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Children
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Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics - Volume II
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Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics - Volume II

A special issue of Children (ISSN 2227-9067).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 February 2024) | Viewed by 14484

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Panagiota Pervanidou

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, “Aghia Sophia” Children’s Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
Interests: neurodevelopment; children; autism spectrum disorder; ADHD; early life stress; parenting; childhood obesity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The field of developmental and behavioral pediatrics constitutes a relatively new pediatric subspecialty and focuses on the understanding of functional changes in all domains of child and adolescent development, including language, movement, cognitive function, and social–emotional development. The field also focuses on the assessment of children with, or at risk of, neurodevelopmental and behavioral difficulties. Developmental and behavioral problems and disorders, as a group, affect one in six children, comprising one of the most prevalent pediatric conditions. Prematurity, fetal growth restriction, and prenatal influences, as well as genetic conditions, are directly related to neurodevelopmental outcomes. In addition, psychosocial aspects of health, adversity, and parenting contribute to and affect child development. Sleep, feeding, and sensory issues are also important factors that influence child behavior.

This Special Issue aims to highlight the importance of monitoring and supporting child development, especially during critical periods of life, to raise awareness of the identification of high-risk conditions in developmental and behavioral pediatrics, as well as to enhance the understanding of neuropsychobiological aspects of children with neurodevelopmental disorders. The content of this Special Issue covers pediatric developmental topics, including ADHD, autism, intellectual disability, depression, behavioral aspects of chronic illness, psychosocial determinants of child health, stress and adversity, neurodevelopmental disorders, parenting and family factors, developmental screening and assessment, and early intervention.

Considering the success and popularity of the Special Issue “Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics” previously published in the journal Children (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/children/special_issues/Developmental_Behavioral_Pediatrics), we are now releasing a Second Issue aiming to gather original research papers and review articles focused on developmental and behavioral pediatrics. In this Special Issue of Children, senior investigators are welcome to invite mentees and colleagues to co-author submissions under their supervision. We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Panagiota Pervanidou
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Children is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • child development
  • child behavior
  • ADHD
  • ASD
  • intellectual disability
  • stress
  • neurodevelopmental disorders

