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Acta Paediatr 2020 Jul 6. Epub 2020 Jul 6.

Department of Women´s and Children`s Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.

Aim: This Swedish study evaluated whether the severity of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in extremely preterm infants was related to their overall outcome in young adulthood.

Methods: We followed 39 individuals born 1988-93 at less than 28 gestational weeks, included in the Stockholm Neonatal Project. 19 were treated for severe ROP and 20 had no or mild ROP. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jul 6. Epub 2020 Jul 6.

Department of Pediatrics (Neonatal Division), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

The pandemic is a stressful time for everyone, including mothers and healthcare providers who are concerned about the best and safest way to feed babies born to mothers with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. There is lack of consensus regarding mother-infant contact, unless the mother definitely has COVID-19 and even then there is a distinct lack of data to devise protocols for everyday clinical practice.. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jul 6. Epub 2020 Jul 6.

Immunology Section, Ciudad Real University General Hospital, Ciudad Real, Spain.

The first description on the association of coeliac disease (CD) with allergic conditions dates in the 1970s, when was found the co-occurrence of asthma, eczema and rhinitis in adult patients with CD. Later, this likely connection was screened both in paediatric and adult populations, although with conflicting results (1,2). Hence, the relationship between CD and allergy is scarcely known. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jul 6. Epub 2020 Jul 6.

Department of Neonatal Medicine, Women's and Children's Hospital, North Adelaide, SA, Australia.

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jul 5. Epub 2020 Jul 5.

Department of Pediatrics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, 00161, Italy.

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common pediatric disease, that involves up to the 25% of children worldwide. Environmental pollution, passive smoke, and many viruses are actively involved in the chronic inflammation of the nasal mucosa. As described previously in the literature, novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in children is uncommon and often asymptomatic or mild. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jul 4. Epub 2020 Jul 4.

Division of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, Department of Dental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.

Aim: To evaluate oral health outcomes and early oral health promotion of children in a Swedish, parental support programme conducted in a collaboration between Child Health Services and Social Services.

Methods: The intervention offered first-time parents six home visits from a paediatric nurse and a parental advisor with Social Services. On the fourth visit (infant age 6-8 months), parents received a toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste from non-dental staff. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jul 4. Epub 2020 Jul 4.

Allergy Clinic, Casa di Cura Villa Montallegro, Genoa, Italy.

In February 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic flared up across Italy and the first cluster appeared in Southern Lombardy, which is still the most affected area (1). Schools. sports facilities and parks were closed on 1 March, followed by a strict lockdown on 10 March after a significant increase in infections and deaths. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jul 1. Epub 2020 Jul 1.

National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia.

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jul 1. Epub 2020 Jul 1.

Child Language Research Center, Faculty of Humanities, University of Oulu, PL 1000, 90014, Oulu, Finland.

Aim: Our aim was to study whether prematurity, associated with prenatal and neonatal risk factors, affects specific literacy skills among schoolchildren born at a very low gestational age (VLGA) of <32 weeks.

Methods: The study group comprised 76 prospectively followed VLGA children born between November 1998 and November 2002 at Oulu University Hospital, Finland, and 51 term controls. The median gestational age of the VLGA children was 29. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jun 30. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.

Aim: This study investigated patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) treatment and neurodevelopmental outcomes when extremely preterm born children reached 6.5 years.

Method: Our cohort was 435 children with neonatal PDA treatment data and neurodevelopmental follow-up data, born in 2004-2007, who participated in the Extremely Preterm Infants in Sweden Study. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jun 30. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

University of Bremen, Centre for Clinical Psychology and Rehabilitation, Bremen, Germany.

Aim: We systematically reviewed the literature on the influence of low and moderate amounts of prenatal alcohol and nicotine exposure on early child development. This paper also suggests possible directions for future research in order to tackle the controversial findings identified.

Methods: The PubMed and Web of Science electronic databases were searched together with the reference lists of the selected papers. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jun 30. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Pediatric Emergency Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy.

Italy has been badly affected by COVID-19, despite strict quarantine measures. Up to 1 June 2020, 2.1% of the positive cases in Italy were aged 0-18 years, with no paediatric deaths (1). Read More

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jun 29. Epub 2020 Jun 29.

Institute for Maternal, Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy.

Italy has been one of countries most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Government instituted a strict national lockdown on 9 March 2020 to limit the spread. Healthcare services were only open for emergencies or undelayable needs. This study describes the impact of the lockdown on the tertiary level Pediatric Emergency Department (PED) at the Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, in Trieste, North East Italy. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jun 26. Epub 2020 Jun 26.

