Effects of COVID-19 Lockdown on Weight, Body Composition, and Behavior of Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults with Prader–Willi Syndrome

To reduce transmission of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), many countries implemented lockdowns, causing the closure of childcare services. This study was designed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown in March–April 2020 on children, adolescents, and young adults with Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) living in Germany. We recruited 180 participants with a genetically confirmed PWS. All families completed a questionnaire, and participants underwent a post-lockdown assessment; the last examination before the lockdown was determined as the pre-lockdown assessment. We used bivariate analyses to compare pre- and post-lockdown outcomes. Weight standard deviation scores (SDSPWS) and body mass index (BMI)-SDSPWS remained stable or even decreased in some age groups. A statistically significant gain in lean body mass (LBM) was found in all groups <18 years of age. We observed an increase in IGF-I and IGFBP-3 concentrations without a significant change in growth hormone (GH) dosage. Most families (95.4%) reported set mealtimes and implementation of structured activities (72.2%) during the lockdown period. We therefore suggest that the favorable development of weight/BMI and LBM was caused by an interplay of a suspected enhanced GH administration and continuous parental commitment. However, more intense behavioral problems were observed in 45.7%, which persisted post-lockdown in 33.7%.

Application of Non-drug Methods in the Complex Rehabilitation of Children with Congenital Epidermolysis Bullosa

Congenital epidermolysis bullosa is known to be on the list of rare diseases for which there is no specific treatment. Determining thecontent and means of the rehabilitation program for patients with epidermolysis bullosa is not an easy task and involves a carefulselection of methods for each patient. Aim. The article analyzes the results of the use of non-drug methods in the complex rehabilitation of 90 children (from 6,5 to 18 years)with congenital epidermolysis bullosa. Material and methods. To assess the effectiveness of rehabilitation in the study before and after treatment we used methods ofclinical examination with skin state evaluation and standard psychological and pedagogical examination to determine the degree ofsocial adaptation of patients (analysis of medical and psychological and pedagogical documentation, structured conversation aboutsocial conditions of the child’s life, “Color diagnostic test of nervous and mental states and relations” (V.I. Timofeev and Y.I. Filimonenko),the method “Drawing of an unknown animal” (M.Z. Dukarevich, adaptation by A.L. Venger), “The T.V. Dembo-S.Y. Rubinstein Self-AssessmentResearch Method, the Self-Concept Scale” (E. Pierce, L. Harris, adapted by A. M. Prikhozhan), questionnaire “Assessment ofparental compliance” (D.E. Morisky, L.V. Green), questionnaire “Feeling, activity, mood” (V.A. Doskin, N.A. Lavrentieva, V.B. Sharay andM.P. Miroshnikov). The way in which diagnostics was organized varied taking into account the individual psychophysical capabilitiesof the child. Results. The effectiveness evaluation of the complex rehabilitation of children with epidermolysis bullosa showed an improvementin the clinical condition of the children (significant reduction/elimination of dryness and itching of the skin) and the indicators of wellbeing(mean value: before 30 points after 45, p ≤0.05), activity (mean value: before 25 after 34, p ≤0.05), mood (mean value: before 44,after 51, p ≤0.05) of patients (WAM questionnaire), an increase in the degree of parental commitment to treating children (Moriski-Green questionnaire) from medium to medium and high values. Conclusion. The inclusion of physical therapy and psychological and pedagogical methods of assistance in the process of rehabilitationtreatment increases its effectiveness, activates the compensatory potential of the child’s body, promotes harmonization of intrafamilyrelationships, and thus improves the quality of life of the child and his or her relatives.

INTER-CULTURAL MARITAL RELATIONSHIP: RECRUITING PARTICIPANTS FROM BANGLADESHI COMMUNITY

Inter-cultural marriage is increasingly common in many societies, yet inter-cultural relationships remain at a higher risk of failure, with higher divorce rates and lower marital satisfaction. The present study analyzed a growing phenomenon in Bangladesh and Malaysia known as intercultural or mixed families. The main objective was to explore challenge associated with inter-cultural relationships, and to determine how these relate to marital satisfaction among foreign partners in inter-cultural families. This study explores five inter-cultural married couples’ experiences using a qualitative inquiry. In this study, we demonstrated the condition of inter-cultural married couples by examining their challenges with respect to inter-cultural adjustment, religious practice, and parental commitment.

Born Dying

This chapter examines the existential and ethical questions raised by care for infants born with life-threatening physiological impairments. The parental narratives of infants born dying present unique illustrations of how The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) convictions of the revealed reality—including the salvific value of embodied life, parental commitment and autonomy, the eternal family relationship, and medical futility—influence medical decisions regarding life endings at the beginnings of life. These convictions support a narrative that can run contrary to the progressive and vitalistic impulse of biomedicine: children who die prior to accountability have already displayed their faithfulness in the pre-mortal life and do not need the trials for mortal life for their eternal progress. These convictions enable parents to re-story their experience of tragedy into a quest for blessing.

FAMILY'S SOCIO-ECONOMIC INFLUENCE ON THE DROPOUT OF INDIAN STUDENTS: A CASE STUDY IN THE DISTRICT OF KUALA MUDA KEDAH

The problem of dropping out of Indian students should be addressed especially with regard to low-income households (B40). There are many factors driving the dropout of Indian students in schools. The purpose of this study is to examine the socioeconomic factors of the family and the parents' commitment to Indian student dropout. Among its objectives are to identify the socioeconomic influence of the family and the parents' commitment to the dropout of Indian students; learn about the implications of Indian student dropout rates and identify steps to curb Indian student dropout problems. This study was conducted in selected areas in Kuala Muda District of Kedah State, Malaysia involving high school dropout Indian students. This research is qualitative and cannot be extended to other states as researchers use interviewing observation and documentation research. The respondents to this study were 5 dropout students, mostly from B40 families. The findings of this study found that low socioeconomic influence of parents and lack of parental commitment to children's education caused students to drop out of school. The implications of dropping Indian students are also discussed and some suggestions have been made to reduce dropout rates among Indian students.