The impact of digital screen use on myopia progression in COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review

The new coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) had a worldwide impact, this disease was affecting almost everyone's lives. It has caused many health issues to spiral out of control, one of them is myopia. Evidence suggests that myopia is impacted by environmental and lifestyle factors, with the importance of continuous usage of nearby digital screens being highlighted. The systematic review aims to analyze all the available information about the impact of digital screen use on myopia progression in a COVID-19 pandemic. The literature was searched from e-database PubMed and ScienceDirect. Quality assessment was done using the LEGEND (Let Evidence Guide Every New Decision) Evidence Evaluation Tools & Resources. A total of 10 papers were assessed qualitatively. The prevalence or incidence of myopia was reported in all ten studies. All of the studies discussed in this review suggest a relationship or impact between digital screen use and myopia progression. Four (40%) of the ten studies were cross-sectional, while the other six (60%) were cohort studies. The sample size ranged from 115 to 123535 participants. The majority of the participants in the studies were school-age children (primary and secondary school), but one study included university students. There were three studies involving subjects with myopia at baseline, one study involving subjects without myopia at baseline, and six studies involving subjects with myopia and without myopia. This systematic review shows that there is a significant progression of myopia as an impact of digital screen use during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prevalence, Structure and Clinical and Functional Characteristics of Risk Factors for the Development of Cardiovascular Diseases in Adults in Children of School Age

Relevance. Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Known modifiable and unmodifiable risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease in adults are found already in childhood, are relatively persistent, leading not only to the formation of cardiovascular disease, but also to disability and death at a young age. Objective. Study of the prevalence, structure and clinical and functional characteristics of risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease in adults in school-age children in Bishkek. Research methods. The material for the study was the analysis of survey data of 2856 schoolchildren aged 10 to 17 years, selected as a result of a one-step cross-sectional study of students from 5 educational institutions in Bishkek. To study cardiovascular disease RF in children, a specially developed questionnaire and survey card were used. Results of work. As a result of the questionnaire, the presence of hereditary cardiovascular disease burden was revealed in 26.5% (771) schoolchildren and 2.4% (72) of them confirmed heart disease in their parents. The smoking factor was detected in 8.5% (245) schoolchildren, and 40.6% (1160) schoolchildren indicated low physical activity. An increased body mass index as one of the main risk factors was found in 7.4% (211) schoolchildren. Daily consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits was revealed only in 41.3% of schoolchildren, which indicates an insufficiently balanced diet of the surveyed children. Scope of the results. The results of the study will make it possible to take certain measures to predict morbidity, develop preventive measures among children and adolescents for the development of serious diseases of the heart and blood vessels in the future.

Gender-Related Clinical Characteristics in Children and Adolescents with ADHD

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most frequently diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorder in school-age children, and it is usually associated with a significant impairment in global functioning. Traditionally, boys with ADHD are more likely to be referred for clinical assessments due to a higher prevalence of externalizing symptoms. However, as regards gender-related differential clinical characteristics between boys and girls with ADHD, further investigation is warranted in light of conflicting results found in currently available literature. In fact, a more precise clinical characterization could help increase appropriate diagnoses and treatment planning. In this context, we carried out a retrospective observational study on 715 children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD from 2018 to 2020 at our center, in order to describe their gender-related clinical characteristics. Boys displayed higher average IQs, but they were comparable to girls in functional impairments and adaptive skills. Girls displayed higher scores on the Attention Problems subscale of the CBCL 6–18 and on several CPRS-R:L subscales, suggesting higher general ADHD symptom severity. Boys showed higher scores on CBCL 6–18 subscales, such as withdrawn/depressed, internalizing, and obsessive-compulsive problems. In conclusion, girls showed more severe ADHD features and lower IQ in clinically referred settings, while boys showed more internalizing problems and obsessive-compulsive symptoms.

Dietary Sodium and Potassium Intake: Data from the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey 2016

Population studies have demonstrated an association between sodium and potassium intake and blood pressure levels and lipids. The aim of this study was to describe the dietary intake and contribution of sodium and potassium to the Mexican diet, and to describe its association with nutrition status and clinical characteristics. We analyzed a national survey with 4219 participants. Dietary information was obtained with a 24-h recall. Foods and beverages were classified according to level of processing. The mean intake (mg/d) of Na was 1512 in preschool children, 2844 in school-age children, 3743 in adolescents, and 3132 in adults. The mean intake (mg/d) of K was 1616 in preschool children, 2256 in school-age children, 2967 in adolescents, and 3401 in adults. Processed and ultra-processed foods (UPF) contribute 49% of Na intake in preschool children, 50% in school-age children, 47% in adolescents, and 39% in adults. Adults with high Na intake had lower serum concentrations of cholesterol, HDL-c, and LDL-c. A significant proportion of the Mexican population has a high intake of Na (64–82%) and low K (58–73%). Strategies to reduce Na and increase K intake need to reduce the possibility of having high BP and serum lipid disturbances.

