Reflections of adolescent motherhood on infant and young child feeding practices: the case of Uganda.

Background: Age-appropriate breastfeeding and adequate complementary feeding play a crucial role in reducing under-5 mortality rates, malnutrition, and mortality worldwide. Given the high prevalence of adolescent pregnancy in Uganda, we aimed to assess the competence of adolescent mothers in infant and young child feeding (IYCF) using data from the 2016 Uganda Demographic Health Survey.

Method: Our sample comprised the last children aged 6-23 months of mothers aged 15-29 years, totaling 2594 mother-infant pairs; 402 were aged 15-19 years, 1,388 were aged 20-29 years with their first delivery before the age of 20, and 804 were aged 20-29 years with their first delivery at 20 years or older.

Maternal Perception and Childhood Overweight: Examining Parenting Styles and Eating Behaviors Among Preschoolers: A Cross-Sectional Study from Samsun, Türkiye.

Background: Accurate maternal perceptions of children's weight status are crucial for early childhood obesity prevention, with evidence suggesting that maternal misperception may delay timely interventions. This study investigated the accuracy of maternal perceptions of child weight and examined associations with parenting styles and children's eating behaviors and demographic factors among preschool-aged children in Samsun, Türkiye.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 318 mother-child pairs recruited from preschools in socio-economically diverse areas of Samsun.

Awareness and Knowledge of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals Among Pregnant Women and New Mothers: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study.

Background/objectives: Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are exogenous substances that interfere with hormone regulation, leading to adverse health outcomes. Despite the wide use of EDCs in daily products like plastics, personal care items, and food packaging, public awareness remains low. Pregnant women and new mothers are particularly vulnerable, as exposure to EDCs during early life stages can have long-term health impacts.

Osteopontin Levels in Maternal Serum, Cord Blood, and Breast Milk According to Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Case-Control Study.

Background/objectives: The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is increasing, and GDM poses health risks for both mothers and newborns. This study investigated the association between GDM and two biomarkers, osteopontin (OPN) and betatrophin (ANGPTL8).

Methods: This study involved face-to-face interviews with 165 participants-81 in the GDM group and 84 in the control group-to gather maternal-newborn data.

Assessment of Antibody Levels and Vaccine-induced Serologic Responses After Completion of Cancer Treatment in Pediatric Patients: A 6-Year Experience in Turkey on HAV, HBV, VZV, and MMR Vaccinations.

Objective: Childhood cancer treatment disrupts vaccination schedules and weakens or eliminates vaccine-induced immunity. In addition, post-treatment vaccine responses vary. This study aimed to assess post-treatment serum antibody levels and vaccine responses in children.

Engraftment after pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and its association with recipient and donor phthalate and bisphenol A exposure levels: A cohort study.

Phthalates and bisphenols, ubiquitous compounds found in various everyday products, have garnered attention due to their potential health-disrupting effects. This study aimed to (1) investigate urinary phthalate metabolites and bisphenol A (BPA) levels in donors and recipients prior to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and monitor changes in these compounds in pediatric recipients at different time points (day-9, day 0, day+7, day+28, day+90), and (2) assess their association with engraftment success. Urine samples from pediatric recipients and donors were collected for analysis of phthalate metabolites and BPA in 34 donor-recipient pairs.

Breast refusal: an analysis of frequency, onset timing, recovery status, and their interplay with breastfeeding self-efficacy and maternal depression.

Objectives: This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the frequency of breast refusal (BR), associated factors including postpartum depression and breastfeeding self-efficacy, and investigate the recovery status following BR.

Methods: The survey comprised four sections, to investigate the sociodemographic characteristics of mothers and their babies, Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF), the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) of mothers, and features associated with BR. The survey was administered online to those with babies aged 0-24 months.

Nutrient Supplements for Young Children and Mothers' Self Medication with Over-the-Counter Drugs During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: The restriction of access to health services during the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in self-medication. This study aims to examine mothers' use of nutrient supplements with over-the-counter (OTC) medications for their children, including instances of self-medication for themselves. The study also explores maternal characteristics associated with this behavior, the specific medications used, and the reasons for use.

Caring Under Pressure: Investigating Parental Attitudes in Mother-Child Chronic Illness Dynamics.

Background: The presence of chronic illnesses in both a mother and a child poses a significant challenge for mothers in managing these conditions, yet how maternal attitudes adapt to dual illness remains poorly understood. This study aims to explore parenting styles in families dealing with mother-child chronic illnesses.

Methods: Mothers of children aged 2-6 were recruited from three pediatric clinics and categorized based on the health status of both the mother and the child.

Interplay of paternal caregiving and screen use habits on early childhood development and children's tantrums.

Background: This study aims to examine the association for paternal care and father-child screen use with early childhood development and children's temper tantrums.

Method: Study file included questions about paternal characteristics, child care, father-child screen habits, and utilized the UNICEF Early Childhood Development Index (ECDI). Factors influencing ECDI-on-track status and children's responses when screen use was restricted were investigated with Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression.

Evaluation of Complementary Feeding Indicators Among Children Aged 6-23 Months According to the Health Literacy Status of Their Mothers.

