7% were female (x² = 0.41, P = 0.68). The highest positivity rates for respiratory pathogens were observed for HRSV, HRV, and HADV, at 5.98%, 5.67%, and 4.38%, respectively. We also observed variations in the number and positivity rates of respiratory pathogen infections by season, age and gender. HPIV (x² = 12.05, P < 0.05) and HADV (x² = 11.73, P < 0.05) were more common in children under three years-of-age. Notably, with the exception of the 1 to < 3 years age group, males consistently demonstrated elevated infection rates across other age groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our analysis revealed that respiratory pathogen infections varied by gender, season, and age in the enrolled population of children.</p>","PeriodicalId":9144,"journal":{"name":"BMC Pediatrics","volume":"24 1","pages":"827"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11660704/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142863188","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":"Hospitalized children with influenza A before, during and after COVID-19 pandemic: a retrospective cohort study.","authors":"Fen Lin, Jian-Lian Liang, Ze-Xiang Guan, Min Wu, Li-Ye Yang","doi":"10.1186/s12887-024-05285-x","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12887-024-05285-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Context: </strong>Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in late 2019, the transmission dynamics and clinical presentation patterns of influenza A (Flu A) virus have undergone changes.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This article conducted a comparative analysis in clinical characteristics and laboratory results of pediatric patients with Flu A before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The medical records of 885 children hospitalized with Flu A virus infection at a tertiary hospital in Guangdong Province, China, were retrospectively analyzed. Flu A was confirmed in these cases using a direct immunofluorescence antigen assay. The clinical data for this study span from January 1, 2018, to May 31, 2023.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In our study, we observed a total of 340 cases before the COVID-19 pandemic, 196 cases during the pandemic, and 349 cases after the pandemic. Patients after the pandemic had a higher median age on admission (5.66 years, range 3.41-7.70) and exhibited more respiratory symptoms such as cough, sore throat, and nasal stuffiness. The length of hospital stay was longer, and there was a higher percentage of patients with fever duration ≥ 5 days among Flu A patients during the pandemic. Compared to before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, Flu A patients after the pandemic showed significantly reduced white blood cell (WBC) and platelet (PLT) counts (P < 0.001), along with elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in laboratory indexes (P < 0.001). Furthermore, more hospitalized children after the pandemic were diagnosed with benign acute childhood myositis (BACM).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our research results indicates a significant decrease in Flu A cases during the COVID-19 pandemic, and hospitalized children with Flu A have more severe clinical symptoms after the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings have implications for public health policy and clinical management of Flu A cases.</p><p><strong>Clinical trial number: </strong>Not applicable.</p>","PeriodicalId":9144,"journal":{"name":"BMC Pediatrics","volume":"24 1","pages":"828"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11660579/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142863204","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":"Effect of goal-directed perceptual-motor exercise on children with specific learning difficulties: a randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Elif Punar, Ömer Şevgin","doi":"10.1186/s12887-024-05309-6","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12887-024-05309-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Although perceptual interventions focus on sensory and cognitive skills, they significantly enhance the effectiveness of motor interventions by improving coordination, decision-making, and overall engagement in physical activities. A comprehensive literature review has demonstrated that incorporating perceptual interventions into motor exercises is beneficial. While there are several treatment strategies for SLD-diagnosed children, the potential role of goal-directed perceptual-motor exercises has not been studied. This study examined the effectiveness of goal-directed perceptual-motor training on attention, motor skills, and quality of life in children with Specific Learning Disorder (SLD).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This was a randomized clinical study with 38 children diagnosed with SLD between September 2021 and April 2022. The control group (n = 19) received a standard intervention protocol, and the intervention group (n = 19) additionally received a perceptual-motor training program. Bourdon Attention Test, the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test 2-Short Form (BOT2- SF), and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PEDSQL) were used as outcome measures.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The intervention significantly improved attention, fine and gross motor skills, and life quality as evidenced by the within- and between-group comparisons at the end of therapy.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Goal-directed perceptual-motor physical training with cognitive aspects may enhance academic performance, social participation, and life quality for children with SLD by improving basic motor skills. Therefore, the inclusion of physical and task-specific perceptual-motor exercises in educational programs may offer several avenues for cognitive skill development in SLD children.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>The protocol is retrospectively registered with http://clinicaltrials.gov/ (16/August/2023, Clinical Trial, NCT05998083).</p>","PeriodicalId":9144,"journal":{"name":"BMC Pediatrics","volume":"24 1","pages":"820"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11656614/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142852779","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":"Co-existence of autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 3b and undifferentiated connective tissue disease with subacute combined degeneration of spinal cord in children: a case report and literature review.","authors":"Changhui Lang, Pei Huang, Jianmei Gao, Yan Chen, Zhixu He","doi":"10.1186/s12887-024-05262-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12887-024-05262-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The clinical manifestations of subacute combined degeneration of spinal cord (SCD) in children are complex and vary greatly. Notably, some SCD patients may be complicated with autoimmune diseases, leading to high early misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis rates.