Neuroscience, as a comprehensive discipline that studies the structure, function, and developmental patterns of the nervous system, provides a critical theoretical foundation for understanding human cognition, emotions, and behavior.The rapid advancements in neuroscience research have offered fresh perspectives on child health and development. This paper systematically explores the intrinsic connections between neuroscience and child health development, with a particular focus on the characteristics of brain development and its influencing factors during the critical period of 0 - 6 years.Research on children′s brain health development reveals the complexity of the interaction between neural development and environmental factors.Moving forward, it is essential to integrate multidisciplinary findings and develop neuroscience-based intervention strategies to create an optimal growth environment for children.

Dyslexia is the most common type of specific learning difficulty, affecting approximately 5% to 10% of school-age children.From the perspective of cognitive psychology, this paper systematically reviews the cognitive mechanisms, assessment tools, diagnostic criteria, and intervention research on dyslexia, and highlights that the primary focus of its assessment and intervention is decoding ability (character recognition).Future efforts should integrate advances in artificial intelligence and educational technology to promote the establishment of early screening and evidence-based intervention systems.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of play therapy within the framework of family co-activities for children with autism spectrum disorder(ASD), in order to provide a scientific basis for exploring effective intervention methods that enable long-term adherence to family-based training for children with ASD. Methods A total of 120 children aged 12 to 48 months with ASD, who visited the Ganzhou Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital from September 2022 to April 2024, were selected as study participants. They were randomly divided into three groups using a random number table. The observation group received parent training and hands-on teaching, with the subjects engaging in family co-activity play for 3 hours per day. The conventional intervention group underwent conventional applied behavior analysis(ABA) intervention therapy. The home care group did not receive any intervention treatment and was managed through routine home care practices. The intervention period lasted for 6 months, and the Gesell Developmental Scale was used to assess the treatment outcomes of the children. Results There were no statistically significant differences in gender and age distribution among children in the observation group, conventional intervention group, and home care group(P＞0.05).Before the intervention, there were no statistically significant differences in total developmental quotient(DQ), adaptability, language, and personal-social skills among children in the three groups(P＞0.05). After the intervention, statistically significant differences were observed in total DQ, adaptive DQ, language DQ, and personal-social DQ among the three groups(F=15.010, 4.942, 14.102, 22.665, P＜0.05). Compared with the home care group, the observation group had higher total DQ(69.51±9.17 vs. 60.18±9.92), adaptive DQ(62.23±10.61 vs. 54.73±11.36), language DQ(54.95±12.41 vs. 44.38±10.71), and personal-social DQ(61.21±13.58 vs. 47.81±11.74) (P＜0.05). Compared with the conventional intervention group, the observation group had higher total DQ(69.51±9.17 vs.59.65±8.56), language DQ(54.95±12.41vs.42.50±11.28), and personal-social DQ(61.21±13.58 vs.44.63±8.50)(P＜0.05). Conclusions By training parents to engage in co-activity play at home,play therapy within the framework of family co-activities can effectively improve the adaptability, language ability, and personal-social skills of children with ASD, reducing the economic burden on the family and improving the efficiency of caregiving. This model has the potential to become an effective long-term intervention method for ASD families and is worthy of widespread promotion among children with ASD and their families.

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently exhibit pronounced difficulties in emotion regulation, manifested as excessive emotional reactivity, slow emotional recovery, and a lack of adaptive regulatory strategies, which substantially impair social adaptation and quality of life.This article focuses on emotion regulation problems in children with ASD, systematically outlining multimodal assessment approaches and integrative intervention strategies.It further proposes that future work should strengthen the integrated use of multimodal assessment data and develop a closed-loop model that links assessment to intervention, thereby advancing early screening, precise identification, and individualized intervention for emotional difficulties in children with ASD.

Neuroscience is one of the most promising research fields in the 21st century,holding significant importance for studies on child development and education.This article begins with findings from neuroscience research to outline the fundamental patterns of brain development in children.It then analyzes the impact of brain science on child development from three aspects:cognitive development,emotional development,and social development.Specifically,it examines influences on attention,types of memory,and thinking abilities within cognitive development.The article proposes educational recommendations based on neuroscience to promote healthy brain development in children,including providing appropriate environmental stimuli,fostering good living habits,emphasizing emotional support and guidance,and implementing personalized education.These suggestions aim to offer scientific guidance for the healthy growth of children.Additionally,the article offers a perspective on the future prospects of brain technology in the field of child health development.

China has a large population of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), yet there remains a significant gap between available service resources and the needs of these children.To enhance the capacity of the national maternal and child health system in serving children with ASD, the China Maternal and Child Health Association initiated the "Standardized Construction of a Three-Tier Autism Prevention and Intervention Network" project.The Committee on Autism Prevention and Intervention organized experts to develop this consensus, which addresses the establishment of a three-tier network and outlines standardized approaches for screening, diagnosis, rehabilitation therapy, and family support.

Parent-child attachment serves as the cornerstone of children′s emotional development.Parent-child attachment encompasses secure, avoidant, ambivalent, and disorganized types.Both attachment styles and age exert influences on children′s emotional growth, affective understanding, and regulation.In the digital era, phenomena such as "technoference", "excessive screen exposure" , and "behavioral modeling-enhanced control" pose significant threats to the formation of secure parent-child attachment, thereby impacting children′s emotional development.This paper proposes the STEP strategy, which includes Selecting appropriate digital content, engaging Together in digital product usage, Engineering well-designed timing and contexts for digital use, and Promoting parents′ interactive competencies scientifically.This framework aims to facilitate the scientific transition of parent-child attachment into the digital age and foster healthy emotional development in children.

