International Journal of Child Health and Nutrition

281-295

Authors: M Mazharul Islam, Khalid Al-Thihli, Mohamed Abdellatif

Background: Preterm births (PTB) and low birth weight (LBW) - the two distinct adverse pregnancy outcomes - are the major determinants of perinatal survival and development. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of LBW and PTB and identify the maternal and neonatal risk factors influencing them. Methods: Data for the study come from a cross-sectional retrospective study conducted at the maternity ward of Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH) in Oman during the period between November 2011 and February 2012. Data on 534 singleton live births that occurred during the study period were extracted from hospital record. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression model were used for data analysis. Results: The incidence of PTB and LBW were observed to be 9.7% and 13.7% respectively. Half (51.8%) of the LBW babies were PTB and 48.2% of the LBW babies were of term births. Differences and similarities were noted for the risk profile for PTB and LBW. Risk factors specific to PTB were maternal age, previous pregnancy loss, and infant’s length, while birth interval, maternal weight and BMI during pregnancy, and gestational age were the risk factors unique to LBW. ANC visit, infant’s gender, Apgar score, and head circumference of infants were the common significant risk factors influencing both LBW and PTB. Conclusions: The incidence of PTB and LBW are moderately high in Oman. They are associated with different risk factors. A greater understanding and modification of identified risk factors would help reduce the incidence of PTB and LBW in Oman.

309-315

Authors: Ross Grant, Jade Guest, Ayse Bilgin, Margaret J. Morris, Manohar Garg, Robyn Pearce

Objective:To quantitate the omega-3 status in a cohort of Australian adolescents. Design, Setting and Participants: A cross-sectional descriptive study of 251 apparently healthy adolescents (192 female, 59 male) aged 15-17 years, in year 11, from 10 schools within the Northern Sydney and Central Coast areas of New South Wales. Participants provided a morning non-fasting blood sample via finger-prick and written answers to specific demographic and lifestyle questions. Omega-3 index was calculated by adding %EPA and %DHA values in the whole blood. Equivalent erythrocyte omega-3 index values were obtained by using conversion factors (1.33 for EPA and 2.22 for DHA) from published erythrocyte/whole blood values. Main Outcome Measures: Quantitation of the individual, and estimation of the group average, blood omega-3 Index. Results: The blood omega-3 Index for this adolescent cohort ranged from 2.1-22.3 with a mean of 8.3±3.2, and median of 7.8. On average males had a higher omega-3 Index compared to females (10.5±3.7 vs 7.7±2.6, p<0.001). Fifty three percent of adolescents tested had an omega-3 Index below the optimum of >8. Three percent had an Index of <4, placing them in the high risk category for disease. On average, adolescents from low or medium socioeconomic communities had a significantly lower omega-3 Index compared to those from higher socioeconomic neighbourhoods (mean difference=1.4, p=0.018). Overall 20% of boys and 17% of girls reported regularly taking omega-3 supplements. Regular use of omega-3 supplements was associated with a higher average omega-3 Index (9.8±3.7, n=44 compared to 8.0±3.0, n=203, p=0.001 in those not taking supplements). Conclusion:This study indicates that Australian adolescents, even when from advantaged homes, have a high probability of below optimum omega-3 levels. As reduced omega-3 levels are linked to conditions of public health concern such as diabetes, asthma and depression, targeted strategies to improve the omega-3 status in the childhood population may be warranted

326-334

Authors: Giacomo Lazzeri, Valentina Pilato, Andrea Pammolli, Rita Simi, Daniela Galeone, Emanuela Balocchini, Mariano Vincenzo Giacchi

Background: The ...e vai con la frutta (let’s go with fruit) project was designed to respond to the worrying low consumption of fruits and vegetable in the large portion of population, especially in youth. The main objective was to increase fruit and vegetable consumptions at school level. Methods: In 2010/11, we randomly selected subjects from middle and high schools in five Italian regions. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups: intervention (I) and control (C). A questionnaire on fruits and vegetables consumption was administered, at the baseline as well as at end of the period. The sample size was evaluated on the expected frequency of 0.5 for a binomial random variable, of ± 1.54% with IC of 95%. Results: These results confirmed that adolescent students at baseline survey eat less than the amount of fruits and vegetables consumption recommended by the International guidelines. After the intervention time, we observed an increment in fruits and vegetables consumptions both in middle and high school students. Regarding the impact of the intervention on the factors like knowledge, attitudes and behaviour, there was a positive change in the behaviour only in the intervention group, in coherence with the consumption variations examined. Conclusions: This study is the first time that fruits and vegetables were offered at such a large scale through vending machines at schools in five regions. Several vending companies under this project agreed to revise the list of healthy snacks offered to eliminate those clearly classified as junk foods

