Impact of Executive Functions and Parental Anxiety on the Development of Social Cognition in Premature Children: A Cross-Sectional Case-Control Protocol

Background: Recent research has identified neuropsychological disorders, specifically executive function disorders, in premature children. Executive functions support goal-oriented mental activity and play a role in the development of social cognition. This underlies the social and emotional behavior of individuals. Parental anxiety is also an important environmental factor that can influence the psycho-emotional development of children.Objectives: The present protocol aims to compare the development of social cognition in school-age children born prematurely to that of school-age children born full-term, and to determine the impact of executive (dys)function and parental anxiety on such development.Methods/Design: In this cross-sectional protocol, 28 prematurely born children aged 7-10 years (“preterm”) and 28 full-term born children aged 7-10 years (“control”) will be included. The “preterm” and “control” groups will be matched for sex and age. The neuropsychological evaluation will include that of non-verbal intellectual efficiency (Raven's colored progressive matrices), verbal level (WISC-IV subtests), and executive functions (NEPSY II subtests and the opposite worlds of TEA-CH). The evaluation of social cognition will be conducted via tests of the theory of cognitive and affective mind. Several dimensions of the level of parental anxiety will be collected through the Spielberg Trait Anxiety Inventory Form Y, Beck Depression Inventory, Social Support Questionnaire-6, Parental Stress Index and, specifically for mothers, the Modified Perinatal Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Questionnaire.Discussion: The results of this protocol will aid our understanding of the development of social cognition in premature children and to determine the factors that influence such development. This clinical research project, although following a fundamental approach, will have clinical implications because a more precise description of the development of social cognition in this school-age population will make it possible to better determine the cognitive targets of therapeutic actions and to search for predictive indices of the efficacy of practices.Trial Registration:https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03007095, identifier: NCT03007095.

Pattern of growth development of premature children at the age of two and three years in Alexandria, Egypt [Part II]

Thisis the second part of a paper on a study conducted in Alexandria on 68 premature children. Controls were full-term children, double the number of prematures, and matched by age and sex. The first part presented differences in growth and development in relation to prematurity. This part deals with risk factors for prematurity. The study revealed that low educational level of fathers and parental smoking were significant risk factors for prematurity. The mean age of both parents and mothers’ gravidity were significantly higher for prematures. Other risk factors were identified. Mothers with diabetes and chronic nephritis were more likely to have a premature child

Pattern of growth and development of premature children at the age of two and three years in Alexandria, Egypt [Part I]

A case-control study was conducted in Alexandria on 68 premature children:32 of them at the age of 2 and 36 at the age of three years. The aim was to depict the pattern of growth and development among them. Controls were full-term children, who were double the number of prematures and matched by age and sex. It was found that the growth pattern of full-term children aged two and three years was better than that of prematures. Moreover, prematures were significantly delayed in some developmental areas as language, fine motor-adaptive sectors and personal-social domains than their corresponding controls. The study suggests that the provision of quality medical care could eliminate the growth and developmental lag of premature children

Аnalysis of retinopathy of prematurity in republican children's clinical hospital for 2018-2020 years

Purpose. To analyze stages of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and it’s unfavorable active forms, and the correlation between severity of ROP and gestanational age and birth weight of children in Republican Children's Clinical hospital (RCCH). Material and methods. We have examined 4036 children including 759 children with ROP, 596 children had I and II stages, 105 children with III stage, 58 children with Aggressive Posterior ROP (APROP) and 42 children with Plus disease. Results. The structure of ROP for 3 years is: I and II stages – 78,5%, III stage – 13,83%, APROP – 7,64%. There is direct relation between retinal lasercoagulation (RLC) and gestanational age and birth weight: the less are the indexes, the more is probability of unfavorable prognosis and operation necessity. Conclusions. Screening of premature children in catamnesis cabinet in RCCH, regular ophthalmic monitoring with up-to-date diagnostic methods and opportune prophylactic RLC in active phase of ROP allow to decrease disability of ROP. Key words: retinopathy of prematurity, premature children, lasercoagulation of retina.

Breastfeeding practices, consumption of ultra-processed foods in complementary feeding and associated factors in premature children

Breastfeeding and a suitable eating plan in the first years of life are crucial for the development of premature children. Early exposure to ultra-processed foods (UPF) can lead to an increased risk of chronic diseases. To analyze premature infants for breastfeeding practices, intake of ultra-processed foods, their health risks and other associated factors. Data on diet and sociodemographic variables were investigated using questionnaires. We used anthropometric assessment according to WHO growth curves and laboratory tests to analyze the lipid profile. From the whole sample, 51% never received exclusive breastfeeding, or received it for less than a single month; 29% received between four and six months; in 84% another food was introduced before six months. After the stratification of consumption between “none/one type” and “more than one type” of UPF, the variables “child's age” and “family history of overweight/obesity” were positively associated. After bivariate and multivariate analyzes, a greater diversity of UPF intake was associated with family income 2 minimum wages and employed mothers. Premature infants are at risk of early weaning and use of AUP before even six months of corrected age.

Follow-up care for premature children: the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic

Objective: to analyze elements of the follow-up care provided to premature children amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: qualitative study from the perspective of philosophical hermeneutics, interpreting experiences with childcare provided at home. Twelve mothers and 14 children aged two years old were interviewed online via a text messaging application. Data were analyzed by interpreting meanings. Results: weaknesses stood out in the follow-up care provided to children such as gaps of communication, lack of guidance and delayed immunizations, while care intended to meet health demands was interrupted. Vulnerability aspects affecting child development included: social isolation measures that impeded the children from socializing with their peers, increased screen time, the manifestation of demanding behaviors and irritation and the mothers experiencing an overload of responsibilities. The elements that strengthened maternal care included the mothers being attentive to contagion, enjoying greater experience and satisfaction with the maternal role, spending more time with their children, and recognizing respiratory signs and symptoms, especially fever. Conclusion: follow-up care provided to children in stressful situations implies implementing practices that support the wellbeing of children and families, decreasing the likelihood of children being exposed to development deficits, and detecting signs and symptoms timely. The use of nursing call centers can break the invisibility of longitudinal needs and promote health education actions at home.

The oral ability of premature children with regard to breastfeeding under the light of the Theory of Causation

ABSTRACT Objective: To reflect on the repercussions of premature babies’ oral ability concerning breastfeeding, under the light of the theory of causation. Methods: Theoretical production of reflections based on Hobbes’s theory of causation. Results: The study addresses the understanding of oral abilities as the main accident regarding the capacity of the premature newborn, which, coupled with other accidents that make up the other domains, concerning breastfeeding, is an integral cause of the phenomenon. Final considerations: Although there are protocols, even if some of them are inconsistent or incomplete, the use of criteria such as weight and gestational age as standards to understand this readiness can still be observed. However, the effect manifests itself even in the absence of these accidents, showing them as partial causes of the phenomenon, while oral ability is, by itself, a necessary cause for this event to take place.