OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyse the current status, trends and risk factors of disease burden from 1990 to 2019 among Chinese children.
METHODS: It was a retrospective study on data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 (GBD 2019). Data of disease burden and risk factors were extracted from the GBD 2019. Children were divided into two groups of <5 and 5-14 years. Data were analysed using GBD results query tool, Excel and Pareto analysis.
METHODS: Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) and deaths.
RESULTS: The overall disease burden for both children <5 years and those aged 5-14 years significantly decreased from 1990 to 2019. For children aged <5 years, in 2019, the leading cause of deaths and DALYs were \'neonatal disorders\', and the top risk factor was \'low birth weight\'. Compared with data of 1990, the ranking of causes of deaths and DALYs in 2019 saw the most significant increase for \'HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections\' and \'skin and subcutaneous diseases\' respectively. Conversely, the ranking of deaths/DALYs causes that dropped most significantly was \'nutritional deficiencies\'. For children aged 5-14, in 2019, the leading deaths and DALYs causes were \'unintentional injuries\' and \'mental disorders\' respectively. The top risk factors were \'alcohol use\' and \'short gestation\', respectively. The ranking of deaths and DALYs causes rose most significantly were \'HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections\' and \'neonatal disorders\', respectively. Conversely, the ranking of deaths causes that dropped most significantly were \'other infectious diseases\', \'enteric infections\' and \'nutritional deficiencies\'. For DALYs, the causes that dropped most significantly in ranking were \'other infectious diseases\'.
CONCLUSIONS: The disease burden of children has significantly changed from 1990 to 2019, with notable differences between children aged <5 and 5-14 years. To optimise the allocation of health resources, it is necessary to adjust management strategies based on the latest disease burden.

OBJECTIVE: This modelling study aimed to estimate the burden for allergic diseases in children during a period of 30 years.
METHODS: Population-based observational study.
METHODS: The data on the incidence, mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for childhood allergic diseases, such as atopic dermatitis (AD) and asthma, were retrieved from the Global Burden of Disease study 2019 online database. This data set spans various groups, including different regions, ages, genders and Socio-Demographic Indices (SDI), covering the period from 1990 to 2019.
RESULTS: In 2019, there were approximately 81 million children with asthma and 5.6 million children with AD worldwide. The global incidence of asthma in children was 20 million. Age-standardised incidence rates showed a decrease of 4.17% for asthma, from 1075.14 (95% uncertainty intervals (UI), 724.63 to 1504.93) per 100 000 population in 1990 to 1030.33 (95% UI, 683.66 to 1449.53) in 2019. Similarly, the rates for AD decreased by 5.46%, from 594.05 (95% UI, 547.98 to 642.88) per 100 000 population in 1990 to 561.61 (95% UI, 519.03 to 608.29) in 2019. The incidence of both asthma and AD was highest in children under 5 years of age, gradually decreasing with age. Interestingly, an increase in SDI was associated with a rise in the incidence of both conditions. However, the mortality rate and DALYs for asthma showed a contrasting trend.
CONCLUSIONS: Over the past three decades, there has been a worldwide increase in new asthma and AD cases, even though mortality rates have significantly declined. However, the prevalence of these allergic diseases among children varies considerably across regions, countries and age groups. This variation highlights the need for precise prevalence assessments. These assessments are vital in formulating effective strategies for prevention and treatment.

BACKGROUND: Radiographic bone age (BA) assessment is widely used to evaluate children\'s growth disorders and predict their future height. Moreover, children are more sensitive and vulnerable to X-ray radiation exposure than adults. The purpose of this study is to develop a new, safer, radiation-free BA assessment method for children by using three-dimensional ultrasound (3D-US) and artificial intelligence (AI), and to test the diagnostic accuracy and reliability of this method.
METHODS: This is a prospective, observational study. All participants will be recruited through Paediatric Growth and Development Clinic. All participants will receive left hand 3D-US and X-ray examination at the Shanghai Sixth People\'s Hospital on the same day, all images will be recorded. These image related data will be collected and randomly divided into training set (80% of all) and test set (20% of all). The training set will be used to establish a cascade network of 3D-US skeletal image segmentation and BA prediction model to achieve end-to-end prediction of image to BA. The test set will be used to evaluate the accuracy of AI BA model of 3D-US. We have developed a new ultrasonic scanning device, which can be proposed to automatic 3D-US scanning of hands. AI algorithms, such as convolutional neural network, will be used to identify and segment the skeletal structures in the hand 3D-US images. We will achieve automatic segmentation of hand skeletal 3D-US images, establish BA prediction model of 3D-US, and test the accuracy of the prediction model.
BACKGROUND: The Ethics Committee of Shanghai Sixth People\'s Hospital approved this study. The approval number is 2022-019. A written informed consent will be obtained from their parent or guardian of each participant. Final results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and international conferences.
BACKGROUND: ChiCTR2200057236.

