A study of the management of head lice by paediatricians in Malta

Head lice infestation is a condition found in every country in the world about which it is important to have proper education and awareness. This study aimed to examine the treatment of head lice and the education given to the patient and their parents from the paediatrician’s point of view. A questionnaire consisting of multiple choice questions and a covering letter was sent by post to all the paediatricians that were registered in Malta’s specialist register as of May 2014. Guidelines from the UK and America were used to draw up this questionnaire.peer-reviewe

A review of a paediatric dermatology clinic in Malta

A review of a Paediatric Dermatology clinic set up in 2009 at the Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Sir Paul Boffa Hospital, was carried out in 2011. The aim of the exercise was to identify the main conditions being seen in this clinic and to analyse management and referral patterns. Data was collected on a total of 130 patients (80 new and 50 follow-up). Of the patients attending, 86 (66%) were males and 44 (34%) were females. Overall, the commonest conditions seen were acne, eczema, naevi, fungal infections and psoriasis. General practitioners accounted for 69% of referrals whereas paediatricians and other specialists accounted for the other 31%. Of the 80 new patients seen, 55% were given a follow-up appointment in the Paediatric Dermatology clinic, 30% were discharged and 15% were given an appointment for further therapy e.g. skin surgery, laser treatment or cryotherapy. Parents/carers accompanying children to the clinic all stated that Saturday was the best day of the week for them to attend.peer-reviewe

The management of nocturnal enuresis in children

Introduction : Nocturnal enuresis is more prevalent in the male gender. Studies such as that by Butler & McKenna (2002) show how nocturnal enuresis is hereditary, with approximately 50% of the children affected if one parent has suffered from it. The main cause for nocturnal enuresis can be drinking late in the evening or not passing urine before going to sleep, resulting in excessive urine volume. A detailed history needs to be taken, eating and drinking habits should also be assessed, and any drinks or food that can increase the chances of bedwetting should be removed or reduced. Management: Management has to be adapted to the child and his/her family requirements. Prescribing the right medication and ensuring compliance is important but is only part of the management plan. Lifestyle changes should be advised. A very simple bedwetting vibrating alarm can be considered. If symptoms persist, pharmacological treatment should be prescribed together with the bedwetting alarm. Conclusion: Nocturnal enuresis is a common condition in a young child, however it requires a careful assessment and management in cooperation with the child’s parent or carer. Physicians need to be aware of when the child needs to be referred.peer-reviewe

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder : an overview

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurobehavioural disorder found more commonly, but not exclusively, in school-age children. The hallmarks of the condition are inattention and hyperactivity/ impulsivity, which often go together. Although the term ADHD was coined relatively recently, ADHD has in fact been described as early as 1902. This review article will go through the most important historical aspects of the condition, and will also give an account of what is known about the aetiology of ADHD. The diagnostic criteria issued by the American Psychiatric Association in DSM-5, have been last updated in May 2013. This article will highlight the differences between DSM-5 and the previous version, DSM-IV-TR, and will also touch upon the latest developments in electroencephalographybased investigations and imaging studies for ADHD. Although the condition cannot be cured, symptoms can be managed using various modalities such as behaviour intervention strategies and medication, such that the individual affected by ADHD can have the least possible disruption to social and academic functioning.peer-reviewe

Thumb sucking and transitional objects

This case study assesses the effects of thumb sucking and transitional object on a 4 year old child while being observed in 3 different environments, for 15 minutes each time for 10 days. Sucking only occurred when the transitional object was with the child. These results are discussed through reference to a literature review. Methods of how to control thumb sucking are proposed.peer-reviewe

Good parenting

Doctors need to realize that when one of their patients becomes a parent all of a sudden, everyone around them becomes an expert on parenting. They will start getting plenty of advice which will not always be the right one. That is where we, as doctors need to be vigilant. Parenthood can be very difficult. There is no right or wrong way of bringing up a child. This article is intended to give you the tools so you can give your patients the best advice based on the latest scientific evidence. Keep in mind that the evidence suggests that parents are happier than non-parents regardless of how tired they might feel at the end of the day. As Nelson et al. (2013) suggested, parents feel most fulfilled when they raise their children, as compared to the fulfillment they obtain from doing other things.peer-reviewe

