Search Results (10)

It is well known that N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis (NMDARE) can be triggered by infectious encephalitis such as herpes simplex virus 1 encephalitis (HSE). However, the incidence of post-HSE NMDARE in Denmark is unknown. We reviewed literature cases and compared these to retrospectively identified cases of post-HSE NMDARE in Denmark, using a national cohort database of autoimmune encephalitis (AE) and two regional databases of infectious encephalitis patients. We identified 80 post-HSE NMDARE cases in the literature, 66% being children, who more often presented movement disorders, decreased consciousness, and sleep disturbances compared to adults. Eight patients with post-HSE NMDARE were identified from the national cohort database of AE, none being children. Forty-four HSE patients were identified from the regional infectious encephalitis databases. Of these, 16 (36%) fulfilled the Graus criteria for probable/definite NMDARE, and eight (18%) presented a prolonged/relapsing disease course. Ten (23%) were tested for AE during hospitalization. Six (14%) had leftover cerebrospinal fluid available for retrospective autoantibody testing. One out of these six patients (17%) harbored NMDARE antibodies. Thus, in total, nine post-HSE NMDARE patients have been identified in Denmark from 2009 to 2021. Comparing the adult Danish patients to the literature, Danish patients were older, but the clinical phenotype and paraclinical findings were similar. Overall, the incidence of adult post-HSE NMDARE in the Region of Southern Denmark was 0.17 per million people per year and only 7% of adult HSE patients in the region were diagnosed with post-HSE NMDARE. Our findings suggest that adult patients are still underdiagnosed and the absence of pediatric cases diagnosed with post-HSE NMDARE in Denmark is highly concerning. Full article

Background: In the diasporic eastern coastal region of China, leftover children are a unique group of children; their social adaptation challenges are more prominent due to transnational separation from parents. This study explores the relationship between parent-offspring communication and school adaptation among leftover children. Methods: We administered questionnaires to 957 children from six schools in June and December of 2022. All students in the sample were randomly selected from within the classrooms. In total, 561 (47.95% female, mean age = 12.84, SD = 0.95) of them were leftover children. Self-report questionnaires on communication with their parents, school adaptation, companionship, and feelings of safety were used in this investigation We subsequently used SPSS software and the PROCESS plugin to analyze the relationships between variables. Results: A significant and positive relationship was found between parent-offspring communication and school adaptation in leftover children. Companionship mediated this effect. Additionally, the impact of parent-offspring communication on companionship was moderated by a sense of safety. Conclusions: The study concluded that parent-offspring communication, school adaptation, companionship, and a sense of safety were all positively correlated. In addition, companionship partially mediated the relationship between parent-offspring communication and school adaptation. Moreover, a sense of safety played a moderating role. These conclusions can provide empirical support for improving the school adaptation of leftover children. Full article

This single-centre, open-label, randomised, parallel-group study assessed the acceptability, swallowability, palatability, and safety of film-coated, 3 mm diameter mini-tablets in children aged ≥2–<7 years. In total, 300 participants were randomised (2:2:1:1) to receive a single oral administration of 16 (group A) or 32 (group B) mini-tablets with soft food or 16 (group C) or 32 (group D) mini-tablets with water. Children in each group were stratified by age group (2–<3 years; 3–<4 years; 4–<5 years; 5–<6 years; and 6–<7 years). Groups C and D were pooled for statistical analyses. The rates of acceptability (swallowed ≥80% of the mini-tablets with or without chewing), swallowability (swallowed all mini-tablets without chewing or any leftover), and palatability (positive/neutral responses) were ≥80.0%, ≥42.0%, and ≥82.0%, respectively, across the study groups. No marked differences were observed between groups or across age groups. No adverse events or issues of clinical relevance with deglutition were reported. Mini-tablets taken with soft food or water provide a suitable method for administering medicines to children aged ≥2–<7 years. This study was registered in the German Clinical Trial Register (No. DRKS00024617). Full article