Small for gestational age (SGA) poses a significant concern for newborns, being linked to neonatal complications and potential metabolic disorders in adulthood, especially when born to mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), elevating their risk of complications and mortality. However, the pregnancy risk factors and glycaemic control associated with SGA infants born to mothers with GDM remain unclear.
To identify the pregnancy risk factors and glycaemic control associated with SGA infants born to mothers with GDM.
This case-control study was conducted among 1910 women with GDM in China. Data were collected by the integrated electronic medical record system. Using 1:4 propensity score matching analysis, we adjusted for gestational age as confounder. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify risk factors.
Risk factors for SGA born to mothers with GDM included a history of low birth weight, gestational hypertension, oligohydramnios, short maternal height, underweight pre-pregnancy body mass index and inadequate weight growth. While SGA was protected by weakly positive ketonuria levels in the first trimester, multiparous, anaemia and previous uterine scar were protective factors for SGA. Moreover, 2-hour postprandial glucose and haemoglobin A1c in the second trimester, as well as the 0-hour and 2-hour 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were linked to risk of SGA.
SGA infants are the result of multifactorial interactions among GDM pregnant women. Notably, glycaemic control levels were associated with SGA. There is a need for enhanced perinatal monitoring and antenatal care to reduce SGA.

To depict the seasonality and age variations of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) incidence in the context of the COVID-19 impact.
Retrospective cohort study.
The observational cohort study was conducted at Soochow University Affiliated Children\'s Hospital from January 2017 to June 2021 and involved 132 797 children born in 2017 or 2018. They were followed and identified CAP episodes by screening on the Health Information Systems of outpatients and inpatients in the same hospital.
The CAP episodes were defined when the diagnoses coded as J09-J18 or J20-J22. The incidence of CAP was estimated stratified by age, sex, birth year, health status group, season and month, and the rate ratio was calculated and adjusted by a quasi-Poisson regression model. Stratified analysis of incidence of CAP by birth month was conducted to understand the age and seasonal variation.
The overall incidence of CAP among children aged ≤5 years was 130.08 per 1000 person years. Children aged ≤24 months have a higher CAP incidence than those aged >24 months (176.84 vs 72.04 per 1000 person years, p<0.001). The CAP incidence increased from October, peaked at December and January and the highest CAP incidence was observed in winter (206.7 per 1000 person years, 95% CI 204.12 to 209.28). A substantial decline of CAP incidence was observed during the COVID-19 lockdown from February to August 2020, and began to rise again when the communities reopened.
The burden of CAP among children is considerable. The incidence of CAP among children ≤5 years varied by age and season and decreased during COVID-19 lockdown.

Exposure of pregnant women and newborns to secondhand smoke (SHS) can lead to adverse maternal and neonatal health outcomes. Among expectant and new fathers, who are the main source of SHS exposure for pregnant women, new mothers and babies, smoking rates remain high. A partner\'s pregnancy potentially constitutes a critical period where expectant and new fathers are motivated to quit smoking. However, there is no consensus on the optimal form and delivery of smoking cessation and relapse-prevention interventions. We present a systematic review and network meta-analysis protocol that aims to synthesise and evaluate the effectiveness of smoking cessation and relapse-prevention interventions tailored for this population.
To identify relevant studies, we will conduct a comprehensive search, in English and Chinese, of 10 electronic databases. The review will include randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials that compare behavioural interventions (tailored and non-tailored) with/without the addition of pharmacotherapy with usual care, a minimal or placebo control for assisting expectant and new fathers to quit smoking and prevent smoking relapse. The primary outcome of interest is the self-reported and/or biochemically verified smoking abstinence at ≥1-month follow-up. Two reviewers will independently screen, select and extract relevant studies, and perform a quality assessment. Disagreements will be resolved by a consensus or third-party adjudication. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool V.2 will be used to assess the risk of bias in the included studies. We will obtain the results of the systematic review through pooled quantitative analyses using a network meta-analysis. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses will be performed.
Ethical approval is not required for this systematic review of published data. The findings will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publication.
CRD42022340617.