353-358

Authors: Jesmin Akter, Kazi Rumana Ahmed, Hasina Akhter Chowdhury, Sharmin Hossain, Begum Rowshan Ara

Background: Childhood diarrheal diseases have a major impact on morbidity and mortality and these deaths are due to dehydration and mismanagement or delayed management of the disease. The mothers’ knowledge in management of diarrhea is likely related to its mortality and morbidity. The study aimed to determine the association between socio demographic attributes and mother’s knowledge on childhood diarrhea. Materials and Methods:In this cross sectional analytic study, 170 mothers who had at least one child aged below five years old were selected purposively from the out-patient department of ICDDR,B, Dhaka. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire by face to face interview. The level of knowledge was categorized as poor, average and good. Univariate and bivariate analysis were done with level of significance P<0.05. Results:The mean age of the respondents was 27 (SD=±5.6) years. Among them 46.5% were educated up to primary level and 47% had average monthly income between 5001 and 10000 taka. In the case of accessibility to mass media, 20% were found who never watch TV, 75.9% participants were found who never listen to radio, and 87.6% were found who never read newspaper. Despite the level of average knowledge was 59.5% but the proportion of the level of good knowledge was 17% among the respondents. Socio-demographic characteristics such as age, education and income (p<0.001) were significantly associated with mothers knowledge. Conclusion:The mothers had inadequate knowledge about diarrhea and their socio-demographic parameters are strongly associated with mother’s knowledge regarding diarrhea

367-376

Authors: Vered Kaufman-Shriqui, Anna Entin-Kreizman, Drora Fraser, Yelena Novack, Natalya Bilenko, Hillel Vardi, Naama Elhadad, Danit R. Shahar

Background: The ability to determine the relationship between diet and health outcomes in children requires reproducible and validated long-term dietary assessment tools such as food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Objective: To test the reproducibility and relative validity of a FFQ for young children using 24-hour food recalls (24HRs), anthropometric measurements, and a comprehensive feeding practices questionnaire (CFPQ). Methods: Children (aged 5-6) and their mothers were recruited during one school-year (2008) from preschools. Children's anthropometric measurements were obtained. Mothers provided during a personal interview on three occasions a 110-item semiquantitative FFQ, 24HRs and CFPQ. Pearson-correlation coefficients were calculated between the results of the FFQ and 3*24HR. Validity coefficients between the FFQ and the different measurements were calculated. Scores of the 12 factors of the CFPQ were calculated and related to dietary intake. Results: Sixty-six healthy children (47% boys) were recruited. Pearson's correlations between the average of the FFQs and 3*24HRs ranged from 0.3-0.6 (P<0.05). The highest correlation coefficients were 0.59 for total fat intake and 0.56 for energy. Dietary intake of energy and carbohydrates differed significantly (P=0.05, 0.001 respectively) across the three BMI z-score levels (normal-weight, overweight, obese) and the three waist circumference tertiles (0.019, 0.006 respectively). Obesogenic factors from the CFPQ correlated with consumption of empty calories like sweets, snacks, junk foods and sweet drinks. Conclusions: The modified FFQ is a relatively valid instrument to estimate mean energy intake in preschool children. The questionnaire performs reasonably well to rank children with respect to macronutrients intake as well as obesogenic food groups.