The metabolism of lactose primarily relies on the hydrolytic action of lactase, whose activity is regulated by genetic factors and developmental stages.Lactose intolerance can be classified into four types: primary, secondary, congenital, and developmental, with diverse clinical manifestations.Diagnostic methods include hydrogen breath test, lactose tolerance test, and genetic testing, but there is currently no simple and reliable standardized diagnostic approach.Treatment strategies encompass dietary modifications, enzyme replacement therapy, and probiotic supplementation.This article summarizes the metabolic mechanisms of lactose in the intestine, as well as recent advances in the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of lactose intolerance.A deeper understanding of lactose metabolism is crucial for improving the management of lactose intolerance.

Objective To investigate the serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone (T) in early male neonates of different gestational ages and their relationships with penis length and testicular volume, so as to provide basis for the timing of early intervention in male sexual underdevelopment and fertility preservation. Methods From January 2022 to February 2023, 50 clinically stable early male neonates with a gestational age of ≥32 weeks admitted to the neonatal ward of the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Science and Technology were selected into this study, and were divided into a preterm group and a term group based on their gestational age. Penis length and testicular volume were measured, and serum levels of FSH, LH, and T were tested using chemiluminescent immunoassay. The correlation of penis length and testicular volume with serum levels of FSH, LH, and T were analyzed. Results No significant differences were observed in serum levels of FSH, LH, and T between the preterm and term groups (P>0.05). Serum FSH and LH levels were positively correlated with penis length in both groups (preterm group: r=0.466, 0.632, P<0.05; term group: r=0.449, 0.501, P<0.05), while serum T levels were not significantly correlated with penis lengthand testicular volume in either group (P>0.05). Serum FSH level in the term group and serum LH level in both groups were positively correlated with (r=0.435, 0.578, 0.433, P<0.05). Conclusions Serum levels of FSH, LH, and T are not related to gestational age. FSH and LH promote the growth and development of the penis, and LH promotes testicular volume growth. Additionally, FSH is found to promote testicular volume growth only in term infants.

Objective To investigate the association between different feeding methods and infant gastrointestinal health, in order to provide evidence to promote exclusive breastfeeding during early infancy. Methods Participants were recruited from November 2021 to September 2022 in Nanjing, Chengdu, Xi′an, Wuhan, Guangzhou, and Qingdao.Infant gastrointestinal health was assessed using the Infant Gastrointestinal Symptom Questionnaire (IGSQ).Generalized linear models and Logistic regression analyses were employed to examine the relationship between feeding methods and IGSQ scores, as well as common gastrointestinal symptoms. Results A total of 765 mother-infant pairs were included.The median IGSQ scores were 21.00 (17.00, 25.00) for the exclusive direct breastfeeding group, 22.00 (18.00, 26.00) for the exclusive breastfeeding (direct + bottle-fed) group, and 22.00 (18.00, 27.00) for the mixed-feeding group.The average IGSQ score of infants in the mixed feeding was 1.106 points higher than that of the exclusive direct breastfeeding group (95%CI: 0.060 - 2.152, P=0.038).Compared with exclusive direct breastfeeding, mixed feeding was associated with a higher risk of constipation in infants(AOR=1.96, 95%CI: 1.198 - 3.202, P=0.007).The risk of dysphagia in infants in the exclusive breastfeeding (direct+bottle-fed)group and mixed feeding group was 2.14 (95%CI: 1.074 - 4.256, P=0.030) and 2.52 (95%CI: 1.371 - 4.637, P=0.003) times as high as that in the exclusive direct breastfeeding group, respectively.Additionally, exclusively breastfed infants exhibited fewer signs of irritability. Conclusions Exclusive direct breastfeeding in early infancy may help reduce gastrointestinal burden and negative emotional expressions in infants, demonstrating beneficial effects on gastrointestinal health.

