Usability and psychometric properties of a battery of tools to assess intelligence, executive functioning, and sustained attention in Tanzanian children.

Background: Measuring neurocognitive functioning in children requires validated, age-appropriate instruments that are adapted to the local cultural and linguistic context. We sought to evaluate the usability and psychometric properties of five tools that assess general intelligence, executive functioning, and sustained attention among Tanzanian children.

Methods: We adapted five age-appropriate neurocognitive assessment batteries from previously published assessment materials to the Tanzanian context.

Framework for developing self-actualization skills in young adults with autism.

Purpose: Young adults with autism spectrum disorder (YAASD) often lack the skills needed for successful adult living and subsequently develop lower quality of life and health in adulthood. Therefore, we developed a framework to support resilience and improve quality of life in YAASD, which will be used to develop a life-skills curriculum for YAASD.

Methods: We conducted a qualitative study of YAASD, parents of YAASD and service providers recruited from agencies that serve YAASD using Grounded Theory.

Weight change in the first 30 days among infants born less than 2000 grams in Guinea-Bissau and Uganda.

Despite the high prevalence of low birth weight infants in sub-Saharan Africa and the associated poor outcomes, weight change during the newborn period has not been well characterized for this population. We prospectively assessed growth over the first 30 days among 120 infants born < 2000 g (g) in Guinea-Bissau and Uganda, and compared it to a similar cohort of 420 infants born ≥ 2000 g. Among those born < 2000 g, mean birth weight was 1747 ± 164 g, and initial weight loss was 8.

Motor Impairment Referrals to an International Child Development Clinic: It is Not Always Cerebral Palsy.

Background: The majority of the estimated 50 to 100 million children living with disability worldwide reside in low- or middle-income countries. As families migrate to avoid humanitarian crises, children with developmental disability and delay warrant particular attention in refugee and international health settings. During transitions, medical documentation may be lost and diagnoses may not be fully understood, contributing to the challenges of determining etiologies of motor impairment.

Researching COVID to enhance recovery (RECOVER) pregnancy study: Rationale, objectives and design.

Importance: Pregnancy induces unique physiologic changes to the immune response and hormonal changes leading to plausible differences in the risk of developing post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC), or Long COVID. Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy may also have long-term ramifications for exposed offspring, and it is critical to evaluate the health outcomes of exposed children. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery (RECOVER) Multi-site Observational Study of PASC aims to evaluate the long-term sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection in various populations.

Psychometrics of psychosocial behavior items under age 6 years: Evidence from Nebraska, USA.

Because healthy psychosocial development in the first years of life is critical to lifelong well-being, governmental, and nongovernmental organizations are increasingly interested in monitoring psychosocial behaviors among populations of children. In response, the World Health Organization is developing the Global Scales of Early Development Psychosocial Form (GSED PF) to facilitate population-level psychosocial monitoring. Once validated, the GSED PF will be an open-access, caregiver-reported measure of children's psychosocial behaviors that is appropriate for infants and young children.

Growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm and low birth weight infants in rural Kenya: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: Data on long-term outcomes of preterm (PT) and low birth weight (LBW) infants in countries with high rates of neonatal mortality and childhood stunting are limited, especially from community settings. The current study sought to explore growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes of PT/LBW infants from a rural community-based setting of Kenya up to 18 months adjusted age.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Researching COVID to enhance recovery (RECOVER) pregnancy study: Rationale, objectives and design.

Importance: Pregnancy induces unique physiologic changes to the immune response and hormonal changes leading to plausible differences in the risk of developing post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC), or Long COVID. Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy may also have long-term ramifications for exposed offspring, and it is critical to evaluate the health outcomes of exposed children. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery (RECOVER) Multi-site Observational Study of PASC aims to evaluate the long-term sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection in various populations.

Cognitive Development.

Cognitive development in children begins with brain development. Early life exposures may both positively and negatively influence cognitive development in children. Infants, toddlers, and children learn best in secure, nurturing environments and when attachment to a consistent caregiver is present.

Expanding Developmental and Behavioral Health Capacity in Pediatric Primary Care.

The Development and Behavior Access Clinic (DBAC) deploys a general pediatrician with brief/intensive training and proctoring by developmental-behavioral pediatricians (DBP) to provide developmental-behavioral (DB) care to children referred with mild/moderate complexity needs as determined by a team of clinical psychologists. This pilot study utilizes visit data, chart review, and surveys to assess wait times, need for subspecialty care, and referring clinician satisfaction. In its first 18 months, DBAC decreased the need for subspecialty DB care, providing initial services for 44% of patients referred for DB pediatric care from the study site; 89% did not require subsequent subspecialty evaluation.

Adaptation of Essential Care for Every Baby educational program to improve infant outcomes in the context of Zika.

Background: The outbreak and ongoing transmission of Zika virus provided an opportunity to strengthen essential newborn care and early childhood development systems through collaboration with the US Agency for International Development Applying Science to Strengthen and Improve Systems (USAID ASSIST). The objective was to create a system of sustainable training dissemination which improves newborn care-related quality indicators in the context of Zika.

Methods: From 2018-19, USAID ASSIST supported a series of technical assistance visits by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in four Caribbean countries to strengthen the clinical capacity in care of children potentially affected by Zika through dissemination of Essential Care for Every Baby (ECEB), teaching QI methodology, coaching visits, and development of clinical care guidelines.