Recommended dairy intake is associated with healthy dietary habits, better physical fitness, less obesity, and a healthier lifestyle profile in school-age children

This study aimed to identify the association of recommended dairy intake with several dietary habits, obesity, physical fitness, physical activity, screen time, and sleep. Population data were derived from a health survey on a representative sample of 177091 children aged 8 to 17 years. Dairy intake and dietary habits were evaluated using questionnaires (KIDMED index). Participants were characterized as “dairy products consumers” based on whether they met current recommendations for milk or dairy consumption (e.g. if they consumed two yogurts and/or 40 g cheese and a cup of milk, daily). Participants who did not consume the above-mentioned quantities were characterized as “non-consumers.” Anthropometric and physical fitness (PF) data were obtained by trained investigators. Physical activity (PA) status, screen time, and sleeping habits were assessed through self-completed questionnaires. Boys and girls consuming recommended dairy products were 25% (95% CI: 0·71-0·79) and 43% (95% CI: 0·51-0·64) less likely to have low performances in cardiorespiratory fitness tests, Participants from both sexes classified as dairy products consumers had lower odds of central obesity by 10%(95% CI: 0·86-0·95), as compared to non-consumers. Also, boys and girls who consume recommended dairy products had 9% (95% CI: 0·86-0·98) and 11%(95% CI: 0·85-0·94) lower odds to be overweight/obese as compared to non-consumers, after adjusting for several covariates. Moreover, recommended dairy products consumers had lower odds for insufficient sleep by 8% (95% CI: 0·89-0·96) in boys and 14% (95% CI: 0·83-0·90) in girls, for inadequate PA levels by 15% (95% CI: 0·77-0·93) in boys and 16% (95% CI: 0·76-0·90) in girls and for increased screen time by 11% (95% CI: 0·83-0·95) in boys and 9% (95% CI: 0·85-0·97) in girls, than no-consumers. In conclusion, recommended dairy intake is associated with less obesity, better PF, and a healthier lifestyle profile.

Masking for School-Age Children With Epilepsy: We Do Have Consensus!

Introduction This study was designed to assess current recommendations from child neurologists and epileptologists on masking for school-age children with epilepsy. Methods A 7-item survey was created and sent out to members of the Child Neurology Society and Pediatric Epilepsy Research Consortium in August of 2021 to assess current practice and provider recommendations on masking. Results One hundred four individuals participated with representation from all regions of the United States. Masking was recommended by 95.1%, with 63.4% (n = 66) noting exception of those with severe intellectual disability, autism, and behavioral problems. Of those who write exemption letters, 54% write these <5% of the time. Only 3% reported potential adverse events associated with masking. Conclusion Nearly all respondents recommended masking for school-age children with epilepsy. Potential risks of masking and adverse events were low. Improved guidance on masking is needed to ensure academic success of our patients with epilepsy.

Larger Physique as a Risk Factor for Infantile Appendicitis: A Retrospective Study

The clinical features and risk factors of acute appendicitis in infants are unclear. Our aim was to evaluate the association between anthropometrics and the occurrence of infantile appendicitis. This was a retrospective study of infants (<6 years of age) and school-age children (6–10 years of age) of Asian ethnicity who required hospitalization for appendicitis at our two participating institutions between 2004 and 2018. The Z-score for height, body weight, and body mass index (BMI) was compared between the two groups, as well as between patients presenting with perforated and non-perforated appendicitis. The analysis included data from 73 infants and 362 school-age children. Z-scores were greater in infants than in school-age children for height (0.37 versus −0.03, p = 0.003) and body weight (0.12 versus −0.36, p = 0.023), with no between-group difference for the Z-score of BMI. There was no difference in Z-scores for height, weight, and BMI between the perforated and non-perforated appendicitis infant groups. Infants presenting with acute appendicitis were characterized by a larger physique but with normal proportion. This trend was not observed in school-age children. Therefore, larger infants presenting with abdominal pain should be screened for appendicitis.