OBJECTIVE: The primary purpose was to measure the birth weight of infants of mothers with gestational diabetes (IMGDs) at different gestational ages to develop new reference charts and curves for them. A further purpose was to compare them with those of 159 334 infants in China to provide more accurate reference charts for the diagnosis of suspected abnormal birth weight of IMGDs. The final purpose was to evaluate the key periods for such mothers to control their weight in line with the difference of fetal weight of each two neighbouring gestational ages.
METHODS: A specialised hospital in South China PARTICIPANTS: IMGDs born here from January 2014 to December 2018.
UNASSIGNED: Birth weight, gestational ages of IMGDs, gender and year of birth.
RESULTS: Data of 14 311 singleton live births at the gestational weeks 25-42 here were collected. The proportions of low birth weight, normal birth weight and macrosomia were 7.26%, 87.04%, and 5.70%, respectively. The proportions of small for gestational age, appropriate for gestational age and large for gestational age were 5.69%, 84.42% and 9.89%, respectively. In the macrosomia group, the mean of all birth weight in 2017 decreased for the first time since 2014. Both the means of birth weight of male infants at gestational weeks 36-41 and of female at weeks 38-40 were greater than that of the 159 334 infants. The increase of each weekly mean of IMGDs at gestational weeks 27-31 and 33-35 was >10% compared with the former. Based on this, new reference charts of birth weight for IMGDs in terms of different gestational age and gender were formulated.
CONCLUSIONS: These charts may be applied as reference for more accurate diagnosis and quick treatment of abnormal birth weight. This study showed that the identification of key periods for fetal weight gain was helpful for the management of the weight of women with gestational diabetes.

This study aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices related to neonatal jaundice among mothers in Shenzhen, China, and analyse associated factors.
A cross-sectional study.
This study was conducted in Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, a university-affiliated, tertiary level A, public hospital in China. On average, 4000 mothers are discharged from this hospital after childbirth each year, most of whom can access a mobile phone and the internet.
Participants were 403 mothers discharged from the study hospital within 48-72 hours after vaginal delivery or 96-120 hours after caesarean delivery between April and June 2021. Participants were recruited using convenience sampling.
Mothers\' knowledge, attitudes and practices related to neonatal jaundice, modelled using binary logistic regression.
Factors associated with mothers\' knowledge, attitudes and practices related to neonatal jaundice.
The questionnaire was reliable (Cronbach\'s alpha=0.802) and valid (scale-level content validity index=0.958). The valid response rate was 96.4%. Only 46.4% of participating mothers had good knowledge about neonatal jaundice and 41.7% indicated they would seek information about neonatal jaundice. A binary logistic regression analysis showed good knowledge about jaundice was associated with a high education level (ie, master\'s degree or above; OR=5.977, 95% CI: 1.994 to 17.916, p=0.001), prior education on neonatal jaundice (OR=3.617, 95% CI: 1.637 to 7.993, p=0.001) and male babies (OR=1.714, 95% CI: 1.122 to 2.617, p=0.013). A positive attitude toward jaundice was associated with being cared for by a \'yuesao\' (maternity matron specialised in caring for mothers and newborns) (OR=1.969, 95% CI: 1.264 to 3.066, p=0.003) and good knowledge about jaundice (OR=1.804, 95% CI: 1.194 to 2.726, p=0.005). Finally, good practices related to neonatal jaundice were associated with prior education on neonatal jaundice (OR=2.260, 95% CI: 1.105 to 4.625, p=0.026) and good knowledge about jaundice (OR=3.112, 95% CI: 2.040 to 4.749, p<0.001).
Many mothers have poor knowledge about jaundice, especially regarding causes, danger signs and breast milk jaundice. Maternal information-seeking behaviour about neonatal jaundice needs to be improved. Medical staff should incorporate information about the causes/danger signs of jaundice and breast milk jaundice in maternal health education. It is also necessary to strengthen health education for mothers, especially those with low education and no yuesao, and provide reliable websites where mothers can obtain information about neonatal jaundice.

