The Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic and Lockdown on Pediatric Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases: A Narrative Review

Capra, Maria Elena; Stanyevic, Brigida; Giudice, Antonella; Monopoli, Delia; Decarolis, Nicola Mattia; Esposito, Susanna; Biasucci, Giacomo

doi:10.3390/nu15010088

Cited by 19 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 134 publications

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“…Moreover, food insecurity increased among the lowest-income families [20]. Altogether, all these elements are in agreement with the increased incidence of overweight, obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus detected during the lockdown confinement [21].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

Vitamin D Levels in the Pre- and Post-COVID-19 Pandemic Periods and Related Confinement at Pediatric Age

et al. 2023

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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) restrictions have been correlated with vitamin D deficiency in children, but some uncertainties remain. We retrospectively studied vitamin 25-(OH) D blood levels in 2182 Italian children/adolescents hospitalized for various chronic diseases in the year before (n = 1052) and after (n = 1130) the nationwide lockdown. The type of underlying disease, gender, and mean age (91 ± 55 and 91 ± 61 months, respectively) of patients included in the two periods were comparable. Although mean levels were the same (p = 0.24), deficiency status affected a significantly higher number of subjects during the lockdown period than in the pre-COVID period (p = 0.03), particularly in summer (p = 0.02), and there was also a smoothing of seasonal variations in vitamin D levels. Particularly at risk were males (OR = 1.22; p = 0.03), the 1–5 year age group (OR = 1.57; p < 0.01) and the 6–12 year age group (OR = 1.30; p = 0.04). Infants appeared not to be affected (p = 1.00). In the post-COVID period, the risk of vitamin D deficiency was unchanged in disease-specific groups. However, the proportion of deficiency or severe deficiency differed significantly in the subgroup with endocrinopathy (higher; Chi-square p = 0.04), and with respiratory problems and obesity (lower; Chi-square p = 0.01 and p < 0.01, respectively). Conflicting/opposite literature results advocate for further studies to clearly indicate the need for supplementation during possible future periods of confinement.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

Vitamin D Levels in the Pre- and Post-COVID-19 Pandemic Periods and Related Confinement at Pediatric Age

et al. 2023

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“…Additionally, this information can be collected across a hospital department or system to better understand the impacts of the specific isolation protocols in place. Such interventions might aid in detecting potentially deleterious impacts which might otherwise be masked after discharge from hospital while still in at-home social isolation [ 28 , 37 , 38 , 39 ]. While motor dexterity has been understudied in children following isolation, previous studies have found lower levels of motor dexterity in pediatric populations without chronic illness, which was coupled with cortical structural changes [ 40 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Low Motor Dexterity and Significant Behaviors Following Hospitalized Isolation in Children

et al. 2023

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The main objective of this study was to describe the cortical patterns of brain activity during a gross dexterity task and develop a behavioral profile of children experiencing isolation. A cross-sectional assessment was conducted during one visit. Sample: Four pediatric patients who had undergone isolation within a hospital comprised the full data collection. During the collection, participants completed the Box and Blocks Test of gross manual dexterity while undergoing imaging of the motor cortex using functional near-infrared spectroscopy. Participants also completed a Behavioral Assessment System for Children, Third Edition (BASC-3) self-report, which was analyzed along with a parent report to quantify their emotional and social behaviors. All participants displayed lower gross dexterity levels than normative data. Furthermore, three out of the four participants displayed ipsilateral dominance of the motor cortex during the dexterity task. Three of the participants displayed behavioral measures reported within clinically significant or at-risk scores. Clinically significant behavioral scores coupled with lower than expected manual dexterity values and ipsilateral hemispheric dominance indicate that neuroplastic changes can occur in populations undergoing hospitalized isolation. While the impacts of the treatments and isolation in this case cannot be separated, further studies should be conducted to understand these impacts of isolation.

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“…In conclusion, the majority of available trials suggest that omega-3 fatty acids supplementation should be considered as a strategy for pediatric NAFLD due to their significant positive effects on hepatic fat content, insulin resistance, lipid levels and histological pathways ( Table 5 ). LCPUFAs supplementation should not be used as a single strategy but as a complement of nutritional and lifestyle interventions, which represent milestones in the cardiovascular disease prevention in developmental age [ 113 ]. Further studies are needed to evaluate long-term outcomes of LCPUFAs supplementation in pediatric patients with NAFLD and consequently on the associated cardiovascular diseases.…”

Section: Long-chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (Lcpufas) In Cardiova...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Effects on Cardiovascular Risk in Childhood: A Narrative Review

et al. 2023

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Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) are semi-essential fatty acids widely studied in adult subjects for their healthy-heart effects, especially on secondary prevention in patients who already experienced a cardiac event. LCPUFAs consumption is safe, without adverse effects, and they are usually well-tolerated; they can be taken either in foods or as nutritional supplements. LCPUFAs’ positive effect on global health has been worldwide recognized also for pediatric patients. In childhood and adolescence, research has mainly focused on LCPUFAs’ effects on neurodevelopment, brain and visual functions and on maternal–fetal medicine, yet their cardiovascular effects in childhood are still understudied. Atherosclerosis is a multifactorial process that starts even before birth and progresses throughout life; thus, cardiovascular prevention is advisable and effective from the very first years of life. Nutritional and lifestyle interventions are the main factors that can interfere with atherosclerosis in childhood, and the consumption of specific nutrients, such as LCPUFAs, can enhance positive nutritional effects. The aim of our narrative review is to analyze the effect of LCPUFAs on cardiovascular risk factors and on cardiovascular risk prevention in developmental age, focusing on specific conditions such as weight excess and dyslipidemia.

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The Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic and Lockdown on Pediatric Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases: A Narrative Review

Cited by 19 publications

References 134 publications

Vitamin D Levels in the Pre- and Post-COVID-19 Pandemic Periods and Related Confinement at Pediatric Age

Vitamin D Levels in the Pre- and Post-COVID-19 Pandemic Periods and Related Confinement at Pediatric Age

Low Motor Dexterity and Significant Behaviors Following Hospitalized Isolation in Children

Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Effects on Cardiovascular Risk in Childhood: A Narrative Review

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