</p><p><strong>Case presentation: </strong>In this study, a case involving an adolescent female with repetitive severe anemia, multiple joint swelling and pain in the left limbs, and paralysis of the bilateral lower limbs with serum vitamin B12 deficiency, polyglandular involvement, and various positive auto-antibodies (anti‑intrinsic factor antibody, anti‑parietal cell antibody, thyroid peroxidase antibody, thyroid globulin antibody and perinuclear anti‑neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody) is reported. The patient was diagnosed with SCD co-existing with autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 3b (APS 3b) and undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD) based on the symptoms and laboratory tests. However, treatment with high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone pulses, intravenous immunoglobulin, oral naproxen (changed to hydroxychloroquine after 2 weeks), vitamin B12, levothyroxine sodium tablets supplementation, blood transfusion, and rehabilitation significantly improved the patient's condition.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Co-existence of APS 3b, UCTD, and SCD is rare in children with significantly different clinical manifestations. Nonetheless, early diagnosis and timely treatment of SCD are crucial for improving patient outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":9144,"journal":{"name":"BMC Pediatrics","volume":"24 1","pages":"817"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11658093/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142852777","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":"Factors that inhibit the social involvement of children with autism: perspectives of parents in the Cape Coast metropolis.","authors":"Mawulorm Akpeke, Wonder Agbemavi, Kenneth Setorwu Adde","doi":"10.1186/s12887-024-05322-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12887-024-05322-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Many countries, including Ghana, continue to face challenges concerning the social involvement of persons with disabilities such as autism. This study investigated the factors that inhibit the social involvement of children with autism in the Cape Coast Metropolis.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study was conducted in the Cape Coast metropolis. A qualitative interpretivism approach was used. Twenty-three participants were recruited for the study using purposive sampling. An in-depth interview guide was employed for data collection, and thematic analysis was used.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We found that most autistic children do not get the opportunity to be involved in social activities due to their autistic features, socio-cultural and their parents' financial status. The findings also showed that the inability of children with autism to speak fluently and sit for long without being aggressive prevents their inclusion in social activities. However, older children with autism were considered more for activities in the metropolis than those within the younger ages. Financial constraint was a common challenge that prevented some parents from bringing up their children with autism in ways that would make them considerable for social roles.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Factors such as autistic features, sociocultural and financial constraints inhibited the social involvement of children with autism. Underlining these barriers is the issue of inadequate knowledge of autism and financial barriers for parents of children with autism. We, therefore, recommended that the Ghana Health Service and the Ministry of Health to intensify advocacy programs targeted at educating the public on autism to reduce discrimination.</p>","PeriodicalId":9144,"journal":{"name":"BMC Pediatrics","volume":"24 1","pages":"825"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11657964/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142863191","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":"Comparison of INTERGROWTH- 21st and Fenton growth standards to assess size at birth and at discharge in preterm infants in the United Arab Emirates.","authors":"Leila Cheikh Ismail, Maysm N Mohamad, Eric O Ohuma, Mahmoud S ElHalik, Swarup K Dash, Tareq M Osaili, Hayder Hasan, Mona Hashim, Sheima T Saleh, Rameez Al Daour, Simon R Parker, Habiba I Ali, Lily Stojanovska, Ayesha S Al Dhaheri","doi":"10.1186/s12887-024-04928-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12887-024-04928-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Accurate growth assessment of preterm infants is essential in guiding medical care and suitable nutritional interventions. Currently, different growth references are used across hospitals in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This study aims to compare the INTERGROWTH-21st standards with Fenton growth references regarding birth size classification and at the time of discharge in a sample of preterm infants in the UAE.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective single-center evaluation of medical records of infants born < 37 weeks of gestation was conducted using data from 2018 to 2020. Anthropometric measurements (weight, length, and head circumference) were obtained at birth and at the time of discharge, and then converted to percentiles according to the two reference standards.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 1537 infants with a median birth gestation of 35.3 weeks, and a median birthweight of 2320 g were included. The rates of SGA, AGA, and LGA at birth were 11.5%, 80.42%, and 9.08% using INTERGROWTH-21st growth charts compared to 9.5%, 83.2%, and 7.3% respectively according to Fenton charts. The findings indicated statistically significant differences between the two growth charts classifying of preterm infants based on weight, length, and head circumference (p < 0.05). For every 5 cases assessed as SGA at discharge according to Fenton charts, only 3 were classified as SGA by INTERGROWTH-21st curves.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Differences exist between the two growth charts with only moderate agreement. Thus, there is a need for harmonizing growth assessment standards. Misclassification of these vulnerable infants would affect their in-hospital and post-discharge nutrition and medical care plan.</p>","PeriodicalId":9144,"journal":{"name":"BMC Pediatrics","volume":"24 1","pages":"814"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11657247/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142852778","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}