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Shield Your Child: Essential Dos and Don'ts for Rainy Days
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Shield Your Child: Essential Dos and Don’ts for Rainy Days

by Dr. Shruthi R
written by Dr. Shruthi R

Keep your child safe and healthy this monsoon! Follow these essential dos and don’ts for happy and healthy kids.

5 Dos and Don’ts for Child Care During Rains

The monsoon season, while refreshing and invigorating for many, can also pose certain challenges, especially when it comes to caring for children. With the increased risk of waterborne diseases, infections, and accidents, it’s essential to take extra precautions to ensure your child’s health and safety. Here are some dos and don’ts to guide you through this rainy season:

Dos

1. Prioritize Hygiene

  • Frequent Handwashing: Encourage your child to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water after playing outdoors, using the bathroom, and before meals.
  • Cleanliness at Home: Maintain a clean and hygienic environment indoors. Regularly disinfect surfaces, toys, and frequently touched areas.
  • Safe Drinking Water: Ensure your child consumes only boiled or filtered water. Avoid consuming water directly from outside sources.
  • Personal Hygiene: Teach your child the importance of covering their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. Dispose of tissues properly.

2. Protect Against Mosquitoes

  • Mosquito Nets: Use mosquito nets over beds and cribs to protect your child from mosquito bites.
  • Repellents: Apply mosquito repellents cautiously, following the product instructions. Avoid using repellents on infants.
  • Long Sleeves: Dress your child in long sleeves and pants during the evening to minimize exposure to mosquitoes.
  • Stagnant Water: Eliminate potential breeding grounds for mosquitoes by ensuring there’s no stagnant water around your home.

3. Boost Immunity

  • Nutritious Diet: Provide your child with a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and proteins to strengthen their immune system.
  • Adequate Sleep: Ensure your child gets enough rest to help their body fight off infections.
  • Regular Exercise: Encourage indoor activities like dancing, yoga, or jumping jacks to keep your child active.

4. Safe Outdoor Play

  • Supervision: Always supervise your child when playing outdoors, especially during rainy weather.
  • Footwear: Ensure your child wears proper footwear to prevent slips and falls.
  • Avoid Waterlogged Areas: Keep your child away from waterlogged areas and puddles to prevent accidents.
  • Umbrella or Raincoat: Provide your child with an umbrella or raincoat for protection from the rain.

5. Stay Hydrated

  • Water Intake: Encourage your child to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
  • Healthy Fluids: Offer other hydrating fluids like coconut water or fresh fruit juices.
  • Avoid Cold Drinks: Limit consumption of cold drinks as they can affect the digestive system.

Don’ts

  • Avoid Wet Clothes: Don’t let your child wear wet clothes for an extended period as it can lead to chills.
  • Unhygienic Food: Avoid buying or consuming street food to prevent foodborne illnesses.
  • Overheating: Don’t overdress your child, as excessive sweating can lead to discomfort.
  • Ignoring Symptoms: Don’t ignore any signs of illness in your child. Consult a pediatrician if symptoms persist.
  • Neglecting Indoor Activities: Don’t confine your child indoors without engaging them in stimulating activities.

By following these dos and don’ts, you can help protect your child’s health and well-being during the rainy season. Remember, prevention is always better than cure. Enjoy the monsoon with your child while taking necessary precautions.

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6 Ways to Ensure Your Children Prefer Healthy Food Over Junk
Expert SaysKidsUncategorized

6 Ways to Ensure Your Children Prefer Healthy Food Over Junk

by Dr. Shruthi R
written by Dr. Shruthi R

Discover practical tips on encouraging your children to prefer healthy foods over junk. Discover the effective strategies to create lasting healthy eating habits and a positive food environment.

In today’s world, where junk food is readily available and heavily marketed, encouraging children to develop a preference for healthy food can be challenging. However, with thoughtful strategies and a proactive approach, you can guide your children toward healthier eating habits. This comprehensive guide explores six effective ways to ensure your children prefer healthy food over junk, combining expert advice with practical tips for creating a nutritious and enjoyable eating environment.

