Search Results (244)

Aim: Pacifiers play a critical role in the early stages of craniofacial and palate development during infancy. While they provide comfort and aid in soothing, their use can also have significant impacts on the growth and function of the oral cavity. This study aimed to simulate and predict the behavior of six different types of pacifiers and their functional interaction with the tongue and palate, with the goal of understanding their potential effects on orofacial growth and development. Materials and Methods: Biomechanical analysis using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) mathematical models was employed to evaluate the behavior of six different commercial pacifiers in contact with the palate and tongue. Three-dimensional solid models of the palate and tongue were based on the mathematical framework from a 2007 publication. This allowed for a detailed investigation into how various pacifier designs interact with soft and hard oral tissues, particularly the implications on dental and skeletal development. Results: The findings of this study demonstrate that pacifiers exhibit different interactions with the oral cavity depending on their geometry. Anatomical–functional pacifiers, for instance, tend to exert lateral compressions near the palatine vault, which can influence the hard palate and contribute to changes in craniofacial growth. In contrast, other pacifiers apply compressive forces primarily in the anterior region of the palate, particularly in the premaxilla area. Furthermore, the deformation of the tongue varied significantly across different pacifier types: while some pacifiers caused the tongue to flatten, others allowed it to adapt more favorably by assuming a concave shape. These variations highlight the importance of selecting a pacifier that aligns with the natural development of both soft and hard oral tissues. Conclusions: The results of this study underscore the crucial role of pacifier geometry in shaping both the palate and the tongue. These findings suggest that pacifiers have a significant influence not only on facial bone growth but also on the stimulation of oral functions such as suction and feeding. The geometry of the pacifier affects the soft tissues (tongue and muscles) and hard tissues (palate and jaw) differently, which emphasizes the need for careful selection of pacifiers during infancy. Choosing the right pacifier is essential to avoid potential negative effects on craniofacial development and to ensure that the benefits of proper oral function are maintained. Therefore, healthcare professionals and parents should consider these biomechanical factors when introducing pacifiers to newborns. Full article

Background: Patients with Down syndrome (DS) commonly experience psychological and mental problems. Studying the quality of life (QoL) of children with DS is important because it increases knowledge related to understanding the challenges that this group may face. This study aims to examine the QoL of children with DS from a parental perspective in terms of physical, emotional, social, and school domains, depending on several factors, and identify demographic characteristics of their parents that may affect their QoL. Methods: This online survey study was conducted in Saudi Arabia between November 2024 and March 2025. The inclusion criteria targeted parents of children with confirmed DS diagnoses aged between 8 and 18 years. Results: The findings of this study showed that children with DS aged between 0 and 2 years had significantly lower QoL scores (10.18 ± 3.83) compared to other age groups (p = 0.02). In addition, gender differences were significant in the emotional (p = 0.03), social (p = 0.01), and school (p = 0.01) domains, with females scoring lower QoL scores in all areas compared to males. Moreover, educational level showed significant results across all domains, particularly for children with no education, who had the lowest QoL scores in the physical domain (22.34 ± 7.53, p = 0.004), emotional domain (10.41 ± 3.79, p = 0.003), social domain (11.22 ± 4.06, p = 0.001), and school domain (8.75 ± 5.09, p = 0.001). The findings of this study showed that children with DS who are in primary school (odds ratio (OR) = 5.90, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.85–18.78, p = 0.003) and middle school (OR = 5.27, 95% CI: 1.44–19.31, p = 0.012) had significantly higher odds of better QoL compared to children with no formal education. Additionally, children cared for by their fathers had significantly lower odds compared to those cared for by their mothers (OR = 0.07, 95% CI: 0.01–0.90, p = 0.041). None of the demographic characteristics of caregivers reached a statistical significance level to have influence on caregivers QoL (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The findings of this study demonstrated a low level of QoL, affecting the emotional, social, and school domains, especially among female children with DS aged between 0 and 2 years with no formal education and cared for by their fathers. Governments should develop a comprehensive plan to care for these children and families in order to enhance their rights and quality of life, thereby placing emphasis on those who exhibit parameters related to a lower QoL. Full article

