SCHOOL PHOBIA IN OLDER CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS: DIAGNOSTIC IMPLICATIONS AND PROGNOSIS

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1961 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 462-471
Author(s):  
Doris H. Milman

A series of 20 cases of school phobia in older children and adolescents was analyzed and categorized into three diagnostic groups: neurotic, organic and schizophrenic. Important differences were noted between neurotic and schizophrenic patients, particularly with respect to the malignant psychiatric symptoms, high intelligence and relapsing tendency of the schizophrenic group. The features common to all groups were pathological maternal attitudes, somatic complaints, anxiety and depression, rarity of prior history of significant anxiety about school, and favorable response to treatment. The symptoms most amenable to treatment were anxiety (both sexual and separation), depression, somatic complaints, and school phobia. With alleviation of these symptoms, there followed an improvement in physical health, school achievement, and social adjustment. Regular school attendance was achieved without coercion in 18 patients. A long-term follow-up averaging 5 years showed sustained improvement in 18 patients. School phobia in late childhood and adolescence is a different syndrome from that in early childhood, and it has graver diagnostic implications.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasmine El Allali ◽  
Coralie Hermetet ◽  
Justine Bacchetta ◽  
Cyril Amouroux ◽  
Anya Rothenbuhler ◽  
...  

Aim: To describe the presenting features and molecular genetics of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) in the paediatric population. Methods: Retrospective study of 63 children diagnosed with primary PHPT from 1998 to 2018. Results: Compared to older children, infants were often asymptomatic (54 vs. 15%, p = 0.002) with a milder form of PHPT. When symptomatic, children and adolescents mostly presented with non-specific complaints such as asthenia, depression, weight loss, vomiting or abdominal pain. A genetic cause of PHPT was identified in about half of this cohort (52%). The infancy period was almost exclusively associated with mutation in genes involved in the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) signalling pathway (i.e. CaSR and AP2S1 genes, ‘CaSR group’; 94% of mutated infants) whereas childhood and adolescence were associated with mutation in genes involved in parathyroid cell proliferation (i.e. MEN1, CDC73, CDKN1B and RET genes, ‘cell proliferation group’; 69% of mutated children and adolescents). Although serum calcium levels did not differ between the 2 groups (p = 0.785), serum PTH levels and the urinary calcium/creatinine ratio were significantly higher in ‘cell proliferation group’ patients compared to those in the ‘CaSR group’ (p = 0.001 and 0.028, respectively). Conclusion: Although far less common than in adults, PHPT can develop in children and is associated with significant morbidity. Consequently, this diagnosis should be considered in children with non-specific complaints and lead to monitoring of mineral homeostasis parameters. A genetic cause of PHPT can be identified in about half of these patients.


2009 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-62 ◽  

Depressive illness beginning early in life can have serious developmental and functional consequences. Therefore, understanding the disorder during this developmental stage is critical for determining its etiology and course, as well as for developing effective intervention strategies. This paper summarizes current knowledge regarding the etiology, phenomenology, correlates, natural course, and consequences of unipolar depression in children and adolescents. Using adult depression as a framework, the unique aspects of childhood and adolescence are considered in order to better understand depression within a developmental context. The data suggest that the clinical presentation, correlates, and natural course of depression are remarkably similar across the lifespan. There are, however, important developmental differences. Specifically, the familial and psychological context in which depression develops in youngsters is associated with variability in the frequency and nature of depressive symptoms and comorbid conditions among children and adolescents. Maturational differences have also been identified in the neurobiological correlates of depression. These developmental differences may be associated with the observed variability in clinical response to treatment and longitudinal course. Characterization of the developmental differences will be helpful in developing more specific and effective interventions for youngsters, thereby allowing them to reach their full potential as adults.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 2682
Author(s):  
George Paltoglou ◽  
Christina Raftopoulou ◽  
Nicolas C. Nicolaides ◽  
Sofia M. Genitsaridi ◽  
Sofia I. Karampatsou ◽  
...  