1. Model Healthy Eating Habits

Children are highly impressionable and often mimic the behavior of adults. One of the most effective ways to encourage healthy eating is to model the behavior you wish to see in your children. Here’s how to do it:

  • Eat Together as a Family: Regular family meals provide an opportunity to model healthy eating habits. When children see their parents enjoying nutritious foods, they are more likely to adopt similar habits.
  • Choose Healthy Snacks: Keep healthy snacks like fruits, nuts, and yogurt readily available. Show your children that these are your go-to options rather than junk food.
  • Discuss Your Choices: Talk about the benefits of healthy eating and why you choose certain foods. Explain how nutritious foods help with energy, growth, and overall well-being.
  • Be Positive: Display a positive attitude towards healthy foods. Avoid making negative comments about junk food or forcing your children to eat foods they dislike.

2. Involve Children in Meal Planning and Preparation

Involving children in meal planning and preparation can increase their interest in healthy foods. When children are part of the process, they are more likely to take ownership of their food choices. Here’s how to involve them:

  • Plan Meals Together: Let your children help choose meals for the week. Provide options and let them select from a list of healthy recipes.
  • Cook Together: Assign age-appropriate tasks in the kitchen, such as washing vegetables, stirring, or measuring ingredients. Cooking together can be a fun bonding experience and help children learn about healthy ingredients.
  • Create Healthy Recipes: Encourage children to experiment with healthy ingredients and create their own recipes. This can foster creativity and a positive attitude towards trying new foods.
  • Visit Farmers’ Markets: Take your children to farmers’ markets to select fresh fruits and vegetables. This can help them connect with where their food comes from and appreciate its value.

3. Make Healthy Foods Fun and Appealing

Presentation plays a significant role in making healthy foods more attractive to children. Creative and appealing presentation can make nutritious foods more exciting and enjoyable. Consider the following tips:

  • Create Colorful Plates: Use a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables to make meals visually appealing. A rainbow of colors on the plate can stimulate children’s interest and make healthy eating more enjoyable.
  • Use Fun Shapes and Designs: Use cookie cutters to create fun shapes with fruits, vegetables, and sandwiches. Kids are often more enthusiastic about eating foods that look playful and creative.
  • Incorporate Dips and Sauces: Serve vegetables with healthy dips like hummus, yogurt-based sauces, or guacamole. Dips can make raw vegetables more appealing and enjoyable.
  • Prepare Healthy Treats: Make homemade snacks and treats that are both nutritious and fun. For example, fruit skewers, yogurt parfaits, or frozen fruit pops can be healthier alternatives to store-bought junk food.

4. Educate Your Children About Nutrition

Education plays a crucial role in helping children understand the importance of healthy eating. Teaching children about nutrition and its benefits can empower them to make better food choices. Here’s how to educate them effectively:

  • Use Age-Appropriate Language: Tailor your explanations to your child’s age and comprehension level. Use simple language and relatable examples to explain how different foods benefit their bodies.
  • Interactive Learning: Incorporate interactive activities, such as games, puzzles, or educational apps focused on nutrition. These can make learning about healthy eating more engaging.
  • Discuss Health Goals: Explain how healthy foods support their growth, energy levels, and overall health. For instance, explain how calcium in dairy helps build strong bones or how fiber in fruits aids digestion.
  • Encourage Questions: Create an open environment where your children feel comfortable asking questions about food and nutrition. Provide honest and informative answers to help them make informed choices.

5. Establish Healthy Eating Routines

Establishing consistent and healthy eating routines can help children develop a preference for nutritious foods. Structured meal times and snack routines create a predictable eating pattern and reduce the temptation for junk food. Consider the following tips:

  • Set Regular Meal Times: Establish consistent meal and snack times to create a routine. This helps regulate hunger and reduces the likelihood of reaching for unhealthy snacks out of boredom or habit.
  • Provide Balanced Meals: Ensure that each meal includes a balance of protein, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. A well-rounded plate provides essential nutrients and keeps children satisfied.
  • Limit Unhealthy Snacks: Keep junk food out of the house or limit its availability. Instead, stock up on healthy snacks and make them easily accessible.
  • Encourage Mindful Eating: Teach children to listen to their bodies and eat when they are hungry, rather than eating out of habit or convenience. Encourage them to enjoy their meals and recognize when they are full.

6. Create a Positive Food Environment

A positive food environment supports healthy eating habits and reduces the appeal of junk food. Creating an environment that encourages nutritious choices can help reinforce healthy eating behaviors. Here’s how to create a positive food environment:

  • Offer Choices: Provide a variety of healthy food options and let your children choose what they want to eat. This promotes a sense of autonomy and encourages them to try new foods.
  • Avoid Food as a Reward: Avoid using food as a reward or punishment. This can create unhealthy associations with certain foods and encourage emotional eating.
  • Foster Family Meals: Make family meals a regular part of your routine. Eating together provides an opportunity for conversation and bonding, and it reinforces healthy eating habits.
  • Limit Screen Time During Meals: Encourage family meals without distractions like television or smartphones. This helps children focus on their food and enjoy the eating experience.

