Search Results (2,347)

Phubbing, a relatively new phenomenon in the field of digital risks, refers to the act of ignoring someone in favor of focusing on a smartphone during face-to-face interactions. Parental phubbing, a specific form of this behavior, is a prevalent negative parenting practice that can affect parent–child relationships and child development. However, the impact of parental phubbing on the emotional and behavioral development of preschool children remains unclear. This study aims to explore the relationship between parental phubbing and preschoolers’ behavioral problems, as well as test whether parents’ mindful attention awareness (MAA) acts as a mediator between them. Method: A questionnaire was administered to 138 Italian parents (mean age = 38.5, SD = 6.2) of 138 kindergarten preschoolers (mean age = 3.9, SD = 1.03). Questionnaires included the Generic Scale of Phubbing (GSP), the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Results: Analyses revealed a significant negative correlation between the MAAS and SDQ total scores, a positive correlation between the GSP total score and the SDQ total score, and a negative correlation between the GSP total score and the MAAS total score. The mediation analysis did not show a direct effect of GSP on SDQ, suggesting that parental phubbing did not directly predict children’s behavioral difficulties. Nevertheless, the indirect effect measured by bootstrapping was significant, indicating that parental MAA fully mediated the relationship between parental phubbing and preschoolers’ problematic behaviors. Conclusions: Although further research is needed, parental mindfulness may influence phubbing behaviors in parents providing valuable insights for early interventions aimed at reducing problem behaviors in young children. Full article

Oral health during pregnancy is essential for maternal and child well-being, as hormonal and physiological changes increase women’s susceptibility to oral diseases. Despite the recognized importance of prenatal dental care, adherence to dental services remains a challenge in the public health context. This study aimed to analyze oral health and the use of dental services during pregnancy through the perception of pregnant women. It represents the qualitative phase of a mixed-method study conducted with 25 pregnant women (with and without dental care) receiving prenatal care in the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS). Participants were selected through saturation sampling, and data were collected via semi-structured interviews, followed by content analysis. The findings revealed four major themes: barriers and facilitators to dental care, changes during pregnancy and oral health. Discomfort from oral changes was a common concern. Barriers included misinformation, fear, cultural beliefs, and service organization. In contrast, facilitating factors were identified, such as care prioritization, support from healthcare teams, health education, and access through SUS. This study concludes that emotional, cultural, and contextual aspects shape the use of dental services during pregnancy. Access through SUS is perceived as an important facilitator, which simultaneously presents organizational weaknesses that need to be addressed. Full article

As veganism becomes more popular, the number of vegan pregnant women and children is steadily increasing. During vegan pregnancy and early childhood, there is a high risk for nutrient deficiencies that may impair child development. External factors, such as healthcare advice, social networks, and social environments, that affect the diet of vegan pregnant women, parents, and their children, as well as their approach towards dietary supplementation, have not yet been investigated. Various sources of information, combined with a lack of expertise, sparse food and nutritional health literacy, and qualitatively heterogeneous information provision by medical experts, unsettle vegan pregnant women and parents and affect their dietary choices and potentially the health of their children. The VedieS study aims to investigate potential connections between external influences and associated impacts on a vegan diet and the intake of dietary supplements (DS) of pregnant women and children. Two surveys are being conducted within the study: one targeting 1000 vegan pregnant women and parents, and another targeting 60 experts in each of five healthcare groups: gynecologists, pediatricians, general practitioners, pharmacists, and dietitians. This study is the first to examine how socio-economic, social, and further informational factors influence dietary practices during vegan pregnancy and childhood. It highlights the need for reliable, expert-led guidance, as current information sources are often inconsistent and may put these vulnerable groups at risk. Full article

