The relationship between the use of digital display devices and headphones and primary headaches in children.

BACKGROUND: Headache represents the most common neurologic symptom in children. In this study, we investigated the relationship between watching television, listening to music with headphones, smartphone, tablet, and computer use, and primary headaches in children. We aimed to determine whether primary headache in children is associated with excessive use of digital display devices and headphones and whether reducing the use of digital display devices and headphones affects primary headache. METHODS: The study included 69 children with primary headaches and 64 with no headaches as a control group. All subjects were evaluated for demographic and headache characteristics and the use of digital display devices and headphones. Our recommendation for patients and families was to decrease the use of digital display devices and headphones, and the headache burden was re-evaluated after one month. RESULTS: Headache frequency was more common in patients who watched television and used smartphones or tablets for more than 6 hours per day. Using a smartphone or tablet for more than 3 hours daily was more common in the study group than the control group. Headache frequency decreased in all patients one month after the digital imaging device and headphones were restricted. CONCLUSIONS: Watching television and using a smartphone or tablet strongly associates with primary headaches during childhood.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La cefalea representa el síntoma neurológico más común en los niños. En este estudio se investigó la relación entre ver televisión, escuchar música con auriculares, el uso del teléfono inteligente o tableta y computadora y el dolor de cabeza primario en niños. Nuestro objetivo fue determinar la asociación entre la cefalea primaria en niños y el uso excesivo de dispositivos de visualización digital y auriculares, y el efecto de la disminución del uso de dispositivos de visualización digital y auriculares sobre la cefalea primaria. MÉTODOS: El estudio incluyó a 69 niños con cefaleas primarias y 64 niños sin cefaleas como grupo control. Se evaluaron las características demográficas y de dolor de cabeza y uso de dispositivos de visualización digital y auriculares de los participantes. Se aconsejó a los pacientes y familiares que disminuyeran el uso del dispositivo de pantalla digital y los auriculares y se volvió a evaluar la carga de dolor de cabeza después de 1 mes. RESULTADOS: La frecuencia de la cefalea fue más frecuente en los pacientes que veían televisión y utilizaban un teléfono inteligente o una tableta más de 6 horas al día. El uso de más de 3 horas al día fue más común en el grupo de estudio que en el grupo control. La frecuencia del dolor de cabeza disminuyó en todos los pacientes 1 mes después de la restricción del dispositivo de imagen digital y los auriculares. CONCLUSIONES: Ver la televisión y el uso de un teléfono inteligente o tableta se asocian estrechamente con el dolor de cabeza primario en la infancia.

Zonulin and claudin-5 levels in multisystem inflammatory syndrome and SARS-CoV-2 infection in children.

AIM: SARS-CoV-2 infection in children is generally asymptomatic or mild; however, it can lead to a life-threatening clinical condition, multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), days or weeks after the infection. Increased intestinal permeability isa possible triggering factor at the onset of the hyperinflammation associated with MIS-C. Zonulin and claudin-5 are involved in intestinal permeability. In this study, we aimed to investigate serum zonulin and claudin-5 levels in SARS-CoV-2 infection and MIS-C disease. METHODS: The study group consisted of children diagnosed with MIS-C or SARS-CoV-2 infection who presented to a university hospital paediatric emergency or infectious diseases departments. The control group included well patients seen at the General Pediatrics units for routine follow-up. Serum zonulin and claudin-5 levels were measured at the time of diagnosis. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were included in the MIS-C group, 19 in the SARS-CoV-2 infection group and 21 in the control group. The mean zonulin level in the MIS-C group was significantly higher than in the control group (P < 0.001). Mean Claudin-5 levels were Psignificantly lower in the SARS-CoV-2 infection group than in the control group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that increased intestinal permeability may be involved in the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 infection and MIS-C disease. Larger clinical trials are needed to clarify the role of serum zonulin and claudin-5 on intestinal permeability in MIS-C and SARS-CoV-2 infection in children.