Encouraging children to prefer healthy food over junk requires a multifaceted approach that combines modeling good behavior, involving them in meal preparation, making healthy foods appealing, educating them about nutrition, establishing healthy routines, and creating a positive food environment. By implementing these strategies, you can help your children develop a lifelong preference for nutritious foods and foster healthy eating habits that benefit their overall well-being. For more insights and practical tips on promoting healthy eating, watch our full video, which provides valuable guidance on creating a healthy food culture for your family.

 

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Nurturing Health: 5 Expert Tips for Parents to Raise Junk Food-Free Kids and Combat Childhood Obesity
KidsUncategorized

Nurturing Health: 5 Expert Tips for Parents to Raise Junk Food-Free Kids and Combat Childhood Obesity

by Dr. Shruthi R
written by Dr. Shruthi R

Child Obesity: 5 Tips for Parents to Nurture Children in a Junk Food-Free Lifestyle

Childhood obesity is a growing concern worldwide, with the prevalence of overweight and obese children reaching alarming levels. This trend is largely attributed to the availability of unhealthy foods, sedentary lifestyles, and lack of awareness about the importance of nutrition and physical activity. As parents, it is crucial to instill healthy habits in children from a young age to prevent obesity and promote overall well-being. In this guide, we will discuss the impact of junk food on children’s health, the importance of a balanced diet and regular physical activity, and provide practical tips for parents to nurture their children in a junk food-free lifestyle.

Understanding the Impact of Junk Food on Children’s Health

Junk food, characterized by its high levels of sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats, offers little to no nutritional value. Regular consumption of junk food can lead to a range of health issues in children, including:

  1. Obesity: Junk food is a major contributor to excess calorie intake, which can lead to weight gain and obesity.
  2. Poor Nutrition: Junk food lacks essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and fiber, which are crucial for growth and development.
  3. Increased Risk of Chronic Diseases: Excessive consumption of junk food is associated with an increased risk of developing chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.
  4. Negative Impact on Mental Health: Poor diet can also affect mental health, leading to issues such as depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.

Importance of a Balanced Diet and Regular Physical Activity

A balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats is essential for children’s growth and development. Additionally, regular physical activity is crucial for maintaining a healthy weight, improving cardiovascular health, and promoting overall well-being. By promoting a balanced diet and regular physical activity, parents can help their children develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime.

Tips for Parents to Nurture Children in a Junk Food-Free Lifestyle

  1. Lead by Example: Children learn by example, so it is important for parents to model healthy eating habits and an active lifestyle. Make nutritious food choices and engage in regular physical activity as a family.
  2. Educate Your Child: Teach your child about the importance of nutrition and how food affects their body. Encourage them to make healthy food choices and explain the consequences of consuming too much junk food.
  3. Limit Junk Food Availability: Keep junk food out of the house or limit its availability. Instead, stock up on healthy snacks such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole-grain crackers.
  4. Involve Your Child in Meal Preparation: Get your child involved in meal preparation and cooking. This not only teaches them valuable skills but also encourages them to try new foods and appreciate healthy eating.
  5. Make Healthy Eating Fun: Find creative ways to make healthy eating fun for your child. Try new recipes, involve them in grocery shopping, and experiment with different fruits and vegetables to make meals exciting and enjoyable.

Childhood obesity is a complex issue with far-reaching implications for children’s health and well-being. By instilling healthy habits in children from a young age, parents can help prevent obesity and promote a lifetime of good health. By following the tips outlined in this guide, parents can nurture their children in a junk food-free lifestyle, setting them up for a future of health and happiness. Together, we can work towards a healthier future for our children.

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Expert SaysKidsUncategorized

Study: Change in how heart produces energy can be key to preventing heart failure

by Medically Speaking
written by Medically Speaking

Heart failure is frequently detected only after the heart has already weakened. This is due in large part to the fact that the aetiology of heart failure is unclear in around 70% of cases. Researchers at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) have discovered that one of the early indicators of heart failure is a shift in how the heart creates energy, with the results potentially giving a technique to prevent heart failure before it occurs.