Objective To explore the characteristics of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) behaviors in children and adolescents with anxiety disorders and depressive disorders, in order to provide a theoretical basis for clinical interventions. Methods From October 2019 to October 2023, 135 subjects were investigated through convenience sampling method from the Child and Adolescent Psychological Counseling Clinic at the Shanghai Mental Health Center between October 2019 and October 2023.The Ottawa Self-Injury Questionnaire was used to measure self-injury methods and motivations.The Children′s Depression Inventory, the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders, the Parental Bonding Instrument, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, and the Coping Style Questionnaire for Middle School Students were employed to assess levels of anxiety and depression, parenting environment, and coping characteristics.Independent sample t-tests and chi-square tests were used to compare differences between the two groups. Results A total of 135 participants aged 9 to 17 were included, with 37 having anxiety disorders accompanied by NSSI and 98 having depressive disorders accompanied by NSSI.Compared to the anxiety disorder group, the depressive disorder group with NSSI exhibited more detection rates of self-injury on the arms (χ²=4.22, P=0.04).The rate of cutting as a method of self-injury was significantly higher in the depressive disorder group with NSSI than in the anxiety disorder group (χ²=4.92, P=0.03), while nail-biting was significantly more common in the anxiety disorder group with NSSI than in the depressive disorder group with NSSI (χ²=5.11, P=0.02).Compared to the anxiety disorder group with NSSI, the depressive disorder group with NSSI had a higher motivation for sensation-seeking (P<0.05).The depressive disorder group with NSSI also experienced more emotional neglect/abuse and physical neglect/abuse during childhood, felt less emotional warmth from both parents, and used problem-solving coping strategies less frequently (P<0.05). Conclusions Children and adolescents with anxiety disorders and depressive disorders accompanied by NSSI exhibit different characteristics in terms of self-injury locations and motivations.Therefore, targeted intervention plans should be designed.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as a neurodevelopmental disorder, often co-occurs with other psychiatric conditions. Approximately 96% of children with ASD have at least one comorbid condition, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder, intellectual disability, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, depression, and tic disorders, among which ADHD is the most common. ASD and ADHD have a high overlap in genetics, immune system, intestinal microbiota, environmental exposure and behavioral manifestations, and there is a lack of clear distinguishing markers. Since the publication of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), which permits comorbid diagnosis of ASD and ADHD, there has been a lack of expert consensus and guidelines, making the clinical differential diagnosis of ASD, ADHD, and their comorbidities challenging. Therefore, this article elucidates the similarities and differences among ASD, ADHD, and their comorbidities in terms of pathogenic mechanisms and clinical symptoms, which has potential significance for future research on biomarkers of the three and development of cross-diagnostic assessment tools.

Childhood and adolescent obesity has become a major global public health challenge, with a continuously rising prevalence and a trend toward younger age of onset. The escalating rates of childhood obesity significantly increase the risk of various complications, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), asthma, and obstructive sleep apnea, substantially elevating the long-term risk of cardiovascular diseases. Currently, lifestyle interventions centered on nutrition, physical activity, and behavioral modification are the first-line weight management strategies recommended by both domestic and international guidelines, with exercise intervention being a critical component. However, obese children commonly face challenges such as low levels of physical activity, prolonged sedentary time, and insufficient exercise participation, which severely limit intervention effectiveness. This review systematically elucidates the core role and underlying physiological mechanisms of exercise in weight management for obese children. First, exercise directly counteracts positive energy balance and fat accumulation through multiple pathways: increasing total energy expenditure, enhancing skeletal muscle fat oxidation capacity, improving insulin sensitivity, promoting lipolysis, and regulating appetite-related hormones. Second, regular exercise effectively ameliorates obesity-related chronic low-grade inflammation by reducing levels of pro-inflammatory factors such as C-reactive protein (CRP),interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), while promoting the release of anti-inflammatory factors like IL-10 and beneficial myokines including irisin and IL-15, thereby exerting synergistic health-promoting effects at both metabolic and immune levels. In conclusion, exercise represents an indispensable non-pharmacological intervention with dual benefits for the prevention and management of childhood obesity.

Childhood obesity has become a major public health issue, posing clear risks to children's health and future development. Effective management requires a systematic approach that includes monitoring and assessment, intervention and treatment, and long-term maintenance. National surveillance systems are essential for tracking weight trends, while interventions focus on improving diet, increasing physical activity, and strengthening health education. Long-term maintenance relies on supportive policies, financial measures, and healthy environments that help children sustain positive behaviors. In recent years, China has introduced several national policies, including the Implementation Plan for the Prevention and Control of Overweight and Obesity in Children and Adolescents (2020), and has integrated the Healthy Weight Management Action into the Healthy China Initiative. The launch of the three-year campaign on enhancing the public's weight management has further promoted a coordinated system involving government, schools, families, communities, and healthcare institutions. While progress has been made, further efforts are still needed in policy evaluation, medical-public health coordination, individual monitoring, and basic research.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder, and its prevalence has shown a sustained upward trend over the past two decades.Emerging evidence suggests a bidirectional regulatory mechanism between ASD-related behavioral manifestations and the microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGB axis), with numerous studies reporting alterations in gut microbiota composition within this axis.This article reviews the therapeutic effects of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation on ASD at varying dosages and treatment durations.Post-intervention assessments using standardized scales, including the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC), Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), and Autism Behavior Checklist-Japanese Version (ABC-J), demonstrated symptomatic improvements in individuals with ASD.However, all four interventions share limitations, such as a lack of large-scale clinical data and inadequate personalization of dosage and treatment duration to address the heterogeneity of ASD patients.Future research is warranted to validate the efficacy of these microbiota-targeted interventions and optimize treatment protocols for broader clinical application.