Leucocyte telomere length (LTL) is a robust marker of biological aging and is associated with obesity and cardiometabolic risk factors in childhood and adolescence. We investigated the effect of a structured, comprehensive, multidisciplinary, personalized, lifestyle intervention program of healthy diet and physical exercise on LTL in 508 children and adolescents (239 males, 269 females; 282 prepubertal, 226 pubertal), aged 10.14 ± 0.13 years. Participants were classified as obese (n = 267, 52.6%), overweight (n = 174, 34.2%), or of normal BMI (n = 67, 13.2%) according to the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) cutoff points and were studied prospectively for one year. We demonstrated that LTL increased significantly after 1 year of the lifestyle interventions, irrespective of gender, pubertal status, or body mass index (BMI). Waist circumference was the best negative predictor of LTL at initial assessment. The implementation of the lifestyle interventions also resulted in a significant improvement in clinical (BMI, BMI z-score and waist to height ratio) and body composition indices of obesity, inflammatory markers, hepatic enzymes, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), and lipid profile in all participants. These findings indicate that the increased LTL may be associated with a more favorable metabolic profile and decreased morbidity later in life.


Author(s):  
Miriam Blume ◽  
Petra Rattay ◽  
Stephanie Hoffmann ◽  
Jacob Spallek ◽  
Lydia Sander ◽  
...  

This scoping review systematically mapped evidence of the mediating and moderating effects of family characteristics on health inequalities in school-aged children and adolescents (6–18 years) in countries with developed economies in Europe and North America. We conducted a systematic scoping review following the PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews recommendations. We searched the PubMed, PsycINFO and Scopus databases. Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts and full texts. Evidence was synthesized narratively. Of the 12,403 records initially identified, 50 articles were included in the synthesis. The included studies were conducted in the United States (n = 27), Europe (n = 18), Canada (n = 3), or in multiple countries combined (n = 2). We found that mental health was the most frequently assessed health outcome. The included studies reported that different family characteristics mediated or moderated health inequalities. Parental mental health, parenting practices, and parent-child-relationships were most frequently examined, and were found to be important mediating or moderating factors. In addition, family conflict and distress were relevant family characteristics. Future research should integrate additional health outcomes besides mental health, and attempt to integrate the complexity of families. The family characteristics identified in this review represent potential starting points for reducing health inequalities in childhood and adolescence.


Author(s):  
Silvia Melero ◽  
Alexandra Morales ◽  
Samuel Tomczyk ◽  
José Pedro Espada ◽  
Mireia Orgilés

Abstract Comorbidity between anxiety and depression symptoms is often high in children. Person-oriented statistical approaches are useful to detect heterogeneity of individuals and diverse patterns of response to treatment. This study aimed to explore the different profiles in a sample of Spanish children who received the Super Skills for Life (SSL) transdiagnostic program, to identify which profile of individuals benefited most from the intervention and the likelihood of transition of symptom patterns over time. Participants were 119 children (42.9% were female) aged 8–12 years old (M = 9.39; SD = 1.26). Children completed anxiety and depression measures at the baseline, postintervention, and 12-months follow-up. Results from latent transition analysis (LTA) revealed two groups depending on the severity of the anxiety and depression symptoms: low symptoms (LS) and high symptoms (HS). LS group remained stable and HS decreased by 25%, switching to the LS group. Children with greater social anxiety benefited most from the program over time. Furthermore, older children were more likely to improve rapidly one year after the intervention compared to younger children. This study provides information to consider when implementing preventive interventions for schoolchildren and to tailor them according to the target population characteristics to increase their effectiveness.