Background/Objectives: Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) is a lateral curvature of the spine combined with rotation and associated postural changes. Curves are classified according to direction and the spinal region, with right thoracic curves being a common presentation. Curve magnitude is measured using Cobb angles on radiographs and is used to monitor curve progression, with one of the main aims of treatment being prevention of progression to surgical levels. Treatment options may include observation, physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercises (PSSE), thoracolumbosacral orthotic (TLSO) bracing, or surgery and are dependent on curve magnitude, risk of progression, and patient goals. Methods: This case series includes five patients (four female and one male, mean age of 14.8 y) who received previous non-surgical treatment without success and had severe right thoracic AIS with an average Cobb angle measurement of 53.4°, involving spinal curve magnitudes that warrant surgical recommendation. Results: These patients’ curves were successfully reduced to nonsurgical levels utilizing a non-surgical, multimodal treatment approach combining 3D corrective TLSO bracing using the ScoliBrace^®, PSSEs, and spinal rehabilitation over an average of 37.0 months. The average Cobb angle reduced from 53.4° to 29.6° (44.6% reduction) after being weaned off treatment. Conclusions: This series has shown successful, clinically significant improvement in Cobb angle and trunk symmetry in five patients with severe AIS using a non-surgical, multimodal approach combining 3D corrective TLSO bracing using the ScoliBrace^® and spinal rehabilitation procedures. Further investigation into this multimodal non-surgical approach for children, parents, and healthcare providers and policymakers seeking an alternative to surgical intervention for AIS is warranted. Full article

Introduction: Fraser syndrome (FS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder. However, the clinical presentation remains variable. Diagnosis is based on a series of major and minor clinical criteria that can be supported by genetic tests. Prenatal diagnosis remains challenging. Methods: Herein, we reported a case of Fraser syndrome that was missed by ultrasound and diagnosed late at birth. The newborn presented with cryptophthalmos–syndactyly syndrome and absence of the right kidney. Based on a literature review of articles from the past 20 years, the authors found 40 cases, including indexed cases on PUBMED, Scopus, Web of Science, and Scholar using keywords related to “Fraser syndrome”. Through this report, we discuss the polymalformative syndrome, the clinical and paraclinical aspects of this syndrome, its clinical management, and highlight the importance of prenatal diagnosis in the light of research. Results: Our study found that consanguine parents (41.0%) were increasing risk factors for FS and poor socio-economic status delayed the early detection of FS. Among the 40 cases, 27 cases were detected postnatally. More than half of the cases resulted in poor perinatal outcomes. The common findings were cryptophthalmos (87.5%), syndactyly (87.5%), renal abnormalities (55.5%), and genital abnormalities (42.5%). Conclusions: A prenatal diagnosis of Fraser syndrome is still difficult. Thus, a counseled ultrasound scan at a specialized center should be recommended in suspected cases with indirect signs and risk factors of consanguinity. Full article

Background: The provision of education, health, and social care for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in England has long been criticised for its inequities and chronic underfunding. These systemic issues were further exacerbated by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the accompanying restrictions, which disrupted essential services and resulted in widespread unmet needs and infringements on the rights of many children with SEND. This study aimed to use a three-phase consensus-building approach with 1353 participants across five stakeholder groups to collaboratively develop evidence-informed priorities for policy and practice. The priorities sought to help address the longstanding disparities and respond to the intensified challenges brought about by the pandemic. Methods: A total of 55 children with SEND (aged 5–16), 893 parents/carers, and 307 professionals working in SEND-related services participated in the first phase through online surveys. This was followed by semi-structured interviews with four children and young people, ten parents/carers, and 15 professionals, allowing for deeper exploration of lived experiences and priorities. The data were analysed, synthesised, and structured into five overarching areas of priority. These were subsequently discussed and refined in a series of activity-based group workshops involving 20 children with SEND, 11 parents/carers, and 38 professionals. Results and Conclusions: The consensus-building process led to the identification of key priorities for both pandemic response and longer-term recovery, highlighting the responsibilities of central Government and statutory services to consider and meet the needs of children with SEND. These priorities are framed within a children’s rights context and considered against the rights and duties set out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989). Priorities include protecting and promoting children with SEND’s rights to (1) play, socialise, and be part of a community, (2) receive support for their social and emotional wellbeing and mental health, (3) feel safe, belong, and learn in school, (4) “access health and social care services and therapies”, and (5) receive support for their parents/carers and families. Together, they highlight the urgent need for structural reform to ensure that children with SEND receive the support they are entitled to—not only in times of crisis but as a matter of routine practice and policy. Full article