Objective To explore the characteristics of brain functional networks in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder(ASD), in order to provide a theoretical basis for the pathological mechanism of ASD. Methods From September 2022 to October 2023, 28 children aged 4 to 6 years with ASD receiving intervention in the Rehabilitation Treatment Centerfor Children with ASD of Chongqing and 20 age-matched typically developed children were selected. Resting-state functional near-infrared spectroscopy(fNIRS) imaging data were collected. Graph theory analysis was used to compare differences in brain functional topological properties between the two groups, with global indices(global efficiency, local efficiency) and nodal indices(nodal degree, nodal efficiency) as dependent variables. Results Compared with typically developed children, children with ASD exhibited higher nodal degree(t=5.570, P=0.023) and lower nodal efficiency(t=6.916, P=0.012) in the medial prefrontal cortex(mPFC). In terms of global indices, after excluding the influence of gender, ASD children had higher local efficiency(t=4.714, P=0.036) and lower global efficiency(t=5.862, P=0.020). Conclusions The mPFC serves as an important information transmission hub in preschool children with ASD. Compared with typically developed children, children with ASD have deficiencies in information integration and global information transmission but exhibit certain advantages in local information transmission and differentiation.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental condition with complex etiology involving dysregulated epigenetic mechanisms arising from gene-environment interactions.This review systematically examines the contributions of natural, chemical, and biological environmental exposures to ASD risk.It further analyzes the potential role of parental factors such as parental occupation, age, and history of metabolic diseases.The review focuses on three major epigenetic mechanisms: DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNA dysregulation, elucidating their aberrant regulation during critical neurodevelopmental windows and their associations with core ASD symptoms, including social communication deficits and restricted repetitive behaviors, which provides a theoretical basis for the in-depth analysis of the pathogenesis of ASD and the development of targeted intervention strategies.

This article provides an overview and summary of the application and key influencing factors of parental involvement in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for the treatment of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents. It emphasizes the critical role of parents in therapy and provides a detailed analysis of methods, effectiveness, and feasibility of parent-focused interventions based on CBT. The paper explores the importance of key factors such as parental anxiety management, emotional support, reducing accommodating behaviors, shifting control, and enhancing parental involvement. These findings deepen the understanding of the role of parents in the treatment of child and adolescent anxiety and provide directions for future research and clinical practice.

Objective To develop a culturally appropriate, standardized, and comprehensive assessment tool for evaluating the quality of family-based infant and toddler care (0 - 3 years) in China, and to examine its reliability and validity, in order to provide a scientific foundation for research on family care quality assessment tools. Methods Based on the nurturing care framework and the Guidelines for Healthy Nurturing Care of Children Under 3 Years of Age, an initial assessment tool was constructed through literature review, expert consensus, and consideration of infant and toddler developmental characteristics.The tool was refined through pilot surveys, expert discussions, and internal group revisions.Reliability was assessed using internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and split-half reliability.Validity was examined through content validity and construct validity. Results The final scale consisted of 54 items across five dimensions: safety care, health care, nutrition care, responsive care, and early learning.The questionnaire demonstrated strong reliability, with a Cronbach's α coefficient of 0.931, split-half reliability of 0.848, and test-retest reliability of 0.613.All item factor loadings were >0.4, correlations between subscales and the total scale ranged from 0.604 to 0.751, and inter-subscale correlations mostly fell between 0.501 and 0.715 (all P<0.05).Construct validity indices indicated a good model fit (χ²/df=4.584, CFI=0.901, GFI=0.912, AGFI=0.901, IFI=0.901, RMSEA=0.035). Conclusion The family infant and toddler nurturing care scale developed in this study exhibits good reliability and validity and is suitable for assessing the quality of family-based nurturing care of infants and toddlers.

Objective To analyze the current research status of social anxiety in adolescents, and to identify research hotspots and frontiers through CiteSpace, so as to provide insights and references for the direction of scientific research in this field. Methods Relevant literature on social anxiety in adolescents from January 1st, 2003, to December 31st, 2023, was searched in the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC). CiteSpace was utilized to conduct co-occurrence, clustering, and burst analysis of authors, countries/regions, and keywords. Results A total of 433 articles were included. Pine Daniel S has published the most articles (15) in the field of social anxiety in adolescents, and the United States ranked first in terms of publication volume (136 articles). Keyword analysis revealed that "comorbidity", "prevalence", "risk factors", "behavioral inhibition", "social skills", "cognitive behavioral therapy", "psychopathology", and "model" were the research hotspots and trends in this field. Conclusions Popular topics in this research field focus on the prevalence, comorbidity, mechanisms of occurrence and development, and treatment of social anxiety in adolescents. Future research should further clarify the etiology of social anxiety in adolescents and explore biomarkers for social anxiety disorder in adolescents using neuroimaging techniques, as well as interventions with better therapeutic effects.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social communication deficits, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors, exhibiting variable clinical manifestations and significant treatment challenges. As a non-invasive brain stimulation technique, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can alleviate clinical symptoms in individuals with ASD by modulating local cortical excitability. The underlying mechanisms involve correcting the abnormal excitation/inhibition (E/I) ratio, regulating levels of cerebral metabolites, optimizing functional brain connectivity, and improving cerebral hemodynamics. This article reviews the target selection, mechanisms of action, and clinical efficacy of tDCS in the treatment of ASD. It also explores its extended applications in other neuropsychiatric disorders such as ADHD and depression, as well as its safety profile.

This paper explores the establishment of a "Language-Social Communication-Cognition" three-dimensional model for children′s language assessment and intervention, grounded in the clinical reasoning framework for broadly defined language disorders.First, it lists the common language and communication issues in children with neurodevelopmental disorders and outlines evidence-based early language intervention approaches that align with this three-dimensional model.As children enter the preschool and school-age years, this model aids in the differential diagnosis process by analyzing the distinct root causes of language disorders, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and intellectual disability.Neither early language intervention approaches nor linear language intervention processes are effective in advancing the critical skills these children need for academic learning and social participation.This paper emphasizes the crucial role of "Theory of Mind" ability within the three-dimensional model during this stage and dedicates a section to its detailed elaboration.Finally, the paper proposes a narrative-based language intervention system that implements the "Language-Social Communication-Cognition" model in practice, with three dimensions advancing together and synergistically, and explains its evidence-based foundation and clinical procedures.