Study Protocol for the COVID-19 Pandemic Adjustment Survey (CPAS): A Longitudinal Study of Australian Parents of a Child 0–18 Years

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic presents significant risks to the mental health and wellbeing of Australian families. Employment and economic uncertainty, chronic stress, anxiety, and social isolation are likely to have negative impacts on parent mental health, couple and family relationships, as well as child health and development. Objective: This study aims to: (1) provide timely information on the mental health impacts of the emerging COVID-19 crisis in a close to representative sample of Australian parents and children (0–18 years), (2) identify adults and families most at risk of poor mental health outcomes, and (3) identify factors to target through clinical and public health intervention to reduce risk. Specifically, this study will investigate the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with increased risk for parents’ mental health, lower well-being, loneliness, and alcohol use; parent-parent and parent-child relationships (both verbal and physical); and child and adolescent mental health problems. Methods: The study aims to recruit a close to representative sample of at least 2,000 adults aged 18 years and over living in Australia who are parents of a child 0–4 years (early childhood, N = 400), 5–12 years (primary school N = 800), and 13–18 years (secondary school, N = 800). The design will be a longitudinal cohort study using an online recruitment methodology. Participants will be invited to complete an online baseline self-report survey (20 min) followed by a series of shorter online surveys (10 min) scheduled every 2 weeks for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic (i.e., estimated to be 14 surveys over 6 months). Results: The study will employ post stratification weights to address differences between the final sample and the national population in geographic communities across Australia. Associations will be analyzed using multilevel modeling with time-variant and time-invariant predictors of change in trajectory over the testing period. Conclusions: This study will provide timely information on the mental health impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on parents and children in Australia; identify communities, parents, families, and children most at risk of poor outcomes; and identify potential factors to address in clinical and public health interventions to reduce risk

Towards a quality education for all

This document summarises the recommendations being proposed in the NCF and examines the implications of such recommendations. There can only be a meaningful strategy for the implementation of the NCF once the recommendations are debated and the full impact of their implications understood. This process of consultation needs to include all stakeholders in a professionally engaging manner. Moreover, the consultation and implementation strategies need to be based on the full understanding of a change management process. This document will therefore map out the way forward by presenting: • a summary of the recommendations being proposed by the NCF; • implications of these recommendations for implementation; • ideas about the management of change which underpin the consultation and implementation strategies the NCF would like to promote; • a strategy for the consultation process following the publication of the draft NCF; and • a proposed timeline for the implementation process of the NCF, following consultation and agreement with the wider educational community about the way forward.peer-reviewe

Monitoring Australian parents’ shifting receptiveness to digital mental health interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: Nascent evidence indicates that the mental health of parents and children has markedly declined during the COVID-19 pandemic. Considering disruptions to traditional face-to-face mental health services resultant from stay-at-home orders, the potential value of digital mental health interventions has become extremely apparent. Despite this, uptake of digital interventions remains poor, indicating that a better understanding is needed of factors that determine a willingness to use digital platforms. Method: The present multi-wave, longitudinal study of 2365 Australian parents explored between-person and within-person predictors of intentions to use digital interventions during the pandemic. Results: More than one-third of parents reported likely use of a self-guided and therapist-guided digital intervention, with the most endorsed reason for use being to support their child’s mental health. Between-person baseline predictors of higher intention ratings were parent’s prior mental illness, not living with a partner and recent environmental stressors. Within-person predictors of higher intention ratings were endorsement of mindful parenting strategies, child access to the Internet, better perceived management of child’s education, lower social support and financial hardship. Conclusion: Findings demonstrate that willingness to engage in digital interventions fluctuates in response to changing circumstances. Identifying novel ways to increase acceptance and uptake of digital interventions based on modifiable predictors established here is needed to realize the full potential of these modes of care in times of need