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African Children (african + child)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	73%

Kinds of African Children

south african child

Selected Abstracts

Associations Between Helicobacter pylori Infection, Co-Morbid Infections, Gastrointestinal Symptoms, and Circulating Cytokines in African Children

HELICOBACTER, Issue 2 2010
Sarah Cherian
Abstract Background:, Refugee children have complex medical needs and often have multiple infections. The relationship between infection, gastrointestinal symptoms, and systemic inflammation is poorly understood. We investigated these parameters in refugee children with a high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori, helminth, and malaria infection. Materials and Methods:, African refugee children were recruited at resettlement health screening. Data were collected on demography, gastrointestinal symptoms, co-morbid infection, and serum for peripheral cytokine levels. Helicobacter pylori infection was diagnosed by a fecal-based immunoassay. Results:, Data from 163 children were analyzed, of which 84.0% were positive for H. pylori. Infected children were significantly older (9.2 years ± 3.7 vs 7.1 years ± 3.9, p = .01). Half the cohort (84/163, 51.5%) described gastrointestinal symptoms but these were not strongly associated with co-morbid infections. Helicobacter pylori -infected children had significantly lower circulating log-interleukin-8 (IL-8) (odds ratio 0.61, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.40, 0.94, p = .025). Helminth infections were common (75/163, 46%) and associated with elevated log-IL-5 (,: 0.42, 95% CI 0.077, 0.76). Children with malaria (15/163, 9.2%) had elevated log-tumor necrosis factor-, (TNF,) and log-IL-10 (,: 0.67, 95% CI 0.34, 1.0 and ,: 1.3, 95% CI 0.67, 1.9, respectively). IL-10 : IL-12 ratios were increased in H. pylori- infected children with malaria or helminth infections. Symptoms were generally not associated with levels of circulating peripheral cytokines irrespective of co-morbid infection diagnosis. Conclusions:, There is a high prevalence of asymptomatic H. pylori infection in recently resettled African refugee children. Gastrointestinal symptoms were not predictive of H. pylori nor of helminth infections. Serum cytokines, particularly IL-5, IL-10, and TNF,, were significantly elevated in children with malaria and helminth infections but not in those with H. pylori infection. [source]

Collaborative Community-Based Care for South African Children Orphaned by HIV/AIDS

JOURNAL FOR SPECIALISTS IN PEDIATRIC NURSING, Issue 1 2010
Colonel John S. Murray PhD
Colonel John S. Murray Ask the Expert provides research-based answers to practice questions submitted by JSPN readers. [source]

Exposure to Violence, Coping Resources, and Psychological Adjustment of South African Children

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF ORTHOPSYCHIATRY, Issue 1 2001
Oscar A. Barbarin Ph.D.
The effects of exposure to direct and vicarious political, family, and community violence on the adjustment of 625 six-year-old black South African children was examined. Ambient community violence was most consistently related to children's psychosocial outcomes. Resources in the form of individual child resilience, maternal coping, and positive family relationships were found to mitigate the adverse impact in all the assessed domains of children's functioning. [source]

Conceptual analysis of critical moments in Victoria Climbié's life

CHILD & FAMILY SOCIAL WORK, Issue 1 2005
Margaret Rustin
ABSTRACT Victoria Climbié was a West African child sent to Europe in the care of her aunt, Kouao. She died as a consequence of cruelty and neglect at the hands of her aunt and her aunt's boyfriend, Manning, in particularly extreme circumstances. A major inquiry by Lord Laming into the failings of the statutory services revealed widespread problems and made many recommendations to government. Drawing on the Victoria Climbié Inquiry Report, the paper aims to describe and understand Victoria's states of mind during her time in England. The report contains many clues to the meaning of what happened, but their significance for learning from the entire tragedy is missed. The paper explores why professionals found it impossible to see what was happening, despite the evidence being available. Both Victoria's states of mind and those of the professionals who came into contact with her are analysed in terms of defences against extreme mental pain. The importance of the right kind of training and organizational support being available for child protection staff is discussed. [source]

Psychological essentialism and cultural variation: children's beliefs about aggression in the United States and South Africa