201-211

Authors: Seyedeh Zeinab Hashemi, Seyed Mohammad Mehdi Hazavehei, Sara Shahabadi

Introduction:Less than 15% of the 4 to 8-year old children consume the recommended servings of fruit and vegetables (FV). Early years of life play an important role in establishing healthy eating habits. School is an appropriate setting for healthy eating habits interventions. The purpose of this systematic review is evaluation of school-based interventions to improve FV consumption in elementary school students. Methods:In this systematic review, we performed a search in several databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Education Resources Information Center (ERIC), Science Direct and Google Scholar. Studies published between January 2005 and December 2012 were included. In examining the studies, we focused on design, strategies and outcomes of the interventions. Results:Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. Interventions in these three classifications (gardening and education, educational programs and providing FV) have positive effects on children’s FV intake. Multi-component education is more effective than other cases in children willingness for FV consumption. Gardening strategies: participating in hands-on gardening experiences, engaging in gardening challenges and preparing a party by student’s garden products. Educational strategies: nutrition education classes, electronic learning by using the popular cartoon characters and child actors as symbolic role models and strategies to improve family awareness like series of newsletters for parents and homework tasks for parents and children. Providing strategies: providing fee-based or free FV at school. Conclusion:Long-term multi-component (gardening, education and providing FV) interventions with the application of behavioral change theories and models are effective to reach the expected results.

230-236

Authors: Berihun Megabiaw Zeleke, Azizur Rahman

Objectives: This paper studied the prevalence and determinants of chronic malnutrition in under-5 children from the 2011 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey dataset.Methods: The 2011 EDHS collected data on the nutritional status of children by measuring the height and weight of all children under age five in the sampled households, and calculated anthropometric indicators using the new WHO (2006) growth standards. Children whose height-for-age Z-score was below minus two standard deviations (2 SD) from the median of the WHO reference population are considered stunted or chronically malnourished and if Z-scores are between 3 SD
Z-score < 2 SD were identified as moderately stunted and if below 3 SD as severely stunted. Some variables were computed by combining information for original variables. The 2011 Ethiopian DHS dataset was obtained for further analysis from MEASURE DHS after permission. Complete anthropometric data for 9,611 children aged 0 to 59 months were analyzed. Results: The overall prevalence of stunting in children was 42.3%, with 20.4% severely stunted. Socio-demographic factors were significantly associated with both severe and moderate forms of stunting. Multivariate analysis showed that parents' education, household wealth index, age of household head, child's age, months of breast-feeding, place of delivery, media exposure, mother's BMI and residential differentials were the underlining determinants of stunting. Conclusions: Chronic malnutrition in children is a public health problem in Ethiopia specifically as children grow older to age three. To achieve the Millennium Development Goal target of 34% malnutrition prevalence by 2015, it is imperativ e to have specific interventions focusing on causes that directly influence stunting in children.

250-263

Authors: Ramesh Kumar Dahal

Neonatal mortality remains high in Nepal. Improvement in immediate essential newborn care practices such as "use of clean instrument to cut the umbilical cord ”, "drying and wrapping the baby before placenta was delivered”, "initiation of breastfeeding within an hour of delivery" and "first bathing of neonate after 24 hours of delivery" can reduce neonatal deaths. However, this can only be accomplished if factors associated with reduced neonatal mortality can be identified. A regional study was carried out with 252 randomly selected women having child aged 11 months or younger;of which about 70 percent, 18 percent and 20 percent had received delivery assistance with skilled birth attendant, trained health professional and untrained friend/relatives respectively. Skilled Birth Attendant appeared as the determinant of the use of clean instrument to cut the umbilical cord (OR=164.33), first bathing of neonate after 24 hours of delivery (OR= 5.14) and drying and wrapping the baby before placenta was delivered (OR= 50.75) whereas Trained Health Professionals turned out to be the determinant of the use of clean instrument to cut the umbilical cord (OR=3.81) and first bathing of neonate after 24 hours of delivery (OR=3.14) only (Reference: Untrained relatives/friends). Maternal age (OR= <20:10.59 and 20-30: 6.39; Ref: >30 years) and education (OR=Primary-21.81; Secondary-20.11; Ref-Higher) appeared the determinant of initiation of breastfeeding within an hour of delivery. The time gap between delivery and the mother receiving the baby was also significantly positively associated with initiation of breastfeeding within an hour of delivery. This result indicates the need to increase the coverage of health facilities which can provide SBA, empower women to involve a SBA in delivery and provide newborn care education to women and family members. In order to better understand how to decrease neonatal mortality, further study should focus on understanding why there were better newborn care practices in births assisted by a SBA than THPs

85-98

Authors: Enrica Riva, Elvira Verduci, Giuseppe Banderali, Maria Elena Capra, Marcello Giovannini

If breast milk is not available infant formula ensures a balanced intake of nutrients and is undoubtedly more suitable for infants than cows’ milk. In particular, it should point out the absolute necessity to postpone to the end of the first year of life, or even after the 2 nd year, the use of cow's milk for the extreme imbalance of nutrients that lead to high-protein diets and low levels of polyunsaturated fats, iron and zinc. As a consequence, in the absence of breast milk, the use of an appropriately adapted formula in the first year of life and the use of “toddler milk” from 12 to 36 months may represent adequate nutritional alternatives, especially when compare to the use of cow milk, and in particular may appear to play a fundamental role in the prevention of iron deficiency anemia. Different varieties of toddler milk are currently available in Italy. This review outlines the nutritional differences between breast, toddler and cows’ milks, and compares different brands of toddler milk.

