Current Pediatric Reviews - Volume 19, Issue 3, 2023

Many publications have demonstrated the detrimental effects of school closures on children, families and communities in the past two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, there is a surge of Omicron cases as children prepare to return to school around the world. While many children are asymptomatic or have mild disease, it is nevertheless an important problem. As we focus on vaccinations in the 5-12-year-old group Read More

Background: The author and his wife report their unique experience of international travels during the COVID-19 pandemic, and discuss issues encountered in various countries. Methods: Narrated discussion of issues encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic. Discussion: “Zero-COVID” versus “Living with COVID-19” strategies are compared. Children have unique issues with COVID-19 pandemic. Evaluation of efficacy of t Read More

A swallowing disorder or dysphagia is defined as a disorder in the sequence of swallowing, during the oral or pharyngeal phase, which compromises the safety and/or efficiency of transit of the food bolus to the esophagus. The evaluation of neurodevelopment, nutrition, and preventive medicine actions are as important as the clinical evaluation of dysphagia, so they must be included and systematized in all pediatric evaluations; T Read More

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic disease, the underlying cause of which is represented by mutations capable of influencing the metabolism of low-density lipoproteins (LDL). The distinguishing characteristic of FH has increased LDL cholesterol blood levels since birth, triggering early development of atherosclerosis-related diseases. Diagnosis of FH is frequently either missed or made with a considerabl Read More

The fifth malaria parasite causing malaria- Plasmodium knowlesi (Pk), is not a novel emergent species but was an undiagnosed species before the availability of molecular methods as a tool from diagnostics and sometimes confused with morphologically similar human malaria parasite P. malariae or P. falciparum. Now it is well-distributed species in Southeast Asia, especially in Malaysia. Since 2004, cases of Pk malaria are Read More

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a clinical condition characterized by insufficient insulin production due to progressive loss of pancreatic islet β-cells mediated by an autoimmune response. This deregulation of the immune system is caused by the action of genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors in varying combinations for each individual. Although the inflammation of the islets with immune cell infiltration, known as insuliti Read More

Despite using antenatal steroids, surfactants and protective ventilation, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) affects 10-89% of preterm infants. Since lung inflammation is central to the BPD pathogenesis, postnatal systemic corticosteroids could reduce the risk of BPD onset in preterm infants, but short and long-term adverse consequences have been underlined in literature after their use (i.e., hyperglycaemia, hypertension, hypert Read More

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating disease that primarily affects the gastrointestinal tract of premature neonates. The diagnosis and treatment of NEC remain challenging. New biomarkers and potential treatments for NEC have emerged in recent years, leading to the potential of earlier therapeutic intervention and improved outcomes. This paper aims to provide a review of the most recent diagnostic indicators a Read More

Background: The biomarker procalcitonin (PCT) is good in detecting sepsis in postoperative pediatric trauma patients, especially those with a high suspicion of sepsis, and formulating a quick treatment. Its use is still limited to pediatric surgical patients, particularly those in intensive care units (ICUs), who are more susceptible to sepsis. The purpose of this study was to see if procalcitonin could be used as a reliable and quick bio Read More

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify the predictors of self-esteem and the relationships between health-promoting behavior, health intentions, and self-esteem among school-aged children and provide basic data for the development of programs that can influence self-esteem among school-aged children in South Korea. Introduction: This study aimed to identify the predictors of self-esteem and the rela Read More

Background: Although the burden of anemia in pregnant women and its consequences on the pregnancy outcome are well documented, there is limited evidence on the association between maternal hemoglobin concentration and low birth weight (LBW) in the study area. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the association between maternal hemoglobin concentration and neonatal birth weight (BW) in Qazvin, Iran, 2 Read More

Background: Early puberty increases the risk of diverse health outcomes during adolescence and beyond. Several studies have explored the links between short sleep duration and early puberty worldwide. Objective: The current systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the association between sleep duration and early pubertal timing based on published evidence systematically. Methods: We searched import Read More