Factors Associated With Trajectories of Externalizing Behavior in Preschoolers.

Objective: More media exposure and life stressors are associated with higher levels of externalizing behaviors in young children; however, their joint impact on externalizing behavior trajectory is unknown. This study assessed the relationship of stressful life events (SLE), media exposure, and additional demographic and family variables on the trajectory of externalizing behaviors in preschool-aged children.

Methods: Participants were children ages 3 to 5 years from a large, 18-month duration, randomized control trial to reduce inappropriate media exposure.

Impact of posttraumatic stress disorder and depressive symptoms on quality of life in adolescents after general traumatic injury.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depressive symptoms have been associated with poorer health-related quality of life in adolescents after general traumatic injuries; few studies have examined the broader construct of postinjury quality of life (QOL). We evaluated the impact of traumatic injury on adolescent QOL and examined factors that potentially contribute to poorer outcomes, using the Youth Quality of Life Instrument-Research Version as the outcome measure. Data were collected within 30 days postinjury and 2, 5, and 12 months postinjury.

Adherence to Child Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Treatment Guidelines in Medical Homes-Results from a National Survey.

Objective: Having primary care delivered through a medical home is believed to improve mental health care delivery to children. Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are commonly treated in pediatric practices, yet little is known about ADHD treatment patterns in medical homes. Our objective was to assess for treatment variation depending on parent-perceived medical home (PPMH) status.

Parent mediated intervention programmes for children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders in South Asia: A systematic review.

Objective: Parent-mediated programmes have been found to be cost effective for addressing the needs of the children and adolescents with Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDD) in high-income countries. We explored the impact of parent-mediated intervention programmes in South Asia, where the burden of NDD is high.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted using the following databases; PUBMED, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Google Scholar and Web of Science.

Early Child Development Assessments and Their Associations with Long-Term Academic and Economic Outcomes: A Systematic Review.

Developmental screening instruments were designed as diagnostic tools, but there is growing interest in understanding whether select tools can also be used systematically in research to examine intervention impacts on long-term outcomes. As such, this systematic review aims to examine associations between child development assessment tools and educational attainment, academic achievement, or wealth. We included studies identified in PubMed, PsycINFO, and Educational Resources Information Center if they reported an association between at least one tool from a pre-established list and one outcome of interest after age 10.

Colocated Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics in Primary Care: Improved Outcome Across Settings.

Objective: We developed a colocation "Rapid Developmental Evaluation" (RDE) model for Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics (DBP) to evaluate young children for developmental concerns raised during routine developmental surveillance and screening in a pediatric primary care Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). In this low-income patient population, we anticipated that colocation would improve patient access to DBP and decrease time from referral to first developmental evaluation and therapeutic services.

Methods: Children were assessed at the FQHC by a DBP pediatrician, who made recommendations for therapeutic services and further diagnostic evaluations.

Ethical challenges in research with orphans and vulnerable children: a qualitative study of researcher experiences.

Background: Orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs) represent a significant population worldwide, enduring poor health and living conditions. Evidence-based interventions are needed. However, without parents, ethical concerns about including OVCs in research persist.

Health-related quality of life in children and adolescents following traumatic injury: a review.

This paper comprehensively reviews the published literature investigating health-related quality of life (HRQOL) following general traumatic injury in individuals between birth and 18 years. Studies were not considered if they primarily compared medical treatment options, evaluated physical function but not other aspects of HRQOL, or focused on non-traumatic wounds. Specific injury types (e.

Predictors of parental posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in the year after adolescent traumatic injury.

Objectives: Parental posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common after pediatric traumatic injury and may negatively impact parental functioning and quality of life during this key period of the child's early postinjury recovery. This study aimed to evaluate the course and predictors of PTSD in parents during the year after an adolescent traumatic injury.

Methods: This prospective cohort study included a population-based sample of 99 parent-adolescent dyads.

Correlates of reinjury risk in sibling groups: a prospective observational study.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to identify child, parent, and family characteristics that are associated with short-term recurrence of injury within sibling groups.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted of 92 children who were aged 0 to 15 years and treated for injury at a regional pediatric trauma center and their 166 siblings. The outcome of interest was a second or subsequent injury in the sibling group, occurring within 3 months of the index injury event.

Perceived risks and benefits of HIV testing, and predictors of acceptance of HIV counselling and testing among pregnant women in Zimbabwe.

This project evaluated perceived risks and benefits and determined predictors of acceptance of voluntary HIV counselling and testing (VCT) among pregnant women in Zimbabwe. One hundred and seventy pregnant women attending an urban antenatal clinic were surveyed. Implications of a negative or positive HIV test result and of telling a partner or community members that one is HIV positive were queried.

Comparative study of anxiety, depression, somatization, functional disability, and illness attribution in adolescents with chronic fatigue or migraine.

Objective: To compare adolescents with migraine, unexplained profound chronic fatigue of >6 months duration, and normal school controls on measures of anxiety, depression, somatization, functional disability, and illness attribution.

Methods: Adolescents referred to Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center for behavioral treatment of migraine (n = 179) or evaluation of chronic fatigue (n = 97) were compared with a group of healthy controls of similar age and sex from a middle school (n = 32). Subjects completed the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Trait Form, the Children's Depression Inventory, the Childhood Somatization Inventory, and estimated the number of school days missed in the past 6 months because of illness.