Mental and Psychosomatic Effects of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic on Adolescents: A Validation Study.

OBJECTIVES: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had detrimental impacts on both physical and mental health worldwide. In addition to the behavioral effects, it has caused a range of psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, and anger. Fear and stress have been particularly prevalent in individuals. This study aims to assess the psychometric properties of the Scale for the Evaluation of Mental and Psychosomatic Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic (COVID-19 PRPEDS) on adolescents and explore the pandemic's psychosomatic effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 503 adolescents between the ages of 14 and 18 years who continue their high school education constituted the study population. The COVID-19 PRPEDS comprising 18 items and 2 subscales (Mental Effects, Psychosomatic Effects), was used in adolescents. The forms were delivered to the students via the Internet, and in addition to the scale, the age and sex of the adolescents were recorded. RESULTS: A majority of the participants (96.6%, n = 486) had knowledge about COVID-19, 93.8% (n = 472) could differentiate COVID-19 from other diseases, 96.6% (n = 486) were able to explain the transmission ways of COVID-19 and 96% (n = 483) took the necessary precautions to protect themselves from COVID-19. The COVID-19 PRPEDS scores of males were higher than females. The study validation index was above 0.9, which is considered to be acceptable for adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: Like in the other pandemics, adolescents experienced serious mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to its psychosomatic effects, the mental issues related to the pandemic were more common in male adolescents. Cite this article as: Ince G, Üzüm Ö, Eliaçik K, Kanik A, Emir B, Helvaci M. Mental and psychosomatic effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on adolescents: A validation study. Turk Arch Pediatr. 2024;59(1):60-69.

Parent-reported complementary and alternative medicine use among pediatric patients with epilepsy at two tertiary centers in Turkey - Prevalence and predictors.

BACKGROUND: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) consists of various medical practices and products not recognized as a part of conventional medicine. There are few studies on CAMs used for childhood epilepsy. We aimed to determine the prevalence and socio-demographic factors affecting CAM use in children with epilepsy. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional prospective descriptive study. The study included all parents who agreed to participate and had children with epilepsy. The data was collected using a questionnaire developed from a literature review of CAM use in pediatric epilepsy patients. RESULTS: A total of 219 parent-child pairs were included in the study. Seventy-five participants had one or more comorbid disorders. 55.3% of participating children with epilepsy were taking more than one antiseizure medication (ASM). 30.1% of parents reported using some form of CAM for their children in the previous year. Only 60.6% of parents discussed their CAM decision with their child's doctor before using it. Univariate analysis showed that the patient's age, presence of comorbid disorders, duration of ASM, and family history of epilepsy were statistically significant predictors for CAM use. However, the presence of comorbidities was the only significant predictor of CAM use in logistic regression. CONCLUSION: Even though most parents believe CAMs have no effect on their children with epilepsy, they frequently use them. We propose that the predictors identified in this study can help to identify potential CAM users. Since most parents do not report the use of CAM, physicians should routinely inquire about CAM use.

Attitudes of parents with children aged 12-18 to COVID-19 vaccines for themselves and their children.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of vaccine hesitancy is increasing in many countries. This study aims to determine parents` attitudes and related factors regarding COVID-19 vaccine acceptance for themselves and their children aged 12-18. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on parents between 16th November and 31st December 2021, after COVID-19 vaccines were initiated for children in Türkiye. In the survey, the sociodemographic characteristics of the parents, whether they and their children were vaccinated against COVID-19, and if not, the reasons for this were asked. Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the factors affecting parents` refusal to vaccinate their children for COVID-19. RESULTS: Three hundred and ninety-six mothers and fathers were included in the final analysis. Overall, 41.7% of parents reported vaccine refusal for their children. COVID-19 vaccine refusal was higher in mothers younger than 35 (ß = 6.5, p = 0.002, 95% CI: 2.0-23.1), children aged 15 and younger (ß = 2.3, p = 0.001, 95% CI: 1.4-3.7). Concerns about the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine (29.7%) and their children not wanting to be vaccinated (29.0%) were the most common causes of COVID-19 vaccine refusal. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, the rate of children not vaccinated due to COVID-19 vaccine refusal was relatively high. Parents` concerns about vaccine side effects, as well as their children`s unwillingness to be vaccinated, suggest that both parents and adolescents should be informed about the importance of COVID-19 vaccines.

Investigating the Potential Connection Between Cyberchondria and Vaccine Hesitancy in High School Students.

BACKGROUND: Internet use, which provides the opportunity to access information from anywhere, and anytime, is increasing among adolescents and young adults. In studies examining the effect of technology use in adults, it has been observed that there is a relationship between cyberchondria and vaccine hesitancy. This study aimed to uncover the potential relationship between cyberchondria and vaccine hesitancy in adolescents and to obtain data for combating anti-vaccination in this age group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 2.353 high school students were enrolled within the scope of this research. The forms were delivered to the students online and 531 volunteers participated in the survey. The Cyberchondria Severity Scale and Vaccine Hesitancy Scale were used to evaluate the details of the relationship between cyberchondria and vaccine hesitancy levels in adolescents. RESULTS: The compulsion subscales of the Cyberchondria Severity Scale in males and vaccine repugnance subscales of the Vaccine Hesitancy Scale in females were statistically significantly higher. Cyberchondria and vaccine hesitancy have a strong relationship with each other except benefits and protective value of vaccines subscale of vaccine hesitancy. CONCLUSION: Health policymakers should be aware of this relationship and there is a need to develop novel online intervention programs for combating anti-vaccination, particularly among cyberchondriac adolescents who have relatively high vaccination hesitancy, particularly during the pandemic.

