bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Satisfaction with formal support and education for children with autism spectrum disorder: the voices of the parents
Authors: Renty J. , Roeyers H. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractIntroduction  The aim of the present study was to identify and describe factors associated with variations in the level of parental satisfaction with formal support and education for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Flanders.Methods  Participants were recruited by a mailing from a diagnostic centre for pre‐schoolers and by advertisements dispersed in the Flemish parent organization for ASD and in services and special schools. The sample consisted of 244 parents of children with ASD (age range: 2.69–17.81 years, male/female sex ratio 4 : 1). The data were collected using a questionnaire on experiences with education and support, which was compiled for the purpose of this study. The data resulting from the questionnaire were supplemented with information obtained from semi‐structured in‐depth interviews with a stratified sample of 15 parents.Results and conclusions  The study revealed that parents experienced difficulties with the diagnostic process, with support and education provided by mainstream settings and with the accessibility of autism‐specific service provisions. Conversely, parents reported to be satisfied with the quality of autism‐specific support and education. Predictors of overall satisfaction were parental involvement in formal support, knowledge of available service provisions and time between first consultation and final diagnosis. Practical implications of the results are discussed.
Perceptions of child labour among working children in Ibadan, Nigeria
Authors: Omokhodion F. O. , Omokhodion S. I. , Odusote T. O. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractBackground  The adverse effects of child labour on the children's psychological development continue to raise concerns about this public health problem worldwide. Several views have been presented by child health authorities, non‐governmental organizations (NGOs) and international agencies. Few studies have focused on the children themselves. This study sought to determine working children's perspective of child labour, its benefits and disadvantages and the working children's perceptions of themselves, and their aspirations for the future.Methods  A cross‐sectional study was carried out among working children in a large market in Ibadan, south‐west Nigeria. Questionnaires were administered to all consenting children.Results  A total of 225 children, 132 females and 93 males, participated in the survey. Their age range was 8–17 years. A total of 103 respondents (46%) were currently in school while 117 (52%) were out of school. Five respondents (2%) had never attended school. A total of 104 (46%) thought that children should not work. However, when asked about the benefits of working, 81 working children (36%) felt that work provided a source of income for them, 52 (23%) indicated that it was a way of helping their parents and 39 (17%) thought it was part of their training to be responsible adults. Bad company, ill health and road traffic accidents were the perceived ill effects of child labour. The majority of the children interviewed were aspiring towards artisan trades and very few towards professional or office jobs. A total of 106 (47%) children perceived themselves as less fortunate than their peers. Fifty‐five children (24%) thought that child labour was a sign of deprivation. The perception that child labour is a sign of deprivation was more prevalent among child workers whose highest educational attainment was primary school, child workers who had worked for more than 6 months and those whose earnings were small.Conclusion  We recommend that school education for children should be a priority even when the harsh economic realities in their families force parents to send them to work outside the home.
Do maternal depressive symptoms, stress and a lack of social support influence whether mothers living in deprived circumstances adopt safety practices for the prevention of childhood injury?
Authors: Mulvaney C. , Kendrick D. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractBackground  Maternal depressive symptoms are common, as are childhood injuries, particularly among the socio‐economically disadvantaged. Maternal depression may be associated with lesser engagement in injury prevention practices. Providing support to mothers can reduce the risk of child injury, but the mechanism by which this occurs is unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between maternal depressive symptoms, social support and stress, and engagement in home safety practices to prevent injuries to pre‐school children living in socio‐economically deprived families in the UK.Methods  Three questionnaires were posted to mothers of young children living in deprived areas in the city of Nottingham, UK, who were enrolled in the control group of a randomized controlled trial (RCT). The questionnaires assessed socio‐demographic characteristics at