RESUMEN
Our study aim was to assess body mass index (BMI) change in children in the immediate 6 months of the pandemic, to follow longitudinal BMI change up to 30 months after the pandemic start, and to identify sociodemographic factors associated with these changes. Our study included a retrospective chart review of 1298 children 2 to 18 years old with office visits at an Indianapolis primary care clinic. Body mass index and sociodemographic information were collected at visits during 3 time periods: Prepandemic (March 1, 2019-February 28, 2020), Early Pandemic (June 1, 2020-November 30, 2020), and Late Pandemic (December 1, 2020-September 30, 2022). Data analysis indicated statistically significant increases in BMI monthly rate of change from Prepandemic to Early Pandemic periods. Interestingly, BMI rate of change stabilized from Early Pandemic to Late Pandemic periods but remained positive, suggesting children had slower, but persistent, continued BMI increase after the pandemic initiation.
RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Hair-pulling disorder is a rare condition with onset most commonly in adolescence and a well-documented association with comorbid psychiatric disorders. Minimal literature currently exists detailing the occurrence and treatment of this condition in young children, particularly less than 5 years old. METHOD: This case report describes 2 cases of children (<24 months old) with hair-pulling disorder and concurrent highly disrupted sleep. Treatment aimed at addressing sleep hygiene through parental psychoeducation and training, competing items, and faded naptime/bedtime. RESULTS: In both children, sleep hygiene intervention yielded significant improvement in sleep disruption patterns and hair-pulling behavior across approximately a 3-month period that maintained at 1- and 3-month follow-ups. CONCLUSION: Identifying factors that may be related or concurrent to hair pulling in young children is vital in ensuring that treatment is individualized and effective.