The study, led by Dr. Paul Delgado-Olguin, a Scientist in the Translational Medicine programme, and funded by the Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research, may also assist to understand the wide range of causes of heart failure.

“We were surprised to find that dysregulation of energy production was the earliest sign of heart failure,” says Delgado-Olguin. “People associate deficiency in energy production with later stage heart failure, but our findings show this could actually be the cause of heart failure, not a result.”

Changes in energy production indicate cardiac disease

A protein called lysine demethylase 8 (Kdm8) helps to maintain a balanced energy consumption, often known as metabolism, in a healthy heart by inhibiting TBX15, another enzyme that reduces energy generation. The study team evaluated a big dataset on gene expression, the process by which DNA is translated to proteins, in human hearts at a later stage of heart failure and discovered that KDM8 was less active.

This increased the expression of TBX15, resulting in metabolic alterations. Researchers also discovered that TBX15 was most abundant in hearts where energy production genes were most substantially inhibited. “There are many genes that help regulate energy production in our bodies, but we were able to identify changes in specific proteins that occur well before cardiac deterioration,” says Delgado-Olguin.

Following the discovery of the shift in energy production as an early warning of heart failure, the study team dug further to see how metabolic pathways may be altered to avoid the failure. They discovered that the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) pathway, which governs energy metabolism, was less active as a result. The researchers were subsequently able to intervene and avert heart failure in a mouse model by injecting NAD+ and increasing energy production.

“This research suggests it may be possible to alter certain metabolic pathways to prevent heart failure before damage to the heart begins,” says Delgado-Olguin. “Our research sets the stage to identify children and adults that may be at a higher risk of heart failure, and to improve energy balance in their hearts to prevent it.”

Precision medicine might aid in the prediction and prevention of heart failure.
This research contributes to the future of Precision Child Health at SickKids, an effort to provide tailored treatment for every child, according to the study team.

“Heart failure is so diverse,” says Delgado-Olguin. “But if we could determine that an individual’s particular heart is not using energy efficiently early on and is at risk of heart failure, we may be able to predict how they respond to treatment targeted to specific metabolic pathways that could prevent cardiac deterioration.”

While worldwide research on NAD+ therapy in late-stage heart failure is ongoing, the Delgado-Olguin Lab expects that this current study may spur new research on early detection and preventative treatment.

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KidsUncategorized

LOW APPETITE IN KIDS CAN BE CELIAC

by Dr Nidhi Rawal
written by Dr Nidhi Rawal

By: Dr Nidhi Rawal, Lead Consultant, Paediatric Gastroenterologist,
Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
Madhukar Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Malviya Nagar

Ayaan Safari is a 4 years old boy came from Rwanda to Madhukar Rainbow Children’s Hospital for a Gestro intestinal evaluation. He was diagnosed with type 1 Diabetes Millitus one year ago and his life was never the same again. He was struggling with severe abdominal pains, loose stools alternating with hard stools, with severe abdominal bloating. He was losing weight day by day.

Ayaan was admitted under Dr Nidhi Rawal, (Lead Consultant, Pediatric Gastroenterologist, Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition). Dr Nidhi investigated him in detail with blood tests, upper GI, endoscopy, colonoscopy and a video capsule Endoscopy. Video capsule endoscopy is a novel way to look at the small intestines from inside n take pictures of the lining of the digestive tract, with the help of aa wireless camera in the form of a capsule.

Children older than 12-14 years can swallow this capsule, but it has to be placed via an endoscope into the small intestine. The expertise to perform and interpret video capsule endoscopy in children is available at a very few centers across India. She found out he might be gluten intolerant and have Celiac Disease and Excessive growth of bad bacteria in his intestines as well as a very Sluggish large Intestine. If not diagnosed in time, Celiac Disease can result in excessive weight loss, Iron/Vitamin Deficiency, this can also result in poor Neuro-Development. Sluggish Intestines resulted in overgrowth of Bad Bacteria in his Colon, if left untreated, this can lead to repeated episodes of Abdominal pain and Poor Growth.

But after proper Diagnosis and Treatment, patient showed excellent weight gain, his abdominal pain was vanished completely, which helped him to sleep better and focus better in Co-Curriculum and sports activities. With the help of Our Dietary protocols, he started eating better and his appetite showed Significant Improvement.