Historically, pharmacological interventions aimed at platelets have targeted their canonical hemostatic and thrombotic roles. The therapeutic vision, however, has minimally embraced alternate mechanisms by which anucleate platelets, their parent cells, megakaryocytes, and cellular derivatives may be utilized to yield novel and effective therapies. Platelets contain storage granules rich in a wide variety of proteins, chemicals, growth factors, and lipid particles that can modulate the fate and activity of diverse cell types, and impact diseases not previously thought to have a platelet component. In this article, we will address unconventional platelet contributions to health and disease development. Recent studies indicate extensive platelet roles in neurodegeneration, insulin secretion, and bone marrow fibrosis, along with a recognition of platelets as immune cells in their own right, partially based on the presence of surface MHC, Toll-like receptors, and stored immunomodulatory molecules. Recent technological advances have produced iPS-derived gene-editable megakaryocytes (MKs) that have been differentiated to clinical-grade platelets for transfusion; however, such successes are still rare. Continued improvements in the standardization of cell isolation, iPS differentiation protocols, technology for the utilization of platelet derivatives, and platelet Omics will expand our understanding of underlying platelet and MK heterogeneity and direct novel therapeutic applications. Furthermore, additional roles for these cells as microniche sensors that monitor systemic pathology by endocytosing shed particles as they circulate through the vasculature will be explored. Taken together, novel insights into the many exciting potential uses of platelets outside of their canonical roles are on the horizon, and continued amelioration of existing protocols and enhanced understanding of communication pathways between platelets and specific cells will help expand opportunities for platelet-related clinical trials to yield improved health outcomes. Full article

Adequate and diverse diets are essential for children’s physical and cognitive development, yet food insecurity and malnutrition continue to threaten this fundamental right, which remains a pressing concern in many resource-poor settings. This study investigated food and nutrition security in Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres in Makhanda, South Africa, through a community-based participatory research approach. Using a mixed-methods approach combining questionnaire interviews, focus group discussions, direct observations, and community asset mapping across eight ECD centres enrolling 307 children aged 0–5 years, the study engaged ECD facilitators and analysed dietary practices across these centres. Results indicated that financial constraints severely affect the quality and diversity of food provided at the centres, thus undermining the ability to provide nutritionally adequate meals. The average amount spent on food per child per month at the centres was R90 ± R25 (South African Rand). Although three meals were generally offered daily, cost-driven dietary substitutions with cheaper, less diverse alternatives, often at the expense of nutritional value, were common. Despite guidance from Department of Health dieticians, financial limitations contributed to suboptimal feeding practices, with diets dominated by grains and starchy foods, with limited access to and rare consumption of protein-rich foods, dairy, and vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables. ECD facilitators noted insufficient parental contributions and low engagement in supporting centre operations and child nutrition provision, indicating a gap in awareness and limited nutrition knowledge regarding optimal infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices. The findings emphasise the need for sustainable, multi-level and community-led interventions, including food gardening, creating ECD centre food banks, parental nutrition education programmes, and enhanced financial literacy among ECD facilitators. Strengthening local food systems and establishing collaborative partnerships with communities and policymakers are essential to improve the nutritional environment in ECD settings. Similarly, enhanced government support mechanisms and policy-level reforms are critical to ensure that children in resource-poor areas receive adequate nutrition. Future research should focus on scalable, locally anchored models for sustainable child nutrition interventions that are contextually grounded, community-driven, and should strengthen the resilience of ECD centres in South Africa. Full article

Background/Objectives: Conduct Disorder (CD) involves persistent behavior violating societal norms and others’ rights. A subgroup of adolescents with CD exhibits callous–unemotional (CU) traits, which are linked to severe antisocial behavior and poorer long-term outcomes. Research suggests parenting plays an important role in the development of CU traits. However, few studies have explored the role of maternal and paternal parenting practices mediating the link between CU traits and violence within the same study. Methods: This study included 222 adolescents with Conduct Disorder (M_age = 15.7, 68% male) and examined whether perceived parental warmth and hostility, measured using the Quality of Parental Relationships, mediated the association between callous–unemotional (CU) traits and youth involvement in violent crime and gun violence, assessed via the Violent Crime Assessment and Gun Violence Questionnaire. Results: Double mediation models showed that only maternal hostility mediated the link between CU traits and violence, while maternal warmth and paternal parenting practices did not. Conclusions: Findings emphasize the role of maternal hostility in exacerbating violence, including gun violence, among adolescents with CD and CU traits. Full article

