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Int J Food Sci Nutr 2021 Apr 15:1-11. Epub 2021 Apr 15.

Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.

We evaluated the association between intake of total polyphenols, polyphenol classes and the 10 most consumed individual polyphenols with serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in 749 European adolescents (53% girls; 15% overweight; 12.5-17.5 years-old) from the cross-sectional HELENA study of 2006-2007. Read More

PLoS One 2021 15;16(4):e0250103. Epub 2021 Apr 15.

National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisboa, Portugal.

Background: The incidence of invasive meningococcal disease due to serogroup C (MenC) decreased in Portugal since the introduction of the conjugate vaccine (MCC) in the free market in 2001 and in the National Immunisation Plan in 2006. Considering the potential waning of the antibody response reported in the literature, the different vaccination schemes that were used in our country over the past decade, and that Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C continues to circulate, the Portuguese population may currently be at increased risk of infection. In the absence of national data, we evaluated the seroprotection level of the Portuguese population against MenC, in order to identify the protected fraction of the population and ponder on the necessity of a booster dose of the MCC vaccine. Read More

J Hum Hypertens 2021 Apr 14. Epub 2021 Apr 14.

Department of Epidemiology and Health Monitoring, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany.

To track blood pressure (BP) and resting heart rate (RHR) in children and adolescents is important due to its associations with cardiovascular outcomes in the adulthood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine BP and RHR over a decade among children and adolescents living in Germany using national examination data. Cross-sectional data from 3- to 17-year-old national survey participants (KiGGS 2003-06, n = 14,701; KiGGS 2014-17, n = 3509) including standardized oscillometric BP and RHR were used for age- and sex-standardized analysis. Read More

PLoS One 2021 14;16(4):e0248847. Epub 2021 Apr 14.

Centre for Development, Evaluation, Complexity and Implementation in Public Health Improvement (DECIPHer), School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom.

To date no study has examined time trends in adolescent consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and energy drinks, or modelled change in inequalities over time. The present study aimed to fill this gap by identifying historical trends among secondary school students in Wales, United Kingdom. The present study includes 11-16 year olds who completed the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey and the Welsh School Health Research Network (SHRN) survey between 1998 to 2017. Read More

Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet 2021 Apr 14. Epub 2021 Apr 14.

Pfizer Oncology, Global Product Development, La Jolla, CA, USA.

Background And Objective: Population pharmacokinetic analysis explored the pharmacokinetics of sunitinib and its primary active metabolite, SU012662, in children and evaluated the sunitinib dose(s) that produce comparable plasma exposures to adults receiving the approved daily dose.

Methods: Data were from 65 children with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) or solid tumors. Pharmacokinetic models of sunitinib and SU012662 were developed using a systematic multi-step approach employing nonlinear mixed-effects modeling. Read More

Sci Rep 2021 Apr 13;11(1):8056. Epub 2021 Apr 13.

Department of Psychology, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China.

Inhibition of return (IOR) refers to the slower response to targets appearing on the same side as the cue (valid locations) than to targets appearing on the opposite side as the cue (invalid locations). Previous behaviour studies have found that the visual IOR is larger than the audiovisual IOR when focusing on both visual and auditory modalities. Utilising the high temporal resolution of the event-related potential (ERP) technique we explored the possible neural correlates with the behaviour IOR difference between visual and audiovisual targets. Read More

Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2021 Apr 13. Epub 2021 Apr 13.

Department of Clinical Medicine-Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus Universitet, Aarhus, Midtjylland, Denmark.

Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the association between maternal body mass index (BMI) in early pregnancy and children's intellectual disability (ID) risk in the absence of chromosomal disorders, neurofibromatosis and tuberous sclerosis, taking adverse birth outcomes, maternal hypertension/diabetes and maternal socioeconomic status into consideration.