105-112

Authors: Suzumi Yasutake, Huan He, Michele R. Decker, Freya L. Sonenstein, Nan M. Astone

Objective:Anemia is a global public health problem that affects maternal and infant mortality as well as human capital development. Yet there is not much research on anemia among young women in low-and-middle-income countries with nationally representative samples. The aim of the current research is to assess the extent of anemia in a critical age group: adolescents and young adults ages 15 to 24. Methods:The data are from 34 Demographic and Health Surveys and are used to describe the prevalence of anemia among pregnant and non-pregnant women by age, rural/urban residence, and household wealth. Anemia was assessed using the HemoCue® blood hemoglobin testing system. Findings:The prevalence of anemia among young women ranges from 15% to over 50%. This is substantially higher than 5%, which is the cutoff to identify a population where anemia is a public health problem. African countries show the highest prevalence of anemia; Benin, Ghana and Mali have over 60% anemia prevalence. Moreover, the prevalence of moderate to severe anemia is particularly high in African countries, over 20% in Ghana and Guinea. Our results show that anemia is a public health concern for adolescents and young adult females in all 34 countries we analyzed. Conclusion:The high prevalence of anemia among youth is alarming. Considering the importance of the adolescent and young adult years, when human capital development is consolidated and family formation begins, these findings call for interventions to redress the problem of anemia

123-130

Authors: Ramjee Bhandari, Mandira Adhikari, Vishnu Khanal

The use of Child Health Card (CHC) has been found effective to assess overall health status of children worldwide. The tool is simple, cost-effective and easy to use yet standard enough to interpret. Nepal recently made contextual modifications in 2006 and has incorporated it into the Health Management Information System. The card is issued to all children during their first visit for immunization. In Nepal, CHC is considered a valid and authentic report for immunization but little has been studied about its holding. The objective of our study was to find its retention rate along with the factors associated. A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out in 10 village development committees of Kapilvastu district between November 15 and December 15, 2010. A total of 190 households were selected using lot quality assurance sampling technique. Higher retention rate (88.9%) of CHC was found while status of complete immunization was significantly associated with its retention [adjusted OR: 41.92, (95%CI; 2.66-658), p=0.008] after adjusting for growth monitoring, ethnicity, place of delivery, antenatal visit, breastfeeding and mother’s age. This study can guide the health system and the family members the measures to sustain higher coverage and retention of CHC which can further guide to the best possible health outcomes for the child.