Children with cerebral palsy (CP) often have foot and ankle deformities as complications or sequelae, which is one of the main causes of motor dysfunction in children.This article provides a comprehensive review of the pathogenesis, severity classification, rehabilitation assessment, and rehabilitative therapy of foot and ankle deformities in CP children, aiming to assist clinical healthcare professionals in making decisions regarding the prevention and rehabilitation of such symptoms in CP children.

In recent years, the incidence of childhood obesity has been rising annually, becoming a major public health concern.This condition has numerous adverse effects on children's physical and mental health.Physiologically, it can increase the burden on bones and joints and lead to metabolic disorders; psychologically, it often triggers emotional issues such as low self-esteem and anxiety.Additionally, childhood obesity significantly raises the risk of developing chronic diseases in adulthood, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and hypertension.From the perspective of rehabilitation training, this review comprehensively covers key areas such as exercise assessment, exercise prescription formulation, exercise method selection, precautions, and the treatment of complications.It elaborates in detail on the correct exercise intervention strategies for childhood obesity.The aim is to enhance healthcare professionals' understanding of exercise therapy for childhood obesity, optimize clinical treatment plans, improve therapeutic effectiveness and precision, and provide scientifically sound guidance for the prevention and management of childhood obesity.

Objective To examine gender- and age-related differences in developmental levels and symptom severity among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and to analyze the correlation between symptom severity and developmental levels, in order to provide theoretical support for early ASD identification, diagnosis, and intervention. Methods A total of 236 children aged 18 - 72 months who were newly diagnosed with ASD at the Developmental-Behavioral Clinic of Beijing Chaoyang Maternal and Child Health Hospital were enrolled in this study between January 2020 and July 2024.Developmental quotients (DQs) were assessed using the Gesell Developmental Schedules, while symptom severity was evaluated with the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS).Comparative analysis of developmental levels and symptom severity across genders and age groups were conducted, along with correlation analyses between symptom severity and developmental levels. Results No significant gender differences were observed in adaptive, fine motor, language, or personal-social DQs, nor in total CARS scores (P>0.05).However, girls demonstrated significantly higher gross motor DQs than boys (Z=2.059, P<0.05).Significant age-related differences were found in adaptability (H=18.108), gross motor (H=68.413), fine motor (H=26.194), and personal-social (H=44.728) DQs (P<0.001), with the <2-year-old group showing the highest scores and the ≥3-year-old group the lowest.The distribution of gross motor developmental level across genders showed significant variation (χ²＝11.539, P<0.01), and boys demonstrated significantly higher rate of gross motor developmental delay than girls. Age-stratified analyses revealed statistically significant differences in adaptive (χ²=23.206), gross motor (χ²=74.583), fine motor (χ²=41.321), and personal-social (χ²=44.560) development levels (P<0.001), with the ≥3-year-old group exhibiting the highest developmental delay rates.CARS scores showed significantly negative correlations with all developmental domains (adaptive: r=-0.341, gross motor: r=-0.266, fine motor: r=-0.336, language: r=-0.331, personal-social: r=-0.399, P<0.001). Conclusions ASD children show no marked gender differences in developmental levels or symptom severity.However, older age and greater symptom severity are associated with lower developmental levels.ASD intervention programs should be individualized based on comprehensive developmental assessments and symptom.

Objective To analyze the profile of inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) using tandem mass spectrometry (MSMS) screening, and to clarify the epidemiological characteristics and genetic variant spectrum in Jiaxing City, in order to provide a scientific basis for the prevention of neonatal birth defects. Methods Heel blood samples from newborns born in Jiaxing City between January 2015 and December 2022 were initially screened by MSMS.Positive cases were recalled for retesting, followed by biochemical and genetic analyses.Diagnoses were confirmed based on clinical manifestations, and the incidence rates and genetic variants were retrospectively analyzed. Results Among 376 649 live births during the study period, 375 562 neonates were screened, with 328 660 undergoing MSMS screening (average screening rate: 87.26%, increasing annually).A total of 85 cases were diagnosed with amino acid disorders (AADs), fatty acid oxidation disorders (FAOD), or organic acid disorders (OAD), yielding an overall incidence of 1/3 867.Hyperphenylalaninemia, primary carnitine deficiency, and methylmalonic acidemia were the most prevalent conditions in AADs, FAODs, and OADs, with incidences of 1/14 290, 1/21 911, and 1/54 777, respectively.Genetic analysis identified 90 pathogenic variants, with the most frequent being PAH c.728G>A, c.1068C>A, and c.721C>T; ACADSB c.1165G>A; SLC22A5 c.1400C>G and c.51C>G; and SLC25A13 c.615+5G>A. Conclusions This study clarifies the incidence and genetic variant spectrum of neonatal IEM in the region, enabling early screening, diagnosis, and intervention in Jiaxing City.These findings are critical for strengthening birth defect prevention and improving neonatal health outcomes.