Methods: We conducted a cohort study of singletons without common genetic defects born in Sweden during 1992-2006, and followed them from birth until 31 December 2014 (n=1 186 836). Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyse the association between maternal BMI in early pregnancy and the risk of offspring's ID. Read More

J Heart Lung Transplant 2021 Mar 26. Epub 2021 Mar 26.

Service de Chirurgie Thoracique, Vasculaire et Transplantation Cardio-pulmonaire, Groupe hospitalier Marie-Lannelongue -Saint Joseph, Le Plessis-Robinson, France; Université Paris-Saclay, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France; UMR_S 999, Université Paris-Sud, INSERM, Groupe hospitalier Marie-Lannelongue -Saint Joseph, Le Plessis-Robinson, France.

Purpose: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is rare but remains fatal in infants and children despite the advance of targeted therapies. Lung transplantation (LTx), first performed in pediatric patients in the 1980s, is, with the Potts shunt, the only potentially life-extending option in patients with end-stage PAH but is possible only in tightly selected patients. Size-matching challenges severely restrict the donor organ pool, resulting-together with peculiarities of PAH in infants-in high waitlist mortality. Read More

Am J Hematol 2021 Apr 13. Epub 2021 Apr 13.

Division of Haematology/Oncology, Department of Paediatrics, SickKids Hospital, Ontario, Canada.

There are conflicting data about whether the development of cancer-associated thrombo-embolism (TE) negatively impacts survival in children. The objective was to determine whether TE during treatment was associated with overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We performed a population-based retrospective cohort study using the Cancer in Young People-Canada registry. Read More

Health Policy Plan 2021 Apr 13. Epub 2021 Apr 13.

Helen Keller International - Regional Office, Nairobi, Kenya.

Since 2006, Sierra Leone has achieved high rates of vitamin A supplementation (VAS) coverage (>88%) during mass campaigns. In 2017, campaigns started transitioning to routine VAS within a six-monthly contact point for integrated reproductive and child health (RCH) services. This contact point included improved counselling and provision of modern contraceptives; throughout this transition high VAS coverage (>85%) has been maintained. Read More

Environ Health 2021 Apr 12;20(1):42. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA.

Background: Aspartame is one of the world's most widely used artificial sweeteners and is an ingredient in more than 5000 food products globally. A particularly important use is in low-calorie beverages consumed by children and pregnant women. The Ramazzini Institute (RI) reported in 2006 and 2007 that aspartame causes dose-related increases in malignant tumors in multiple organs in rats and mice. Read More

J Neonatal Perinatal Med 2021 Apr 2. Epub 2021 Apr 2.

Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Medical School-Baystate, Springfield, MA, USA.

Background: Increasing rates of maternal opioid use disorder has led to greater number of opioid exposed newborns (OENs). Maternal enrollment in medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) program improves short term neonatal outcomes. This study aimed at assessing neurobehavioral outcomes for OENs. Read More

J Manag Care Spec Pharm 2021 Apr 12:1-8. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

Harvard Medical School and Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA.

In X-linked myotubular myopathy (XLMTM), mutations in the gene result in absence or dysfunction of myotubularin, a protein required for normal development, maintenance, and function of skeletal muscle. Extreme muscle weakness results in severe respiratory failure that is fatal for approximately half of XLMTM-affected children by age 18 months. Most surviving patients require invasive mechanical ventilation, feeding tubes, and wheelchairs for mobility, due to profoundly impaired motor function. Read More

AAPS J 2021 04 11;23(3):53. Epub 2021 Apr 11.

Department of Systems Biomedicine and Pharmacology, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.

Vancomycin is an effective but potentially nephrotoxic antibiotic commonly used for severe infections. Dosing guidelines for vancomycin in obese children and adolescents with or without renal impairment are currently lacking. This study describes the pharmacokinetics of vancomycin in a large pediatric cohort with varying degrees of obesity and renal function to design practical dosing guidelines for this population. Read More

Lancet Glob Health 2021 Apr 8. Epub 2021 Apr 8.

