?rea de concentra??o: Odontopediatria. / Linha de pesquisa: Epidemiologia e controle das doen?as bucais. / Na Ficha catalogr?fica e Folha de aprova??o consta o t?tulo: "Incid?ncia da c?rie dent?ria severa em pr?-escolares e fatores de risco maternos: uma coorte prospectiva de tr?s anos". / Submitted by Jos? Henrique Henrique (jose.neves@ufvjm.edu.br) on 2018-04-03T17:50:03Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) rafaela_lopes_gomes.pdf: 1670445 bytes, checksum: d0f7108015dd1c92d5443cae75a82475 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Rodrigo Martins Cruz (rodrigo.cruz@ufvjm.edu.br) on 2018-04-09T18:43:02Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) rafaela_lopes_gomes.pdf: 1670445 bytes, checksum: d0f7108015dd1c92d5443cae75a82475 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-04-09T18:43:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) rafaela_lopes_gomes.pdf: 1670445 bytes, checksum: d0f7108015dd1c92d5443cae75a82475 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017 / Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri (UFVJM) / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior (CAPES) / Objetivo: Avaliar a associa??o entre fatores de risco maternos e a incid?ncia de les?o severa de c?rie dent?ria em crian?as pr?-escolares. Metodologia: O estudo foi realizado com 158 pares de m?es e crian?as de um a tr?s anos de idade que participaram de um estudo transversal realizado no ano de 2014 na cidade de Diamantina, MG. Ap?s tr?s anos, as crian?as foram divididas em dois grupos de acordo com a exposi??o e reexaminadas para verificar novos casos de les?es severas de c?rie dent?ria. O grupo exposi??o foi composto por crian?as filhas de m?es com c?rie dent?ria n?o tratada no primeiro exame (n=79) e as crian?as filhas de m?es livres de c?rie ou com c?rie tratada no primeiro exame formaram o grupo n?o exposto (n=79). A an?lise dos dados foi realizada utilizando-se o programa Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) para Windows, vers?o 22.0 e incluiu a descri??o de frequ?ncia das vari?veis, teste qui-quadrado de Pearson e regress?o de Poisson (an?lise hier?rquica). Resultados: Cento e quarenta crian?as e suas m?es completaram o estudo. A an?lise de regress?o de Poisson n?o ajustada mostrou que escolaridade materna (p=0,002), renda mensal familiar (p=0,022), placa vis?vel na m?e (p<0,001), idade da crian?a aos dois (p=0,009) e aos tr?s anos (p=0,032), placa vis?vel na crian?a (p=0,001), atividade de c?rie na crian?a (p<0,001), presen?a de c?rie dent?ria no baseline (p<0,001), c?rie cavitada no baseline (p<0,001) e a n?o ades?o ao tratamento (p<0,001) foram fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento de novas les?es de c?rie dent?ria severa. No modelo final, escolaridade materna (RR = 2,02; IC95%: 1,06-3,88; p= 0,034), placa vis?vel na m?e (RR = 1,84; IC95%: 1,22-2,76; p = 0,004) e c?rie cavitada da crian?a no baseline (RR = 2,26; IC95%: 1,52-3,37; p<0,001) permaneceram como fatores de risco para incid?ncia de les?es severas de c?rie dent?ria. Conclus?o: Escolaridade materna menor do que nove anos de estudo, placa vis?vel na m?e e les?o cavitada de c?rie dent?ria na primeira inf?ncia foram fatores de risco para incid?ncia de c?rie severa ap?s tr?s anos de acompanhamento. / Disserta??o (Mestrado) ? Programa de P?s-Gradua??o em Odontologia, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, 2017. / Objective: To evaluate the association between maternal risk factors and the incidence of severe caries lesions in preschool children. Methodology: The study was conducted with 158 pairs of mothers and children from one to three years of age who participated in a cross-sectional study conducted in 2014 in the city of Diamantina, MG. After three years, the children were divided into two groups according to exposure and reexamined to verify new cases of severe caries lesions. The exposure group consisted of children of mothers who had untreated dental caries on the first exam (n = 79). Children whose mothers did not have untreated caries on the first examination formed the not-exposed group (n = 79). Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows, version 22.0 and included the description of the variables' frequency, Pearson's chi-square test, and Poisson regression (hierarchical analysis). Results: One hundred and forty children and their mothers completed the study. The unadjusted Poisson regression analysis showed that maternal schooling (p = 0.002), monthly family income (p = 0.022), visible plaque in the mother (p <0.001), child age at two (p = 0.009) and three (P = 0.032), visible plaque in the child (p = 0.001), dental caries activity in the child (p <0.001), presence of dental caries in the baseline (p <0.001), cavitated dental caries in the baseline (p <0.001) and not adhering to treatment (p <0.001) were risk factors for the development of new severe caries lesions. In the final model, maternal schooling (RR = 2.02, 95% CI:1.06-3.88, p = 0.034), visible plaque in the mother (RR = 1.84, 95% CI: 1.22-2.76,p = 0.004) and cavitated caries in children at the baseline (RR = 2.26, 95% CI: 1.52-3.37, p <0.001) remained as risk factors for the incidence of severe dental caries lesions. Conclusion: Maternal schooling lower than nine years, visible plaque in the mother and cavitated dental caries lesion in early childhood were risk factors for severe caries after three years of follow-up.