INFANT AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT, Issue 2 2008
Jessica W. Giles
Abstract The present study compared indigenous South African versus African-American schoolchildren's beliefs about aggression. Eighty 7,9 year olds (40 from each country) participated in interviews in which they were asked to make inferences about the stability, malleability, and causal origins of aggressive behaviour. Although a minority of participants from both countries endorsed essentialist beliefs about aggression, South African children were more likely than American children to do so. Results also revealed some degree of coherence in children's patterns of beliefs about aggression, such that children responded across superficially different measures in ways that appear theoretically consistent. The authors consider these findings in light of debates concerning the role of cultural forces in shaping person perception. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Risk factors for asthma among children in Maputo (Mozambique)

ALLERGY, Issue 4 2004
S. Mavale-Manuel
Background:, Few studies have looked at risk factors for asthma in African children. We aimed to identify the risk factors associated with childhood asthma in Maputo (Mozambique). Methods:, This case,control study included 199 age-matched children (100 asthmatic and 99 nonasthmatic) who attended Maputo Central Hospital between January 1999 and July 2000. We collected information concerning their familial history of atopy, birth weight, environment and breast-feeding. Detailed information about morbidity and treatment was obtained for each asthmatic child. Results:, The children were aged between 18 months and 8 years; 60% were male. The asthmatic children were hospitalized more frequently than the nonasthmatic children (P < 0.0001). Most of the asthmatic children lived in the urban area of Maputo [odd ratio (OR) = 6.73, CI = 3.1,14.0, P < 0.0001], had a parental history of asthma (OR = 26.8, CI = 10.8,68.2, P < 0.0001) or rhinitis (OR = 4, CI = 1.2,13.3, P = 0.005), had at least parent who smoked and were weaned earlier than the nonasthmatic children (OR = 2.4, CI = 1.3,4.4, P < 0.001). Conclusion:, Childhood asthma was strongly associated with a family history of asthma and rhinitis, the place of residence, having smokers as parents and early weaning from maternal breast milk. These results highlight the need to reassess the management of asthmatic children in Maputo. [source]

Vision status of children with oculocutaneous albinism

OPHTHALMIC AND PHYSIOLOGICAL OPTICS, Issue 6 2002
A. O. Oduntan
Purpose:, Black South African children with oculocutaneous (OCA) albinism were examined optometrically to establish the level of vision improvement that could be achieved following optical correction. Methods:, The children (N = 153) (males 50.3%; females 49.7%), aged 7,17 years (mean = 10.76 ± 2.25 years) were examined with a logMAR VA chart, cover tests, retinoscopy (dry), subjective refraction, Vistech contrast sensitivity test, ophthalmoscopy, Randot stereotest, Ishihara and Farnsworth Panel D-15 tests. Results:, Many (34.6%) of the children had strabismus, 2,25 prism dioptres. Uncorrected distance VAs were: OD: Finger counting (FC) to 6/7.5 , 2, OS: 6/7.5 + 2 to 6/7.5 , 3, OU: 6/60 , 1 to 6/7.5. Most (67.6%) of the children had myopia. Others (30.8%) had hyperopia or emmetropia (1.7%). Astigmatism was present in 92.25% of the children. The nearest equivalent spherical powers were: OD: ,12.00 to +2.75 D (mean = ,1.48 ± 2.28 D) and OS: ,8.00 to +5. 75 D (mean = 1.36 ± 2.18 D). Following optical correction, VA improvement ranged from one to three lines in 71.2% of the children. The corrected VAs were, OD FC to 6/6 , 1, OS 6/7.5 + 2 to 6/6 , 1, and OU 6/60 to 6/6. Many (84.3%) of the children had corrected VA worse than 6/18 in the better eye and were therefore classified as partially sighted or blind (VA worse than 3/60). Stereoacuity was poor (500,70 sec arc) in most (89.5%) of the children, whilst others could not perceive the minimum 500 sec arc on the test. Contrast sensitivity was poor, maximum spatial frequency being 18 cpd with peak sensitivity at 3 cpd. Many (83%) of the children, however, had normal colour vision. Conclusion:, These children with OCA had poor VA, which could be improved significantly with optical correction. Their poor contrast sensitivity and depth perception, however, were not improved. Most of the children with OCA had normal colour vision. [source]

