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Published on: February 11, 2017
Recognizing Early Regulation Disorders in Pediatric Care: The For Healthy Offspring Project
Noémi Scheuring1, Ildikó Danis2, Eszter Papp1
1Department of Pediatrics, Heim Pál National Pediatric Institute, Budapest, Hungary.
Insights
This study developed a screening model for infant behavior regulation disorders, finding prevalence similar to international rates. Early detection and international diagnostic tools are recommended for Hungarian pediatric care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Developmental Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Behavior regulation disorders are common in infancy, impacting development.
- The For Healthy Offspring Project is the first Hungarian study on infant regulation disorders.
- Complex medical and psychosocial factors contribute to these disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an effective screening model for infant behavior regulation disorders.
- To examine the prevalence and background of excessive crying, feeding, and sleep problems.
- To investigate comorbidities between regulation disorders and other health conditions.
Main Methods:
- Data collection from 0-3 year olds via questionnaires, medical exams, and consultations.
- Utilized a subsample for medical examinations to confirm prevalence.
- Compared children in a screening program with a general cohort.
Main Results:
- Questionnaire data: 15% excessive crying, 16% feeding problems, 10% sleep problems.
- Medical exams: 15.0% excessive crying, 15.2% sleep disorders, 10.3% breastfeeding difficulties, 14.8% feeding disorders.
- Referred children showed significantly more regulation disorders; comorbidities were observed.
Conclusions:
- A complex screening model for early childhood regulatory problems was developed.
- The study provides insights into the link between regulation problems and other health issues.
- Hungarian prevalence aligns with international rates (5-15%), advocating for adapted international diagnostic tools in pediatric care.
Abstract:
BACKGROUND Regulation disorders are already apparent in infancy. The For Healthy Offspring Project was the first Hungarian study aimed at building an effective model for screening and examining the prevalence and complex (medical and psychosocial) background of classic behavior regulation disorders (excessive crying, feeding, and sleep problems) in infancy. MATERIAL AND METHODS Data were collected from families of 0- to 3-year-old children in a pediatric hospital and its neighboring areas through questionnaires, medical examinations, and individual and small-group consultations. RESULTS In the questionnaire study about their children's behavior (n=1133), 15% of mothers reported excessive crying, 16% reported feeding problems, and 10% reported sleep problems. In a subsample (n=619) in which medical examinations were also conducted, the prevalence of medical diagnoses was 15.0% for excessive crying, 15.2% for sleep disorders, 10.3% for breastfeeding difficulties, and 14.8% for feeding disorders. Children who were referred to the screening program (n=183) had significantly more behavior regulation disorders than the other children in our study. Regulation disorders were found to be comorbid with other health conditions in some cases. CONCLUSIONS We developed a complex model to screen for regulatory problems in early childhood. This study adds more information about the relationship between regulation problems and other health conditions. The general incidence (5-15%) of early childhood regulation disorders in other countries is likely similar to that found in Hungary. In order to effectively recognize early regulation disorders, diagnostic instruments widely used in the international field should be adapted in general Hungarian pediatric care.