To evaluate and compare the awareness and implementation of children’s rights in pediatric hospital settings from the perspectives of parents and children, this study emphasizes ethical considerations in healthcare, focusing on communication practices, privacy, and participation rights. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the largest pediatric hospital in Greece between February and April 2023. A total of 250 parents and 150 children participated. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire assessing six domains of children’s rights: access to information, participation, privacy, non-discrimination, play and recreation, and parental support. Statistical analysis included chi-square tests for categorical variables, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Significant discrepancies were identified between parents and children in their awareness of children’s rights. Only 2.9% of children were aware of printed lists of rights, and 46.3% of parents reported not knowing of their existence (p = 0.005). Children evaluated communication practices, such as the use of child-friendly language, more positively than parents (p = 0.02). Parents reported higher satisfaction with explanations of health conditions, treatments, and medication side effects (p < 0.001). Regarding privacy, children rated room allocation and privacy practices during examinations less positively than parents (p = 0.02). Conclusions: The study highlights critical gaps in the communication and implementation of children’s rights within pediatric hospitals. Tailored interventions, including staff training, development of child-friendly materials, and policy adjustments, are necessary to bridge these gaps and ensure an ethically sound healthcare environment that prioritizes the rights and well-being of both children and their families. Full article

Latvia after the collapse of the Soviet Union regained its independence in 1991. Since then, many political and social reforms have been introduced, minority education among them. Latvia began gradually abandoning the use of minority languages as mediums of instruction and switching to teaching exclusively in Latvian as the sole state language. This caused protests by minority groups, especially by Russians—the largest minority group in Latvia. The article examines 77 online news articles by Latvian, Russian, and European media covering protests against minority education reform in Latvia between 2004 and 2024. Each news article used at least one photograph/video of placard(s) with written information from the protests. The aim of the article is to understand how different media represent the linguistic landscape of protests against minority education reform and what are the main discourses they create and maintain regarding to the linguistic landscape of such protests in Latvia. The description of the linguistic landscapes shows three main trends: (1) only journalists (most often anonymous) describe the written information expressed at the protests, (2) emphasis is on the number of placard holders at the protests, their age and affiliation with minority support organizations and political parties, (3) author(s) quote individual slogans, more often demonstrated from one protest to another, without disclosing in which language they were originally written and what problems (within and behind the language education) they highlight or conceal. The main narratives that are reinforced through the descriptions of the linguistic landscapes included in the articles are two: (1) the Russian community is united and persistent in the fight against the ethnolinguistically unjust education policy pursued by the government, and (2) students, parents, and the Russian community should have the right to choose which educational program to study at school. Full article

One in four students in the United States is part of an immigrant family. The purpose of this study is to enhance our understanding of the barriers that immigrant students experience in US public schools by critically analyzing how newspapers portray barriers to success, as the goals and processes used in media differ from those of peer-reviewed research. The authors used a document analysis, a qualitative research methodology, and reviewed 67 newspaper articles on immigrant children struggling in US schools. The results show that immigrant students struggle with language barriers, discrimination, mental health, financial stress associated with higher education in the US, lack of preparedness and resources to provide education, lack of familiarity with policy, lack of cultural knowledge about the US, lack of parent involvement, and work and familial obligations. Results also indicate that newspapers published more articles about immigrant struggles during certain time periods, such as Spring 2015 through Winter 2016 and again Summer 2020 through Spring 2021. The paper provides implications for (1) research, suggesting a need for more qualitative primary data collection, (2) practice, including enhanced training, improved mental health referrals and collaborations, and (3) policy, which could include welcoming policies at the school level and advocacy efforts for immigrant student rights under the incoming presidential administration. Full article

In Chile, lesbian-parent families have faced legal and social advancements as well as challenges, generating new dynamics through assisted reproduction. The reproductive justice framework allows for an analysis of the inequities and injustices experienced by LGBTIQA+ people in relation to their reproductive rights. Objective: To analyze the narratives of lesbian-parent families who have accessed parenthood through assisted reproduction techniques within the Chilean healthcare system, identifying barriers and facilitators in the process, as well as possible instances of discrimination. Methodology: This research adopted a qualitative approach with a descriptive scope and was based on a constructivist paradigm, utilizing a narrative design and analysis. Four lesbian-parent families participated, selected through purposive or convenience sampling. Results: The findings revealed that the main barriers were related to health insurance coverage and social and geographical factors. Among the key facilitators were support networks, educational level, and healthcare professionals’ guidance. Discussion: The study highlighted the presence of inequalities affecting the exercise of parenthood and the right to form a family, shaped by institutional and social barriers from a reproductive justice framework. Conclusions: The study underscores the need to advance inclusive public policies and systemic changes that recognize and protect family diversity in Chile. Furthermore, it highlights the role of narratives as a tool to make visible and challenge the inequalities surrounding lesbian parenthood. Full article