Spacing and crowding among African and Caucasian children

ORTHODONTICS & CRANIOFACIAL RESEARCH, Issue 2 2008
EA Mugonzibwa
Structured Abstract Authors,,, Mugonzibwa EA, Eskeli R, Laine-Alava MT, Kuijpers-Jagtman AM, Katsaros C Objective,,, To determine spacing and crowding according to ethnic group, gender and dental emergence stage among Tanzanian African and Caucasian children. Design,,, Cross-sectional epidemiological clinical study. Setting,,, A total of 869 African (428 boys, 441 girls) and 706 Caucasian (319 boys, 387 girls) school children, aged 3½,16 years. Main Outcome Measures,,, Comparison of spacing and crowding between African and Caucasian children according to gender and dental emergence stage. Results,,, Spacing was more often found in the maxilla, while crowding was more common in the mandible. Only during the transition of the maxillary permanent front teeth was there significantly more spacing in Caucasians. No gender differences were found. In both samples spacing decreased during later emergence stages. Crowding was more often found in Caucasian children than in African children. In Caucasian children the frequency of crowding increased with advanced emergence stages, while for Africans the trend was not consistent. Conclusion,,, When planning resources for orthodontic treatment for different populations as well as planning treatment for individuals, ethnic background and emergence stage of the dentition need to be considered. [source]

Colon carcinoma in African children

PEDIATRIC BLOOD & CANCER, Issue 6 2003
David K. Stones MBChB (UCT), MMED (Paed)
No abstract is available for this article. [source]

Reference equation for 6-min walk distance in healthy North African children 6,16 years old,

PEDIATRIC PULMONOLOGY, Issue 4 2009
Helmi Ben Saad MD
Abstract Rationale To assess the need for a 6-min walk distance (6-MWD) reference equation for healthy North African children 6,16 years old. Methods Prospective cross-sectional study. Anthropometric data and 6-MWD were measured in 200 healthy Tunisian children (100 girls) from 6 to 16 years old. Results Published reference equations did not reliably predict measured 6-MWD in North African children. The 6-MWD was significantly correlated with age, height, and weight (P,<,0.001, each). The combination of these parameters explained 60% of the 6-MWD variability in the equation: 6-MWD (m),=,4.63,×,height (cm),,,3.53,×,weight (kg),+,10.42,×,age (years),+ 56.32. In an additional group of 41 children prospectively studied to validate the equation, the agreement between measured and predicted 6-MWD was satisfactory. Conclusion This reliable 6-MWD reference equation enriches the World Bank and provides a useful reference for the care of pediatric patients. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2009; 44:316,324. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Growth patterns in adverse environments

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN BIOLOGY, Issue 5 2007
Noël Cameron
The triple-logistic pattern of human growth in linear dimensions is probably one of the most recognizable models within human biology. The fact that postnatal somatic growth occurs in three phases (infancy, childhood, adolescence) creates opportunities for the individual expression of this genetically directed, but environmentally modified, phenomenon. The impact of the environment works to alter the duration and intensity of critical stages within the total process resulting in individual patterns that can differ radically from the general pattern. However, the constancy of the general pattern is so fixed that its presence in children is taken as a reflection of good health. Departures from that pattern are recognized as reflecting ill health. While the cessation of growth in response to an acute attack is uniformly dramatic, the gradual response to chronic adverse stimuli is less easily predicted and interpreted. For example, in chronic scenarios the loss of centile position that precedes the eventual establishment of normal increments can be viewed as either a poor or a good growth response, as either maladaptive or adaptive, as either poor health or good health. This article reviews such growth patterns in urban South African children exploring the relationship between environment and growth outcome. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Catch-up Growth or Regression to the Mean?