Centre for Global Health Research, Unity Health Toronto and Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. Electronic address:

Background: Half of the world's missing female births occur in India, due to sex-selective abortion. It is unknown whether selective abortion of female fetuses has changed in recent years across different birth orders. We sought to document the trends in missing female births, particularly among second and third children, at national and state levels. Read More

J Orthop Surg Res 2021 Apr 9;16(1):245. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Clinical and Molecular Osteoporosis Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences and Orthopedics, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, SE-205 02, Malmö, Sweden.

Background: The hand is the second most fractured region in children. It is therefore important to update fracture epidemiology to be able to identify time trends for adequate health care planning. This study reports pediatric hand fracture incidence 2014-2016 and, using published data, also long-term time trends in 1950-2016. Read More

BMC Gastroenterol 2021 Apr 9;21(1):159. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Department of Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden.

Background: Living with undiagnosed symptomatic coeliac disease is connected with deteriorated health, and persons with coeliac disease often wait a long time for their diagnosis. A mass screening would lower the delay, but its cost-effectiveness is still unclear. Our aim was to determine the cost-effectiveness of a coeliac disease mass screening at 12 years of age, taking a life course perspective on future benefits and drawbacks. Read More

Eur J Health Econ 2021 Apr 9. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Entrance 42, Floor 4, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.

Aim: To scrutinize the economic impact of different care levels, such as shared care, in the follow-up of adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) patients.

Methods: The BELgian COngenital heart disease Database combining Administrative and Clinical data (BELCODAC) was analyzed. Patients (N = 6579) were categorized into five care levels based on their cardiac follow-up pattern between 2006 and 2010. Read More

Dtsch Arztebl Int 2021 Feb;118(7):101-108

Bavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety: Health Reporting, Epidemiology, Social Medicine, Child Health, Screening Center, Oberschleißheim; Institute for Experimental Pediatric Endocrinology, Charité-University Medical Center Berlin; Department of Child Nutrition, Federal Research Institute of Nutrition and Food, Max Rubner Institute, Karlsruhe; Department of General Pediatrics, Neonatology, and Pediatric Cardiology, University Children's Hospital, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf; The Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto, Canada; Neonatal Metabolic Screening, Hessian Center for Preventive Care in Children, Screening Center; Hesse, University Hospital Frankfurt/Main.

Background: The purpose of neonatal screening is the early detection of congenital metabolic and endocrine disorders that, if untreated, could lead to fatal crises or other long-term adverse sequelae. In Germany, neonatal screening is legally regulated. Quality-assurance reports ("DGNS reports") are created and published annually by the German Society for Neonatal Screening (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neugeborenen-Screening). Read More

Rev Port Cir Cardiotorac Vasc 2021 Apr 8;28(1):25-29. Epub 2021 Apr 8.

Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Santa Marta Hospital, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Centro, Lisbon, Portugal.

Objectives: We aim to report our experience on venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) for postcardiotomy shock (PCS).

Methods: Single center, retrospective study of all patients on VA-ECMO for PCS, from November 2006 to July 2019. Pediatric and adult patients were analysed separately. Read More

Dev Med Child Neurol 2021 Apr 8. Epub 2021 Apr 8.

Department of Pediatric Neurology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.

Aim: To study the association between the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE) at age 2 years and neurocognition at age 11 years in children born very preterm. We hypothesized that the HINE at 2 years would be associated with neurocognition, that is, neurological, motor, and cognitive outcomes at 11 years.

Method: A total of 174 children (mean gestational age 29. Read More

Arch Womens Ment Health 2021 Apr 8. Epub 2021 Apr 8.

University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Canada.

The etiology of pediatric abdominal disorders is poorly understood, and the relationship with maternal mental health is understudied. We sought to determine the association between maternal psychiatric disorders and abdominal conditions in childhood. We performed a retrospective cohort study of 1,080,518 newborns in Quebec, Canada, between 2006 and 2020. Read More

Demography 2021 Apr;58(2):393-418

School of Social Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.