Patient’s father was very happy with the treatment and the progress his child showed after coming to India, because In Rwanda, Ayaan was treated for 1.5 years in Hospitals, but didn’t show any Improvement, So Govt of Rwanda referred him to Madhukar Rainbow Children’s Hospital, New Delhi. A multi – speciality pediatric hospital chain with 23 years expertise in 6 cities with 15 units & 3 clinics.

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KidsUncategorized

World’s first guidelines created to prevent heart problems in kids fighting cancer

by Medically Speaking
written by Medically Speaking

The first international clinical recommendations for avoiding and treating heart issues in children of cancer patients have been developed.

The guidelines, published in JACC: Advances, cover the assessment, screening, and follow-up of cardiovascular disease in paediatric cancer patients undergoing innovative molecular therapies, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. The expert consensus lead by Murdoch Children’s Research Institute established the high-risk group of cancer patients who should have a heart check-up, standardized a technique for screening and surveillance during treatment, and presented guidelines to preserve vulnerable young hearts.

Murdoch Children’s Associate Professor Rachel Conyers said while international guidelines to monitor poor heart side effects during therapy exist for adult patients, none were specific to children.

Associate Professor Conyers said the success of new cancer drugs had increased the chances of cardiac side effects that occur early on during therapy, sometimes within days, which warranted closer heart health surveillance and earlier monitoring.

“Recent advances in treating childhood cancer have resulted in survival rates of more than 80 per cent. However, improving serious health outcomes in survivors remains an important and essential focus and prevention is key,” she said.
“Heart complications are a leading cause of death for childhood cancer survivors, second only to cancer relapse. Modern treatments including precision medicine have broadened the agents that can cause heart problems,” she said.

Childhood cancer survivors are 15 times more likely to have heart failure and eight times more likely to have heart disease than the general population.

Associate Professor Conyers said the guidelines would be an indispensable tool for clinicians to significantly reduce the harmful impact of cancer drugs on children’s hearts.

“The guidelines are a major advance for the cardio-oncology field as before this there was no defined approach for surveillance or follow up of paediatric patients during treatment despite new therapeutics having early heart complications such as high blood pressure, abnormal heart beats and heart failure,” she said.

The expert group from Australia and New Zealand included paediatric and adult cardiologists, as well as paediatric oncologists, who used a Delphi consensus approach to address 11 areas of cardio-oncology care. The study was endorsed by the Australian New Zealand Children’s Oncology Group, with the guidelines suitable for any tertiary institute treating paediatric oncology patients or establishing cardio-oncology clinics.

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Expert SaysKidsUncategorized

Taking children outside can help mitigate negative effects of screen time: Research

by Medically Speaking
written by Medically Speaking

You are undoubtedly worried about how much time your children spend looking at a screen, whether it is a tablet, phone, computer, or television. You are undoubtedly interested about how screen time impacts your child’s development and if you can do anything to offset any harmful consequences.

According to new Japanese study, increased screen time at age 2 is connected with worse speech and daily life abilities at age 4; however, some of the detrimental impacts of screen time are minimised when children also play outside. The researchers tracked 885 children aged 18 months to 4 years in the study, which will be published in JAMA Pediatrics in March.

They investigated the relationship between three key features: the average amount of screen time per day at age 2, the amount of outdoor play at age 2 years 8 months, and neurodevelopmental outcomes—specifically, communication, daily living skills, and socialisation scores on the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale-II at age 4.

“Although both communication and daily living skills were worse in 4-year-old children who had had more screen time at aged 2, outdoor play time had very different effects on these two neurodevelopmental outcomes,” said Kenji J. Tsuchiya, Professor at Osaka University and lead author of the study, adding, “We were surprised to find that outdoor play didn’t really alter the negative effects of screen time on communication–but it did have an effect on daily living skills.”

Outside play, in particular, mediated almost one-fifth of the impacts of screen time on daily living skills, implying that increasing outdoor play time might reduce the detrimental effects of screen time on daily living skills by about 20%. The researchers also discovered that, while not related to screen time, socialising was better among 4-year-olds who had spent more time playing outside when they were 2 years and 8 months old.

“Taken together, our findings indicate that optimizing screen time in young children is really important for appropriate neurodevelopment,” said Tomoko Nishimura, senior author of the study, adding, “We also found that screen time is not related to social outcomes and that even if screen time is relatively high, encouraging more outdoor play time might help to keep kids healthy and developing appropriately.”

