Correlation between benign joint hypermobility syndrome and headache in children and adolescents

BACKGROUND

Benign Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (BJHS) is a most common hereditary connective tissue disorders in children and adolescents. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and subtypes of headache in children with BJHS.

METHODS

This observational-analytical study was conducted in a case-control setting on school children aged 7 to 16 years in 2021-2023 in Isfahan, Iran. Students were examined for BJHS using Beighton criteria by a pediatric rheumatologist. Headache disorder was diagnosed according to the Child Headache-Attributed Restriction, Disability, and Social Handicap and Impaired Participation (HARDSHIP) questionnaires for child and adolescent and International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-III).

RESULTS

A total of 4,832 student (mean age 10.3 ± 3.1 years), 798 patients with BJHS and 912 healthy children were evaluated. The probability of headache in children aged 7-11 with hypermobility was 3.7 times lower than in children aged 12-16 with hypermobility (P = 0.001). The occurrence of headache in children with BJHS was more than the control group (P = 0.001), and the probability of headache in children with BJHS was 3.7 times higher than in healthy children (P = 0.001). Migraine was the most common headache type reported of total cases. The probability of migraine in children with BJHS was 4.5 times higher than healthy children ( P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

This study showed a significant correlation between BJHS and headache (especially migraine) in children and adolescents.

The increasing antimicrobial resistance of Shigella species among Iranian pediatrics: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Shigellosis remains one of the global causes of morbidity and mortality. However, the global emergence of antibiotic resistance has become the leading cause of treatment failure in shigellosis. This review aimed to provide an updated picture of the antimicrobial resistance rates in Shigella species in Iranian pediatrics.

METHODS

A comprehensive systematic search was performed on PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science until 28 July 2021. The meta-analysis was performed by computing the pooled using a random-effects model with Stata/SE software, v.17.1. The discrepancy within articles was surveyed by the forest plot in addition to the I2 statistic. All statistical interpretations were reported on a 95% confidence interval (CI) basis.

RESULTS

Totally, of 28 eligible studies published between 2008 and 2021. The pooled prevalence rate of multidrug-resistant (MDR) was 63% (95% CI 50-76). Regarding suggested antimicrobial agents for Shigella species, the prevalence of resistance for ciprofloxacin, azithromycin, and ceftriaxone as first- and second-line treatments for shigellosis were 3%, 30%, and 28%, respectively. In contrast, resistance to cefotaxime, cefixime, and ceftazidime was 39%, 35%, and 20%. Importantly, subgroup analyses indicated that an increase in resistance rates during the periods (2008-2014, 2015-2021) was recognized for ciprofloxacin (0 % to 6%) and ceftriaxone (6% to 42%).

CONCLUSION

Our findings revealed that ciprofloxacin is an effective drug for shigellosis in Iranian children. The substantially high prevalence estimation proposes that the first- and second-line treatments for shigellosis are the major threat to public health and active antibiotic treatment policies are essential.

MyKid'sNutrition mobile application trial: a randomized controlled trial to promote mothers' nutritional knowledge and nutritional status of preschool children with undernutrition-a study protocol

BACKGROUND

Childhood malnutrition is a crucial public health issue in developing countries. Mothers' nutritional knowledge significantly affects children's nutritional status. It also appears that mothers with low health literacy are unable to adequately meet their children's nutritional needs because they do not clearly understand their children's nutrition and malnutrition status.

METHODS

This randomized controlled trial aims to describe the development and study protocol of the MyKid'sNutrition application, a smartphone-based intervention for mothers of preschool (2-6 years old) children. The application contains several contents on children's healthy eating, childhood underweight, children's loss of appetite, and child growth assessment. As part of the MyKid'sNutrition trial, a total of 116 participants will be randomized 1:1 either to (a) treatment as usual and MyKid'sNutrition or (b) treatment as usual alone. The results of this trial will be based on changes in growth indicators and mothers' nutritional knowledge, attitude, and practice within the groups and the differences between them.

DISCUSSION

Due to their widespread availability throughout society, smartphones can be used to deliver educational content on a large scale at a low cost. In addition, they can provide novel ways for patients to receive support. Hence, it is essential to conduct research studies on these types of interventions. MyKid'sNutrition application offers dietary solutions for such nutritional problems as underweight, loss of appetite, and malnutrition in children. Meanwhile, it provides detailed instructions on how to interact with the child.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

IRCT.ir IRCT20140907019082N11. Registered on February 19, 2022.

Comparing knowledge and opinions of medical and dental students in the field of pediatric anesthesia

Background and Purpose

Dental treatment under general anesthesia (GA) is one of the common treatment methods today for dental treatment in children, so dentists' point of view in this field is very important. Therefore, the purpose of this study was evaluation the awareness and attitude of pediatric dentists and final-year dental students about dental treatment for children under GA.

Methods

To conduct this study, 150 people, including 75 general dentists (GD) and 75 final-year dental students (FYDS), were randomly selected in Tehran. In this study, a researcher-made questionnaire containing 15 questions (7 awareness questions and 8 attitude questions) was used to evaluate the awareness and attitude of the participants. After extracting the raw results, statistical analysis of the results was done using SPSS-Ver. 22 software.

Results

60% of the participants (90 people) were men and the remaining 40% (60 people) were women. The results showed that the level of awareness of male dentists was significantly higher than that of female dentists (P = 0.015). In addition, although the awareness level of FYDS was lower than GD, this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.130). The average level of awareness among different age groups had a significant difference (P = 0.009), so the age group of 36-45 years compared to the younger age groups (25-35 years) and the older age groups (36-45 and 55 -46 years), had a higher level of awareness.