baseline; depressive symptoms, perceived social support and self‐reported stress 21 months later and engagement in home safety practices 24 months post baseline. The mothers in the control group received no intervention. Main outcome measures were the use of fireguards, stair gates, smoke alarms, window locks and safe storage of medicines, sharp objects and cleaning products.Results  One‐third (36.4%) of mothers reported depressive symptoms. The most widely adopted safety practices were safe storage of medicines (93.5%) and use of smoke alarms (86.2%). The majority of mothers did not use fireguards (60.7%) or store sharp objects safely (63.8%). Depressive symptoms were not independently associated with any of the seven safety practices. Mothers reporting some lack of social support were more likely not to store medicines safely [odds ratio, OR, 4.08 (95% confidence interval, CI, 1.79–9.30) compared with those reporting no lack of social support] and mothers reporting moderate or large amounts of stress were more likely not to store sharp objects safely [OR 1.77 (95% CI 1.11–2.83) compared with mothers reporting no or little stress] after controlling for confounders.Conclusions  Our results suggest that depressive symptoms, stress and a lack of social support are not important influences on the adoption of safety practices by mothers living in deprived areas in the UK, at least in the short term. Further work is required to explore the effects of chronic maternal depressive symptoms on the adoption of safety practices.
Childhood unintentional injuries: the perceived impact of the environment, lack of supervision and child characteristics
Authors: Munro S.‐A. , Van Niekerk A. , Seedat M. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractBackground  Investigations into the context and causation of injury, including injury risks, are an essential part of the injury prevention knowledge base. Caregiver perceptions of childhood injury risks may assist in the design of safety interventions and influence the way in which an intervention is received within a community.Methods  Focus groups and individual interviews were conducted in two low‐income neighbourhoods in South Africa to collect information on caregiver perceptions of injury risks. The data were analysed via thematic content analysis.Results  The results revealed that injury risks are perceived as multifaceted and as contributing synergistically to an injury event. Parents of children also tended to attribute most risks to the environment instead of individual action.Conclusions  Interventions including passive strategies and less activity from the parent may be welcomed in communities. Attention should be given to child injury prevention methods specifically for low‐income contexts.
The association between information and communication technology exposure and physical activity, musculoskeletal and visual symptoms and socio‐economic status in 5‐year‐olds
Authors: Straker L. M. , Pollock C. M. , Zubrick S. R. , Kurinczuk J. J. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractBackground Increasing use of computers by children has raised concerns over the potential impact on their cognitive, social, educational, visual and physical development. Despite this concern, there are no large‐scale studies relating the use of computers to specific health indicators in children as they reach school age.Methods A cross‐sectional analysis of 1600 5‐year‐old Western Australian children participating in a longitudinal cohort study was conducted to ascertain their computer use, other activities (watching television and videos, playing electronic games, reading and looking at books, drawing on paper and moderate to vigorous physical activity), and specific health indicators.Results More than half (56%) of the children used computers each week. Computer use was significantly related to TV viewing (OR 1.97 weekday) and electronic game use (console games OR 2.48 weekday, 1.81 weekend; hand‐held games OR 1.88 weekend) and negatively associated with vigorous physical activity on weekends (OR 0.72). Computer use was also significantly related to socio‐economic indicators such as the mother being older (40+ years, OR 1.70 weekend, 1.73 weekday), tertiary educated (OR 1.63 weekend) and studying (OR 1.52 weekend, 1.41 weekday). Almost 1% children were reported to have complained of tired or sore muscles, and 2.2% had complained of tired or sore eyes, after watching television or using a computer.Conclusion A substantial proportion of 5‐year‐old Western Australian children are using computers. Computer use was related to other sedentary activities and less vigorous activity. While musculoskeletal and vision problems are not widespread, their presence and the sedentary nature of computer use is of public health concern.
Health‐related issues in individuals with agenesis of the corpus callosum
