1. Investigación

Inflammatory cytokines are involved in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a highly prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder. To quantify the baseline levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and their changes after methylphenidate (MPH), a total of 31 prepubertal children with ADHD were recruited and subclassified into only two ADHD presentations—ADHD attention deficit (n = 13) or ADHD combined (n = 18). The children were also screened for oppositional defiant conduct disorder (ODCD) and anxiety disorder. Blood samples were drawn at 09:00 and after 4.63 ± 1.87 months of treatment. Four pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), IL-5, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)) and three anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, IL-13) were measured using a Luminex® assay. For statistics, a factorial analysis was performed in Stata 15.1. Overall, there were no statistically significant differences in the interleukin (IL) values induced by treatment. When grouped by presentation, the differences were present almost exclusively in ADHD-AD, usually with a profile opposite to that observed in ADHD-C, and with interactions between comorbid factors, with IL-1β (p = 0.01) and IL-13 (p = 0.006) being the ones reaching the greatest statistical significance. These differences are probably related to the ODCD factor, and they disappear after treatment. In conclusion, the changes observed in cytokine levels in prepubertal children only in the ADHD-AD presentation are probably related to comorbidities (specifically ODCD) and are mitigated after treatment.

Some studies have been conducted in Ethiopia to analyze the predictive factors associated with recovery or mortality in children with acute malnutrition, but no recent studies carried out in Oromia have analyze nutritional recovery status in this children. we studied the factors affecting nutritional recovery for survival in acutely malnourished children Southern Ethiopia. cohort study that included the children admitted to the (blinded for review) hospital (Oromia, Ethiopia) for acute malnutrition from January 2015 to December 2016 (n = 440). Kaplan–Meier tests and log-rank tests were used to describe the survival. Chi-squared tests and Spearman and Mann–Whitney U correlation tests were also employed. The mean survival time was shorter in children with severe versus moderate malnutrition at admission (49 days vs. 101 days; log-rank p = 0.042). The survival time was shorter in children with severe acute malnutrition at the time of admission. Survival time of children with moderate acute malnutrition was shorter in children who came from rural areas compared to urban areas. Severe acute malnutrition was associated with hospital stays, death rates, or transfer to another hospital. Practical implications: the results of this study may improve the care of children with malnutrition.

Aims and Objectives: To determine the effect of immersive virtual reality (VR) on perceived pain and fear in children during vaccination and parental satisfaction with the procedure. Background: Virtual reality can reduce the perception of pain by children but only three studies have analysed its use during vaccination to date; these had small sample sizes and imperfect methodological designs. Design: A randomised controlled clinical trial. Methods: One hundred and sixty participants from the Tres Forques Health Center were randomly assigned to the intervention group (IG) (n = 82) in which distraction with immersive VR was used during the vaccination, while standard distraction techniques were used for the control group (n = 80). The primary outcome was pain (Wong–Baker FACES). Secondary outcomes included (Children's Fear Scale) and parental satisfaction with the vaccination procedure. Chi-squared tests were used for qualitative variables, relationships between quantitative variables were tested with Spearman correlations, and Mann–Whitney U- or Student t-tests were employed to assess the relationship between quantitative and qualitative variables. Results: Compared to the controls, the children in the IG reported significantly less pain and fear, while parental satisfaction was significantly higher. Reported pain and fear did not differ according to the sex of the patient. Child age was not linked to fear but was related to pain: the younger the patient, the greater the pain they described. Conclusions: Immersive VR effectively controlled pain and fear in children during vaccination and increased parent satisfaction with the vaccination process. Patient sex did not influence the level of pain and fear but age did. Relevance to clinical practice: Improving vaccination experiences can reduce perceived pain and fear in children and increase parent satisfaction, thereby enhancing vaccination schedule adherence and improving group immunity. Reporting Method: The CONSORT Statement for non-pharmacological randomised clinical trials were followed.

Al inicio de la pandemia COVID-19 muchos gobiernos impusieron el confinamiento domiciliario. Esta situación afectó a la rutina diaria y vida cotidiana, incluidos los niños. Valorar el impacto en los niños del confinamiento domiciliario, objetivando si hubo ansiedad, alteraciones somáticas o cambios conductuales. Se desarrolló un estudio observacional transversal en 2292 niños españoles utilizando un cuestionario anónimo web mediante dos escalas: menores de siete años, los progenitores respondieron un cuestionario diseñado por los investigadores; y niños con siete o más años respondieron la Escala de Ansiedad Manifiesta Infantil Revisada. Los niños con siete o más años, obtuvieron puntuaciones elevadas en el espectro de ansiedad, más los varones. Se encontraron valores significativamente altos en todos los aspectos de la ansiedad en niños que temían la infección o inestabilidad laboral familiar. Progenitores de menores de siete años manifestaron que el 56,3% de estos presentaban cuatro o más síntomas relacionados con la ansiedad, siendo los más frecuentes Rabietas, Cambios emocionales, Inquietud y Miedo a estar solo, este último con significación estadística. El número de síntomas fue significativo cuando alguien en el hogar padeció COVID-19. La pandemia COVID-19 y el confinamiento domiciliario causaron ansiedad, problemas conductuales y manifestaciones somáticas en la población pediátrica.