Denna studie har som syfte att undersöka hur barnen i åldrarna 1-5 år förhåller sig till skapande av tvådimensionella bilder ur ett genusperspektiv. Studien undersöker även hur förskollärare arbetar med skapande och genus i förskolan. För att undersöka barns skapande har observationer genomförts där fokus har legat på barns skapande, samt hur förskollärare arbetar med skapande. För att undersöka hur förskollärare arbetar med skapande och genus i förskolan har intervjuer gjorts med 10 förskollärare. Resultatet visar att många förskollärare anser att skillnaden i barns skapande är mer individanpassat och beror på hur barnen själva är som individer, än könsindelat. En slutsats är att barns skapande påverkas av miljön runt om dem, vilka människor som finns i närheten och vad det finns för tillgängligt material.

Introdução: Estudos em creches e pré-escolas têm verificado um aumento na incidência de excesso de peso em pré-escolares, daí a importância do monitoramento do estado nutricional e de intervenções. Objetivos: Avaliar o grau de aceitação dos alimentos em pré-escolares de acordo com o estado nutricional, identificar o estilo de vida e a alimentação habitual. Método: Participaram 124 crianças de 4 a 6 anos das Creches e Pré-escolas COSEAS/USP. Sessenta e duas crianças com risco/excesso de peso (IMC>p85 por cento) e 62 com peso adequado para idade. Utilizou-se questionário de freqüência alimentar (QFA), questionário sobre estilo de vida e teste afetivo com escala hedônica. As crianças foram familiarizadas com o teste por uma história. Teste t-Student foi utilizado para análise do QFA, ANOVA e Tukey para aceitação dos alimentos. As associações do grau de gostar dos alimentos e o estado nutricional por regressão logística. Resultados: As atividades das crianças em casa são mais sedentárias. Os meninos do grupo de risco/excesso de peso estão menos expostos a TV do que as demais crianças. Na pré-escola as crianças brincam mais do que em casa. Não houve diferença significante no consumo habitual de calorias e macronutrientes entre os grupos. Destacaram-se 13 alimentos com maior aprovação e a batata frita foi o preferido das crianças nos dois grupos. As crianças com risco/excesso de peso gostam mais de feijão (p=0,010) e macarrão (p=0,034) que as eutróficas. Gostar de peixe e leite diminuiu a Odds para excesso de peso, sendo que o leite diminuiu mais (0,442) que o peixe (0,660). Conclusão: Os dados sugerem uma preferência das crianças por alimentos ricos em gordura e açúcar. As evidências de que consumir leite está negativamente relacionado com a massa corporal sugerem que gostar de leite possa diminuir as chances do ganho excessivo de peso quando consumido em quantidade suficiente / Introduction: Studies in daycare centers and pre-schools have verified an increase in the incidence of overweight in preschool children, for that reason the importance of the monitoring of the nutritional status and of interventions. Objectives: Evaluate the preferences and the degree of food acceptance by preschool children according to the nutritional status, identify the lifestyle and the usual eating. Methodology: One hundred twenty four children aged 4-6 from daycare centers and pre-schools of COSEAS/USP were selected. Sixty-two children with risk/overweight (BMI>p85 per cent) and 62 with adequate weight for the age. It utilized food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), questionnaire about lifestyle and affective test with hedonic scale. The children were familiarized with the test through a story. t-Student test and factorial analysis for the analysis of the results of the FFQ, ANOVA and Tukey for food acceptance analysis. The associations of the degree of liking and the nutritional status by logistic regression. Results: The activities of the children at home tend to be more sedentary. The boys from the risk/overweight group spend less time in front of TV than the others. The environment of the preschool favors more opportunities for fun and activity. There was no difference in usual consumption of calories and macronutrientes among the children. It stood out 13 foods with more approval and the fried potato was the favorite one in both groups. Children with risk/overweight like more bean (p=0,010) and macaroni (p=0,034) than the others. Like fish and milk decreased the Odds for the risk/overweight group, being that the milk decreases more (0,442) than the fish (0,660). Conclusion: The data suggest a childrens preference for high fatty and sugar foods. The evidences that consuming milk is negatively related with the corporal fat mass suggest that liking milk might decrease the chances of gaining excessive weight when consumed in sufficient quantity

Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul / Inequalities in oral health have been observed in caries experience and distribution among different groups. However, there are few studies evaluating trend and inequalities in the distribution of dental caries associated to psychosocial factors in preschool children in a Brazilian context. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess the trend of dental caries in preschool children in the period 2008 to 2013 and to evaluate the disparities in dental caries distribution according individuals, socioeconomic and psychological factors in the city of Santa Maria-RS. Data were obtained from cross-sectional studies with representative samples of preschool children in the city in 2008 and 2013 during the National Day of Children s Vaccination, using the criteria of dmft index recommended by World Health Organization (WHO). Caries prevalence (dmft > 0) and severity (dmfs) were calculated using chi-square test for trend. For each survey year, we calculated disparities by individual, socio-economic position and oral health self-perception in standardized caries occurrence (prevalence:dmft > 0; severity: mean dmft) using absolute and relative measures. The results showed a marked and statistically significant decline in the prevalence (P < 0.001) of dental caries between 2008 and 2013. Moreover, although it has been observed a decrease in SiC, the Gini coefficient increased from 0.85 to 0.90 in the years evaluated. The largest reductions ( relative and absolute) in prevalence and dmft mean occurred in non-white preschoolers, families with low household income, mothers with low level of education , unemployed fathers (except for average dmft) and those whose parents rated the child s oral health as "great / good". It was concluded that, in general, there was a significant reduction in the proportion and severity of dental caries in preschool children during the study period. However, inequalities in dental caries distribution remained and increased over the years, i.e., although the overall disease burden has been reduced, the distribution of the disease still occurs unequally among different population groups. / Desigualdade em saúde bucal tem sido observada na experiência de cárie e na distribuição da doença entre diferentes grupos. Entretanto, existem poucos estudos avaliando a tendência de cárie dental, bem como as iniquidades na distribuição da mesma, associadas a fatores psicossociais em crianças pré-escolares brasileiras. Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a tendência de cárie dental em pré-escolares de 0 a 5 anos no período de 2008 a 2013 e verificar as desigualdades na distribuição da doença relacionadas a fatores individuais, socioeconômicos e de autopercepção de saúde bucal, no município de Santa Maria- RS. Os dados foram obtidos através de estudos transversais com amostras representativas de pré-escolares da cidade em 2008 e 2013 durante a Campanha Nacional de Vacinação. A cárie dentária foi mensurada utilizando os critérios do índice de dentes cariados perdidos e obturados (ceo-d), preconizado pela Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS). Utilizou-se o teste Qui-Quadrado para tendências na avaliação da diferença na prevalência (ceo-d>0) e severidade (média de ceo-d) da doença. Medidas absolutas e relativas de redução foram obtidas para a prevalência de cárie e média do ceod. Para cada ano da pesquisa foram também calculadas, através de medidas absolutas e relativas, as disparidades na prevalência e severidade da cárie considerando os fatores individuais, socioeconômicos e relacionados à autopercepção de saúde bucal. Houve uma diminuição significativa (p<0,001) na prevalência de cárie dentária entre 2008 e 2013. Além disso, apesar de ter se observado uma diminuição no índice SIC, o coeficiente de Gini aumentou de 0,85 para 0,90 nos anos avaliados. As maiores reduções relativas e absolutas na prevalência e severidade da cárie foram observadas nos pré-escolares de cor não branca, de famílias com menor renda, com mães de baixa escolaridade, de pais desempregados (exceto para ceo-d médio) e naqueles cujos pais tinham avaliado a saúde bucal dos seus filhos como ótima/boa . Concluí-se que, de maneira geral, houve uma redução significativa na proporção e severidade da cárie dentária em pré-escolares no período avaliado. Entretanto, iniquidades na distribuição da doença se mantiveram e aumentaram ao longo dos anos, ou seja, embora a carga global da doença tenha reduzido, a distribuição da doença ainda se dá de forma desigual entre os diferentes grupos populacionais.

