Psychosocial functioning in pediatric food allergies: A scoping review

The psychosocial burden of food allergy (FA) can significantly affect the lives of pediatric patients and their families. A comprehensive understanding of the state of the literature on psychosocial functioning is imperative to identify gaps that may affect clinical care and future research. This review characterizes the current literature on psychosocial functioning in pediatric patients with FA and their caregivers, siblings, and families. A literature search of 5 databases (PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Embase) was conducted to identify original research articles and abstracts on psychosocial functioning of patients with FA who were aged 0 to 18 years and their caregivers, siblings, and families. A total of 257 studies met the inclusion criteria. The majority of studies examined child or caregiver psychosocial functioning, with child and caregiver quality of life examined most frequently. Most studies utilized quantitative and cross-sectional methods and inconsistently reported participant race and ethnicity. Existing research on psychosocial functioning in pediatric FA may not be generalizable to patients of color and families and siblings. Future research should diversify recruited samples regarding race, ethnicity, and country of origin; examine psychosocial functioning longitudinally; examine constructs beyond quality of life; and adopt a biopsychosocial approach by considering the interplay among psychosocial functioning, disease burden, and social contexts.

Family asthma management in urban children and its association with sleep outcomes

Asthma symptoms impact children's sleep quality. However, it is unclear how families' daily management of their child's asthma is associated with sleep quality. We examine associations between family asthma management components and sleep duration and quality for urban children (ages 7-9 years). Additionally, we examine these associations by racial/ethnic group. Data were collected as part of a longitudinal study that examined the co-occurrence of asthma, allergic rhinitis, sleep quality, and academic functioning for urban children diagnosed with persistent asthma (N = 196). A semi-structured interview assessed family asthma management practices. Sleep quality data were collected via actigraphy. Our visual depiction of sleep outcomes show that those with higher family asthma management ratings present with longer sleep duration and better sleep quality. Among specific family asthma management components, we found a significant association between children's adherence to asthma medications and number of nighttime awakenings. For non-Latino Black (NLB) children, we found a significant association between environmental control and sleep duration. For urban children with asthma, clinical strategies to enhance overall family asthma management have the potential to support improved sleep quality. Additionally, for NLB children, asthma management interventions that provide environmental control practices may increase sleep duration.

Physical Activity Among Urban Children with Asthma: Does Sleep Matter?

The present study examined associations between sleep and physical activity among a diverse sample of 97 urban children (ages 7-9) with persistent asthma. Differences in associations were evaluated by race/ethnicity and weight status. The extent to which sleep moderated the association between lung function and physical activity was also evaluated. Generalized linear models were utilized to examine associations. Findings indicated that, among the aggregate sample, more frequent nighttime awakenings were associated with less time spent engaging in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Important differences in these associations were identified by both race/ethnicity and weight status. Better lung function was associated with, (a) higher levels of MVPA for children with better sleep efficiency and fewer nighttime awakenings, and (b) lower levels of MVPA for children with poorer sleep efficiency and more frequent nighttime awakenings. In short, sleep mattered with respect to children's physical activity levels in this sample.

Microbial growth comparisons of five commercial parenteral lipid emulsions

The ability of parenteral lipid emulsions to support microbial growth was compared using commercially available brands of lipid emulsion. Both 10 and 20% concentrations of soybean and safflower oil emulsions were used. Washed cultures of six gram-negative, three gram-positive, and one yeast, in concentrations of 1 x 10(4) to 2 x 10(4) colony-forming units/ml, were inoculated into lipid emulsion aliquots and stored at room temperature. There were than subcultured at 0, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hr. After 48 hr at 37 degrees C, growth was recorded as colony-forming units/ml. Normalized growth curves were expressed as mean +/- SEM. ANOVA demonstrated no difference in growth patterns due to the nature of the oil or its concentration. Gram-negative organisms multiplied faster when compared to gram-positive (p less than 0.05 at 12 hr, p less than 0.01 at 24 hr, and p less than 0.005 at 48 hr). Yeast grew as well as bacteria. The Center for Disease Control's recommendation of a 12-hr hang time for parenteral lipid emulsions should be observed until correlation of laboratory microbial growth patterns and clinical use are studied further.