Abstract Background Febrile seizures affect 2–5% of children under 5 years and, although clinically benign, are among the most frightening events a caregiver can witness. Parents increasingly seek first-aid information on Chinese short-video platforms, where content is surfaced by engagement-driven algorithms. Existing evaluations rely on generic video-quality instruments not designed to detect disease-specific content or dangerous first-aid demonstrations. We evaluated pediatric febrile seizure videos on three major Chinese platforms and tested whether engagement tracks clinical safety. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 269 pediatric febrile seizure videos retrieved in March 2026 from Douyin ( n = 96), Kuaishou ( n = 87), and Bilibili ( n = 86). Two pediatric reviewers independently assessed each video using five established generic video-quality instruments, a 14-item guideline-anchored Febrile Seizure Content Index (FSCI), and an 11-item Febrile Seizure Dangerous Misinformation Checklist (FSDMC) with Grade A/B/C severity. Kruskal–Wallis and chi-square tests, Spearman correlation analyses, and multivariable regression models with sensitivity analyses were performed. Results Dangerous misinformation was highly prevalent: 55.0% of videos contained at least one dangerous item, and 52.4% contained a Grade A item carrying immediate physical-harm risk—most commonly placing objects in the child's mouth (46.1%), pressing the philtrum or slapping (41.6%), restraining the child (38.7%), and forcing water or oral medication (32.3%). FSCI was essentially uncorrelated with the Global Quality Scale ( ρ = − 0.03) and modified DISCERN ( ρ = 0.02), and only weakly with JAMA benchmark scores ( ρ = 0.16). Engagement correlated positively with generic quality but negatively with FSCI (likes ρ = − 0.22; shares ρ = − 0.20). Douyin videos scored highest on generic instruments yet lowest on FSCI and carried the highest Grade A burden (63.5%). Medical professionals uploaded 79.2% of videos, yet 50.7% of these still contained at least one dangerous item. Conclusions Pediatric febrile seizure videos on Chinese short-video platforms frequently contain dangerous first-aid misinformation, generic quality instruments fail to detect this risk, and platform engagement is inversely associated with guideline-based content completeness—a quality–safety paradox. Evaluations of short-video health content for acute pediatric presentations should routinely pair generic quality instruments with disease-specific content and misinformation assessment anchored to current clinical guidelines, and clinical credentials alone should not be treated as a marker of content safety.
Childhood obesity increases risks for metabolic and cardiovascular disease, yet long-term effectiveness of family-centered interventions remains unclear. This retrospective study evaluated associations between a family-centered comprehensive lifestyle intervention and changes in body composition and cardiometabolic indicators in school-aged children with obesity. Children aged 6–12 years diagnosed with obesity at Qingdao Chengyang District People’s Hospital from March 2021 to March 2024 were included. A total of 289 participants were categorized into the Family-Centered Intervention Group (n = 162) receiving a 12-month multidisciplinary program or the Routine Guidance Group (n = 127) receiving standard health education. Anthropometric measurements, body composition, blood pressure (BP), lipid profiles, glucose metabolism indices, inflammatory markers, liver function, uric acid, cardiovascular structure, and health-related quality of life were assessed at baseline and at the 12-month follow-up. At the 12-month mark, the intervention group demonstrated markedly greater associations with enhancements in body mass index (BMI, adjusted mean difference: -1.23, 95
The relationship between meteorological factors and seizure occurrence remains controversial, particularly in pediatric populations where data are limited and may be confounded by febrile seizures. This study aimed to investigate the association between daily meteorological variables and afebrile seizure occurrence in children using a multivariable time-series approach. This retrospective observational study included children presenting with afebrile seizures to a tertiary university hospital in Ankara, Türkiye, between April 2017 and April 2021. Daily seizure counts were linked with meteorological data obtained from a weather station located approximately 2 km from the hospital. Associations between meteorological variables and daily afebrile seizure counts were evaluated using generalized additive models within a Poisson regression framework, incorporating distributed lag structures (lag 0–3 days) and adjustment for calendar time and weekday. A total of 494 eligible afebrile seizure presentations among 429 children were included. During the study period, seizures occurred on 396 of 1,491 calendar days. After adjustment for temporal trends, delayed effects, and multiple meteorological variables, no independent associations were identified between daily afebrile seizure counts and mean temperature, atmospheric pressure, relative humidity, wind speed, temperature range, pressure range, or wind direction (all p > 0.05). The smooth term for calendar time was significant (p < 0.001), indicating underlying temporal variation in daily seizure counts that was not explained by the evaluated meteorological variables. In this four-year pediatric cohort, meteorological variables were not independently associated with daily afebrile seizure counts after accounting for temporal trends and delayed effects. These findings highlight the importance of appropriate time-series analytical methods when investigating potential environmental factors associated with seizure occurrence. Further prospective multicenter studies incorporating additional environmental exposures and individual-level clinical factors are warranted.