Background: Maternal and newborn health disparities remain a challenge in Puerto Rico, especially in underserved communities. Comienzo Saludable Puerto Rico, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Healthy Start Initiative (HRSA), addresses these gaps through an integrated Networks of Care model known as Cuidado Compartido. Comienzo Saludable Puerto Rico is a maternal, paternal, and child health program aimed at improving the health and well-being of pregnant women, mothers, fathers, newborns, and children in Puerto Rico, particularly those from disadvantaged communities. Methods: This paper presents the Comienzo Saludable Puerto Rico program’s Cuidado Compartido model to integrate a network of healthcare providers and services across hospitals, community organizations, and families. This model aims to improve maternal and newborn/child health outcomes by focusing on the importance of integrated, hospital-community-based care networks. Results: Participants experienced significant improvements in key birth outcomes: low birth weight prevalence declined by 27.2% compared to the community baseline, premature birth rates decreased by 30.9%, and infant mortality dropped by 75%, reaching 0% by 2021 and remaining there through 2023. These results were complemented by increases in maternal mental health screening, paternal involvement, and breastfeeding practices. Conclusions: The Cuidado Compartido model demonstrates a scalable, culturally responsive strategy to improve maternal, newborn, and child health outcomes. It offers critical insights for implementation in other high-need contexts. Full article

Introduction: Sex-specific differences in psychopharmacological treatment have gained increasing attention in adults, with studies showing that women often have higher serum concentrations of psychotropic drugs due to biological differences. However, despite recognition of these differences in adults, reference ranges for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in general, but even more sex-specific therapeutic windows for psychotropic drugs, are lacking in children and adolescents, who may metabolize and respond to medications differently. Aim: The study aimed to investigate sex-specific differences in antidepressant (AD) and antipsychotic (AP) -treatment outcomes, and pharmacokinetics in childhood/adolescence. In particular, we examined differences in AD and AP serum levels and clinical effects, including adverse drug effects (ADEs) and therapeutic effectiveness. Methods: This study is part of the multicenter “TDM-VIGIL” pharmacovigilance project, which prospectively followed patients aged 6–18 years treated with AD and AP across 18 child psychiatric centers in German-speaking countries from 2014 to 2018. Clinical data, including drug concentrations (AD: fluoxetine, mirtazapine, (es)citalopram, sertraline; AP: aripiprazole, quetiapine, olanzapine, risperidone), were collected using an internet-based registry, and treatment outcomes and ADEs were assessed during routine visits. Statistical analyses were performed to examine sex differences in pharmacokinetics and clinical responses, adjusting for age, weight, and other confounders. Results: A total of 705 patients (66.5% girls, 24.7% <14 years, mean age of 14.6 years) were included. Female patients were slightly older, had lower body weight, and were more often diagnosed with depression and anorexia nervosa, while boys were more frequently diagnosed with hyperkinetic disorders and atypical autism. We found no sex differences in the serum concentrations of investigated drugs when adjusted for age and weight. In fluoxetine treatment in patients diagnosed with mood (affective) disorders, female sex was associated with the probability for very good therapy response (p = 0.04), as well as with moderate treatment response (p = 0.02) compared to no treatment response. Discussion: Our findings suggest that sex may not affect serum levels of investigated AD and AP in children/adolescents. However, treatment outcome of fluoxetine was associated with sex, with higher probability for a better outcome in female patients diagnosed with mood (affective) disorders. Full article

Background: The diagnosis of a disability in a child may significantly impact the entire family system. While existing literature has primarily focused on parental reaction to the diagnosis, little is known about how typically developing siblings process this event. Methods: This exploratory study presented the preliminary psychometric properties of the Reaction to Diagnosis Questionnaire—Sibling Version, adapted from an instrument originally designed to assess parental reaction to the child’s diagnosis. Following a back-translation and adaptation process, a cross-sectional study was conducted on 623 typically developing siblings (M = 24.6 years, SD = 5.76) of individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders or physical disabilities. Results: Exploratory factor analyses supported a refined 32-item questionnaire with two factors—lack of resolution versus resolution, both showing excellent internal reliability. No significant differences were found based on typically developing sibling sex, age, or type of disability of the brother/sister, while correlational analyses indicated that greater disability severity was associated with lower resolution and higher lack of resolution. Conclusions: Results suggested that the Reaction to Diagnosis Questionnaire—Sibling Version is a promising tool for assessing the reaction to the brother/sister diagnosis on behalf of the typically developing siblings. Further research is needed to confirm these results and inform intervention programs promoting well-being and adaptive family functioning. Full article

