Population Prevalence of the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Subtype for Young Children in Nationwide Surveys of the British General Population and of Children in Care

ObjectivePosttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating condition that when left untreated can have severe lifelong consequences for psychological, social, and occupational functioning. Initial conceptualizations of PTSD were centered on adult presentations. However, the instantiation of developmentally appropriate PTSD in young children (PTSD-YC) criteria, tailored to preschool (6 years old and younger) children, represents an important step toward identifying more young children experiencing distress. This study explored population-level prevalence of PTSD-YC indexed via an alternative algorithm for DSM-IV PTSD (AA-PTSD).MethodRepresentative population data were used to test whether application of AA-PTSD criteria, relative to the DSM-IV PTSD algorithm, increased identification of 5- to 6-year-old children with clinical needs in both the general population (n = 3,202) and among looked after children (ie, in Britain, foster children are called looked after children [more commonly referred to as children in care].) (n = 137), in whom the risk of mental health issues is greater.ResultsNotably, no 5- to 6-year-old children in the general population sample were diagnosed with PTSD using adult-based DSM-IV criteria. In contrast, AA-PTSD prevalence was 0.4% overall, rising to 5.4% in trauma-exposed children. In looked after children, overall PTSD prevalence rose from 1.2% when applying adult-based DSM-IV criteria to 14% when using AA-PTSD criteria. Of trauma-exposed looked after children, 2.7% met criteria for DSM-IV PTSD compared with 57.0% when applying AA-PTSD criteria. In both samples, use of the alternative algorithm to index PTSD-YC criteria markedly increased identification of children experiencing functional impairment owing to symptoms.ConclusionResults demonstrate the utility of the PTSD-YC diagnosis beyond at-risk and treatment-seeking samples. Use of PTSD-YC criteria substantially improves identification of 5- to 6-year-old children burdened by PTSD at the population level.     

Asthma diagnosis in infants and preschool children: a systematic review of clinical guidelines

Background and aim

The definition and diagnosis of asthma are the subject of controversy that is particularly intense in the case of individuals in the first years of life, due to reasons such as the difficulty of performing objective pulmonary function tests or the high frequency with which the symptoms subside in the course of childhood. Since there is no consensus regarding the diagnosis of asthma in preschool children, a systematic review has been carried out.

Invasive pneumococcal disease in children under 16 years of age: Incomplete rebound in incidence after the maximum effect of PCV13 in 2012/13 in Germany

ObjectiveTo identify a potential nadir of the impact of pneumococcal conjugate vaccination (PCV) in infancy on invasive pneumococcal diseases (IPD) in children under 16 in Germany.MethodsActive surveillance on IPD based on two independent data sources with capture-recapture correction for underreporting. Annual incidence rates by age group, serotypes, site of infection, and relative incidence reduction compared to pre-vaccination period (1997–2001) at nadir and for the most recent season are reported. We calculated vaccine coverage at the age of 24 months using health insurance claims data.Results96–97% of children had received at least two doses of PCV since 2009. The maximum impact on overall IPD incidence was achieved in 2012/13 (−48% [95% CI: −55%; −39%]) with a rebound to −26% [95% CI: −36%; −16%] in 2015/16. Non-PCV13 serotypes accounted for 84.1% of the IPD cases in 2015/16. The most frequent non-PCV serotypes in IPD in 2014/15 and 2015/16 were 10A, 24F, 15C, 12F, 38, 22F, 23B, and 15B. The impact at nadir was highest in children 0–1 years of age both in meningitis and non-meningitis cases, whereas the impact for other age groups was higher for meningitis cases. The rebound mainly pertained to non-meningitis cases.ConclusionThe maximum impact of pneumococcal conjugate vaccination has been attained and signs of a rebound are apparent. Sustained surveillance for IPD in children is warranted to assess whether these trends will continue. There may be a need for vaccines using antigens common to all serotypes.     

Does acculturation affect the dietary intakes and body weight status of children of immigrants in the U.S. and other developed countries? A systematic review

Objective: This paper reviews available studies on the relationship between acculturation and obesity among children of immigrants who have at least one foreign-born parent.

Methods: A systematic review of relevant studies was undertaken using PubMed, Web of Science, and PsychInfo.

Results: The initial search identified 1317 potentially relevant publications, of which 21 were retained after three rounds of screening. Most studies were conducted in the U.S. The majority of studies used BMI or overweight/obesity prevalence as the outcome variable, while two studies used dietary intake. Three studies used standardized acculturation scales, while most of the studies used generation, duration of residency in host country, and language as proxy measures of acculturation. The relationship between acculturation and outcomes varied between the host countries and origin countries for children of immigrants.

Conclusion: This study suggests children of immigrants with different cultural backgrounds may interact with host countries to varying degrees, ultimately influencing their diet behaviours and body weight status. Researchers are encouraged to adopt standardized acculturation scales to compare the results across countries and populations.     

A descriptive examination of the types of relationships formed between children with developmental disability and their closest peers in inclusive school settings

Abstract

Background One of the most commonly cited rationales for inclusive education is to enable the development of quality relationships with typically developing peers. Relatively few researchers have examined the features of the range of relationships that children with developmental disability form in inclusive school settings.

Method Interviews were conducted with 25 children with developmental disability, aged 5 and 12 years, their 3 closest peers, and parents and teachers to examine 6 types of relationships.

Results Behaviours associated with general friendship and acquaintance were the most commonly reported. Few dyads reported high rates of behaviour associated with special treatment, helping, ignoring, or intimate best friend relationships.

Conclusions The relationships of the majority of dyads were characterised by friendship or acceptance, but evidence of more intimate relationships was limited. An important direction for future research is the examination of ways to encourage more intimate relationships.     

全人发展视角下幼小衔接课对学龄前脑瘫儿童智能发育的影响研究

目的 基于全人发展视角,研究幼小衔接课对学龄前脑性瘫痪(CP)儿童智能发育的影响,为促进CP患儿全面康复提供新方法。方法 选取在湘雅博爱康复医院2019年2—7月就诊的79例学龄前CP儿童采用数字表法随机分组,分为对照组(39例)和干预组(40例),对照组予以常规康复治疗,干预组行常规康复治疗结合幼小衔接课。采用Gesell发育诊断量表(GDDS)、韦氏幼儿智力量表(WPPSI)分别评估患儿治疗前后5个能区的发育龄(DA)和总智商(FIQ)。结果 治疗4月后,干预组总有效率(92.5%)显著高于对照组(66.7%),差异有统计学意义(χ²＝13.403,P<0.01);两组患儿大运动和精细动作DA比较,差异无统计学意义(t=0.283、0.414,P＞0.05),干预组在适应性、语言和个人社交DA以及WPPSI FIQ值显著优于对照组,差异有统计学意义(t=2.280、2.005、2.020、2.010,P＜0.05)。结论 幼小衔接课能有效促进学龄前CP儿童适应性、语言以及个人社交能力的发育,提高其智力发育水平。