Bakgrund: År 2016 var det över en halv miljon barn inskrivna på förskola i Sverige. Barnen har bl.a. förskolepersonal som förebilder vad gäller kost och attityder kring munhygienen. Eftersom barn spenderar en stor del av sin tid på förskola är det av stor vikt att belysa kunskapen om barns munhälsa hos förskollärarstudenter. Syftet med studien var att undersöka förskollärarstudenters kunskap om munhälsa hos barn. Material och metod: Studien var en kvantitativ tvärsnittsstudie med en enkät som mätinstrument. Enkäten bestod av 20 frågor där kunskap och attityder om barns munhälsa och kostvanor mättes. Urvalet baserades på samtliga studenter från termin sex på förskollärarprogrammet i Jönköping University vårterminen 2018, totalt 82 studenter. Det insamlade datamaterialet analyserades med hjälp av datorprogrammen SPSS och Excel. Resultat: Totalt deltog 55 studenter i studien. Majoriteten av deltagarna hade hög kunskap och goda attityder gällande barns munhälsa och kostvanor. Dock var det endast 18 % av deltagarna som svarade rätt på frågan angående upp till vilken åldern barn behöver vuxenhjälp vid tandborstning. Slutsats: Studiens resultat konstaterade att förskollärarstudenter hade hög kunskap om barns munhälsa och kostvanor men att denna kunskap inte kom från utbildningen. / Background: In 2016, there were over half a million children enrolled in preschools in Sweden. Preschool staff are role models concerning diet and attitudes about oral hygiene, for children. Because children spend a lot of time in preschool it is important to highlight the knowledge of preschool students. The aim of this study was to investigate preschool students’ knowledge of oral health in children. Method: The study was a quantitative cross-sectional study with a survey as a measuring instrument. The survey consisted of 20 questions where knowledge and attitudes about children’s oral health and dietary habits were measured. The selection was based on all students from term six at the preschool teacher program at Jönköping University spring term 2018, a total of 82 students. The data collected was analyzed using computer programs SPSS and Excel. Result: A total of 55 students participated in the study. The majority of participants showed high knowledge and good attitudes regarding children’s oral health and dietary habits. However, only 18 % of the participants responded correctly on the question about what age children needed adult care when tooth brushing. Conclusion: The study found that preschool students had high knowledge regarding children’s oral health and dietary habits, but this knowledge did not come from the education.

A eficácia de uma suplementação semanal com sulfato ferroso foi avaliada em uma coorte controlada de 1015 crianças de 4 a 59 meses de idade, divididos em dois grupos: Controle e Intervenção. No Grupo Controle (n=583 crianças), após avaliação da hemoglobina inicial, a mãe era informada do resultado e, no caso de diagnóstico de anemia a mãe era orientada a procurar serviço de saúde para tratar. As crianças do Grupo Intervenção (n=432 crianças) receberam solução com sulfato ferroso, acompanhado de colher-medida para ingestão de uma quantidade de solução com aproximadamente 4 mg/kg/semana, suficiente para 6 meses de suplementação. Após período aproximado de 7 meses, a variação da concentração média de hemoglobina (delta) do Grupo Intervenção era significativamente maior do que do Grupo Controle. O risco do delta variar foi proporcional ao grau de adesão à suplementação, exceto para adesão \"nula\". A concentração média de hemoglobina do Grupo Intervenção foi significativamente maior do que no Grupo Controle após os 30 meses de idade. Além disso, a incidência de anemia a partir dos 14 meses de idade foi significativamente menor entre as crianças que receberam intervenção, mas a incidência de superação de um quadro anêmico independeu da intervenção proposta. A suplementação semanal foi eficaz para prevenir, evitando o declínio e estabilizando os níveis de hemoglobina, mas não esteve associada com elevação desse indicador. A adesão plena e parcial somou 62% das crianças e foi semelhante entre os anêmicos e eutróficos. A ocorrência de efeitos benéficos foi quase o dobro (58%) do observado de efeitos deletérios (31%). Esses efeitos secundários, no entanto, podem ter sido superestimados pela forma de indagação. Além disso, os efeitos negativos, quando observados, não estavam relacionados à diminuição da adesão. A intervenção proposta apresenta-se, portanto, como uma alternativa