The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme is India’s cornerstone programme for early childhood care and education (ECCE), which is delivered through Anganwadi Centres (AWCs). Despite its extensive reach, enrolment and attendance remain uneven. Understanding parental perceptions, barriers, and emerging motivations is crucial to strengthening participation and advancing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 goals. A qualitative study was conducted in rural Madurai, Tamil Nadu, via an interpretive paradigm. Twenty-five in-depth interviews were held with mothers of children aged 2–6 years (users and nonusers of AWC services) and Anganwadi workers (AWWs). Data were analysed thematically following Braun and Clarke’s framework, guided by Andersen’s behavioural model to identify predisposing, enabling, and need-based factors shaping the utilization of Anganwadi preschool services. The findings revealed that maternal education, sociocultural norms, and perceptions of class identity influenced enrolment decisions. Enabling factors such as proximity, trust in AWWs and play-based pedagogy fostered children’s curiosity, socialization, and behavioural skills. Notably, a counternarrative emerged wherein some educated parents deliberately preferred Anganwadi preschool services for their child-centered, pressure-free learning environments, reflecting an emerging revaluation of public ECCE spaces. Parents also recognized the role of AWCs in inculcating empathy, cooperation, and discipline, underscoring their contribution to holistic child development beyond academics. This study highlights an evolving perspective in rural communities, where AWCs are increasingly viewed not merely as welfare centres but also as nurturing, value-based spaces for holistic early learning. Strengthening infrastructure, pedagogical support, and social trust can amplify this positive shift. Positioning AWCs as inclusive, community-driven institutions aligns with NEP 2020’s emphasis on equitable, play-based early childhood education.
COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and was officially declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2020. Clinical manifestations in children are more heterogeneous than in adults, and several factors may influence the disease severity. Platelet count (PC), mean platelet volume (MPV), and mean platelet volume to platelet ratio (MPR) are simple and widely available inflammation markers used as predictors in pediatric patients with sepsis and other critical illnesses. This study aimed to determine the performance of PC, MPV, and MPR as biomarkers predicting severity in pediatric patients with COVID-19. A retrospective cohort study was conducted, involving COVID-19 pediatric patients admitted to Dr. Sardjito from January 2020 to December 2022. Samples were selected using a total sampling approach, applying defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data analysis included both bivariate and multivariate analyses, using logistic and linear regression. The associations between variables were expressed as odds ratios (OR) with 95
Antenatal hydronephrosis (ANH) is the most common finding on prenatal ultrasounds occurring in 1–5
To develop and internally validate a preliminary clinical prediction model for incident gastrointestinal hemorrhage (GH) occurring after admission in children with IgA vasculitis (IgAV), with continuous laboratory predictors retained in original scale to maximize predictive information. Single-center retrospective cohort including 662 pediatric IgAV patients (2016–2022). The primary derivation cohort comprised 599 patients without overt bleeding on admission, among whom 126 (21.0
Intraoperative hypothermia is a common perioperative complication in pediatric orthopedic surgeries. This study aimed to investigate the incidence, independent risk factors of intraoperative hypothermia in children undergoing extremity fracture surgery, construct a predictive model, and propose targeted nursing countermeasures. A retrospective study was conducted on children who underwent extremity fracture surgery in of our hospital from August 2023 to August 2025. Univariate correlation analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify independent risk factors. A scoring-based predictive model was constructed, and its performance was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. A total of 266 children with limb fractures were included. The incidence of intraoperative hypothermia was 18.0
Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are considered major health problems, particularly in tropical countries such as Sudan, and can increase the cases of morbidity among children with sickle cell anemia. Therefore, our study aimed to determine the prevalence of IPIs among children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) attending the pediatric section at Kosti Teaching Hospital, Kosti, Sudan. A total of 200 stool samples (100 from children with sickle cell anemia and 100 from children without SCA) were collected from children admitted to the pediatric emergency department. The study spanned from September 2022 to March 2023. All stool samples were examined using direct wet preparation and the formal ether concentration technique. The overall prevalence of IPIs among children with SCA was 86
Sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) is a personality trait that has been linked to various mental health outcomes among highly sensitive children. To investigate the SPS trait and its relationship with emotional and behavioral problems among Egyptian children. A cross-sectional study was conducted targeting parents of Egyptian children aged 4–17 years. Participants (n = 391) were recruited via different online platforms. Besides a questionnaire on sociodemographic data, parents completed the Arabic version of Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and the Highly Sensitive Person Scale (HSPS) for children. Sampled children’s mean age was 9 ± 3.75 years, and 57.5
Pediatric head and neck lymphomas may occasionally mimic deep neck space infections, creating substantial diagnostic challenges. The coexistence of lymphoma with extensive venous thromboembolism—specifically cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) and internal jugular vein (IJV) thrombosis—is uncommon and introduces profound diagnostic dilemmas. We report a case of high-grade diffuse B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma initially mistaken for an infectious deep neck process. A previously healthy 12-year-old girl presented with a two-month history of persistent left-sided headache, progressive orbital swelling, and proptosis. During the diagnostic workup, she received multiple alternative diagnoses, including typhoid fever and migraine, before developing a left cervical mass. Following a tonsillectomy and biopsy of a parapharyngeal mass, she experienced acute clinical deterioration characterized by respiratory distress, severe dysphagia, dysarthria, and an isolated lower motor neuron hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) palsy. Initial contrast-enhanced computed tomography demonstrated extensive left sigmoid sinus thrombosis, left internal jugular vein thrombosis, and a deep neck mass. Although initially managed as a presumed deep neck space infection complicated by venous thrombosis, and later misinterpreted histopathologically as Histoplasmosis, expert slide re-evaluation and immunohistochemical characterization definitively established the diagnosis of high-grade diffuse B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, showing diffuse CD20 positivity and a Ki-67 proliferative index of approximately 90
Williams syndrome (WS) is a multisystem disorder caused by a 1.5–1.8 Mb heterozygous microdeletion at chromosome 7q11.23. Lynch syndrome (LS) is a cancer predisposition syndrome resulting from germline mutations in DNA mismatch repair genes. Co-occurrence of both conditions in a single pediatric patient has not been reported to date. A 20-month-old male presented with an 8-month history of motor developmental delay. Clinical examination revealed global developmental delay, characteristic facial dysmorphisms, knee hyperextension on assisted standing, generalized hypotonia, and asymmetric dermatoglyphs of the lower extremities. Diagnostic workup identified left hip dysplasia, visual and auditory abnormalities, and proteinuria. Whole-exome sequencing revealed a heterozygous 1.48 Mb de novo deletion at 7q11.23, classified as pathogenic, alongside a heterozygous frameshift variant in MSH2 (c.1457_1460del, p.Asn486Thrfs*10), also designated as pathogenic and identified as an American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) secondary finding. To our knowledge, this represents the first pediatric case of coexisting WS and LS, providing critical insights into the individualized clinical management and genetic counseling of patients with dual Mendelian disorder diagnoses.