143-152

Authors: Anjna Nema, K.K.N. Sharma

Death due to complication related to pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of mortality of women in the reproductive ages in developing countries. Health status of Madhya Pradesh in India shows IMR/1000 live births is 90 and < 5 mortality / 1000 is 137.6. [1] India is among "Slow progressing nation” in child and maternal care. Madhy a Pradesh is one of the states where maternal mortality rates are as high as 700 or more [2]. Antenatal and postnatal care awareness among youth can certainly reduce the mortality and morbidity rate, as they are future mothers. Objective:The study has been undertaken to find the knowledge and awareness among 250 college girls of other backward class, Jabalpur city, Madhya Pradesh regarding antenatal and postnatal health care. Study Area: India is the seventh biggest country of the world. It has 2.4 percent land area and 16.7 percent population of the whole world. Madhya Pradesh is one of the major state of India located in the central part of India therefore it is named so. It has 6, 03, 85,118 total population out of which 2, 89, 28,245 are female. Jabalpur city is the heart of India, and a Division of Madhya Pradesh The population of Jabalpur is 2,167,469. Sample: 250 randomly selected other backward class category college girls of Jabalpur city, Madhya Pradesh, India are the sample for the present study. Other backward class (OBCS) is one of socially disadvantaged groups. Method: For recording information regarding knowledge & perception towards maternal health care, a detailed structured but simple questionnaire was distributed among 250 randomly selected unmarriedcollege girls of other backward class of Jabalpur city, Madhya Pradesh, India. Sample colleges were selected by stratified random sampling method. The study was conducted in various colleges in Jabalpur. Results: It is found that all 100 percent girls are aware that pregnant women need special care. 60.8 percent girls consider pregnancy as a general physiological process, 74.8 percent accepted that during pregnancy normal daily routine work should be done. 89.6 percent girls have a view for monthly consultation to Doctor during pregnancy. 66.4 percent knew tetanus toxoide injection is necessary in pregnancy.70.4 percent girls have knowledge that folic acid tablets are given to prevent anemia.96 percent girls accepted that in pregnancy extra nutrient should be given. 56.6 percent girls mentioned all the nutrients should be given in extra amount during pregnancy period.15.8 percent girls consider protein 12.0 percent girls iron, 12.0 percent girls calcium and 3.3 percent girls consider Vitamin A should be given in extra amount. 24 percent girls knew that weight of normal neonate is 3 kg. All the girls accepted that mother’s milk should be first feed of new born babies. Only 51.2 percent girls have knowledge regarding colostrums. 28.8 percent girls are aware that 6 months is correct age for infant to introduce semisolid food.17.6 percent girls knew 4 months is correct age for supplementary food. 91.2 percent girls correctly mentioned salt-sugar solution could be given for treatment of diarrhea at home. 97.6 percent students are having knowledge of oral rehydration solution. Conclusion: It has been noticed that girls are quite aware of antenatal and postnatal care. It is suggested regarding important aspects, which are lacking like, colustrum or nutritional requirement of a mother, students should be informed by interpersonal communication. Parents should also pass their knowledge acquired by them through the experience of life realizing that maternal health is a major instrument of social and economic development and plays an important role in the creation of a new world through safe motherhood

172-177

Authors: Marjorie R. Freedman, Sally J. Gogol

Objective:To examine whether training on Division of Responsibility, provided to members of a childhood feeding collaborative, increased familiarity, knowledge, and confidence in disseminating information to parents of young children. Methods: Training was provided to 47 public health nurses and 22 breastfeeding task force members. A within-group pretest, posttest, follow-up design assessed changes in familiarity, knowledge and confidence.Results:Amongst public health nurses, training resulted in a significant increase in familiarity (P < .001); knowledge that restricting amount of food provided to overweight infants and/or children is inappropriate (P < .05); and that children need frequent exposure to new foods (P < .05). Confidence in disseminating information also significantly increased (P < .001). Conclusions and Implications:Health care providers who counsel parents about childhood feeding practices should be trained to increase familiarity with, knowledge of, and confidence in disseminating best practice feeding guidelines to help ensure provision of consistent, accurate messaging

9-14

Authors: Saliou Diouf, Assane Sylla, Fallou Diop, Abdallah Diallo, Mamadou Sarr

In Senegal, despite its high frequency, there is no real program to fight against anemia among infants. This work was carried out in the Dakar suburb from 1st September, 2009 to 27th January, 2010 among apparently healthy children aged 9-15 months at the time of their immunization against yellow fever and measles. They showed no known chronic condition or acute infection at the time of the survey. The objectives were to study the diet, prevalence, type and risk factors of anemia. The questionnaire was about whether the father and the mother were working and about the children’s diet during the first six months of their life. All the children underwent anthropometric measurements (weight and height) and a complete blood count. We considered children as anemic if the hemoglobin rate was below 11g/dl. Of the 245 children, 212 were anemic, which was a prevalence of 86.5%. This anemia, frequently of the microcytic hypochromic type (68. 86%) was significantly (p < 0.0003) observed among the children of housewives compared with those whose mothers were employed. Among anemic children, 60.8% were only taking breast milk with or without cereal porridge as a food supplement. The absence of consumption of protein, vegetables, fruits and dairy products was a risk factor for the occurrence of anemia (p <0.0001). In total, at the time immunization is stopped, almost all Senegales e children, while apparently healthy, still face nutritional anemia. The adverse consequences of anemia on child health require the implementation in developing countries of a specific program of struggle against anemia. The activity of vaccination might be the best opportunity to provide the nutritional education these mothers need.