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 3567 KiB  
Article
Examining Language, Speech and Behaviour Characteristics: A Cross-Sectional Study in Saudi Arabia Using the Arabic Version of Gilliam Autism Rating Scale-Third Edition
by Muhammad Alasmari, Ahmed Alduais, Fawaz Qasem, Shrouq Almaghlouth and Lujain AlAmri
Children 2024, 11(4), 472; https://doi.org/10.3390/children11040472 - 15 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1062
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibits diverse manifestations influenced by demographic factors. This study evaluates these variations within Saudi Arabia, aiming to investigate language, speech and behaviour characteristics across different demographics in Saudi Arabia using the Arabic Version of the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale—Third [...] Read more.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibits diverse manifestations influenced by demographic factors. This study evaluates these variations within Saudi Arabia, aiming to investigate language, speech and behaviour characteristics across different demographics in Saudi Arabia using the Arabic Version of the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale—Third Edition (A-GARS-3). Employing a cross-sectional design, 178 participants were stratified by developmental status (n = 124 school settings, n = 54 clinical setting), sex (Females = 77, Males =101), age (range = 3–22), and geographical region (different provinces in Saudi Arabia). The A-GARS-3 measured ASD manifestations across six subscales. The study identified significant differences in ASD manifestations by developmental status, with higher ASD likelihood and severity in clinical settings. Younger children showed more pronounced ASD characteristics, and males were slightly more likely to be diagnosed with ASD. Geographical analysis revealed regional differences in severity. The findings underline the importance of demographic considerations in ASD assessment and diagnosis, suggesting the need for age-specific and culturally sensitive approaches. The A-GARS-3 is a reliable tool for the Saudi context. Regional disparities in ASD prevalence and severity indicate a need for tailored health policies and resources across Saudi provinces. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics - Volume II)
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19 pages, 1193 KiB  
Article
Associations between Prepartum and Postpartum Maternal Symptoms of Depression, Anxiety and Stress Related to COVID-19 Pandemic and Childhood Sensory Avoidance: Results from Conception Study
by Delphine Aubin, Jessica Gorgui, Anick Bérard and Sarah Lippé
Children 2024, 11(3), 352; https://doi.org/10.3390/children11030352 - 16 Mar 2024
Viewed by 838
Abstract
Background: Prepartum and postpartum maternal symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression are likely to influence the child’s sensory processing through hormonal alterations and an influence on mother–child interactions. Objective: We investigated the associations between maternal prepartum and postpartum symptoms of depression, anxiety and [...] Read more.
Background: Prepartum and postpartum maternal symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression are likely to influence the child’s sensory processing through hormonal alterations and an influence on mother–child interactions. Objective: We investigated the associations between maternal prepartum and postpartum symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic and childhood sensory avoidance at 18 months. Methods: Longitudinal data from 409 participants followed during the COVID-19 pandemic were used. They completed questionnaires during pregnancy and up to 18 months after delivery. Maternal distress symptoms were assessed prenatally and at 18 months postnatally using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, the Generalized Anxiety Disorders 7-item Scale and a 10-point scale assessing the level of stress felt related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Child sensory avoidance was assessed at 18 months postpartum using the Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile—Second Edition. Pearson correlations and multiple regressions measured the associations between maternal distress symptoms and child sensory avoidance. Results: Prepartum and 18-month postpartum maternal depression and anxiety were significantly correlated with childhood sensory avoidance (p < 0.05). Together, these variables explained 7.18% (F = 2.12, p < 0.05) of the variance of childhood sensory avoidance. Conclusions: These results support the contributory effect of prepartum and postpartum maternal distress on childhood sensory development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics - Volume II)
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16 pages, 4549 KiB  
Article
Interconnected Pathways: Postural Stability and Vocabulary Skills in Preschool-Aged Children
by Giulia Calignano, Giorgia Lettere, Irene Leo, Francesca Maritan, Laura Mattera, Patrizia Granata, Daniela Lucangeli and Eloisa Valenza
Children 2023, 10(12), 1891; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10121891 - 6 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 788
Abstract
Previous research has highlighted an interplay between postural abilities and linguistic skills during infancy. However, this relationship could undergo further radical transformations in other periods of development. This current study explored a plausible network of relationships among postural abilities and vocabulary skills in [...] Read more.
Previous research has highlighted an interplay between postural abilities and linguistic skills during infancy. However, this relationship could undergo further radical transformations in other periods of development. This current study explored a plausible network of relationships among postural abilities and vocabulary skills in a substantial cohort (N = 222) of preschoolers aged between 2 and 5 years—a developmental phase critical for refining both language and motor competencies. Here, postural stability was measured in terms of balance duration and accuracy, alongside an assessment of comprehension and expressive vocabulary skills. Employing a diverse set of techniques, i.e., data and missing data visualization and multilevel regression analysis, task complexity and age emerged as crucial factors explaining our data. In addition, network analysis indicates that language production plays a central role within postural and language interdomain networks. The resulting discussion focuses on the useful implications of this study for the assessment of typical preschool development, which would benefit from tailored methodological inspections guided by developmental theories that are framed in inter-domain approaches. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics - Volume II)
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14 pages, 894 KiB  
Article
Maternal Exercise during Pregnancy Impacts Motor Performance in 9-Year-Old Children: A Pilot Study
by Nina Ferrari, Nikola Schmidt, Inga Bae-Gartz, Christina Vohlen, Miguel A Alejandre Alcazar, Konrad Brockmeier, Jörg Dötsch, Esther Mahabir and Christine Joisten
Children 2023, 10(11), 1797; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10111797 - 8 Nov 2023
Viewed by 1165
Abstract
The benefits of maternal physical activity during pregnancy are well documented, but long-term effects on the child have been less studied. Therefore, we conducted a pilot follow-up study of a lifestyle intervention during pregnancy that aimed to investigate whether exercise (endurance and strength [...] Read more.
The benefits of maternal physical activity during pregnancy are well documented, but long-term effects on the child have been less studied. Therefore, we conducted a pilot follow-up study of a lifestyle intervention during pregnancy that aimed to investigate whether exercise (endurance and strength training) during pregnancy affects motor performance and body composition of children up to 9 years of age, as well as possible influencing factors like brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and lifestyle. Eleven mother−child pairs from the intervention and eight mother−child pairs from the control group were included. From birth up to 9 years of age, no differences in body mass index (BMI) or body mass index standard deviation scores (BMI-SDS) were found between the groups. Lifestyle intervention was one of the influencing factors for children’s cardiorespiratory endurance capacity and coordination. Moreover, maternal BDNF in the last trimester was significantly associated with running performance, which may be due to better neuronal development. This is the first study evaluating the effects of a lifestyle intervention during pregnancy on the motor performance 9 years after birth. Children’s participation in exercise programs over the past 9 years was not continuously recorded and therefore not included in the analysis. Even a cautious interpretation of these results indicates that a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy is essential in promoting child health. Larger studies and randomized control trials are necessary to confirm our results, especially those pertaining to the role of BDNF. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics - Volume II)
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Review