Background/Objectives: Undernutrition and intestinal parasitic infections are critical public health problems in low-income countries, with adverse effects on child growth and increasing anaemia. Madagascar, with a high prevalence of these factors, lacks comprehensive studies analysing their interaction. This study aimed to assess the nutritional status, the prevalence of anaemia, and the occurrence of intestinal parasitic infections among children and adolescents in three southern regions of Madagascar. Methods: A cross-sectional, prospective study of 289 children and adolescents (10–18 years) from three schools located in Antsoamadiro, Fianarantsoa, and Toliara was conducted. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, and haemoglobin concentration data, as well as faecal samples, were collected. Nutritional status was assessed by Nutrimetry, combining Height-for-Age and BMI-for-Age indicators. Stool samples were analysed by optical microscopy and molecular methods. Results: Nutricode 1 (short stature/stunting + thinness/wasting) was significantly more frequent in Toliara. Nutricode 1 was also significantly more prevalent in males than females. Anaemia affected 57.8% of participants and was significantly associated with Nutricode 1. The overall parasitism rate was also associated with Nutricode 1. Trichuris trichiura and Ascaris lumbricoides significantly increased the risk of stunting, wasting, and Nutricode 1. Co-infection with Trichuris trichiura + Giardia duodenalis was significantly associated with wasting and Nutricode 1. This co-infection was also related to the presence of anaemia, as was moderate-intensity infection with T. trichiura. Conclusions: There is a high co-burden of undernutrition, anaemia, and parasitic infections in southern Madagascar. These findings highlight the urgency of implementing comprehensive health programmes combining parasite control, nutritional support, and iron supplementation adapted to regional realities. Full article

Background: Parents of children with type 1 diabetes play a key role in managing their child’s self-management, which can be stressful and burdensome. High involvement can lead to reactions such as emotional, cognitive, and physical exhaustion in parents. Understanding parents’ psychosocial impact due to their child’s disease is crucial for the family’s overall well-being. The purpose of this study was to describe stress and burden experienced by parents in families with children living with type 1 diabetes. Methods: This study utilized a qualitative approach, analyzing interviews with 16 parents of children aged 10 to 17 years living with T1D through qualitative content analysis. The data collection occurred between January and February 2025. Results: Managing a child’s Type 1 diabetes can be tough on family relationships, affecting how partners interact, intimacy, and sibling relationships. The constant stress and worry might leave parents feeling exhausted, unable to sleep, and struggling to think clearly, on top of the pain of losing a normal everyday life. The delicate balance between allowing a child with type 1 diabetes to be independent and maintaining control over their self-management renders these challenges even more demanding for the parents. Conclusions: Parents’ experiences highlight the need for robust support systems, including dependable school environments, trustworthy technical devices, reliable family and friends, and accessible healthcare guidance. These elements are essential not only for the child’s health and well-being but also for alleviating the emotional and practical burdens parents face. Full article

While gestational Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure has been associated with autism, limited work has focused on dietary sources. Here, we sought to develop a summary metric to capture dietary exposure specifically and test its associations with measured levels, as well as child traits related to autism. Participants (n = 116) were from the Early Autism Risk Longitudinal Investigation (EARLI) Study, which recruited pregnant women who previously had a child diagnosed with autism. Maternal concentrations of BPA were quantified in urine, and dietary sources of BPA were ascertained via food frequency questionnaires during gestation. A novel BPA “dietary burden score” was developed based on reported intake of foods known to contribute to BPA exposure (i.e., canned foods) from a Dietary History Questionnaire modified for pregnancy. Child autism-related traits were assessed via the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS-2). We examined associations between BPA biomarkers, dietary burden scores, and child SRS scores. Dietary burden scores were weakly correlated with urinary BPA concentrations (R = 0.19, p = 0.05) but were not associated with child SRS scores. Our work suggests that more detailed dietary assessments may be needed to fully capture diet-based BPA exposures and address diet as a modifiable source of chemical exposure to reduce associated health impacts of BPA. Full article