Authors: Doherty D. , Tu S. , Schilmoeller K. , Schilmoeller G. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractObjectives  To explore and compare the prevalence and expression of specific health‐related variables in a large survey sample of persons with agenesis of the corpus callosum (ACC) and their siblings.Methods  Caregiver surveys of individuals with ACC (n = 189) and their siblings (n = 189) provided data regarding diagnoses, physical features, neurological and sensory information, feeding, elimination and sleep concerns, and some behavioural features.Results  Compared with their siblings, individuals with ACC had more concurrent conditions and were more likely to have altered pain perception and sensitivity to touch. In addition, individuals with ACC had more sensory deficits and abnormalities as well as altered patterns of feeding/eating, elimination and sleep.Conclusions  These data raise important questions for future research and suggest the need for increased vigilance by caregivers and health‐care professionals of individuals with callosal disorders. Early detection and intervention may help prevent or ameliorate health problems in this population.
Operationalizing the concept of resilience in child neglect: case study research
Authors: Daniel B. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractBackground  There is a considerable amount of interest in resilience as a concept for child care and protection practice. This paper describes an exploratory project that drew on a set of case studies to explore the extent to which the concept of resilience can be operationalized for use with neglected children in the context of statutory social work.Method  The study was carried out within a local authority in Scotland and focused on the value of the concept as an aid to assessment and planning. The study built on a published workbook that provides a structure for the assessment of potential areas of resilience and gives detailed suggestions for intervention in six domains of a child's life. Eight neglected children aged between five and 11 were recruited. Six training days on the concept were held. Questionnaires were used to gather information about the theoretical frameworks already being used. At the end of the study, semi‐structured interviews were carried out with the social workers about the value of the concept. Assessment reports completed before and after the training were analysed.Results  Findings indicated that participants were familiar with the concept of resilience and that the training helped enhance their understanding of the concept. Training assisted with the provision of a more structured approach to assessment and planning. Respondents reported that the approach enhanced their knowledge of the child and they were able to identify areas for development in the six domains.Conclusion  The study indicated that the concept of resilience can be operationalized for use with neglected children. Further, the case studies raised the issue of the extent to which the need for a secure base underpins other domains. The domain of positive values was also highlighted as an important area for further exploration.
Out‐of‐home day care for families living in a disadvantaged area of London: economic evaluation alongside a RCT
Authors: Mujica Mota R. , Lorgelly P. K. , Mugford M. , Toroyan T. , Oakley A. , Laing G. , Roberts I. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractBackground  Children born into poverty have lifelong disadvantages compared with those more fortunate; social interventions seek to break this cycle of poverty and deprivation. Early Years Centres are one such intervention. These were established in deprived areas in the UK to provide high quality out‐of‐home day care. This paper reports the results of an economic evaluation conducted alongside a randomized controlled trial of one of these centres in the Borough of Hackney, London.Methods  Participants were randomized to receive either high quality day care as provided by the centre or to other child care that they secured for themselves where they chose to do so. Information on resource use (early years education and care, as well as health and social care) was collected over an 18‐month period; this was valued using appropriate unit costs. The cost of education, social and health care together with the value of productivity gains and out‐of‐pocket costs were then compared with the effectiveness of the intervention, increased labour force participant in mothers.Results  From the societal perspective, the value of employment outweighs the costs of health and social services used, and in both groups there are cost savings. These are greater in the intervention group, therefore Early Years day care is an efficient use of resources. However, there is a net cost to the public sector of providing the intervention. The cost of achieving an additional mother in the labour force at 18 months is £38 550 (85% CI of –£1273, £416 172).Conclusion  From the societal perspective, over an 18‐month period, all child care is cost saving, but high quality day care provided by the Early Years Centre is a cost‐effective alternative to day care provided by other local services in Hackney. The public sector, however, incurs added expense from this intervention.
Potential medication dosing errors in outpatient pediatrics
Authors: Jacobson Robert M. 
Published: March 2006

