Prolonged body weight gain, lifestyle changes and health-related quality of life in children during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown: A follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Further investigation is needed to define the impact of long-term pandemic lockdown in children. OBJECTIVES: To examine changes in body mass index z-score (zBMI), lifestyle, Health-Related Quality of Life and proportion of overweight or obesity (OW/OB) in 6- to 9-year-old children in Argentina. METHODS: Observational study with baseline measurements prior to lockdown and follow-up after eight months of strict restrictive measures (November 2020, first visit, n = 144) and after ten months of partial reopening (September 2021, second visit, n = 108). Anthropometric changes from baseline to first visit in lockdown group (LG) were compared with a historical control group (HCG, n = 134). Follow-up visits included anthropometric measures, lifestyle questionnaire and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory. RESULTS: Change in zBMI was higher in LG [median, IQR: 0.46 (-0.00; 0.83)] vs HCG [median, IQR: 0.02 (-0.31; 0.27)]; p < 0.001, particularly in children with pre-existing OW/OB. In LG, zBMI was higher at first and second visit vs baseline (p < 0.001) and in second visit vs first visit for boys (p = 0.037) but not for girls. The proportion of children with OW/OB increased from baseline (43.5%) to first (56.5%) and second visit (58.3%) (p = 0.029). Unlike girls, the proportion of boys with OW/OB increased from baseline to first and second visit (p = 0.045). Change in zBMI was higher in children with less healthy habits (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Weight gain continued to increase in boys when lockdown measurements were eased, although sedentary behaviors decreased and quality of life improved, indicating that the effects of pandemic lockdown could be difficult to reverse.

Consequences of Lockdown During COVID-19 Pandemic in Lifestyle and Emotional State of Children in Argentina.

The implications of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) lockdown measurements and social isolation in children and their parents are still unknown. The aims of this study were to examine the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on emotional state, feelings and lifestyle of children and their parents, to explore the association between parental characteristics and child well-being and to examine whether the impact of lockdown depends on socio-economic status. Parents completed an online survey including data about socio-demographic information, parent and child feelings and lifestyle during lockdown. Logistic regression and correlation analysis were used to establish associations between variables. In total, 814 parents with children between 4 and 11 were included in the study. According to parents, 69.5% of the children showed changes in their emotional state, 55.3% altered their routine and 62.6% showed sleep disorders. Families with lower socio-economic status were more worried about health, shortage of food and household income (p < 0.01). Parent and children concern about food/essential items were highly associated [OR (CI 95%) 13.0 (6.81, 26.5), p < 0.01]. Adverse children's emotional state was associated with parental feeling of loneliness (r = 0.35) and inversely associated with keeping a routine (r = -0.11). Sleep changes were inversely associated with keeping a routine and having a balcony/garden (r = -0.53 and -0.16). We conclude that lockdown affected emotional state and lifestyle of children and parents, which were strongly related. Routine and positive parental attitude supported children's well-being. Economic issues were an important concern in families with lower socio-economic status. Our findings can help to promote child health during lockdown.

Efecto del ASPO sobre el índice de masa corporal en niños / Efecto del ASPO sobre el índice de masa corporal en niños

INTRODUCCIÓN Por la pandemia de COVID-19 en Argentina se decretó el aislamiento social, preventivo y obligatorio (ASPO, marzo-noviembre 2020) seguido de una apertura progresiva de restricciones hasta septiembre 2021. El cierre de las escuelas, la suspensión de actividades y el aislamiento social pueden reducir la actividad física afectando el índice de masa corporal (IMC) de los niños/as. OBJETIVOS Evaluar el efecto del ASPO sobre los cambios en el IMC y el estilo de vida en niños/as de 6 a 9 años que realizan regularmente sus controles de salud en el Observatorio de Salud del Instituto de Desarrollo e Investigaciones Pediátricas (IDIP), Hospital de Niños de La Plata. Comparar los cambios en el IMC y la prevalencia de sobrepeso/obesidad de niños/as expuestos al ASPO con un grupo control histórico (GH). MÉTODOS Estudio longitudinal. Niños/as que realizaron sus controles de salud en el Observatorio de Salud en los 4 meses previos al ASPO (medición M1) fueron evaluados antropométricamente en noviembre 2020 (M2, n=140) y en septiembre 2021 (M3, n=104) y los padres respondieron un cuestionario de estilo de vida. Se constituyó el GH (n=124) con datos antropométricos de niños que no experimentaron ASPO entre los 6 y 9 años mediante revisión de historias clínicas. RESULTADOS El IMC incrementó durante el ASPO y este cambio no se revirtió (zIMC/E M1: 0.84±1.05, M2: 1.33±1.36, M3: 1.37±1.26; p<0.001), al igual que la prevalencia de obesidad (M1: 15,4%, M2: 28,8%, M3: 37,5%; p<0.01). La mayoría de los padres reportó que durante el ASPO sus hijos realizaron menos actividad física (52,3%), durmieron más horas (46,6%) e incrementaron el uso de pantallas (55%). El aumento del IMC fue superior en los niños/as expuestos al ASPO (zIMC/E: 0.47 vs GH=0.04; p<0.001) al igual que la prevalencia de obesidad (GE: M1: 15,4%; M2: 28,8%, p=0,008; GH: M1: 16,1%; M2: 20,2%; p=0,510). DISCUSIÓN El ASPO incrementó el IMC y la prevalencia de obesidad en niños entre 6 y 9 años, y este efecto no se revirtió en los meses subsiguientes.

Criptococosis del sistema nervioso central / Cryptocococis system nervous central

Se presenta el caso de un niño de 14 años con síndrome meníngeo subagudo, pérdida de peso (> 6 Kg.) en los últimos dos meses e imágen redondeada en el lóbulo frontal derecho que resultó corresponder a una meningoencefalitis por criptotococo en un paciente con SIDA

Criptococosis del sistema nervioso central / Cryptocococis system nervous central

Se presenta el caso de un niño de 14 años con síndrome meníngeo subagudo, pérdida de peso (> 6 Kg.) en los últimos dos meses e imágen redondeada en el lóbulo frontal derecho que resultó corresponder a una meningoencefalitis por criptotococo en un paciente con SIDA