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19 pages, 2247 KiB  
Review
Short- and Long-Term Outcomes of Preeclampsia in Offspring: Review of the Literature
by Sevasti Koulouraki, Vasileios Paschos, Panagiota Pervanidou, Panagiotis Christopoulos, Angeliki Gerede and Makarios Eleftheriades
Children 2023, 10(5), 826; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10050826 - 1 May 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 5492
Abstract
Preeclampsia is a multisystemic clinical syndrome characterized by the appearance of new-onset hypertension and proteinuria or hypertension and end organ dysfunction even without proteinuria after 20 weeks of pregnancy or postpartum. Residing at the severe end of the spectrum of the hypertensive disorders [...] Read more.
Preeclampsia is a multisystemic clinical syndrome characterized by the appearance of new-onset hypertension and proteinuria or hypertension and end organ dysfunction even without proteinuria after 20 weeks of pregnancy or postpartum. Residing at the severe end of the spectrum of the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, preeclampsia occurs in 3 to 8% of pregnancies worldwide and is a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, accounting for 8–10% of all preterm births. The mechanism whereby preeclampsia increases the risk of the neurodevelopmental, cardiovascular, and metabolic morbidity of the mother’s offspring is not well known, but it is possible that the preeclamptic environment induces epigenetic changes that adversely affect developmental plasticity. These developmental changes are crucial for optimal fetal growth and survival but may lead to an increased risk of chronic morbidity in childhood and even later in life. The aim of this review is to summarize both the short- and long-term effects of preeclampsia on offspring based on the current literature. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics - Volume II)
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Other

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14 pages, 541 KiB  
Systematic Review
The Role of SNPs in the Pathogenesis of Idiopathic Central Precocious Puberty in Girls
by Konstantina Toutoudaki, George Paltoglou, Dimitrios T. Papadimitriou, Anna Eleftheriades, Ermioni Tsarna and Panagiotis Christopoulos
Children 2023, 10(3), 450; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10030450 - 25 Feb 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1457
Abstract
The initiation of puberty is a crucial timepoint of development, with its disruptions being associated with multiple physical and psychological complications. Idiopathic Central Precocious Puberty (iCPP) has been correlated with Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) of certain genes that are implicated in various steps of [...] Read more.
The initiation of puberty is a crucial timepoint of development, with its disruptions being associated with multiple physical and psychological complications. Idiopathic Central Precocious Puberty (iCPP) has been correlated with Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) of certain genes that are implicated in various steps of the process of pubertal onset. The aim of this review was to gather current knowledge on SNPs of genes associated with iCPP. We searched articles published on the PubMed, EMBASE and Google Scholar platforms and gathered current literature. KISS1, KISS1R, PLCB1, PRKCA, ITPR1, MKRN3, HPG axis genes, NPVF/NPFFR1, DLK1, KCNK9Q, LIN28B, PROK2R, IGF-1, IGF2, IGF-1R, IGF-2R, IGFBP-3, insulin, IRS-1, LEP/LEPR, PPARγ2, TAC3, TACR3, Estrogen receptors, CYP3A4 and CYP19A1 were studied for implication in the development of precocious puberty. SNPs discovered in genes KISS1, KISS1R, PLCB1, MKRN3, NPVF, LIN28B, PROK2R, IRS-1 TAC3, and CYP3A4 were significantly correlated with CPP, triggering or protecting from CPP. Haplotype (TTTA)13 in CYP19A1 was a significant contributor to CPP. Further investigation of the mechanisms implicated in the pathogenesis of CPP is required to broaden the understanding of these genes’ roles in CPP and possibly initiate targeted therapies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics - Volume II)
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10 pages, 349 KiB  
Brief Report
Reliability and Validity of the Educational Stress Scale for Adolescents (ESSA) in a Sample of Greek Students
by Evangelia Moustaka, Flora Bacopoulou, Kyriaki Manousou, Christina Kanaka-Gantenbein, George P. Chrousos and Christina Darviri
Children 2023, 10(2), 292; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10020292 - 2 Feb 2023
Viewed by 2742
Abstract
This research outlines the initial validation of a new instrument to quantify academic stress, the Educational Stress Scale for Adolescents (ESSA). A total of 399 students (61.9% females, 38.1% males), with a mean age of 16.3 years, participated in the research protocol. Cronbach’s [...] Read more.
This research outlines the initial validation of a new instrument to quantify academic stress, the Educational Stress Scale for Adolescents (ESSA). A total of 399 students (61.9% females, 38.1% males), with a mean age of 16.3 years, participated in the research protocol. Cronbach’s α for the total 16-item ESSA scale was 0.878, suggesting good reliability. Cronbach’s α for each one of the five components were statistically positively significant. The Greek version of the Educational Stress Scale for Adolescents (ESSA) can be utilized as a valid tool to measure the perceived educational stress in adolescents. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics - Volume II)
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