These findings are especially significant in light of recent COVID-19-related lockdowns throughout the world, which have usually resulted in increased screen usage and less outside time for children. Because it is impossible to resist using digital devices even in very young children, more study on how to balance the hazards and advantages of screen time in young children is eagerly sought.

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Expert SaysKidsUncategorized

Premature birth is associated with lower grades in adolescence: Study

by Medically Speaking
written by Medically Speaking
According to a large Danish population study published in The BMJ, preterm delivery before 34 weeks of pregnancy is connected with inferior performance in arithmetic and language examinations as a teenager compared to those born at 40 weeks. However, the study revealed no significant difference in subsequent brain (cognitive) function between kids born at 34–39 weeks and those delivered at 40 weeks. Furthermore, the researchers admit that cognitive results are highly impacted by social conditions rather than being predetermined at birth. Every year, an estimated 15 million children are delivered prematurely, before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
Preterm and early-term delivery are known to have a deleterious influence on subsequent brain function, and the final weeks of pregnancy are critical for fontal brain development. Previous studies, on the other hand, were small, mostly confined to one measure, or did not adequately account for other factors that may have impacted the results. The researchers examined data for all full siblings born in Denmark between 1 January 1986 and 31 December 2003 to better establish the influence of gestational age—duration of pregnancy in weeks—at birth on long-term cognitive performance.
A total of 1.2 million children were born during this time period, with 792,724 having at least one full sibling born during the same time period, allowing the researchers to account for genetic characteristics such as mother IQ. Using statewide registry data, the researchers examined gestational age at birth, as well as exam results in written Danish language and math at ages 15–16, and separately, the results of IQ tests done by 227,403 brothers around the age of 18, during required military conscription. The investigation took into account potentially important factors such as sex, birth weight, parental age and educational level at birth, number of older siblings, and shared familial characteristics amongst siblings.
The researchers determined how far a test result was above or below the average grade and compared it to the score for siblings delivered at term at each gestational age. In total, 44,322 (5.6%) of the 792,724 children were born before the age of 37 weeks. Only those born before 34 weeks showed considerably worse average arithmetic scores than those born at 40 weeks, and grades declined gradually as prematurity increased.
Only children born at or fewer than 27 weeks had a considerably lower than average grade in written language. 
Analysis of military conscription intelligence test scores, assessed in IQ points, revealed that individuals born before 34 weeks had significantly lower test scores.
When compared to those born at 40 weeks, those born after 34 weeks had an IQ drop of less than one point. However, those born between 32 and 33 weeks had a 2.4-point IQ loss, those born between 28 and 31 weeks had a 3.8-point reduction, and those born at or before 27 weeks had a 4.2-point reduction. Because this is an observational study, no causality can be established, and the researchers admit several limitations. Smoking during pregnancy, for example, was not documented prior to 1991, and test findings may differ from real-life effects such as lifetime income. However, they claim that the study has a large sample size and that its sibling comparison design compensates for other variables such as maternal smoking.
Further studies, such as including children who did not take tests, yielded comparable results, indicating that the findings may be trusted. While the underlying causes of these findings are unknown, the researchers argue that because low cognitive ability is associated with poor quality of life and premature mortality, their findings “emphasise the need for greater study into how these unfavorable effects might be averted.”
They add: “Cognitive outcomes are not, however, predetermined at birth but are heavily influenced by social circumstances and nurturing, and this is why early intervention is warranted for children born early preterm.”
In a linked editorial, Canadian researchers acknowledge that cognitive deficits in early life could have a lifelong influence on a person’s capacity and capabilities.
Although parents and physicians should be informed of potential educational and cognitive challenges associated with preterm delivery, they add, “parents should be comforted that the size of these abnormalities is not usually large, particularly for those delivered at later gestations.”

They also propose that because the reasons of preterm birth are complicated and poorly understood, “efforts to discover and improve on other socio-environmental variables might be a more beneficial strategy to minimizing any related neurocognitive deficiencies.”

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cancer
KidsUncategorized

Birth weight may assist identify kids who are more likely to experience psychiatric problems

by Medically Speaking
written by Medically Speaking

According to recent research from RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, infants with higher birth weights had less behavioural and mental health problems throughout infancy and adolescence. These results may be used to identify and support kids who are more likely to experience psychiatric issues in the future. The research, which was published in the journal European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, looked at hundreds of Irish children’s birth weights and future mental health. It utilised data from the Growing Up in Ireland research, an ongoing government-funded study of children born between 1997 and 1998, which differed from many studies looking at birth weight in that it consistently tracked the same children through childhood and adolescence.