Minitablets have garnered interest as a new paediatric formulation that is easier to swallow than liquid formulations. In Japan, besides the latter, fine granules are frequently used for children. We examined the swallowability of multiple drug-free minitablets and compared it with that of fine granules and liquid formulations in 40 children of two age groups (n = 20 each, aged 6–11 and 12–23 months). We compared the percentage of children who could swallow minitablets without chewing with that of children who could swallow fine granules or liquid formulations without leftover. The children who visited the paediatric department of Showa University Hospital were enrolled. Their caregivers were allowed to choose the administration method. In total, 37 out of 40 caregivers dispersed the fine granules in water. Significantly more children (80%, 95% CI: 56–94%) aged 6–11 months could swallow the minitablets than those who could swallow all the dispersed fine granules and liquid formulations (22%, 95% CI: 6–47% and 35%, 95% CI: 15–59%, respectively). No significant differences were observed in children aged 12–23 months. Hence, minitablets may be easier to swallow than dispersed fine granules and liquid formulations in children aged 6–11 months. Full article

Food waste is a major environmental issue that must be tackled in order to achieve a sustainable food supply chain. Currently, in Spain there are no studies that examine the amounts and sources of plate waste (PW) produced by both household and out-of-home consumption. The present study aims to provide this information from a representative sample from the Spanish population. A total of 2009 individuals aged 9–75 years, from the ANIBES study (“anthropometric data, macronutrients and micronutrients intake, practice of physical activity, socioeconomic data and lifestyles in Spain”), completed a three-day dietary record, collected by a tablet device. Photographs of all foods and beverages consumed both at home and outside were taken before and after meals. Median PW across the total population was 7.3 (0.0–37.3) g/day and was significantly higher in females than males (p < 0.05) and in children vs. adolescents, adults, and elderly (p < 0.01). Regarding meals, PW across all age groups was higher at lunch (40%), dinner (27%), and breakfast (11%). The highest PW was observed for bread (25%) main courses (16%), first and second courses (15%), vegetables and fruits (12%), ready-to-eat meals (10%), cereals and grains (10%), oils and fats (10%), pulses (10%), meat products (8%), sauces and condiments (8%), and starters (8%). Our results reinforce the need for new strategies to focus on reducing plate leftovers, which are crucial from a nutritional, economic, and environmental point of view. Additionally, this evidence is important for relying on more accurate information on actual intakes when using dietary surveys. Full article

Children regularly consume foods from quick service restaurants (QSRs) in the United States, but little is known about how ordering decisions are made and the impact on selection and consumption. A total of n = 218 parents dining with a child (ages 4–16 years) inside a participating QSR completed interviews and demographic surveys and provided their child’s leftover foods at the end of the meal. Children’s meal consumption was measured using plate-waste methodology. The majority of children selected their meal without parental involvement (80%) and decided what to order prior to entering the QSR (63%). Using mixed-model analysis of variance, children selected and consumed significantly fewer calories and less total fat and sodium when a parent ordered the meal compared with when the child ordered the meal alone. There were no significant differences in selection or consumption when a parent and child ordered the meal together. Approximately one-third of the children consumed foods that were shared. In conclusion, because children primarily select foods without parental involvement and prior to entering QSRs, innovative strategies are needed to influence ordering decisions inside QSRs toward healthier options. Additionally, because food is frequently shared, policies that only focus on children’s menus may not be as effective in impacting children’s dietary intake. Full article

Background: Food safety is a major public health consideration during athletic events. On 27 June 2019, the Hellenic National Public Health Organization was notified of a cluster of gastroenteritis cases among athletes of four of the 47 teams participating at the Panhellenic Handball Championship for children. Methods: A retrospective cohort study among the members of the four teams was performed. The local public health authority visited the restaurants where common meals took place, amassed information on the preparation of meals, and collected samples of leftovers. Stool samples were tested for Salmonella spp. and Shigella spp. Results: Consumption of minced beef had a statistically significant association with disease occurrence [RR:8.29 (95%CI 1,31-52,7)]. Samples of meat were found positive for Clostridium perfringens. It was documented that the meat was not stored and re-heated as indicated. Stool samples were negative for Salmonella spp. and Shigella spp. and were not tested for the Clostridium perfringens toxin. Conclusion: Specific standards should be kept to prevent outbreaks during athletic events. This was the first time that a foodborne outbreak due to Clostridium perfringens was investigated in the country. Laboratory investigation for toxins should be enhanced, especially in foodborne outbreaks where clinical manifestations of cases are found to be compatible with infection caused by a toxin. Full article