In 2023, the USDA reported that 17.9% of U.S. households with children were food insecure, meaning they had limited or uncertain access to adequate food. However, there is evidence that far more children experience food insecurity than is currently being reported, and the effects of that insecurity on child health and development are broad and far-reaching. Childcare and early childhood education centers are particularly well-positioned to make a difference yet are often not discussed in the scientific literature. Childcare arrangements provide meals and snacks to the children they serve, buffer the effects of food insecurity by supporting children’s cognitive and social–emotional development, and provide an important point of intervention for food-insecure families. In this report, we unpack the definition of food insecurity and who is considered food insecure, review how food insecurity impacts child health and development across physical, social–emotional, and cognitive domains, and explore the evidence behind childcare’s role in addressing childhood food insecurity. Additionally, we make recommendations for policy and practice, advocating for a multi-stakeholder approach, with a special focus on how childcare providers can change to best combat children’s food insecurity. Full article

Background: Physical exercise during pregnancy is strongly recommended due to its well-established benefits for both mother and child. However, its impact on the pelvic floor remains insufficiently studied. This study aimed to evaluate pelvic floor adaptations to a structured prenatal exercise program using transperineal ultrasound, and to assess associations with the duration of the second stage of labor and mode of delivery. Methods: This is a planned secondary analysis of a randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) (NCT04563065) including women with singleton pregnancies at 12–14 weeks of gestation. Participants were randomized to either an exercise group, which followed a supervised physical exercise program three times per week, or a control group, which received standard antenatal care. Transperineal ultrasound was used at the second trimester of pregnancy and six months postpartum to measure urogenital hiatus dimensions at rest, during maximal pelvic floor contraction, and during the Valsalva maneuver, to calculate hiatal contractility and distensibility and to evaluate levator ani muscle insertion. Regression analyses were performed to assess the relationship between urogenital hiatus measurements and both duration of the second stage of labor and mode of delivery. Results: A total of 78 participants were included in the final analysis: 41 in the control group and 37 in the exercise group. The anteroposterior diameter of the urogenital hiatus at rest was significantly smaller in the exercise group compared to controls (4.60 mm [SD 0.62] vs. 4.91 mm [SD 0.76]; p = 0.049). No other statistically significant differences were observed in static measurements. However, contractility was significantly reduced in the exercise group for both the latero-lateral diameter (8.54% vs. 4.04%; p = 0.012) and hiatus area (20.15% vs. 12.55%; p = 0.020). Distensibility was similar between groups. There were no significant differences in the duration of the second stage of labor or mode of delivery. Six months after delivery, there was an absolute risk reduction of 32.5% of levator ani muscle avulsion in the exercise group compared to the control group (53.3% and 20.8%, respectively; p = 0.009). Conclusions: A supervised exercise program during pregnancy appears to modify pelvic floor morphology and function, reducing the incidence of levator ani muscle avulsion without affecting the type or duration of delivery. These findings support the safety and potential protective role of prenatal exercise in maintaining pelvic floor integrity. Full article

Maternal mental illness significantly impacts caregiving, influencing both mothers and their children. This narrative review examines the challenges faced by mothers with conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, which often disrupt caregiving routines, emotional stability, and social integration. These difficulties can hinder secure attachments and contribute to adverse developmental outcomes in children, including heightened risks of anxiety, depression, behavioral issues, and cognitive impairments. Children of mothers with mental illnesses are 1.8 times more likely to develop emotional or behavioral problems and face a 2.7 times higher risk of suicidal ideation during adolescence. Intergenerational transmission of mental illness is also prevalent, with affected children showing a 2.5 times greater likelihood of developing mental illnesses in adulthood. Effective interventions include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), family-based approaches, and community programs integrating parenting education and mental health resources. These strategies have demonstrated improvements in maternal well-being and child resilience. The review highlights the need for comprehensive policies addressing maternal mental health, early intervention for children, and culturally sensitive support systems to break cycles of intergenerational mental illness. Future research should prioritize evaluating long-term intervention effectiveness and exploring innovative tools like digital mental illnesses solutions to support affected families. Full article