Although numerous studies have examined how children raised in same-sex-parented families fare relative to children in different-sex-parented families, this body of work suffers from major methodological shortcomings. By leveraging linked administrative data from several population registers from the Netherlands covering the 2006-2018 period (n = 1,454,577), we overcome most methodological limitations affecting earlier research. The unique features of the data include complete population coverage, reliable identification of same-sex-parented families, a large number of children in same-sex-parented families (n = 3,006), multiple objective and verifiable educational outcomes, and detailed measures of family dynamics over children's entire life courses. Read More

Am J Epidemiol 2021 Apr 8. Epub 2021 Apr 8.

Center for Environmental Research and Children's Health (CERCH), School of Public Health, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States.

Secular trends in earlier initiation of puberty have been observed in recent decades. One risk factor appears to be increases in adiposity, as measured by body mass index. This trend is particularly notable among Latino populations, who have higher rates of overweight/obesity compared to non-Latino White youth. Read More

JAMA Ophthalmol 2021 Apr 8. Epub 2021 Apr 8.

Cardiff University School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff, United Kingdom.

Importance: Uncertainty currently exists about whether the same genetic variants are associated with susceptibility to low myopia (LM) and high myopia (HM) and to myopia and hyperopia. Addressing this question is fundamental to understanding the genetics of refractive error and has clinical relevance for genotype-based prediction of children at risk for HM and for identification of new therapeutic targets.

Objective: To assess whether a common set of genetic variants are associated with susceptibility to HM, LM, and hyperopia. Read More

Addict Behav 2021 Mar 26;119:106923. Epub 2021 Mar 26.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln, United States.

Background: Adolescent cigarette smoking has continued to decline, whereas electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use has increased dramatically among youth. Nicotine use in any form, even at low levels, during adolescence can have adverse consequences, particularly for low-income individuals. To elucidate potential early intervention targets, this study examined childhood executive control (EC), a set of cognitive processes for directing attention and behavior, in relation to adolescent cigarette and e-cigarette onset, testing for differential prediction by poverty level. Read More

Health Policy Plan 2021 Apr 7. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Deakin University, Geelong, Global Obesity Centre, Institute for Health Transformation, School of Health and Social Development, 1 Gheringhap Street, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia.

Fiscal tools are recommended as a part of a comprehensive approach to diet-related disease prevention, however, widespread adoption has been hampered by political and economic resistance. The aim of this study was to support an advocacy coalition in the Solomon Islands with evidence-based consideration of the development and implementation of a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), sensitive to local contextual factors and constraints. In 2017-19, we conducted a prospective policy analysis, including document analysis and qualitative interviews with key stakeholders to elicit policy-relevant data, a quantitative analysis to frame the policy problem and examine appropriate implementation mechanisms, and economic modelling to outline the potential benefits associated with different proposed policy solutions. Read More

Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2021 Apr 7:34894211007057. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Head and Neck Center, Rambam Health Care Campus, Clinical Research Institute at Rambam, Rappaport Institute of Medicine and Research, The Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.

Objective: To assess whether a surgeon's level of training is associated with outcomes in pediatric tonsillectomy.

Design: A retrospective cohort study of the outcomes of pediatric tonsillectomies performed between 2006 and 2016 by senior surgeons versus resident surgeons under the supervision of senior surgeons.

Setting: An otolaryngology department in a tertiary academic hospital. Read More

Int J Obes (Lond) 2021 Apr 6. Epub 2021 Apr 6.

Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia.

Objective: To investigate associations between early-life diet trajectories and preclinical cardiovascular phenotypes and metabolic risk by age 12 years.

Methods: Participants were 1861 children (51% male) from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. At five biennial waves from 2-3 to 10-11 years: Every 2 years from 2006 to 2014, diet quality scores were collected from brief 24-h parent/self-reported dietary recalls and then classified using group-based trajectory modeling as 'never healthy' (7%), 'becoming less healthy' (17%), 'moderately healthy' (21%), and 'always healthy' (56%). Read More