Diarrhoeal disease remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the under-five population, particularly in low income settings such as sub-Saharan Africa. Despite significant progress in sanitation and water access, faecal-oral infections persist in these populations. Therefore, a better understanding of these transmission pathways, and how potential risk factors can be reduced within low income contexts is needed. This study, conducted in Southern Malawi from June to October 2017, used a mixed methods approach to collect data from household surveys (n = 323), checklists (n = 31), structured observations (n = 80), and microbiological food samples (n = 20). Results showed that food prepared for immediate consumption (primarily porridge for children) posed a low health risk. Poor hygiene practices increased the risk of contamination from shared family meals. Faecal and Staphylococcal bacteria were associated with poor hand hygiene and unhygienic eating conditions. Leftover food storage and inadequate pre-consumption heating increased the risk of contamination. Improvements in food hygiene and hand hygiene practices at critical points could reduce the risk of diarrhoeal disease for children under 2 years but must consider the contextual structural barriers to improved practice like access to handwashing facilities, soap, food and water storage. Full article

Background: Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutritional problems in the world. It is frequent in both developed and developing countries and mainly affects women of childbearing age and children. Methods: Results were derived from the ANIBES cross-sectional study using a nationally-representative sample of the Spanish population (9–75 years, n = 2009). A three-day dietary record, collected by means of a tablet device, was used to obtain information about food and beverage consumption and leftovers. Results: Total median dietary iron intake was 9.8 mg/day for women and 11.3 mg/day for men. Highest intakes were observed among plausible adolescent reporters (13.3 mg/day), followed by adults (13.0 mg/day), elderly (12.7 mg/day), and children (12.2 mg/day). Prevalence of adequacy for iron intakes as assessed by EFSA criteria was higher than for the Spanish Recommended Iron Intake values in all age groups. Females had lower adequacy than males for both criteria, 27.3% and 17.0% vs. 77.2% and 57.0% respectively. Cereals or grains (26.7%–27.4%), meats and derivatives (19.8%–22.7%), and vegetables (10.3%–12.4%) were the major iron contributors. Conclusion: Higher iron intakes were observed in adolescents and were highest for non-heme iron. The prevalence of adequate iron intake according to EFSA criteria was higher than compared to national recommendations, and women had the lowest intakes. Therefore, there is a need to define standard dietary reference intake to determine inadequate iron intakes in the Spanish population. Full article

Energy intake, and the foods and beverages contributing to that, are considered key to understanding the high obesity prevalence worldwide. The relative contributions of energy intake and expenditure to the obesity epidemic, however, remain poorly defined in Spain. The purpose of this study was to contribute to updating data of dietary energy intake and its main sources from food and beverages, according to gender and age. These data were derived from the ANIBES (“Anthropometry, Intake, and Energy Balance in Spain”) study, a cross-sectional study of a nationally representative sample of the Spanish population (from 9–75 years old). A three-day dietary record, collected by means of a tablet device, was used to obtain information about food and beverage consumption and leftovers. The final sample comprised 2009 individuals (1,013 men, 996 women). The observed mean dietary energy intake was 7.6 ± 2.11 MJ/day (8.2 ± 2.22 MJ/day for men and 6.9 ± 1.79 MJ/day for women). The highest intakes were observed among adolescents aged 13–17 years (8.4 MJ/day), followed by children 9–12 years (8.2 ± 1.80 MJ/day), adults aged 18–64 (7.6 ± 2.14 MJ/day) and older adults aged 65–75 years (6.8 ± 1.88 MJ/day). Cereals or grains (27.4%), meats and derivatives (15.2%), oils and fats (12.3%), and milk and dairy products (11.8%) contributed most to daily energy intake. Energy contributions from non-alcoholic beverages (3.9%), fish and shellfish (3.6%), sugars and sweets (3.3%) and alcoholic beverages (2.6%) were moderate to minor. Contributions to caloric profile were 16.8%E from proteins; 41.1%E from carbohydrates, including 1.4%E from fiber; 38.5%E from fats; and 1.9%E from alcohol intake. We can conclude that energy intake is decreasing in the Spanish population. A variety of food and beverage groups contribute to energy intake; however, it is necessary to reinforce efforts for better adherence to the traditional Mediterranean diet. Full article