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Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
The magnitude of multimorbidity in childhood: a global systematic review
Somen Kumar Pradhan1, Jogesh Murmu2, Upasana Nayak2
1Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati Medical College and Hospital Brahmapur, Ganjam, India.
Insights
Childhood multimorbidity, the co-occurrence of multiple chronic conditions in children, is a growing concern. Its prevalence varies, linked to social factors and early life events, impacting quality of life and healthcare needs.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Public Health
- Chronic Disease Epidemiology
Background:
- Childhood multimorbidity, defined as two or more co-occurring chronic conditions, is an under-researched global health issue.
- Unlike adult multimorbidity, it impacts critical developmental stages, affecting physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being.
- Its prevalence, correlates, and long-term implications require further understanding.
Conclusions:
- Childhood multimorbidity presents substantial health and social challenges, demanding integrated care and standardized definitions for research comparability.
- Preventive strategies focusing on social determinants and early-life interventions are essential to reduce its long-term burden.
- Future research should prioritize longitudinal studies to track progression and inform targeted interventions.
Background:
Childhood multimorbidity, defined as the co-occurrence of two or more chronic conditions, is an emerging yet underexplored global health concern. Unlike adult multimorbidity, which is predominantly linked to ageing, childhood multimorbidity affects critical developmental phases, impacting physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being. Despite increasing recognition, its prevalence, correlates, and long-term implications remain inadequately understood.
Objectives:
This systematic review aims to synthesize existing evidence on the prevalence, correlates, and outcomes of childhood multimorbidity in the general paediatric population.
Methods:
A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and CINAHL (EBSCO) to identify observational studies published up to May 31, 2024. Studies were included if they reported multimorbidity prevalence among children aged 0-18 years. Owing to high heterogeneity across studies, a meta-analysis was not performed, and the results were synthesized narratively.
Results:
Nine studies, covering diverse paediatric populations, met the inclusion criteria. The individual study prevalence varied widely, ranging from 1.26% to 17.04%, reflecting differences in chronic conditions, multimorbidity definitions, study designs, and data sources. The key correlates included socioeconomic disadvantage, early-life factors (e.g., preterm birth), and poly-victimization. The co-occurrence of physical and mental health conditions commonly affects health-related quality of life (HRQOL), healthcare utilization, and educational performance.
Conclusions:
Childhood multimorbidity poses significant health and social challenges, necessitating integrated care approaches and standardized definitions for cross-study comparability. Preventive strategies targeting social determinants and early-life interventions are crucial to mitigate its long-term burden. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to explore progression and inform targeted interventions.
Systematic Review Registration:
PROSPERO CRD42024601137.
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