Service de Médecine et de Réanimation du Nouveau-né, Hôpital Hautepierre, Strasbourg, France.

Social distancing is the only option available during the COVID-19 pandemic until a vaccine is developed. However, this is having a major impact on human relationships and bonding between parents and neonates is a major concern. Separation during this health emergency could have lifelong consequences for offspring and there are even greater concerns if newborn infants are sick or vulnerable and need intensive care. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jun 25. Epub 2020 Jun 25.

Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.

Harsanyi et al. discuss the preparedness of final-year students for consultation on childhood fever. As fourth-year medical students with an interest in paediatrics, this is particularly relevant and we concur with the notion that increased practical university training is required. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jun 25. Epub 2020 Jun 25.

Department of Health Sciences, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.

Aim: Little is known about predictive validity of and professionals' adherence to language screening protocols. This study assessed the concurrent and predictive validity of the Dutch well child language screening protocol for two-year-old children and the effects of protocol deviations by professionals.

Methods: A prospective cohort study of 124 children recruited and tested between October 2013 and December 2015. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jun 25. Epub 2020 Jun 25.

Department of Woman's and Child's Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.

Education on neonatal resuscitation is most urgent in settings with poor access to intrapartum obstetric care, where immediate postnatal mortality can be reduced by 30% with basic training in neonatal resuscitation. Management of newborns at birth includes different interventions based on progressive steps (initial steps, ventilation, chest compressions, and medications). Read More

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jun 25. Epub 2020 Jun 25.

Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.

COVID-19 has already caused millions of infections, thousands of deaths and countless indirect and poorly estimated consequences on other diseases and the global economy. All ages are potentially susceptible, but the virus has had a lower direct impact on children, with fewer severe cases and low mortality rates. However, the reasons for this are still unclear and we cannot rule out children's role in transmitting the disease. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jun 25. Epub 2020 Jun 25.

Department of Women's and Children's Health, Pediatric Oncology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.

Aim: To investigate the feasibility, and perform a pilot study, of a randomized clinical trial, investigating whether children experience less pain, fear and/or distress when they receive oral ibuprofen vs. placebo before a needle is inserted in a subcutaneously implanted intravenous port.

Methods: 23 children were included consecutively and randomized to either oral ibuprofen (n = 12) 7. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jun 25. Epub 2020 Jun 25.

Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition institute, Ruth Children's Hospital of Haifa, Rambam Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel.

Aim: Hypertransaminasemia is common incidental finding in children. It has been demonstrated that even prolonged elevation usually resolves spontaneously without clear etiology. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a longer follow up period, on a larger group, supports the previous findings. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jun 25. Epub 2020 Jun 25.

Drug Safety Center and Clinical Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany.

In their letter, Akhbari et al (1) asked whether simulating a consultation was an appropriate way to assess students' skills, as they are likely to underperform in a simulated setting. We agree that a simulated consultation creates a stressful setting for students. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jun 25. Epub 2020 Jun 25.

Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, M13 9PL, United Kingdom.

As fourth year medical students studying in the United Kingdom, we found the article 'Final-year pharmacy and medical students do not recognize "red flags" in childhood fever', by Dr Astrid Bertsche et al to be of great interest to us. The main limitations identified in this report were the design of the study and the assumed association of simulated based performance to real-life care. We would therefore like to provide our perspective on the issue. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jun 23. Epub 2020 Jun 23.

Department of Pediatrics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.

The redistribution of healthcare resources for coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in unintentional neglect of essential non-COVID-19 care (1). In low- and lower-middle income countries, the already overstretched healthcare systems have crumbled under the COVID-19 pressure (1). In India, the first COVID-19 case was detected on January 30, and a nation-wide total lockdown was announced from March 25 until May 3, 2020 followed by a partial lockdown. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jun 23. Epub 2020 Jun 23.

Discipline of Anatomy and Pathology, The University of Adelaide, Frome Road, Level 2 Helen Mayo Building North, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia.

The study by O'Brien et al focuses on a very important aspect of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) education and research, parental awareness of risk factors. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jun 23. Epub 2020 Jun 23.

Boston University, Medical School and School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.

Aim: To describe trends in antibiotic (AB) prescriptions in children in primary care over 11 years, using a large data warehouse.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study assessed outpatient AB prescriptions 2007-2017, using the Massachusetts Health Disparities Repository. The evolution of pediatric outpatient AB prescriptions was assessed using time series analyses through annual percent change (APC) for the population, and for children with or without comorbid condition. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jun 23. Epub 2020 Jun 23.

