Objectives: To evaluate possible associations between chronotype, weight, sleep problems, anxiety, and depression among children from 6 to 12 years of age. Method: One-hundred children aged between 6 and 12 years were randomly recruited in five pediatrician clinics in the capital city of Beirut, Lebanon. The protocol was approved by the ethics committee of Saint-Joseph University and Hotel-Dieu Hospital and an informed written formal consent was obtained from one of the parents. The Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (CCTQ), the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS)-Parent version, and the Children's Chronotype Questionnaire (CCTQ) were used. Results: The majority of the sample (47%) presented an intermediate chronotype. There was a shift toward evening chronotype with increased age and a significant association between electronic devices use and an evening chronotype. Higher sleep disturbances were also observed among children with an evening chronotype. In particular, disorders of initiating and maintaining sleep, non-restorative sleep, excessive somnolence, and total SDSC were significantly higher among evening type children in our study. Finally, major depression domain scores were significantly higher among children with an evening chronotype. Conclusions: Several findings of this study are important and explain factors associated to chronotype in children. Two important future perspectives can be highlighted: limiting electronic devices use among children in an effort to reduce circadian rhythm disturbances and identifying and treating sleep problems associated with eveningness, taking into account the possible presence of major depression among this population.

This paper covers algorithms for the management of regurgitation, constipation and infantile colic in infants. Anti-regurgitation formula may be considered in infants with troublesome regurgitation, while diagnostic investigations or drug therapy are not indicated in the absence of warning signs. Although probiotics have shown some positive evidence for the management of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), the evidence is not strong enough to make a recommendation. A partially hydrolyzed infant formula with prebiotics and β-palmitate may be considered as a dietary intervention for functional constipation in formula fed infants. Lactulose has been shown to be effective and safe in infants younger than 6 months that are constipated. Macrogol (polyethylene glycol, PEG) is not approved for use in infants less than 6 months of age. However, PEG is preferred over lactulose in infants >6 months of age. Limited data suggests that infant formula with a partial hydrolysate, galacto-oligosaccharides/fructo-oligosaccharides, added β-palmitate may be of benefit in reducing infantile colic in formula fed infants in cases where cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) is not suspected. Evidence suggests that the use of extensively hydrolyzed infant formula for a formula-fed baby and a cow's milk free diet for a breastfeeding mother may be beneficial to decrease infantile colic if CMPA is suspected. None of the FGIDs is a reason to stop breastfeeding.

Introduction: Corporal punishment is a public health problem due to its impact on the physical, psychological, and social interactions of children.Objectives: To determine the knowledge of pediatricians in Lebanon regarding corporal punishment, their preventive, educational, and legal role.Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study conducted on 153 pediatricians in Lebanon, by a questionnaire distributed at the 12th Annual Congress of the Lebanese Pediatric Society and the North Lebanon Pediatric Society.Results: Less than 50% and less then 60% of pediatricians know the effects of physical punishment on the physical and psychic health of the child, respectively. About 74.2% and 23.2% of pediatricians disagree with Article186 of the Lebanese Criminal Code and Lebanese Law422/02 (Article25), respectively. Only 76.2% of Lebanese pediatricians always advise the abandonment of corporal punishment and 4.7% advise its use for discipline.Conclusion: Pediatricians play a fundamental role in the abolition of corporal punishment, but this cannot be accomplished without improving their skills in this area. They are invited to seek legal reforms in Lebanon to abolish the use of corporal punishment as a means of disciplining children.

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Objectives: To evaluate phone-based consultation practices and drug prescription profiles in pediatrics and to highlight their possible uses, contributing factors, and effects on clinical outcomes. Background: The ownership and everyday use of cell phones are increasing worldwide. Telehealth is gaining the support of health professionals for the delivery of simple healthcare measures to more complex management decisions. Despite this, in our country, doctors have been advised by concerned authorities to avoid any phone-based medical activity as the safety of such practices is still not well-established, especially among vulnerable pediatric patients. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on a national level over 5 months. Phone consultations and prescription behaviors data were collected through a self-administrated questionnaire. The target population consisted of pediatric-trained physicians with at least 1 year of experience. Factors influencing telephone prescriptions were assessed using bivariate analysis. Results: Of among 120 included physicians (75.0% male), 64.2% were general pediatricians, 77.5% practiced in private clinics, and 27.5% had more than 20 years of work experience. All participants gave medical advice over the phone; 61.7% considered that they should be reimbursed for these activities and 29.2% of them reviewed 50% of their patients for the same complaint. A total of 109 participants (90.8%) prescribed drugs using a direct phone call (80.7%), SMS (27.5%), or WhatsApp application (61.5%). Antipyretics (97.2%) and cough suppressants (48.1%) were the most frequently prescribed drugs. Pharmacists' corrective interventions were seen in 40.4% of prescriptions. Fever was the only symptom that was statistically associated with phone prescriptions. Prescribers seemed to be less experienced and were more likely to consider phone-based practices as reimbursable activities. Conclusions: Consultations and prescriptions through mobile phones are extremely frequent in pediatric practices, even when restricted by responsible authorities. Our results highlight the frequency of medical prescription errors and the need for corrective Haddad et al. Telephone Consultation and Prescription in Pediatrics interventions by pharmacists. The current practice of telemedicine may not ensure the patient's safety but exists rather as a convenience. There is a need for proper oversight with a regulatory framework and input from all stakeholders, including pediatricians and pharmacists.

The occurrence of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) is a formidable challenge for infants, parents, and healthcare professionals. Although data from the Middle East are scarce, experts consider FGIDs a prevalent condition in everyday clinical practice. The new Rome IV criteria revisited the definitions from a clinical perspective to provide a practical and consistent diagnostic protocol for FGIDs. However, the treatment practices for functional disorders vary considerably among Middle Eastern countries, often resulting in mismanagement with unnecessary investigations and treatments. In addition, the role of various treatment modalities, including probiotics such as Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938, in FGIDs requires further discussion and evaluation. During a consensus meeting, a locally relevant approach for treating common FGIDs such as infant regurgitation, infant colic, and functional constipation was discussed and approved by regional experts. The participants suggested a simplified treatment plan and protocol for general pediatricians and other primary care physicians managing FGIDs. This easy-to-follow standardized protocol will help streamline the initial management of this complex disorder in the Middle East region and even globally.

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