Exploring the Interaction Effects of Gender Contentedness and Pubertal Timing on Adolescent Longitudinal Psychological and Behavioral Health Outcomes

Background: Off-time pubertal timing (PT) and non-conforming gender identity have been reported to predict adverse health and well-being in adolescents. However, the joint effects of these two factors are less addressed. We aimed to investigate the main and interaction effects of gender identity, proxied by perceived gender contentedness (GC), and PT on longitudinal adolescent psychological and behavioral outcomes.Methods: Data (N = 1806, Mage = 13.3 ± 0.5 years) come from the Taiwan Youth Project, which prospectively followed a longitudinal cohort of Taiwanese junior high school students from 2000 (wave 1) to 2009 (wave 9). GC was self-reported at waves 1 and 9 in a binary response, and thus 4 GC trajectories were created. PT was defined using the Pubertal Developmental Scale, which mainly measured physical changes in puberty. Multiple linear regression analyses with gender stratification were applied to examine the effects of the GC trajectory and its interaction with PT on the outcomes.Results: A total of 1,562 subjects (86.5%) remained consistently satisfied with their gender, while the GC of 226 subjects (12.6%) changed at some point. Regression analyses found that males with gender dissatisfaction at wave 9 were likely to engage in delinquent behavior, and females in this group were more likely to have lower self-esteem, as compared to those with consistent GC. The interaction effect between the GC trajectory and PT appeared to be associated with smoking and drinking only at wave 1.Conclusions: These findings indicate that healthcare professionals should concentrate on gender non-conforming individuals at early adolescence, navigating them toward a healthy adulthood.

New Tools for Romanian SLPs to use with Language Learning Children

The purpose of this article is to highlight the importance of using three functional measures: Auditory Developmental Scale (0-6 years), Caregiver Intake Interview, and Infant-Directed Speech Checklist in SLT. In the first part of this article, the authors discuss the purpose and advantages of using these instruments in SLT practice. In the last part of this article, the Caregiver Intake Interview and the Infant-Directed Speech Checklist are presented in two languages, English and Romanian.

Analysis of the odds ratio of developmental delay in children with biliary atresia 12 months after liver transplantation

Background. Liver cirrhosis occurring before 1 year of age can affect a child’s development. Liver transplantation is the only radical treatment for decompensated cirrhosis. In biliary atresia, cirrhosis develops during the first months of life. The duration of cirrhosis in biliary atresia may vary from palliative Kasai portoenterostomy (PE) to liver transplantation. Developmental abnormalities in children with biliary atresia have been shown to occur both before and after liver transplantation. Association between duration of liver cirrhosis and psychomotor development of children has been underestimated.Objective: to determine the chances of developmental delay in children depending on the cirrhosis persistence duration.Materials and methods. The study enrolled 83 children with biliary atresia (47 children underwent palliative Kasai PE, 36 children with liver transplantation did not undergo Kasai PE). All children had their psychomotor development assessed before PE and 12 months after PE using the Griffiths psychomotor developmental scale (translation and adaptation by E.S. Keshishian) for children up to 24 months of age. Statistical analysis was performed by calculating odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals.Results. Comparative analysis showed that in the subgroup of children who underwent Kasai PE, cirrhosis persistence before transplantation was 2.6 months longer than in children without Kasai PE (p = 0.011). The odds of developmental delay in preparation for liver transplantation were 3.3 times higher in the subgroup of children who underwent Kasai palliative PE compared to children without palliative (95%, CI 1.35–8.31). The odds of developmental delay 12 months after liver transplantation were 4.4 times higher in the subgroup of children who underwent palliative Kasai PE than in children without the palliative care (95% CI 1.54–12.5).Conclusion. Children who underwent liver transplantation after palliative surgical treatment had lower levels of psychomotor development than children without palliative Kasai PE both before and 12 months after liver transplantation (p = 0.0018, p = 0.01 respectively).