Department of Sport & Physical Education, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China.

Aim: This study assessed the trends in the age at menarche in Chinese schoolgirls from the majority Han group and 21 ethnic minorities from 2005- 2014. We also compared the group differences during the study period.

Methods: A total of 344,230 girls aged 9-18 years were extracted from the 2005, 2010 and 2014 Chinese National Survey on Students' Constitution and Health. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jun 22. Epub 2020 Jun 22.

Division of Pediatrics and Neonatology, San Paolo Hospital, ASL Bari, Bari, Italy.

we read with great interest the article by Pata et al. published online on June 2 in the Journal (1). Indeed, the current Covid-19 epidemic in Italy and the associated, two months (March-April) strict lockdown have impacted on the overall epidemiology and use of adult and pediatric medical resources -also due to dramatic changes in lifestyle. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jun 22. Epub 2020 Jun 22.

Department of Women's and Children's Health, Clinical Psychology Unit, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jun 23. Epub 2020 Jun 23.

Rotunda Hospital, Neonatology, Dublin, Ireland.

In many countries, a death cannot be ascribed to SIDS without an examination of the circumstances of death, including the death scene, by trained personnel. The death scene investigation examines all aspects of the infants past medical history, recent medical encounters, and last sleep. In Ireland there is no standardised death scene investigation. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jun 22. Epub 2020 Jun 22.

Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jun 22. Epub 2020 Jun 22.

Departments of Paediatrics, Medicine, and Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.

Aim: To evaluate if renal length z-scores predict renal dysfunction in children with a solitary functioning kidney (SFK).

Methods: In a single-center retrospective cohort of children with SFK, we correlated body mass index z-scores, extracellular volume and lean body mass to renal length z-scores. We grouped these z-scores to other markers of renal dysfunction (proteinuria, hypertension, extracellular volume and abnormal estimated glomerular function rate [eGFR]) and analyzed renal length z-score with multivariate analysis, receiver operated characteristics (ROC) plots and Youden's index to determine an appropriate cut-off. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jun 22. Epub 2020 Jun 22.

Uppsala University Children's Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jun 22. Epub 2020 Jun 22.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery and Audiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Vascular lesions are categorised as vascular tumours and vascular malformations. They often present during early childhood and are frequently seen in the head and neck area. Earlier classifications were based on dated research but the classification scheme introduced by the International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies in 1992, has made it easier to identify vascular lesions and distinguish specific malformations. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jun 22. Epub 2020 Jun 22.

Department of Pediatrics, Holbaek University Hospital, Holbaek, Denmark.

Aim: To develop a fast bedside test for prediction and early targeted intervention of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) to improve the outcome.

Methods: In a multicentre study of preterm infants with gestational age 24-31 weeks, clinical data present at birth were combined with spectral data of gastric aspirate samples taken at birth and analysed using artificial intelligence. The study was designed to develop an algorithm to predict development of BPD. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jun 22. Epub 2020 Jun 22.

Department of Pediatrics, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute, Aichi, Japan.

Aim: The aim is to investigate the actual situation of accidental ingestion of magnets in children in Japan and the clinical features of the resulting gastrointestinal damage.

Methods: We developed a questionnaire and sent it to 496 board-certified training hospitals nationwide. Information was collected on the number of children with accidental magnet intake from 2015 to 2017, witnesses of magnet intake, number and type of magnets, presence or absence of gastrointestinal injury, treatment, etc. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jun 21. Epub 2020 Jun 21.

Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.

According to the United Nations Educational, Science and Cultural Organization, 194 countries had implemented country-wide school closures by April 1 2020 in an effort to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. It's estimated that those closures affected 91.3% of students across the globe. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jun 21. Epub 2020 Jun 21.

Univ. Lille, CHU Lille, Paediatric Pulmonology and Allergy Unit, Hôpital Jeanne de Flandre, F-59000, Lille, France.

Aim: To assess quality of life (QoL) in children with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and to compare it with oesophageal atresia (OA).

Methods: A cross-sectional study in CDH children (≥ 7 years) was conducted in Lille University Hospital, France, from January 2013 to April 2014. History, lung function (rest, exercise), Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory questionnaires (PedsQoL 4. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jun 21. Epub 2020 Jun 21.

University Children's Hospital, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Uppsala, Sweden.