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN BIOLOGY, Issue 4 2005
Recovery from Stunting Revisited
An important question for policy is the extent to which catch-up growth can ease the impact of early stunting. Martorell et al. (1992) showed that stunted Guatemalan infants remain stunted into adulthood, whereas Adair (1999) found appreciable catch-up growth in Filipino children from 2,12 years. Both groups defined catch-up as an inverse correlation between early height and subsequent growth, but Martorell based the correlation on height, whereas Adair used height z scores. The statistical phenomenon of regression to the mean is much like catch-up growth, an inverse correlation between initial height and later height gain. The objective of this study was to reexamine the relationship between stunting and later catch-up growth in the context of regression to the mean. The design was a theoretical analysis showing that catch-up growth is more evident based on height z scores than on height, validated using data on 495 stunted South African children seen at 2 and 5 years of age. The correlation between height at 2 and height change from 2 to 5 was small based on height (,0.11) but large and highly significant based on height z score (,0.58), providing strong evidence of catch-up growth. We argue that catch-up growth should be estimated using height z score not height and that catch-up is present only when the change in z score exceeds that predicted by regression to the mean. This leads to a compact definition of catch-up growth: if z1 and z2 are the initial and final (mean) height z scores, and r is the correlation between them, then catch-up growth for groups or individuals is given by (z2 , rz1). Am. J. Hum. Biol. 17:412,417, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Exposure to Violence, Coping Resources, and Psychological Adjustment of South African Children

Pharmacokinetics and clinical efficacy of midazolam in children with severe malaria and convulsions

BRITISH JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 4 2008
Simon N. Muchohi
WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT , Midazolam (MDZ), a water-soluble benzodiazepine, can be administered via several routes, including intravenously (IV), intramuscularly (IM) and buccal routes to terminate convulsions. It may be a suitable alternative to diazepam to stop convulsions in children with severe malaria, especially at peripheral healthcare facilities. The pharmacokinetics of MDZ have not been described in African children, in whom factors such as the aetiology and nutritional status may influence the pharmacokinetics. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS , Administration of MDZ (IV, IM, or buccal) at the currently recommended dose (0.3 mg kg,1) resulted in rapid achievement of median maximum plasma concentrations of MDZ within the range 64,616 ng ml,1, with few clinically significant cardio-respiratory effects. A single dose of MDZ rapidly terminated (within 10 min) seizures in all (100%), 9/12 (75%) and 5/8 (63%) children following IV, IM and buccal administration, respectively. Although IM and buccal MDZ may be the preferred treatment for children in the pre-hospital settings the efficacy appears to be poorer. AIM To investigate the pharmacokinetics and clinical efficacy of intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM) and buccal midazolam (MDZ) in children with severe falciparum malaria and convulsions. METHODS Thirty-three children with severe malaria and convulsions lasting ,5 min were given a single dose of MDZ (0.3 mg kg,1) IV (n = 13), IM (n = 12) or via the buccal route (n = 8). Blood samples were collected over 6 h post-dose for determination of plasma MDZ and 1,-hydroxymidazolam concentrations. Plasma concentration,time data were fitted using pharmacokinetic models. RESULTS Median (range) MDZ Cmax of 481 (258,616), 253 (96,696) and 186 (64,394) ng ml,1 were attained within a median (range) tmax of 10 (5,15), 15 (5,60) and 10 (5,40) min, following IV, IM and buccal administration, respectively. Mean (95% confidence interval) of the pharmacokinetic parameters were: AUC(0,,) 596 (327, 865), 608 (353, 864) and 518 (294, 741) ng ml,1 h; Vd 0.85 l kg,1; clearance 14.4 ml min,1 kg,1, elimination half-life 1.22 (0.65, 1.8) h, respectively. A single dose of MDZ terminated convulsions in all (100%), 9/12 (75%) and 5/8 (63%) children following IV, IM and buccal administration. Four children (one in the IV, one in the IM and two in the buccal groups) had respiratory depression. CONCLUSIONS Administration of MDZ at the currently recommended dose resulted in rapid achievement of therapeutic MDZ concentrations. Although IM and buccal administration of MDZ may be more practical in peripheral healthcare facilities, the efficacy appears to be poorer at the dose used, and a different dosage regimen might improve the efficacy. [source]