This study aimed to examine the association between life management skills and perceptions of diabetes technology use among children and adolescents with Type 1 diabetes. This cross-sectional correlational study was conducted between February and May 2026 with 112 children and adolescents aged 10–18 years with Type 1 diabetes who were recruited consecutively from two public hospitals in Kahramanmaras, Türkiye. Data were collected using a Sociodemographic and Clinical Information Form, the Life Management Skills Scale for Children with Type 1 Diabetes, and the Diabetes Technology Scale. Descriptive analyses, group comparisons with effect-size estimates, Pearson correlation analyses with 95
Allergic rhinitis (AR) imposes an escalating health burden on Chinese children, with prevalence surges linked to rapid urbanisation and distinctive environmental exposures. To estimate the pooled prevalence of AR and synthesise observational evidence on factors associated with AR among Chinese children aged 0–18 years. We conducted a comprehensive literature search across Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals, and Wanfang databases. We selected literature published from January 2014-June 2024, and the types of literature included cohort studies, cross-sectional studies, and case–control studies. Study quality was evaluated using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS) and JBI criteria, Meta-analysis was performed using random-effects or fixed-effect models, and heterogeneity, publication bias, and sensitivity were assessed. The search identified 7,403 records, of which 226 underwent full-text assessment; 42 studies involving 1,405,844 participants were included. The pooled prevalence was 16.1
This study aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics and adrenaline use in anaphylaxis in children, providing evidence to optimize the management strategies for anaphylaxis. A retrospective analysis was performed on 115 pediatric patients with anaphylaxis treated at Hangzhou Children’s Hospital from January 2021 to October 2024. The analysis included age, gender, suspected triggers, allergy history, clinical manifestations, treatments, adverse reactions, and outcomes. Data on adverse reactions were collected from 70 children who received intramuscular adrenaline for non-anaphylaxis. Among the 115 patients, 37 had a prior history of allergy. The primary suspected triggers were food allergens (52/115, 45.22
A congenital anomaly is a structural malfunction that develops while the individual is in utero which include congenital lip/palate malformation, congenital heart disease, down syndrome, and spina bifida. Although caregivers’ burden of such problems has been widely researched throughout the world, limited research has been done on how the experience of being a mother to a child with a congenital problem depends on the specific sociocultural environment, especially from a perspective of religion, gender and culture. The current study seeks to examine the experiences of mothers of children with congenital abnormalities at the Upper East Regional Hospital, Ghana. This study adopted a qualitative phenomenological research design, specifically utilizing Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), to explore the lived experiences of mothers caring for children diagnosis of congenital Anomalies at the Upper East Regional Hospital in 2022. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was employed to identify commonalities and unique variations in the socio-cultural influences on maternal experiences. Cultural beliefs shaped mothers’ experiences, with anomalies often attributed to spiritual causes, leading to stigma for some and coping strength for others. Gender roles placed caregiving predominantly on mothers, causing emotional strain and limited spousal support. Religious beliefs further influenced coping and care decisions, sometimes conflicting with medical advice. Culturally sensitive support programmes are recommended. This study offers valuable insights for both academics and practitioners, highlighting the importance of empathetic, culturally sensitive approaches to supporting mothers within this distinct socio-cultural setting.