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are a group of common conditions characterized by developmental and functional impairments of the nervous system beginning in childhood.There is an urgent need for practical methods for the early diagnosis and prevention of NDDs.This review discusses the current situation and prospects of wearable electronic devices in assessing neurodevelopmental disorders in children.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of infra-low frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation (ILF-TMS) combined with conventional rehabilitation training in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and comorbid sleep disturbances, in order to provide a scientific basis for clinical treatment. Methods A total of 60 children with ASD and sleep disturbances, who were treated at the Nanhai Obstetrics and Gynecology Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2023, were selected as study participants.They were randomly divided into a study group and a control group using a random number table, with 30 children in each group.The control group received conventional rehabilitation training, including applied behavior analysis therapy, sensory integration training, and speech therapy.The study group received ILF-TMS additionally.Both groups underwent treatment for 12 weeks.The Children′s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC), and Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) were used to assess outcomes before and after treatment.Intra-group comparisons and inter-group comparisons of score changes before and after treatment were conducted to evaluate therapeutic effects. Results In the study group, post-treatment scores for sleep resistance, sleep anxiety, sleep duration, parasomnias, daytime sleepiness, and total CSHQ scores were significantly lower than pre-treatment scores (t=2.438, 2.261, 2.295, 2.987, 5.954, 5.518, P<0.05).Moreover, the differences in the above score changes before and after treatment were significantly greater in the study group compared to the control group, with statistical significance (t=2.201, 2.218, 2.604, 3.322, 6.668, 8.216, P<0.05).Both the study and control groups showed significant reductions in CARS and ABC total scores after treatment (study group: t=3.067, 3.125; control group: t=2.098, 2.094, P<0.05).The difference in ABC total score changes before and after treatment was significantly greater in the study group compared to the control group (t=3.121, P<0.05). Conclusions ILF-TMS can effectively improve sleep disturbances and alleviate clinical symptoms in children with ASD, which provides theoretical support for the application of ILF-TMS in the treatment of children with ASD.

Objective To understand the impact of the family nurturing environment on the neuropsychological development level of children, so as to provide a scientific basis for family nurturing guidance in outpatient clinics. Methods From September 2021 to June 2022, developmental screening was conducted on 631 children aged 0 - 3 years at the Child Growth and Development Clinic of Shengzhou Maternal and Child Health Hospital, along with a survey on the family nurturing environment of their primary caregivers. The survey results were analyzed using univariate and multivariate methods. Results The suspected abnormality rate of the developmental quotient (DQ) among the 631 children was 15.53%. The rate of suspected and abnormal DQ was significantly higher in children aged >1 - 3 years compared to those aged 0 - 1 year (χ²=4.21, P=0.040). In both the 0 - 1 year and >1 - 3 year groups, children with low birth weight (χ²=26.739, 6.831), higher birth order (χ²=74.047, 21.840), smaller gestational age (χ²=12.495, 11.883), and lower educational level of the primary caregiver (χ²=29.968, 11.498) had significantly lower DQ scores (P<0.01). "Often/Always swaddling the child tightly, restricting limb movement" was a risk factor for suspected developmental abnormalities in children aged 0 - 1 year (OR=5.283, 95%CI: 1.317 - 21.185). "Often/Always training the child's hand manipulation skills" was associated with higher DQ in children aged 0 - 1 year (OR=0.347, 95%CI: 0.131 - 0.916). "Often/Always allowing the child to try dressing and doing things independently" was associated with higher DQ in children aged >1 - 3 years (OR=0.475, 95%CI: 0.251 - 0.898) (P<0.05). Conclusions The suspected and abnormal DQ rates are relatively high among children aged >1 - 3 years in Shengzhou. Outpatient clinics should focus on children with low birth weight, higher birth order, smaller gestational age, and lower educational levels of primary caregivers. Guidance for family caregivers can be provided using the relevant content indicated by the family nurturing environment scale.

Nutrition education kitchen for infants and young children is a health education place providing both feeding knowledge and practical operation for caregivers of children.Recently, nutrition education kitchen has been set up in many health care institutions in China.However, there is a lack of standardized construction and operation guidance.The Capital Institute of Pediatrics, together with experts from pediatrics, child health care and nutrition, jointly developed the Construction and Operation Standard of Nutrition Education Kitchen for Infants and Young Children, which aims to provide professional recommendations for child care professionals in different levels of health care institutions, nursery institutions, and community child growth stations.The standard includes basic requirements, construction requirements, equipment and facilities, operation management, personnel, operation services, evaluation management, which could promote the construction of nutrition education kitchen throughout the country, and standardize the operation services to strengthen infant and young child feeding.

Short stature is a common reason for consultation in the field of pediatric endocrinology and genetic metabolism, and its genetic etiology has garnered increasing attention in recent years.Defects in any genes involved in the process of height growth can lead to short stature, primarily by disrupting the normal proliferation and differentiation of growth plate chondrocytes.While dysfunction of the growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor (GH-IGF) axis represents a classic mechanism, multiple other factors—such as nutritional status, inflammatory cytokines, paracrine signaling, extracellular matrix, and intracellular signaling pathways—are also jointly involved in its regulation.Affected children often present clinically with abnormal body proportions, a positive family history, multisystem malformations or functional impairments, with specific genetic variants frequently correlating with distinct phenotypic profiles.Therefore, the systematic collection of phenotypic information combined with genetic testing has become a core strategy for achieving precision diagnosis and treatment of genetic-related short stature.