.

McPhillips H.A.,
Stille C.J.,
Smith D.,
Hecht J.,
Pearson J.,
Stull J.,
Debellis K.P.,
Andrade S.,
Miller M.,
Kaushal R.,
Gurwitz J. &
Davis R.L.
(
2005
)

,
147
,
761
–
767
.
Objective  To determine the prevalence of potential dosing errors of medication dispensed to children for 22 common medications.Study design  The investigators used automated pharmacy data from three health maintenance organizations. Children were eligible if they were less than 17 years old at the time of dispensing. The investigators randomly selected up to 120 children with a new dispensing prescription for each drug of interest, giving 1933 study subjects. Errors were defined as potential overdoses or potential under‐doses. The error rate in two health maintenance organizations that use paper prescriptions was compared with one health maintenance organization that uses an electronic prescription writer.Results  Approximately 15% of children were dispensed a medication with a potential dosing error: 8% were potential overdoses and 7% were potential under‐doses. Among children weighing less than 35 kg, only 67% of doses were dispensed within recommended dosing ranges, and more than 1% were dispensed at more than twice the recommended maximum dose. Analgesics were most likely to be potentially overdosed (15%), whereas anti‐epileptics were most likely potentially under‐dosed (20%). Potential error rates were not lower at the site with an electronic prescription writer.Conclusions  Potential medication dosing errors occur frequently in outpatient paediatrics. Studies on the clinical impact of these potential errors and effective error prevention strategies are needed.
Efficacy and safety of exogenous melatonin for secondary sleep disorders and sleep disorders accompanying sleep restriction: meta‐analysis
Authors: Reading Richard 
Published: March 2006

.

Buscemi N.,
Vandermeer B.,
Hooton N.,
Pandya R.,
Tjosvold L.,
Hartling L.,
Vohra S.,
Klassen T.P. &
Baker G.
(
2006
)

,
332
,
385
–
393
.
Objective  To conduct a systematic review of the efficacy and safety of exogenous melatonin in managing secondary sleep disorders and sleep disorders accompanying sleep restriction, such as jet lag and shiftwork disorder.Data sources  Thirteen electronic databases and reference lists of relevant reviews and included studies; Associated Professional Sleep Society abstracts (1999–2003).Study selection  The efficacy review included randomized controlled trials; the safety review included randomized and non‐randomized controlled trials.Quality assessment  Randomized controlled trials were assessed by using the Jadad Scale and criteria by Schulz et al., and non‐randomized controlled trials by the Downs and Black checklist.Data extraction and synthesis  One reviewer extracted data and another reviewer verified the data extracted. The inverse variance method was used to weigh studies and the random effects model was used to analyse data.Main results  Six randomized controlled trials with 97 participants showed no evidence that melatonin had an effect on sleep onset latency in people with secondary sleep disorders [weighted mean difference −13.2 (95% CI −27.3 to 0.9) min]. Nine randomized controlled trials with 427 participants showed no evidence that melatonin had an effect on sleep onset latency in people who had sleep disorders accompanying sleep restriction [−1.0 (−2.3 to 0.3) min]. Seventeen randomized controlled trials with 651 participants showed no evidence of adverse effects of melatonin with short‐term use (3 months or less).Conclusions  There is no evidence that melatonin is effective in treating secondary sleep disorders or sleep disorders accompanying sleep restriction, such as jet lag and shiftwork disorder. There is evidence that melatonin is safe with short‐term use.
Inter‐relationships between airway inflammation, reticular basement membrane thickening and bronchial hyper‐reactivity to methacholine in asthma; a systematic bronchoalveolar lavage and airway biopsy analysis
Authors: Ward C. , Reid D. W. , Orsida B. E. , Feltis B. , Ryan V. A. , Johns D. P. , Walters E. H. 
Published: March 2006

