International Care programs for Pediatric Post-COVID Condition (Long COVID) and the way forward.

Background: Pediatric Post-COVID-Condition (PPCC) clinics treat children despite limited scientific substantiation. By exploring real-life management of children diagnosed with PPCC, the International Post-COVID-Condition in Children Collaboration (IP4C) aimed to provide guidance for future PPCC care.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional international, multicenter study on used PPCC definitions; the organization of PPCC care programs and patients characteristics.

Physical exercise may improve sleep quality in children and adolescents with Fontan circulation.

Objective: To study physical activity and sleep in Fontan patients and healthy controls before and after an endurance training program, and after 1 year.

Method: Fontan patients (n = 30) and healthy controls (n = 25) wore accelerometers for seven consecutive days and nights during a school week before and after a 12-week endurance training program and after 1 year.

Results: Patients had similar sleep duration and sleep efficiency as healthy controls.

Health-related quality of life and orthosis use in a Swedish population with arthrogryposis.

Background: Joint contractures are the main characteristics for children with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita. Orthoses are often used to enable or facilitate walking.

Objectives: To describe health-related quality of life in children with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita and satisfaction with orthoses in those using orthoses.

Multidisciplinary Clinics.

More than 400 acquired and genetic diseases are labeled as arthrogryposis. Because of their rarity and complexity coordinated patient management is often lacking. Multidisciplinary clinics are the ideal setting to provide coordinated and comprehensive care to patients with special needs.

Reduced physical exercise and health-related quality of life after Fontan palliation.

Aim: A growing number of patients with Fontan circulation are reaching adulthood, and there is increasing concern about their physical performance and quality of life. This study compared self-reported exercise and measured activity with quality of life in patients after Fontan palliation and healthy controls.

Methods: Physical exercise during an average school week was reported by 30 Fontan circulation patients aged eight to 20 years, and 25 healthy controls, followed by accelerometer recordings over seven days.

Walking, orthoses and physical effort in a Swedish population with arthrogryposis.

Purpose: Excessive movements during walking have been observed by gait analysis in children with arthrogryposis (AMC) using orthoses compared to children using only shoes. The aim of this study was to evaluate energy expenditure and functional exercise capacity in children with AMC.

Methods: Twenty-four children with AMC and 25 typically developing (TD) children underwent oxygen measurement and the 6-minute walk test (6MWT).

Predictors of healthy behaviours in Swedish school children.

Aim: To evaluate the impact of predictors of adopting a healthy lifestyle in Swedish schoolchildren.

Methods: A sample of 1409 Swedish schoolchildren (mean age 12.5 years) representative of different socio-economic and geographical living areas participated in a questionnaire-based survey on healthy habits and knowledge of healthy behaviour.

Impact of time trends and increasing age on health behaviour of Swedish school children.

Background: Information on trends in healthy and unhealthy habits among children are important for the development of programmes intended to foster and consolidate a healthy lifestyle. This report studied the importance of time and age on the health behaviour of Swedish school children.

Methods: A comparison between health behaviours derived from repeated evaluations of Swedish school children aged 11-13 years was performed.