The investigation revealed that there were more reported mental health issues in infancy and adolescence for every kilogramme below the normal birth weight (3.5kg, or 7lbs 11oz). The study also discovered that these birth-weight-related issues typically continue into adolescence, from the ages of 9 to 17. Inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity, behaviours typically attributed to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, were the issues that were most closely linked to birth weight (ADHD). The likelihood of behaviours resembling ADHD was shown to rise by 2% for every kilogramme below the typical birth weight, even when these behaviours were within the normal range. In other words, even among newborns weighing just 1.5 kg, the average number of ADHD symptoms would probably not be sufficient to warrant an ADHD diagnosis.

Lower birth weight has also been connected to mental and social issues, especially in late adolescence. It was discovered that these issues were worse and more closely related to clinical thresholds, such as those for the diagnosis of depression or anxiety. “We have known for many years that low birth weight and preterm delivery is connected with increased risk of mental illness in the kid,” said Professor Mary Cannon, Professor of Psychiatric Epidemiology and Youth Mental Health at RSCI and the study’s principal investigator. This study demonstrates that even little departures from the average birth weight may be significant. Lead author of the study and doctoral student Niamh Dooley remarked.

Lower birth weight has also been connected to mental and social issues, especially in late adolescence. It was discovered that these issues were worse and more closely related to clinical thresholds, such as those for the diagnosis of depression or anxiety. “We have known for many years that low birth weight and preterm delivery is connected with increased risk of mental illness in the kid,” said Professor Mary Cannon, Professor of Psychiatric Epidemiology and Youth Mental Health at RSCI and the study’s principal investigator. This study demonstrates that even little departures from the average birth weight may be significant. Lead author of the study and doctoral student Niamh Dooley remarked.

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cancer
Expert SaysKidsUncategorized

Focused surgery enhances treatment for paediatric cancer: Research

by Medically Speaking
written by Medically Speaking

Young children are most commonly affected with neuroblastoma, a sympathetic nervous system tumour. Every year, this diagnosis is given to 25 children in the Netherlands. Surgery to remove the tumour tissue is a crucial part of the treatment plan. Dutch children with solid tumours, including neuroblastoma, have being treated at the Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology in Utrecht since November 2014. Researchers from the Princess Maxima Center examined the medical files of 244 kids who underwent surgery in the five previous paediatric cancer centres in the Netherlands between 1998 and 2014 to examine the impact of consolidating surgery for kids with neuroblastoma.

These numbers were contrasted with those of the 111 kids who underwent surgery at the Princess Maxima Center between 2014 and 2021. The study, which was partially supported by KiKa, was written up in the European Journal of Surgical Oncology.

The process took an average of two hours and forty-five minutes, an hour and forty-five minutes less than previously, according to the researchers, who observed that surgeries required 40% less time following the concentration of care. The amount of blood lost during the procedure was also significantly decreased, going from an average of 450 millilitres to just 50 millilitres.

The researchers discovered that while there were some adverse effects in the first month following surgery, they were less severe. Prior to the focus on surgery, there were more common postoperative side effects that necessitated repeat surgery, some of which were potentially fatal.

Additionally, the researchers discovered little evidence for an improvement in the survival rates of children who underwent neuroblastoma surgery, but more studies are required to demonstrate this difference with greater certainty. The Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology’s paediatric oncology surgeon and group head, Prof. Dr. Marc Wijnen, oversaw the study.

He says, “With this analysis, we show concrete results of bringing together all care and research for children with cancer. Less damage was done to the healthy tissue during the operation, resulting in fewer complications for the child.”

“As a general rule, the more experience a surgeon has, the better the results. The outcome of the investigation did not surprise me. It shows that we can now offer children with cancer the best possible treatment.”

The Princess Maxima Center for paediatric oncology’s medical director and co-founder, Prof. Dr. Rob Pieters, also contributed to the study.

He says, “Our main starting point when establishing a single national research hospital for childhood cancer was that as a parent you want the very best care for your child. What we already knew from practice, we now see expressed in numbers: by treating a rare disease more often, doctors become increasingly better at that treatment. And that leads to better outcomes for our children.”

“In this study, we focus on the outcomes of surgery in children with neuroblastoma. I expect that now – almost five years after the opening of the Princess Maxima Center – the benefits of concentrated care and research will become clear for more and more forms of childhood cancer.”

 

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