SummaryBackground
Asthma is accepted as a disease characterized by airway inflammation, with evidence that airway structural changes, or ‘remodelling’ occurs. There are few studies relating airway physiology, inflammation and remodelling, however. We have carried out a study of inter‐relationships between airway inflammation, airway remodelling, reticular basement membrane (RBM) thickening, and bronchial hyper‐reactivity (BHR), before and after high‐dose inhaled corticosteroid (fluticasone propionate 750 μg b.d.), in a group of relatively mild but symptomatic, steroid naïve asthma patients.Methods
Double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled, parallel group study of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) in 35 asthmatics, with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and airway endobronchial biopsy (EBB) for inflammatory cell profiles and EBB for airway remodelling carried out at baseline, 3 and 12 months.Results
At baseline RBM thickening was related to BAL mast cells and EBB eosinophil counts. In turn baseline log EBB EG2 eosinophil count, log%BAL epithelial cells and log RBM thickness explained 55% of the variability in BHR.Conclusion
We provide new information that airway inflammation, remodelling, and BHR in asthma are inter‐related and improved by ICS therapy. Our data potentially support the need for early and long‐term intervention with ICS even in relatively mild asthmatics, and the need to further assess the potential merit of longitudinal BHR testing in management of some patients, as this may reflect both airway inflammation and remodelling.
Co‐stimulatory molecules as potential targets for therapeutic intervention in allergic airway disease
Authors: Kallinich T. , Beier K. C. , Gelfand E. W. , Kroczek R. A. , Hamelmann E. 
Published: March 2006

SummaryAirway inflammation is a characteristic feature of allergic asthma. Central to the initiation and progression of the inflammatory process are allergen‐specific T lymphocytes that attract eosinophils, mast cells, and B cells to the airways by the secretion of specific cytokines. The direction of T cell responses is influenced by co‐stimulatory signals that modulate the antigen‐specific signal delivered by the T cell receptor. In addition to the prototypic co‐stimulatory molecule, CD28, a number of newly identified co‐stimulatory molecules and their ligands have now been characterized. Over the past 5 years, the role of these molecules in the pathophysiology of allergen‐mediated sensitization and airway inflammation has been extensively studied in animal models of allergic asthma. The aim of this review is to provide a detailed overview on recent studies in mice and preliminary findings in man and to discuss the potential therapeutic and preventive treatment strategies offered by interactions with co‐stimulatory molecules for patients with allergic airway diseases.
In chronic idiopathic urticaria autoantibodies against FcɛRII/CD23 induce histamine release via eosinophil activation
Authors: Puccetti A. , Bason C. , Simeoni S. , Millo E. , Tinazzi E. , Beri R. , Peterlana D. , Zanoni G. , Senna G. , Corrocher R. , Lunardi C. 
Published: March 2006

SummaryBackground
Chronic idiopathic urticaria is a common skin disorder characterized by recurrent, transitory, itchy weals for more than 6 weeks. An autoimmune origin has been suggested based on the findings of auto‐antibodies (Abs) directed against either the α subunit of the high‐affinity IgE receptor or the IgE molecule in nearly half of the patients.Objective
To identify other autoantigen targets in patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria.Methods
We used pooled IgG derived from 133 patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria to screen a random peptide library to identify disease‐relevant autoantigen peptides. Among the identified peptides, one was recognized by the vast majority of patients' sera. Abs against this peptide were affinity purified from the patients' sera and assayed for their ability to induce histamine release from basophils.Results
We identified a peptide that showed similarity with the low‐affinity IgE receptor (FcɛRII/CD23) expressed on lymphomonocytes and eosinophils. Anti‐peptide IgG Abs purified from the patients' sera bound cell surface CD23 and were able to induce histamine release from basophils. This effect appeared to be mediated by the release of major basic protein from eosinophils upon engagement of CD23. The same effects were obtained with the sera from mice immunized with the CD23 peptide.Conclusion
Our results indicate that patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria have Abs against CD23 and that eosinophils, which infiltrate the skin of these patients, play a crucial role in maintaining the disease through the release of major basic protein upon engagement of the low‐affinity IgE receptor by such auto‐Abs.