Responsive caregiving (RC) during early years is essential for a child’s physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional growth, which strengthens the Parent-Child relationship. Healthcare settings can serve as a hub for promoting and scaling up responsive caregiving among parents. This study aimed to explore the impact of early childhood newborn-responsive parenting education on parental confidence and newborn-responsive interaction implemented in a healthcare setting. This sequential mixed-method arm of the study was part of broader implementation research. A total of 423 participants (324 from Pakistan and 99 from Afghanistan) from six field sites (4 in Pakistan and 2 in Afghanistan) were recruited using convenience sampling. Two fields in Pakistan and 1 in Afghanistan were assigned to the control group, and the same number were assigned to the intervention group. Data were collected using a basic demographics questionnaire, the WHO QoL scale, the Karitane Parenting Confidence Scale, and the ECD PREP newborn responsive interaction scale. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS, and qualitative interviews were manually analyzed. Findings showed a significant difference between intervention and control groups on parenting confidence, 34.57 ± 6.44 vs. 32.52 ± 6.3 (2.05, p < 0.001). and Newborn (NB) responsive interaction 17.89 ± 2.32 vs. 15.37 ± 4.33, with the mean difference of (2.52, p < 0.001). Parents found the intervention beneficial in terms of providing responsive parenting and developing strong parent-child attachment. Similarly, HCPs also agreed that this program enhances their skills and knowledge in responsive caregiving. The findings indicate that a continuous structured parenting education intervention in healthcare settings can improve parental practices, which can contribute to optimal child development. Therefore, this emphasizes the need for integration of parenting education programs in all levels of healthcare settings.
Caring for children with tracheostomy poses significant challenges, affecting caregivers’ cognitive, emotional, and physical well-being. This study aimed to assess caregiver burden, coping strategies, and problem-solving skills in mothers and fathers and to examine their relationships with the clinical characteristics of the children. This cross-sectional study included both consenting parents of children with tracheostomy followed between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025. Demographic and clinical data for the children and parents were recorded. Both parents completed the validated Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), Methods of Coping with Family Stressors Scale (MCFSS), and Problem Solving Inventory (PSI). The study included 40 children with tracheostomy and their mothers and fathers. Mothers were the sole primary caregivers in 80.0
Salmonella infection-induced meningitis and sepsis are prone to recurrence. If not diagnosed and treated in time in the early stage or if the treatment is not thorough, it may cause serious consequences for the child. Reports of cases of sepsis and purulent meningitis in children caused by Salmonella infection are very rare. This article reports a case of purulent meningitis combined with sepsis caused by Salmonella group D. It describes the repeated clinical manifestations and treatment process of the child, and analyzes it in combination with the literature. The child was a 1-year-and-1-month-old girl. The disease course was recurrent, and she was hospitalized 3 times. Initially, due to insufficient anti-infection treatment, the condition recurred. Later, through cerebrospinal fluid metagenomic sequencing (mNGS) and pathogen culture, it was confirmed as Salmonella group D infection, and the diagnosis was confirmed by combining the H/O antibody titer (1:320) of the widal test. During the treatment process, ceftriaxone, vancomycin, meropenem, and compound sulfamethoxazole were used successively. Finally, the condition was controlled by extending the anti-infection treatment course and combining with immune support. This case suggests that invasive Salmonella infections should be given attention to drug resistance assessment, adequate anti-infection treatment courses, and monitoring of immune status. Clinically, molecular diagnostic techniques such as mNGS should be combined to accurately identify the pathogen, and the treatment plan should be dynamically adjusted to improve prognosis and reduce the risk of recurrence.
Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) are the leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in children worldwide. In low-resource settings, delayed diagnosis and limited access to specialized nephrological and surgical care may increase the risk of progression to advanced CKD. However, long-term data from Sub-Saharan Africa remain limited. This study aimed to describe the burden of advanced CKD and associated clinical features among children with CAKUT in Senegal. We conducted a retrospective cohort study including children aged 0–16 years diagnosed with CAKUT between January 2008 and December 2023 in a tertiary referral center. CKD stages were classified according to KDIGO guidelines. Associations between clinical variables and advanced CKD (stage 4–5) were assessed using logistic regression, expressed as odds ratios (OR) with 95