Background/objectives: Infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices directly affect child health, development, and survival, especially under 2 years of age and ultimately affect adult life well-being. As the primary caregivers of the children, mothers with higher health literacy may better perceive the benefits of optimal complementary feeding practices, leading to improved health outcomes for their children. In this study, we aimed to assess complementary feeding practices among children aged 6-23 months in Turkey according to 2021 World Health Organization IYCF indicators [minimum dietary diversity (MDD); minimum meal frequency (MMF); minimum acceptable diet (MAD); egg and/or flesh food consumption (EFF); sweet beverage consumption (SwB); unhealthy food consumption (UFC); zero vegetable or fruit consumption (ZVF); and bottle feeding (BoF)] and investigate their associations with sociodemographic characteristics and mothers' health literacy.

Heavy Metal and Trace Element Status and Dietary Determinants in Children with Phenylketonuria.

Heavy metals are a group of metals and metalloids that have a relatively high density. They can cause toxicity even at very low levels. Trace elements are required by all living organisms to maintain their normal growth, metabolism, and development.

Problematic screen exposure and oral health in preschool children: a comparison study.

Objectives: Recent studies have highlighted the association between problematic screen exposure (PSE) in preschool children and various health issues. This study aims to determine the relationship between PSE and oral/dental health as well as parafunctional oral habits in this population.

Methods: Healthy children aged 3 to 6 years who visited the pediatric dentistry outpatient clinic were included in the study.

Investigation of the Hepatitis-B Vaccine's Immune Response in a Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Mouse Model.

This study aimed to investigate the immunogenicity of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine by applying a normal and high-dose hepatitis B virus vaccination program in the mice modeling of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD was induced in mouse livers via diet. At the 10-week mark, both groups were divided into 3 subgroups.

The interplay between maternal employment dynamics and trends in breastfeeding practices over the past decade.

Background: Working mothers are in a situation where they have to manage both their job and maternal roles simultaneously. We aim to show the relationship between mothers' breastfeeding behavior and working status, as well as the effect of their working conditions on the continuation of breastfeeding.

Methods: This study examined 3557 (weighted 3490) child-mother pairs from Turkey's Demographic Health Survey data in 2008, 2013, and 2018 with a complex sample multiple logistic regression analysis to explore the relationship between breastfeeding and maternal employment.

Fostering Tomorrow: Uniting Artificial Intelligence and Social Pediatrics for Comprehensive Child Well-being.

This comprehensive review explores the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in the field of social pediatrics, emphasizing its potential to revolutionize child healthcare. Social pediatrics, a specialized branch within the discipline, focuses on the significant influence of societal, environmental, and economic factors on children's health and development. This field adopts a holistic approach, integrating medical, psychological, and environmental considerations.

Exploring the levels of persistent organic pollutants in umbilical cord blood and their connection to gestational age and birth weights in Şanlıurfa, Turkey.

Background: Controversy surrounds the impact of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) on fetal development. This study aimed to investigate levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in umbilical cord blood from Şanlıurfa mothers in Turkey, exploring associations with gestational age and birth weight.

Methods: Participants included voluntary mothers pregnant with a single fetus, providing details on maternal factors.

Social-emotional and behavioural problems in young children of healthcare worker mothers during the COVID-19 outbreak: a case-control study.

Background: The pandemic has had a significant impact on the daily lives of children and their families, particularly the children of health care workers, due to changes in family routines as a result of their parents' work schedules. We aimed to explore the socioemotional and behavioural (SEB) problems of children of healthcare worker mothers (HCWM) during the COVID-19 pandemic and compare them with age-matched children and their mothers from other occupations.

Method: A case-control study design was applied, and a snowball approach was used to enrol volunteered participants aged between 6 and 36 months of age, through a Google survey.

Turkish Adaptation, Reliability, and Validity Study of the Vaccine Acceptance Instrument.

This research study aimed to assess the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Vaccine Acceptance Instrument (VAI). The VAI is a 20-item Likert-type scale, with responses ranging across seven points. A systematic approach was followed to translate the scale into Turkish, involving translation, expert panel evaluation, back-translation, and pilot testing.

Exploring the interplay: Maternal electronic health literacy and its impact on early childhood development and parenting practices.

Background: Mothers need a competent electronic health literacy (eHL) skill for beneficial gains for the health of their children in the virtual environment, which is a new health platform. We predict that a competent eHL of mothers who play a central role in early childhood will positively affect the health of their children. This study aimed to determine the level of eHL of mothers of young children and investigate the relationship between mothers' eHL and early childhood development (ECD) and early parenting practices (EPP).

Which factors accompany maternal acceptance-rejection in children with specific learning disabilities?

Background: Children with specific learning disabilities (SLDs) and their parents experience many problems that may influence their interactions. The study aimed to evaluate the maternal acceptance/rejection status of children with SLDs and their associations with sociodemographic characteristics, and problem behaviors.

Methods: The Parental Acceptance-Rejection/Control Questionnaire (PARQ/C) and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) were applied to the mothers with children aged 7-17 years with a diagnosis of SLD.