Patients who follow a gluten-free diet (GFD) may be prone to nutritional deficiencies, due to food restriction and consumption of gluten-free products. The aim was to assess nutritional status in celiac children and adolescents on a long-term GFD. A cross-sectional age and gender-matched study in 70 celiac and 67 non-celiac volunteers was conducted, using dietary, anthropometric, biochemical parameters, and assessing bone mineral density and physical activity. Adequacy of vitamin D intake to recommendations was very low, in both groups, and intakes for calcium and magnesium were significantly lower in celiac volunteers. Celiac children and adolescents may have a higher risk of iron and folate deficiencies. Both groups followed a high-lipid, high-protein, low fiber diet. Median vitamin D plasma levels fell below reference values, in celiac and non-celiac participants, and were significantly lower in celiac girls. Other biochemical parameters were within normal ranges. Anthropometry and bone mineral density were similar within groups. With the exception of some slightly lower intakes, children and adolescents following a GFD appear to follow the same trends as healthy individuals on a normal diet. No e_ect of food restriction or gluten-free product consumption was observed.

The rehabilitation of children with motor disorders is mainly focused on physical interventions. Numerous studies have demonstrated the benefits of upper function using robotic exoskeletons. However, there is still a gap between research and clinical practice, owing to the cost and complexity of these devices. This study presents a proof of concept of a 3D-printed exoskeleton for the upper limb, following a design that replicates the main characteristics of other effective exoskeletons described in the literature. 3D printing enables rapid prototyping, low cost, and easy adjustment to the patient anthropometry. The 3D-printed exoskeleton, called POWERUP, assists the user's movement by reducing the effect of gravity, thereby allowing them to perform upper limb exercises. To validate the design, this study performed an electromyographybased assessment of the assistive performance of POWERUP, focusing on the muscular response of both the biceps and triceps during elbow flexion extension movements in 11 healthy children. The Muscle Activity Distribution (MAD) is the proposed metric for the assessment. The results show that (1) the exoskeleton correctly assists elbow flexion, and (2) the proposed metric easily identifies the exoskeleton configuration: statistically significant differences (p-value D 2.26 10􀀀7 < 0.001) and a large effect size (Cohen's d D 3.78 > 0.8) in the mean MAD value were identified for both the biceps and triceps when comparing the transparent mode (no assistance provided) with the assistive mode (anti-gravity effect). Therefore, this metric was proposed as a method for assessing the assistive performance of exoskeletons. Further research is required to determine its usefulness for both the evaluation of selective motor control (SMC) and the impact of robot-assisted therapies.

Eating a nutritionally balanced breakfast can be a challenge when following a glutenfree diet (GFD).We assessed the ingredients and nutrient composition of 364 gluten-free breakfast products (GFPs) and 348 gluten-containing counterparts (GCCs), and we analysed the nutritional quality of breakfast in a group of Spanish children and adolescents with celiac disease (CD) (n = 70), as compared to controls (n = 67). Food intakes were estimated using three 24 h dietary records. The composition of GFPs and GCCs was retrieved from the package labels of commercially available products. Most participants (98.5%) ate breakfast daily, and only one person in each group skipped breakfast once. The breakfast contribution of the total daily energy was 19% in participants with CD and 20% in controls. CD patients managed a balanced breakfast in terms of energy (54% from carbohydrates; 12% from proteins; 34% from lipids) and key food groups (cereals, dairy, fruits), but their intake of fruits needs improvement. Compared to controls, breakfast in the CD group provided less protein and saturated fat, a similar amount of carbohydrates and fibre, and more salt. Fibre is frequently added to GFPs, but these contain less protein because of the flours used in formulation. Gluten-free bread contains more fat and is more saturated than is GCC. Sugars, sweets, and confectionery contribute more to energy and nutrient intakes in participants with CD, while grain products do so in controls. Overall, breakfast on a GFD can be adequate, but can be improved by GFPs reformulation and a lower consumption of processed foods.

Gluten-free products (GFP) are a good choice for the replacement of cereals when following a gluten-free diet due to celiac disease (CD). However, commercial GFP are made with highly refined flours and may contain more fat, sugar, and salt, and less fiber and micronutrients than glutencontaining analogues, thus challenging the nutritional adequacy of the diet. The aim of this study is to assess the contribution of GFP to the diets of children and adolescents with CD. Food intakes were assessed in a cross-sectional study on 70 children and adolescents with CD (aged four to 18, 50% females), using three 24-h dietary records. GFP consumption reached 165 g a day and comprised mostly bread and fine bakery ware, followed by pasta. GFP contributed with a high percentage (>25%) to total energy, carbohydrates, fiber, and salt daily intakes and, to a lesser extent (<20%), to fat (including saturated fat), sugars and protein. Contribution of homemade products was testimonial. GFP contribution to total energy intake is significant and, consequently, relevant to the nutritional adequacy of the diet. Children and adolescents with CD could benefit from fat, saturated fat, and salt reduction, and fiber enrichment of processed GFP.