Aim: The knowledge is limited about how parents experience the time when their infant is receiving therapeutic hypothermia (TH) after severe perinatal asphyxia. The aim of this study was to explore parents' experience of closeness and involvement in their infant's care while in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with their newborn undergoing TH.

Methods: Face-to-face, semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents (n = 11) whose infants (n = 8, aged 3-5 years at the time of the study) underwent TH at a level III Swedish NICU during 2013-2016. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jun 21. Epub 2020 Jun 21.

Division of Orthopaedics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Aim: To describe the epidemiology and management of appendicular fractures occurring in the neonatal ICU in a large series of patients treated a single, quaternary care neonatal intensive care unit.

Methods: Patients <1 years old with appendicular fractures treated from 2012 to 2016 at a quaternary-level NICU were identified. Bivariate testing compared fractures, work-up and management based on designated mechanism (presumed birth-related vs unknown). Read More

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jun 21. Epub 2020 Jun 21.

University Hospitals, Southampton & Naomi House Hospice, Southampton, UK.

Aim: Understanding of coping strategies that parents use before the death of their child is crucial, and will enable us to best provide support. The current study aimed to explore parents' coping strategies, and map these onto an existing theoretical framework.

Methods: Bereaved parents and parents of a child with a life-limiting/threatening condition were interviewed to investigate coping strategies, recruited through Intensive Care Units (2 Neonatal, 2 Paediatric, 1 Paediatric Cardiac), and a children's hospice. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jun 21. Epub 2020 Jun 21.

Newborn Research, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.

Predicting an infant's risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is challenging, particularly during the first weeks after birth. However, strategies to prevent BPD may have most benefit if delivered during this period. A tool assessing BPD risk would prove valuable to clinicians and researchers - aiding clinical decisions and developing eligibility criteria to evaluate preventative BPD therapies. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jun 19. Epub 2020 Jun 19.

Department of Pediatrics, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Aim: The aim was to examine the association between moderate to late preterm birth and the prevalence of early childhood caries.

Methods: We searched the PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Trials Register) databases up to February 28, 2020. Two independent reviewers screened the papers for relevance, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jun 17. Epub 2020 Jun 17.

Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Cagliari and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, AOU Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jun 18. Epub 2020 Jun 18.

Department of Education, Faculty of Social Science, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jun 17. Epub 2020 Jun 17.

Department of Paediatrics and Neonatology, Portiuncula University Hospital, Ballinasloe, Ireland.

Aim: The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 in neonates and children under one year of age.

Methods: A systematic literature review of the MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, Embase and EBSCO databases was carried out for studies from January 1, 2020, to April 7, 2020. We included all papers that addressed clinical manifestations, laboratory results, imaging findings and outcomes in infants and neonates. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jun 18. Epub 2020 Jun 18.

Health Services Unit, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on health and society, worldwide. While most high income countries are felt to be reaching their COVID-19 peak, most low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly sub-Saharan countries, are anticipating an exponential growth of cases.(1) Overall it has been documented that children are less affected. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jun 16. Epub 2020 Jun 16.

Consultant medical epidemiologist, Iowa City, Iowa, USA.

The global COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with high rates of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission, morbidity and mortality in the general population. Evidence-based guidance on caring for babies born to mothers with COVID-19 is needed. There is currently insufficient evidence to suggest vertical transmission between mothers and their newborn infants. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jun 16. Epub 2020 Jun 16.

Pediatric Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Milano, Italy.

Aim: To describe the experience involving the early introduction of palliative care (PC) in oncological patients treated within the pediatrics oncology unit of the Istituto Nazionale Tumori of Milan andcompare this cohort to a cohort of patients resident in the same area treated before the introduction of early palliative care.

Methods: A virtual team was assembled in 2015. The PC providers operate outside the hospital. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jun 16. Epub 2020 Jun 16.

Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.

Aim: Deliberate self-poisoning or overdose is a common presentation to the paediatric emergency departments (ED) due to a lack of emergency access to child and adolescent mental health services. We overview medical and psychiatric assessment of overdoses in youth with the most commonly implicated drug, paracetamol, as a case study.

Methods: A what, when and why framework is adopted to guide clinicians on what information should be ascertained, when overdose treatment should be initiated and how to explore why the overdose occurred. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2020 Jun 15. Epub 2020 Jun 15.

Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock, Arkansas, United States.

The prevalence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is lower in children compared to adults. Children contribute to 1-5% of all COVID-19 cases (1) . A recent study from China reported that 171(12. Read More