This study examines how the Norwegian Child Welfare Tribunal justifies regulating telephone and digital communication between children in public care and their parents. The regulation of such contact represents a distinct form of state interference in family life and must adhere to principles of necessity, proportionality, and respect for children’s rights. Using a thematic analysis of 34 Tribunal decisions involving 44 children, the study identifies four central themes: ensuring stability and emotional security, addressing parental behavior, balancing proportionality and necessity, and considering the child’s view. The Tribunal’s reasoning often reflects a cautious, preventive approach, prioritizing emotional stability. However, the lack of transparent assessments of necessity and inconsistent inclusion of children’s perspectives raises concerns about proportionality and children’s autonomy. Additionally, the limited involvement of children in these decisions risks making restrictions difficult to implement in practice, as children may not understand or agree with them and instead seek unregulated contact. The findings underline the need for clearer justifications and more consistent consideration of a child’s view to ensure that decisions align with their best interests and remain feasible in practice. Full article

Background: Traumatic injuries to the alveolar process and primary teeth in early childhood can have long-term consequences on the development of permanent dentition and eruption pathways. Objective: This case report aims to illustrate the impact of early orofacial trauma on the eruption and development of permanent maxillary incisors and to emphasize the importance of timely interdisciplinary management. Case Presentation: An 8-year-old female patient presented to a pediatric dentistry clinic with delayed eruption of the maxillary anterior permanent teeth. In contrast, her monozygotic twin sister exhibited complete eruption of all permanent anterior teeth, raising parental concern regarding a possible pathological delay. Her medical history revealed orofacial trauma at the age of two, resulting in an alveolar process fracture, avulsion of the primary maxillary left central incisor (tooth 61), and luxation of the primary maxillary right central incisor (tooth 51). A clinical examination demonstrated sufficient arch space without signs of eruption and enamel defects on tooth 52. Radiographic evaluations, including panoramic imaging and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), confirmed the presence of impacted permanent teeth with structural anomalies suggestive of trauma-related developmental disturbances. Results: The patient underwent a multidisciplinary treatment over a three-year period involving pediatric dentistry, oral surgery, and orthodontics. Management included surgical exposure of the impacted teeth followed by orthodontic traction to guide the eruption and treatment of enamel hypoplasia. Conclusions: This case highlights the long-term consequences of early traumatic dental injuries on permanent dentition development. It underscores the necessity of early diagnosis and a coordinated interdisciplinary approach to optimize outcomes and enhance the long-term oral health and quality of life of affected individuals. Full article

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing have fostered physical, social, and emotional wellbeing for millenia, forming a foundation of strength and resilience. However, colonisation, systemic violence and discrimination—including the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, which continues today—have disrupted this foundation, leading to compounding cycles of intergenerational and complex trauma. The enduring impact of intergenerational and complex trauma is exemplified in increasing proportions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children being removed from their families and involved in the child protection and youth justice system—which represents a national crisis. Despite this crisis, the national response remains insufficient. To address these urgent issues, over 200 predominantly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders, participated in Gathering the Seeds Symposium, the inaugural meeting for the Replanting the Birthing Trees project held in Perth in April 2023. This meeting marked the beginning of a public dialogue aimed at Closing the Gap by advancing community-led strategies to break cycles of trauma and foster cycles of nurturing, recovery, and wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents and children across the first 2000 days. We outline critical shortcomings in the current child protection and youth justice systems, and the urgent need for child wellbeing reform. Importantly we highlight recommendations made in submissions in 2023 to two key Australian inquiries—the National Early Years Strategy and the Human Rights Commission inquiry into out of home care and youth justice systems. We argue that structural reforms and culturally safe and skillful care for parents experiencing trauma and violence is a serious gap, and a national priority. The first 2000 days represents a critical window of opportunity to transform cycles of trauma into cycles of healing. It is time to ‘replant the birthing trees’ and ensure that all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies and families can have the best possible start to life through comprehensive models of care grounded in recognition of the right to self-determination and culture. Full article