Geographic disparities threaten equitable access for children to health-promoting safe green spaces, and quality early education in the communities in which they live and grow. To address gaps in the field, we integrated the fields of developmental psychology, public health, and environmental science to examine, at the population level, associations between the environmental burden, socioeconomic vulnerability, and kindergarten readiness in a diverse urban county. Three administrative datasets were integrated through an early childhood data sharing research partnership in Miami-Dade County. The Bruner Child Raising Vulnerability Index, the five domains of the Environmental Burden module from the Environmental Justice Index, and public school kindergarten readiness scores were aggregated at the census tract level. Analysis of variance and multiple regression analyses found associations between socioeconomic vulnerability and race/ethnicity. The socioeconomic vulnerability levels were highest in census tracts with a higher percentage of Black residents, compared to all other races/ethnicities. Areas of greater social vulnerability had lower kindergarten readiness and a higher environmental burden. A higher environmental burden predicted lower kindergarten readiness scores above and beyond race/ethnicity and socioeconomic vulnerability. The findings advance our understanding of global challenges to sustainable healthy child development, such as the persistence of a disproportionate environmental burden and inequitable access to resources such as green spaces and early education programs. The present study results can inform community health improvement plans to reduce risk exposures and promote greater access to positive environmental and educational resources for all children. Full article

Background/Objectives: Growing pains are a common cause of recurrent limb pain in children, but their etiology remains unclear. Physical activity and nutrition are important factors for musculoskeletal health, but their specific relationship with growing pains has not been well established in young athletes. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of growing pains in child and adolescent athletes and evaluate their adherence to the Mediterranean Diet. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 916 athletes aged 8–17 years from sports academies in Alicante, Spain. Data were collected via an online survey assessing demographics, pain types, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Results: Self-reported pain was highly prevalent, affecting 78.5% of children and 93.5% of adolescents. Musculoskeletal and nocturnal pain increased with age, with nocturnal pain significantly more frequent in girls among children (p < 0.001). Additionally, 32.6% of children and 51.9% of adolescents had received a formal diagnosis of growing pains. Despite this, only 13.7% reported using analgesics, with no significant gender differences. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was mostly moderate, with children reporting higher fruit and vegetable intake than adolescents, while adolescents consumed more healthy fats and carbohydrates, and participants without pain showed overall healthier dietary patterns. Conclusions: Idiopathic musculoskeletal pain is highly prevalent among young athletes, and their adherence to a healthy diet is suboptimal, challenging the assumption that physically active children maintain well-balanced diets. This underscores the importance of early nutritional education as a strategy to support musculoskeletal health and reduce pain in physically active youth. Full article

Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often experience sensory hyperreactivities that interfere with daily life activities. White noise, characterized by its uniformity and its ability to mask environmental sounds, may serve as a tool to improve sensory and emotional regulation in children with ASD. The primary objective was to evaluate the response to white noise in improving self-regulation in minors with ASD. As a secondary objective, the study assessed whether there were differences in the response to white noise between patients with ASD and those with ASD and Intellectual Disability (ID). This study was conducted in the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology Department of Hospital Clínic of Barcelona. A total of 54 patients, aged between 7 and 17 years, were included. The patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 consisted of patients diagnosed with ASD (n = 21), and Group 2 included patients diagnosed with ASD and ID (n = 33). White noise was offered to the patients, and their response was evaluated before and after the exposure using the Conners Teacher Rating Scale. Overall, the response to white noise in the sample was positive, with a significant difference in scores on the Conners Teacher Rating Scale (p < 0.001). When dividing the sample into the ASD group and the ASD + ID group, it was observed that the ASD + ID group tolerated white noise better and had a longer exposure time, although both groups showed improved scores on the Conners Teacher Rating Scale. White noise may be a valuable tool to enhance well-being in individuals with ASD, reduce motor restlessness, and increase attention span and emotional stability. However, its effectiveness varies across individuals. It is recommended to tailor its use to individual needs and to extend future research by incorporating physiological measures and larger sample sizes. Full article