Author(s):  
Véronique Avettand-Fenoel ◽  
Jérôme Lechenadec ◽  
Mariama Sadjo Diallo ◽  
Marine Fillion ◽  
Adeline Melard ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Early combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) limits the total HIV-DNA load in children. However, data on its impact in older children and adolescents remain scarce. This study aims to compare HIV reservoirs in children (5-12 years) and adolescents (13-17 years) who started cART before 6 months (early (E-)group) or after 2 years old (late (L-)group). Methods The ANRS-EP59-CLEAC study prospectively enrolled 76 HIV-1 perinatally-infected patients who reached HIV-RNA<400 copies/mL less than 24 months after cART initiation, regardless of subsequent viral suppression (E-group: 27 children, 9 adolescents; L-group: 19 children, 21 adolescents). Total and integrated HIV-DNA were quantified in blood and in CD4+ T cell subsets. A substudy assessed HIV reservoir inducibility after ex vivo peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) stimulation. Results Total HIV-DNA levels were lower in early- than late-treated patients (Children: 2.14 vs 2.87 log cp/million PBMCs, p<0.0001; Adolescents: 2.25 vs 2.74log, p<0.0001). Low reservoir was independently associated with treatment precocity, protective HLA and low cumulative viremia since cART initiation. The 60 participants with undetectable integrated HIV-DNA started cART earlier than the other patients (4 vs 54 months, p=0.03). In those with sustained virological control, transitional memory and effector memory CD4+T cells were less infected in the E-group than in the L-group (p=0.03 and 0.02, respectively). Viral inducibility of reservoir cells after normalization to HIV-DNA levels was similar between the groups. Conclusions Early cART results in a smaller blood HIV reservoir until adolescence, but all tested participants had an inducible reservoir. This deserves cautious consideration for HIV remission strategies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 9
Author(s):  
Ewan Thomas ◽  
Marianna Alesi ◽  
Garden Tabacchi ◽  
Carlos Marques da Silva ◽  
David J. Sturm ◽  
...  

The aim of this investigation was to identify possible related factors associated to the performance of the crunning test in European children and adolescents. A total number of 559 children and adolescents (age range 6–14 years) of which 308 boys (55.1%) and 251 girls (44.9%), from seven European countries, were screened. A questionnaire concerning demographic and personal life-related factors and a cognitive assessment were performed. A regression analysis was conducted with the performance measures of the crunning movement. T-tests and ANCOVA were used to analyze sub-group differences. Boys have greater crunning performance values compared to girls (5.55 s vs. 7.06 s, p < 0.001) and older children perform better than younger ones (R2 −0.23; p < 0.001). Children with healthy and active habits (exercising or spending time with family members vs. reading or surfing the internet) performed better in the test. Children engaged in team sports had better crunning performances compared to those engaged in individual sports (6.01 s vs. 6.66 s, p = 0.0166). No significant association was found regarding cognitive-related aspects in either children engaged in team or individual sports and the crunning performance. Older and male children performed better in the crunning test than younger and female children. Physical activity-related aspects of children’s life are associated with crunning movement performance. No association was found between higher cognitive performance and the crunning test results.


Pituitary ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayfer Alikasifoglu ◽  
Nur Berna Celik ◽  
Zeynep Alev Ozon ◽  
Elmas Nazli Gonc ◽  
Nurgun Kandemir

Author(s):  
O. Z. Topolnitsky ◽  
E. D. Askerov

Relevance. Various factors can cause facial neuropathy. Iatrogenic facial nerve injury in childhood and adolescence is a complicated medical, psychological and legal problem. Risk assessment of the facial nerve injury during the elective maxillofacial surgeries is required depending on the localization of the procedure. The statistical assessment is very important for the evaluation of the possible iatrogenic facial neuropathy in children and adolescents during the elective maxillofacial surgeries.Materials and methods. 715 medical records for 2017 from the Department of Pediatric Maxillofacial Surgery of the MSUMD Clinical Center for Maxillofacial, Reconstructive and Plastic Surgery were analyzed.Results. There was a risk of injury to the trunk or branches of the facial nerve during surgery in 121 cases (16,9%) for the technical complexity of the surgical approach and the pathology location.Conclusions. There is a high risk of the facial nerve injury during the elective maxillofacial surgery in children and adolescents due to the complex anatomy of the area. Intraoperative neuromonitoring is recommended to prevent iatrogenic neuropathy of the facial nerve.


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