Conclusion

According to the findings, it can be concluded that it is necessary to use appropriate educational methods to improve the level of awareness and attitude of children's dentists.

Trend Impact Analysis (TIA) of community-based futures study for pediatric obesity in Iran

BACKGROUND

Childhood obesity has been regarded as one of the main healthcare challenges in the last century, leading to critical health problems and reduced life expectancy. Many factors can play a role in its development or prevention. Using the Trend Impact Analysis (TIA), this study aimed to conduct a community-based futures study for pediatric obesity in Iran.

METHODS

We obtained the prevalence of overweight and obesity from the database of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education. Moreover, we reviewed 21 documents, texts, and comments from three key stakeholders in Iran and prepared a list of key experts, who were stakeholders in the field of obesity prevention of childhood in different organizations. Then, we collected the expert opinions by Delphi method. Data analysis was performed using the Excel and R software.

RESULTS

Fourteen experts participated in the first stage and nine experts in the second stage. We identified two positive drivers, including the prevalence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the widespread expansion of online educational programs. Meanwhile, we identified five negative drivers as follows: (1) controlling and limiting obesogenic environments in the community, school, and family; (2) running annual compulsory anthropometry programs for students of all educational levels in health centers; (3) integrating nutrition education interventions in the curricula of all educational levels; (4) taxation of unhealthy and fast foods; and (5) preparing safe and appropriate sports environments for children and adolescents (on the streets, schools, parks, and sports clubs). Without considering the drivers, the prevalence of overweight and obesity is predicted to reach 29.10% in 2031. However, it is expected that the negative drivers can increase the prevalence trend from 23.40% in 2018 to 19.57% in 2031, the positive drivers to 32.61%, and the combination of all drivers to 23.07%.

CONCLUSION

It seems that measures such as the effective communication of policy makers, basic evaluation of the programs and policies related to the prevention of childhood obesity, and localization of the programs of international organizations for the prevention of obesity can greatly control the prevalence of childhood obesity.

Leukocyte telomere length and obesity in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Several studies have revealed the negative effects of adiposity on telomere length shortening. However, the results of the studies assessing the negative relationship between obesity and leukocyte telomere length (LTL) are not consistent. This systematic review and meta-analysis are aimed to pool the results of articles assessing the relationship between obesity and LTL among children and adolescents. Methods: To retrieve the related studies, four online databases including PubMed, Embase, ProQuest, and Scopus were searched until May 2022. Observational studies evaluating the relationship between obesity and LTL among apparently healthy children and adolescents (aged ≤18 years) were included in the study. We considered the studies that had reported a mean ± standard deviation of LTL. The random-effects model was used to assess the pooled weighted mean difference (WMD) and a 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: The search yielded seven studies from an initial 3,403 records identified. According to the results of seven articles with 4,546 participants, obesity was associated with LTL shortening among children and adolescents (WMD = -0.081; 95% CI: -0.137 to -0.026; p = 0.004; I2 = 99.9%). Also, no publication bias was observed. According to the results of subgrouping, significant results were only attributed to the studies conducted in Europe, with high quality scores, among overweight and obese adolescents, with a baseline LTL lower than 1, and performed in community-based school settings. Also, according to the subgrouping and meta-regression results, the obesity definition criteria and baseline LTL were the possible sources of between-study heterogeneity. Conclusion: We observed shorter LTL among overweight and obese children and adolescents. To obtain more reliable results, further longitudinal prospective studies with large sample sizes and more consistent and accurate definitions of obesity are required.

Epidemiology of musculoskeletal symptoms, rheumatologic disorders, and disability in the Zoroastrian population in Yazd, Iran: a WHO-ILAR COPCORD study (stage 1)

Background

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints, rheumatologic diseases, and disability among the Zoroastrian population in Iran.

Methods

The city of Yazd, in central Iran was selected for this study, with the highest population of Zoroastrians in Iran. Subjects were selected by cluster sampling of 9 neighborhoods populated with Zoroastrians. Subjects ≥15 years old were interviewed by trained interviewers in their houses. The validated Farsi translation of Community Oriented Program for the Control of Rheumatic Disease (COPCORD) Core Questionnaire (CCQ) was used for this study. Subjects with musculoskeletal complaints (pain, stiffness and/or swelling) were examined by a rheumatologist. Laboratory tests and radiographic exams were performed when deemed necessary.

Results

Two-thousand subjects were interviewed during a 12-month period, of which 956 were male, and 1044 were female. The mean age was 41.1 ± 18.3 years (95%CI: 40.3–41.9). 36.9% of the subjects had university-level education. In the 7 days prior to the interview, 27.6% of the subjects had musculoskeletal complaints, with the knee, dorsolumbar spine, and shoulder being the most common sites of complaints. The most common rheumatologic diagnoses were osteoarthritis (21.5%) and low back pain (10.3%). Rheumatoid arthritis was diagnosed in 1.2% of the subjects.

Conclusions

The epidemiology of musculoskeletal complaints and rheumatologic disorders was inconsistent with previous COPCORD studies in Iran, with a lower prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints in general, lower rates of Behçet and lupus, and a higher prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis. The findings of this study can be for development of better prevention, screening, and treatment programs for the vulnerable population of Zoroastrians in Iran.