Evaluation of MRI Features and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes for Prenatally Diagnosed Periventricular Pseudocysts

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the morphologic features and neurodevelopmental outcomes of individuals prenatally diagnosed with a periventricular pseudocyst (PVPC).Methods: Pregnant women with a fetus prenatally diagnosed with PVPC by MRI were enrolled in this retrospective study. The fetuses with PVPCs were divided into group 1 (isolated PVPC) and group 2 (PVPC with additional findings). The surviving infants underwent brain MRI examinations and the Gesell Developmental Scale (GDS) test after birth. Independent sample t-tests were used to compare the differences in the developmental quotient (DQ) between group 1 and group 2. We also analyzed the correlations among the DQ, location (unilateral/bilateral), size (diameter), and number (single/multiple) of the PVPCs in group 1 using Lasso regression.Results: In total, 131 infants (group 1: 78 infants, group 2: 53 infants) underwent MRI examinations after birth, and 97 infants (group 1: 59 infants, group 2: 38 infants) underwent the GDS test. Upon follow-up, the sizes of the cysts had become smaller or disappeared after birth. The average DQ in group 2 was lower than that in group 1 (all with p < 0.001). In group 1, the location (unilateral/bilateral), size (diameter), and number (single/multiple) of the PVPC did not affect the DQ.Conclusions: The PVPCs became smaller or disappeared after birth. Isolated PVPCs usually have a normal presentation after birth regardless of the location, number, or size. For PVPCs with additional findings, the neurodevelopmental outcomes were inferior to those in isolated PVPCs.

Association of Iron-Deficiency Anemia and Non-Iron-Deficiency Anemia with Neurobehavioral Development in Children Aged 6–24 Months

(1) Background: Anemia has comprehensive adverse effects on the growth and development of children. In this study, we analyzed the potential effects of different types of anemia on early-life neurobehavioral development. (2) Methods: A total of 2601 children aged 6–24 months, whose parents agreed to participate in this study, underwent routine blood tests and neurobehavioral development assessment. The children’s parents or other primary caregivers were interviewed with a face-to-face questionnaire at the time of enrollment in the study. Anemia was determined by hemoglobin < 110 g/L and classified into iron-deficiency and non-iron-deficiency anemia according to the levels of serum ferritin, C-reactive protein, and alpha-1-acid glycoprotein. Neurobehavioral development was assessed by the China Developmental Scale for Children and divided into five domains: gross motor, fine movement, adaptability, language, and social behavior. The development quotient (DQ) was used to measure the level of total neurobehavioral development and each domain of neurobehavioral development. (3) Results: The prevalence of anemia in children aged 6–24 months was 26.45%, of which iron-deficiency anemia only accounted for 27.33%. Compared with children without anemia, those with iron-deficiency anemia had a significantly lower developmental quotient (DQ) for total neurobehavioral development and gross motor and adaptability development. The partial regression coefficients were −1.33 (95% CI −2.36, −0.29; p = 0.012), −1.88 (95% CI −3.74, −0.03; p = 0.047), and 1.48 (95% CI −2.92, −0.05; p = 0.042), respectively. Children with non-iron-deficiency anemia had significantly lower DQ for total neurobehavioral development and gross motor and fine movement development than those without anemia. The partial regression coefficients were −0.94 (95% CI −1.64, −0.25; p = 0.008), −1.25 (95% CI −2.48, −0.03; p = 0.044), and −1.18 (95% CI −2.15, −0.21; p = 0.017), respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in total neurobehavioral development and the five domains of neurobehavioral development between children with non-iron-deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia. The partial β values were 0.40 (95% CI −1.53, 2.33; p = 0.684), 0.21 (95% CI −1.39, 1.81; p = 0.795), 0.63 (95% CI −1.03, 2.28; p = 0.457), 0.16 (95% CI −1.78, 2.10; p = 0.871), 0.35 (95% CI −1.32, 2.01; p = 0.684), and 0.34 (95% CI −0.77, 1.46; p = 0.545), respectively. (4) Conclusions: Both iron-deficiency anemia and non-iron-deficiency anemia were negatively correlated with the neurobehavioral development of children. Negative correlations were found between iron-deficiency anemia and gross motor and adaptability development and between non-iron-deficiency anemia and gross motor and fine movement development.