Welfare policy focuses on vulnerable populations, such as children with difficult family backgrounds. Education is a crucial way to reduce poverty. This study explored the relationship between children\'s diet structure and academic achievement and compared these across different family backgrounds.
A cross-sectional study was conducted to survey the health status of children from difficult families based on a random sampling method in 2018. Survey data were collected from children and their guardians with a questionnaire. A multi-sample latent class model and an ordinal logistic model were applied for data analysis.
This study was conducted in 31 provinces nationwide. Two provinces in the Central (Shandong and Jiangxi), Eastern (Hebei and Henan) and Western (Chongqing and Shanxi) regions and one province in the Northeast (Liaoning) were selected considering different stratum of economic development.
A total of 2099 children with difficult family backgrounds and 666 children from ordinary families were surveyed.
The dietary structure of children from ordinary families was significantly better than that of children with difficult or unstable family backgrounds ([Formula: see text] =9.178, p<0.01). Children from difficult families had an intake of dairy products and fruits below dietary standards. The difference in academic achievement between children in the balanced and deprived groups was statistically significant (OR=0.640, 95% CI 0.429 to 0.955). Other determinants of the academic achievement of children in difficult families were parents\' education level (OR=1.331, 95% CI 1.162 to 1.525), family economic status (OR=0.835, 95% CI 0.748 to 0.932) and parents\' academic concern (OR=0.373, 95% CI 0.252 to 0.553).
To address the differences between children from difficult families and ordinary families, policymakers should develop support policies for difficult children, guide the formation of a reasonable dietary structure. Besides, enhancing family closeness and fostering family nurturing behaviours are the keys to promote the good academic development of children from difficult families.

To date, there is no standard diagnostic practice to identify the underlying disease-causing mechanism for paediatric patients suffering from chronic fever without any specific diagnosis, which is one of the leading causes of death in paediatric patients. Therefore, we aimed this retrospective study to analyse medical records of paediatric patients with fever of unknown origin (FUO) to provide a preliminary basis for improving the diagnostic categories and facilitate the treatment outcomes.
A retrospective study.
Beijing Children\'s Hospital.
Clinical data were collected from 1288 children between 1 month and 18 years of age diagnosed with FUO at Beijing Children\'s Hospital between January 2010 and December 2017.
According to the aetiological composition, age, duration of fever and laboratory examination results, the diagnostic strategies were analysed and formulated.
The statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS V.24.0 platform along with the χ2 test and analysis of variance (p<0.05).
The duration of fever ranged from 2 weeks to 2 years, with an average of 6 weeks. There were 656 cases (50.9%) of infectious diseases, 63 cases (4.9%) of non-infectious inflammatory diseases (NIIDs), 86 cases (6.7%) of neoplastic diseases, 343 cases (26.6%) caused by miscellaneous diseases and 140 cases (10.9%) were undiagnosed. With increasing age, the proportion of FUO from infectious diseases gradually decreased from 73.53% to 44.21%. NIID was more common in children over 3 years old, and neoplastic diseases mainly occurred from 1 to 6 years of age. Among miscellaneous diseases, the age distribution was mainly in school-aged children over 6 years. Respiratory tract infection was the most common cause of FUO in children, followed by bloodstream infections. Bacterial infection was the most common cause in children with less than 1 year old, while the virus was the main pathogen in children over 1 year old.
The diagnosis of neoplastic diseases and miscellaneous diseases-related diseases still depends mainly on invasive examination. According to our clinical experience, the diagnostic process was formulated based on fever duration and the type of disease. This process can provide a guide for the diagnosis and treatment of paediatric FUO in the future.