Understanding Vaccine Hesitancy: Social Isolation in Relation to Social Media Addiction and COVID-19 Anxiety.

BACKGROUND: Despite significant advancements in immunization over the last century, vaccine hesitancy is a major threat to world health. Health-related information available from a variety of sources, including new media such as social media platforms, can encourage vaccine hesitancy. The aim of this study is to determine the level of vaccine hesitation among adults, specifically their belief in the advantages of vaccination and their perceptions of vaccine-related dangers in relation to social media addiction and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) anxiety. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between December 2021 and January 2022, 454 adults participated in an online cross-sectional survey consisting of the social media use disorder scale, the vaccine hesitancy scale, and the coronavirus anxiety scale. RESULTS: The results of the study revealed a strong correlation between social media addiction, vaccine hesitation, and COVID-19 anxiety. CONCLUSION: Given the potential for misinformation to spread through social media, especially in a situation like a pandemic, the conscious use of social media should be emphasized and anti-addiction measures are required. Novel programs including online interventions should be developed to promote vaccination among social media addicts who have relatively high vaccination hesitancy.

Impact of High-flow Nasal Cannula Therapy in Quality Improvement and Clinical Outcomes in a Non-invasive Ventilation Device-free Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the change in quality indicators due to the use of high-flow nasal cannula therapy as a non-invasive ventilation method in children with respiratory distress/failure in a non-invasive ventilation device-free pediatric intensive care unit. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of children with respiratory distress/failure admitted 1 year before (period before high-flow nasal cannula therapy) and 1 year after (period after high-flow nasal cannula therapy) the introduction of high-flow nasal cannula therapy. We compared quality indicators as rate of mechanical ventilation, total duration of mechanical ventilation, rate of re-intubation, pediatric intensive care unit length of stay, and mortality rate between these periods. RESULTS: Between November 2012 and November 2014, 272 patients: 141 before and 131 after high-flow nasal cannula therapy were reviewed (median age was 20.5 mo). Of the patients in the severe respiratory distress/failure subgroup, the rate of intubation was significantly lower in period after than in period before high-flow nasal cannula therapy group (58.1% vs. 76.1%; P <0.05). The median pediatric intensive care unit length of stay was significantly shorter in patients who did not require mechanical ventilation in the period after than in the period before high-flow nasal cannula therapy group (3d vs. 4d; P<0,05). CONCLUSION: Implementation of high-flow nasal cannula therapy in pediatric intensive care unit significantly improves the quality of therapy and its outcomes.

Can Stoss Therapy Be Used in Children with Vitamin D Deficiency or Insufficiency without Rickets?

OBJECTIVE: Stoss vitamin D treatment has been recommended for its non-skeletal benefits in adults, but there is a lack of data on the optimal dose of vitamin D stoss therapy in children with vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency without rickets. This study aimed to compare efficiency/side effects of two different stoss therapy regimens (10 000 IU/kg and 300 000 IU vitamin D3) administered in children with vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency without rickets. METHODS: Sixty-four children who had vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency were studied. A serum 25-hydroxyvitamin-D (25-OH-D) level of 15-20 ng/mL was considered as vitamin D insufficient and <15 ng/mL was considered as vitamin D deficient. The patients were divided into two groups according to the stoss therapy doses they received. Serum calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, 25-OH-D, parathyroid hormone levels, and spot urine calcium/creatinine ratios before/after treatment were recorded. Wrist radiography and renal ultrasonography were performed. RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects was 10.6±4.4 years. Thirty-two children were treated with a single vitamin D3 dose of 10 000 IU/kg and 32 patients received 300 000 IU. No difference was found in 25-OH-D levels between the two groups at presentation. The mean level of 25-OH-D was higher in the 10 000 IU/kg group at the second week of therapy. There was no difference between the groups at post-treatment weeks 4 and 12. The 25-OH-D was found to be below optimal levels (≥30 ng/mL) in 66.5% and <20 ng/mL in 21.8% of patients at the third month in both groups. None developed hypercalcemia and/or hypercalciuria. Nephrolithiasis was not detected in any patient. CONCLUSION: This study showed that both doses of stoss therapy used in the treatment of vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency are effective and safe. However, an optimal level of 25-OH-D cannot be maintained for more than three months.

Compliance status of product labels to the international code on marketing of breast milk substitutes.

The aim of this study was to determine the compliance status of product labels regarding Article 9 of the International Code on Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes (the Code) in Denizli province, Turkey. A cross-sectional study design was employed to determine the compliance status. The product labels were obtained from a convenience sample of five supermarkets, one store and 5 pharmacies in the City centre and district of Honaz. Using a data collection form prepared by previously published studies, data were collected between July 26, 2010 and August 06, 2010. Data collection form included 13 criteria. In addition, we checked the boxes for the availability of a Turkish written label. Forty product labels of 7 companies were reached and evaluated. These products consisted of 83.0% of the products marketed by these companies in Turkey. Thirty seven (92.5%) of the labels violated Article 9 of the Code in terms of one or more criteria. Thirty four (85.0%) of the labels had photos or pictures idealizing the use of infant formula. Nine (22.5%) had a photo, a picture or any representation of an infant, and five (12.5%) had text which idealize the use of infant formula or discouraging breastfeeding. Eight (20%) did not state that breastfeeding is the best. Four (10%) had a term such as 'similar to breast milk or human milk'. In conclusion, the majority of the product labels of breast milk substitutes marketed in our country violate the Code. It is appropriate that the Turkish Ministry of Health, medical organizations, companies, and NGOs work more actively to increase awareness of this issue.