Objective To investigate the correlation of advanced bone age (BA) with overweight/obesity in preschool and school-aged children from Gansu, in order to promote the nutritional intervention and health education in this region. Methods A total of 1 462 children (698 boys, 764 girls) aged 3-12 years who underwent health examinations at the Department of Child Health Care, Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital from February 2019 to October 2023 were included.Bone age was assessed using left-hand wrist radiographs, and participants were categorized into underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese groups based on body mass index (BMI) criteria.Bone age status was analyzed across different sexes, nutritional statuses, and age groups, and the association between overweight/obesity and advanced bone age was further explored. Results In the overall study population, the proportions of underweight, overweight, and obese children were 7.11%, 8.41%, and 13.34%, respectively.The prevalence of advanced bone age and delayed bone age was 7.87% and 35.16%, respectively.Girls had a significantly higher rate of advanced bone age than boys (11.91% vs.3.44%, χ²=71.296, P<0.05).Children aged 9-12 years exhibited a significantly higher rate of advanced bone age (19.40%) compared to those aged 6-8 years (7.62%, P<0.05) and 3 - 5 years (1.01%, χ²=119.802, P<0.05).Compared to normal-weight children (5.77%), the prevalence of advanced bone age was significantly higher in overweight (17.07%) and obese children (16.92%) (χ²=99.176, P<0.05).Both overweight and obesity were identified as risk factors for advanced bone age, with odds ratios (ORs) of 2.488 (95% CI:1.435-4.314, P<0.05) and 2.330 (95% CI:1.463-3.710, P<0.001), respectively.BMI showed a significant positive correlation with bone age difference (r=0.361, P<0.001).Furthermore, the area under the curve (AUC) of BMI in predicting advanced bone age was 0.735 (95%CI:0.684-0.786, P<0.001), with an optimal cutoff value of 16.699 kg/m²(sensitivity was 0.696, specificity was 0.739, Youden index was 0.435). Conclusions Significant differences in bone age are observed among children with varying nutritional status in Gansu, with overweight and obesity strongly associated with advanced bone age.Regular bone age monitoring in overweight and obese children is recommended for early intervention to promote healthy growth and development.

The circle of security (COS) intervention, based on attachment theory, has been widely applied across different cultures and populations globally, achieving remarkable results. By enhancing caregivers′ sensitivity and responsiveness to children′s emotional needs, the COS intervention not only improves the relationship between children and caregivers, strengthens children′s attachment security, socio-emotional functioning, and behavioral regulation abilities, but also significantly increases caregivers′ sensitivity, reduces their stress levels, improves their emotional regulation abilities, and enhances their self-efficacy and reflective capacity.The evidence suggests that when adapted for specific cultural contexts—specifically within China, considering its mental health needs—localized COS interventions can play a vital role in fostering secure attachment in children and fortifying parent-child relationships.

Objective To explore the clinical applicability of a self-developed artificial intelligence bone age assessment model based on a North American dataset for children and adolescents. Methods Based on the Greulich-Pyle (G-P) bone age assessment method, a deep learning-based artificial intelligence bone age assessment model (AIBAA-GP) was constructed using 14 236 left-hand wrist DR images from the 2017 Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) public bone age dataset. Retrospective collection of imaging data from children who underwent left-hand wrist DR imaging at Xiamen Huli District Maternal and Child Health Hospital between September 2018 and September 2022, due to parental requests for bone age assessment, was conducted. A total of 1 709 eligible images were selected, including 867 images of boys and 842 images of girls. The AIBAA-GP model was used to assess bone age. The assessed bone age results were compared with chronological age, and the model's performance across different age groups was evaluated. Results The assessment results of AIBAA-GP model on the 1709 DR images showed statistically significant differences between bone age and chronological age (P<0.05) for boys aged 4, 5, 6, and 7 years and girls aged 3, 4, and 5 years, with mean differences within 1.6 years. By adjusting the mean differences between bone age and chronological age for each age group, the bone age assessment values for the aforementioned groups could be adjusted by -1.16, -1.14, -1.35, -1.29 years for boys and 1.59, -1.52, -1.06 years for girls, respectively. Chronological age was significantly correlated with computer-predicted bone age for boys (r=0.952) and girls (r=0.885). Conclusions The AIBAA-GP algorithm model, based on a North American population dataset, is applicable to a small portion of age groups in Chinese children and adolescents. However, adjustments are required for most age groups before it can be applied in clinical auxiliary diagnosis.

The vagus nerve (VN) originates from the brainstem, serving as a bidirectional communication bridge between the brain and the body, and is widely distributed throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems. Noninvasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) is a neuromodulation technique with active regulatory functions that has been applied in the treatment of various diseases in recent years, demonstrating significant effects in conditions such as depression and epilepsy. However, there have been relatively few studies on its use in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). By summarizing the pathogenesis of ADHD and the mechanism of nVNS, this article identifies associations between the two in terms of neurotransmitters, inflammation, apoptosis, and other aspects, and explore the potential mechanisms that exist between them, so as to provide a theoretical foundation for nVNS treatment of ADHD.