In vivo Functional Genomics for Undiagnosed Patients: The Impact of Small GTPases Signaling Dysregulation at Pan-Embryo Developmental Scale

While individually rare, disorders affecting development collectively represent a substantial clinical, psychological, and socioeconomic burden to patients, families, and society. Insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying these disorders are required to speed up diagnosis, improve counseling, and optimize management toward targeted therapies. Genome sequencing is now unveiling previously unexplored genetic variations in undiagnosed patients, which require functional validation and mechanistic understanding, particularly when dealing with novel nosologic entities. Functional perturbations of key regulators acting on signals’ intersections of evolutionarily conserved pathways in these pathological conditions hinder the fine balance between various developmental inputs governing morphogenesis and homeostasis. However, the distinct mechanisms by which these hubs orchestrate pathways to ensure the developmental coordinates are poorly understood. Integrative functional genomics implementing quantitative in vivo models of embryogenesis with subcellular precision in whole organisms contribute to answering these questions. Here, we review the current knowledge on genes and mechanisms critically involved in developmental syndromes and pediatric cancers, revealed by genomic sequencing and in vivo models such as insects, worms and fish. We focus on the monomeric GTPases of the RAS superfamily and their influence on crucial developmental signals and processes. We next discuss the effectiveness of exponentially growing functional assays employing tractable models to identify regulatory crossroads. Unprecedented sophistications are now possible in zebrafish, i.e., genome editing with single-nucleotide precision, nanoimaging, highly resolved recording of multiple small molecules activity, and simultaneous monitoring of brain circuits and complex behavioral response. These assets permit accurate real-time reporting of dynamic small GTPases-controlled processes in entire organisms, owning the potential to tackle rare disease mechanisms.

THE ROLE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT FOR ADOLESCENTS WITH CANCER

Objectives. The aim of the study was to identify specific elements of stress for adolescents surviving cancer, and the working hypothesis was that there are statistically significant correlations between the items of the three scales used in the study. Material and methods. Between January and February 2020, 45 adolescents participated (13-18 years), 26 girls and 19 boys, in a survey in which three tests were used: Child Depression Inventory -CDI 10 items, Scale of irrationality for children and adolescents-CASI with 28 items in four subscales (Intolerance to frustration given by rules, Global self-assessment, Absolutist requirement for justice, Intolerance to frustration given to work) and post-traumatic developmental scale-SRGS with 15 items. Results. Statistically significant associations were identified between certain items from the scales used in the study and the result very highly statistically significant is given by associating item "I realized it was better to have more trust in me" with item "I learned to defend my personal rights" ( p <0.05, χ 2 t east). The interaction between the dependent variable "I learned to defend my personal rights" with the independent variables "It's awful to be wrongfully blamed by the teacher" and "There are things that bother me" through the regression model and the result was statistically significant (p <0.05, F test). Conclusions. The associations and the results obtained indicate the need for effective communication with adolescents with cancer to identify psycho-emotional needs and stress management. Keywords: cancer, depression, anxiety, adolescence, stress.

Neuropsychologická testová baterie pro děti

The measures of children´s and adolescents´ cognitive performance in the Czech Republic have been so far assessed mainly by intelligence tests, such as the Wechsler Intelligence Scale (WISC-III) or the Intelligence and Developmental Scale for Children (IDS). However, there have been growing requirements for more accurate examination of individual cognitive profile for which the neuropsychological tests are not available. So far, in the pediatric population, we can only examine more thoroughly some of the cognitive functions, such as memory. For many other tests, normative data are available for the Czech population only in a narrow age range. The Neuropsychological Battery for Children aims to become a quality and affordable neuropsychological tool for assessing the neuropsychological development of children aged 6–19 years with appropriate standards. The paper briefly describes this test battery.

Effectiveness of the Caregiver-Mediated Intervention: A Pilot Study for Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Background: The Caregiver-Mediated Intervention(CMI), based on Parent Skills Training(PST), is one family-mediated intervention model for children with neurodevelopmental disorders(NDDs), especially for ASD. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of CMI. Methods: 33 children (aged 22-69 months from our department) and their caregivers were included in a two-week training of ten 90-minute lessons. Then caregivers were encouraged to try their best to apply intervention skills in both home routines and play routines, in order to prompt the ability of cognition, motion, social adaptability and behavior of children. The based demographic information, video-taking data and diagnostic sales were collected at two key time‐points at least: Baseline(BL); Post-training (PT; within six months). Results: The outcomes mainly involved three aspects - primary variables, secondary variables and correlation analyses. Compared with BL, those favored PT in (1) Adult/Child Interaction Fidelity Rating (P<0.01), (2) adaptability of Gesell Developmental Scale and stereotyped behaviors and limited interests of Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (P<0.05, P<0.01). Moreover, a negative correlation appeared between caregiver skill improvement and parent education(P<0.05), without correlation with other demographics. Conclusions: As an efficacious family intervention for both children and their caregivers, CMI, with little limitation, is worth being generalized widely. Trial registration: China Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR-IOC-17013638, 15/12/2017).