25-28

Authors: Byron A. Foster, Marina Reznik

Introduction:One contributor to the epidemic of obesity is an unhealthful food environment. This study was designed to assess the feasibility of a community-level intervention in a convenience store on improving the food environment. Methods:This community-based interventional study took place in an urban, low-income, ethnic-minority neighborhood. Children who reported visiting either the intervention store or another neighborhood control store were enrolled. The healthfulness of store offerings was measured, and a diet survey was completed by subjects from both intervention and control stores. Results:At the nine-month follow-up, the intervention store promoted and advertised more healthful items than the community-control store. There was a trend toward increased fruit and vegetable consumption and lower sugar-sweetened soda consumption among the intervention store subjects but not in the control subjects. Conclusions:Improving the food environment is feasible viaa community-based intervention utilizing the influence of a community health center.

34-38

Authors: Dodderi Sunil Kumar, Bhaskar Shenoy, Mahabala Raju, Savitha Pallakki

Study on relationship of psychopathology on childhood obesity among school children in South India. Aim:To study the relationship of psychopathology on obesity among school children of Davangere district, South India. Settings and Design:School children studying in V-VII standard of Davangere dist in Karnataka, south India. Stage-I cross sectional study for identification of obese children. Stage-II Case control study to find out the relationship of psychopathology and obesity among school children. Material and Methods: Body mass index (BMI) was calculated using BMI charts based on NCHS standards. 421 obese children and 842 controls (1:2 ratios) were studiedbyusingChildhood Psychopathology Measurement Schedule (CPMS) tool developed and standardized by Malhotra et al.Statistical Analysis:Data analysis was conducted at SPSS/ PC programme (Version 13). Results and Conclusions:The psychopathology was present in 44.2% of obese children by using CPMS tool as against only 13.8% of non obese children. The presence of psychopathology among obese boys was more (59.5%) than obese girls (49.4%). The obese children had the relationship of psychopathology 4.9 times more than nonobese children. The positive association of psychopathology with obesity was present in both sexes. The association was found to be stronger for boys in comparison to girls. Our study findings show that psychopathology has strong relationship on obesity among school children and psychopathology has a definite impact on childhood obesity.

50-62

Authors: Antonella Sansone

This paper draws on the last chapter of my forthcoming book Window to The Womb. How Prenatal Life Shapes a Baby’s Development, which is an unprecedented dialogue between scientific research and maternal subjective experience. It highly acknowledges the supreme importance of the woman’s healthy nutrition and emotional nurturing to create an optimal womb environment and transmit a positive attitude to nutrition – and to life in general – to the child. In particular, breastfeeding may reinforce this attitude and allow for the baby’s smooth transition from the flavours of the amniotic fluid, introduced by the mother’s healthy food, to those present in the breast milk, which the baby recognises as familiar. Therefore, the benefits of breastfeeding are not limited to its nutrients but extend to the reassuring experience of continuity from the womb life, building the foundations of the baby’s emotional security.

70-78

Authors: Mykola M. Kharytonov, Anne P. Hernandez, Tetyana L. Vasylyeva

Environmental pollution in large industrial centers has had a negative impact on the population’s health, specifically among children. Our objective is to provide a systematic review of the literature, focusing on the impact of environmental pollutants from urban and metropolitan areas on pediatric health. Disregard for the Earth’s atmosphere can negatively impact our fragile ecosystem and create a global toxicity. The impact of industrial growth and economic development has become paramount to modern society. Unfortunately, future generations will pay the consequences of the world’s failure to implement regulations to secure a safe environment for our children’s health and development. Pollutants penetrate an organism through different routes and change physiological processes, which leads to a decrease in microbial resistance by weakening the child’s immune system. The major contaminants are: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, lead, manganese, sulfur dioxide, airborne fine particles, and nitrogen dioxide. Xenobiotics negatively affect the morphological, functional, biochemical parameters, genetics, and epigenetics of the body. It is well documented that the physical development and psychological well-being of children is adversely affected by pollution. The accumulation of heavy metals and other contaminants adversely affected a child’s health has been found in the pediatric population. An effort has been made to develop detoxicant remedies, in particular, some enterosorbents and natural adaptogens. Research is ongoing to improve medical rehabilitation of children, who already are affected. Public education and regulations regarding emerging non-pollutant industrial technologies is called for. A global system of accountability and enforcement regarding environmental protection needs to be implemented