Objective To assess the early childhood development (ECD) level of preschool children in Chongqing,and to explore the influence of caregiving environments on ECD,so as to provide theoretical support and guidance for policy-making and early education practices. Methods In January 2024,preschool children were selectedacross various districts and counties in Chongqing.The survey included a general information questionnaire,the China Early Childhood Development Index,and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item Scale for primary caregivers.Binary Logistic regression was used to analyze the impact of caregiving environments on ECD. Results A total of 25 914 valid questionnaires were collected. The overall development score of preschool children in Chongqing was 0.781 ± 0.128,and the overall literacy and numeracy score was 0.745±0.203 in Chongqing.Scores in writing (0.481 ± 0.359),persistence (0.543 ± 0.278),and reading (0.661 ± 0.282) were below the survey average.Protective factors for developmental delays included education level of caregivers (high school/vocational school:OR=0.735,college or above OR=0.654) and annual household income (50 000 yuan:OR=0.854,100 000 yuan:OR=0.635,≥ 250 000 yuan: OR=0.473) (P < 0.05).Risk factors included father as main caregivers (OR=1.232),grandparents as main caregivers (OR=1.162),and screen exposure time (≥0.5h/d:OR=1.408,1.0h/d~:OR=2.042, ≥2.0h/d:OR=3.317) (P < 0.05).Compared to those with non-anxious caregivers,children with caregivers exhibiting mild,moderate,or severe anxiety had 1.801,2.571,and 2.219 times higher risks of developmental delays,respectively (P<0.001). Conclusions ECD levels in Chongqing are relatively high,but writing,persistence,and reading skills require further improvement.ECD is closely associated with nurturing care environment,highlighting the need for personalized interventions to foster supportive environments and promote comprehensive early childhood development.

Objective To systematically evaluate the effectiveness of Lokomat robotic-assisted gait training in improving lower limb function in children with cerebral palsy, in order to provide a scientific basis for guiding clinical rehabilitation practice. Methods PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang Data, VIP, and China Biology Medicine(CBM) were searched for literature on the effect of Lokomat robotic-assisted gait training on lower limb function in children with cerebral palsy, with a retrieval period from the inception of the databases to July 2024. Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias. Meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.4 software. Results A total of 11 randomized controlled trials were included, involving 502 patients with cerebral palsy. Meta-analysis showed that GMFM-88 D score(SMD=0.40, 95%CI:0.06 - 0.74, P=0.02), GMFM-88 E score(SMD=0.43, 95%CI:0.07 - 0.79, P=0.02), free walking speed(MD=0.11, 95%CI:0.06 - 0.16, P＜0.001), and BBS score(MD=3.50, 95%CI:1.27 - 5.74, P=0.002) were better in the experimental group than those in the control group. There was no significant difference in 6-minute walk distance between the two groups(P＞0.05). Conclusion Lokomat robotic-assisted gait training can improve lower limb motor function, walking ability, and balance in children with cerebral palsy to a certain extent, and may serve as a safe and effective rehabilitation method for chinical application.

Adolescent self-injurious behavior has garnered widespread mental health concern. Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) offer a novel perspective for deeply understanding the complexity and dynamics of individual self-harm among adolescents by providing real-time monitoring of the continuous changes in self-harm ideation and behaviors, as well as their interactions with psychosocial factors within natural settings. This article outlines the application of EMA in exploring patterns of self-harm behavior and the dynamic relationships of self-injurious behavior with self-harm functions, emotional states, coping strategies and interpersonal relationships.

Due to the fact that newborns cannot describe pain and their nervous systems are not fully developed, their perception and expression of pain differ from adults. Consequently, neonatal pain is often overlooked in clinical practice. However, pain can affect individuals′ psychological emotions, endocrine system, circulatory system, respiratory system, and other aspects, leading to corresponding symptoms. This article summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of currently used neonatal pain assessment scales and explores the potential application value of salivary cortisol in neonatal pain assessment, aiming to provide reference and theoretical basis for accurate and objective pain assessment in newborns.

Objective To assess the physical activity (PA) levels in preschool children with Kawasaki disease (KD) during the early stages of the illness,in order to provide reference for making individualized exercise prescriptions. Methods Children hospitalized at the Children's Hospital of Capital Institute of Pediatrics between December 2023 and March 2024 were selected as the KD group. Healthy children matched by gender and age in a 1∶3 ratio served as the control group. The Preschooler Physical Activity Questionnaire (P-PAQ) was used to evaluate the PA levels of the KD group one month after the onset of the disease, focusing on their physical activity over the past week. The clinical data of KD patients were collected through the electronic medical system, including gender, age, height, weight, treatment, laboratory indicators (blood routine, C-reactive protein) and ultrasound results of coronary arteries. Results A total of 112 children were included in the study, comprising 28 KD patients and 84 healthy controls. One month after the onset of KD, the total out-of-school activity time was 99.36 (56.79, 130.18) minutes per day, the outdoor activity time was 12.86 (10.71, 14.29) minutes per day, and the moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) time was 26.25 (7.50, 53.32) minutes per day. Compared to the healthy control group, the KD group showed significantly reduced total out-of-school activity time, outdoor activity time, and MVPA time (Z=5.491, 5.072, 3.726, P<0.01). All KD patients were followed up one month after the onset of the disease, and no coronary artery complications or adverse cardiovascular events were observed. Conclusions Preschool children with KD without coronary artery complications exhibit low levels of physical activity during the early stage of the disease. Actively exploring individualized exercise prescriptions based on evidence-based medicine during the recovery phase holds significant clinical importance.