viável no cumprimento do compromisso do Brasil junto às Nações Unidas com vista ao controle da anemia ferropriva. / The efficacy of a weekly ferrous sulfate supplementation was evaluated in a controlled cohort of 1015 children 4 to59 months of age assigned into two groups - Control and Intervention. At Control Group (n = 583), after an initial hemoglobin evaluation, the mother was informed of the result and, if the child was anemic, instructed to seek a health service for treatment. The children in the Intervention Group (n = 432) were given a ferrous sulfate solution, together with a measure-spoon, for the ingestion of an amount of solution equal to approximately 4 mg Fe / kg / week, enough for a 6-month treatment. After approximately 7 months, the mean hemoglobin variation (delta) of the Intervention Group was higher than the Control. The risk of delta variation was proportional to the degree of treatment compliance, except for the \"null\" compliance. The mean hemoglobin concentration of the Intervention Group, after 30 months of age, was significantly higher than the Control. In addition, the anemia incidence after 14 months of age was significantly lower among the children who received intervention, but the reversion of a inicial anemia status did not depend on the proposed treatment. The weekly supplementation was efficient as prevention, avoiding the hemoglobin declining and stabilizing it levels, but was not associated with the rise of this indicator. The \"broad\" or \"partial\" compliance was observed in 62% of the children, and was similar among anemics and eutrophics. The occurrence of beneficial effects was almost double (58%) the deleterious observed (31%). The type of questioning, however, may have overestimated these secondary effects. Even so the negative effects, when observed, were not related to any reduction of compliance. The proposed intervention seems to be, in fact, as a viable alternative in accomplishment with Brazil commitment vis-à-vis the United Nations to control iron deficiency anemia.

Orientador: Marines Nobre dos Santos Uchoa / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-10T16:56:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Parisotto_ThaisManzano_M.pdf: 2166742 bytes, checksum: b9f18475d8f6e67619b0426c01784316 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008 / Resumo: A prevalência da cárie precoce da infância (CPI) no Brasil é alta e sua severidade aumenta com a idade. Assim, métodos sensíveis para o diagnóstico precoce e a identificação de indicadores de risco são importantes para o controle desta doença. Essa dissertação, constituída por três artigos teve como objetivos: (1) revisar sistematicamente os trabalhos que evidenciaram associação entre os níveis de estreptococos do grupo mutans (SM) e a prevalência e progressão da CPI; (2) investigar a prevalência da CPI em pré-escolares após inclusão das lesões de mancha branca (LMB) no critério de diagnóstico e a influência destas lesões no perfil epidemiológico da população estudada; (3) identificar os principais indicadores de risco da CPI através da avaliação dos fatores microbiológicos, dietéticos, sociais e hábitos de higiene bucal, considerando os estágios de desenvolvimento da doença. No levantamento dos artigos da revisão (1951-2007) foram utilizadas as bases de dados: Pubmed, Scopus e Cochrane. Na realização dos estudos dois e três utilizou-se uma amostra constituída de 351 e 169 crianças, respectivamente. Estes pré-escolares, de 36-48 meses e ambos os gêneros, freqüentavam creches e pré-escolas municipais de Itatiba-SP. Os exames clínicos para determinação do índice de cárie foram realizados com auxílio de gaze, sonda e espelho sob luz artificial. No terceiro estudo as crianças foram divididas em 3 grupos experimentais (livres de cárie, LMB, lesões de cárie cavitadas). Para a avaliação da dieta foi empregado um diário, enquanto higiene bucal, renda familiar, etnia e escolaridade foram avaliados por questionário. A coleta do biofilme de todas as superfícies dentárias vestibulares e palatinas foi realizada com auxílio de alças esterilizadas (1 µl) para padronizar a quantidade removida. Técnicas quantitativas de cultura microbiológica foram empregadas para determinar o número de colônias de SM, microrganismos totais (MT) e lactobacilos (LB). Os dados da revisão foram avaliados qualitativamente, enquanto aqueles inerentes aos estudos dois e três foram analisados pelo teste t-pareado e pela regressão logística múltipla, respectivamente (_=0,05). Dos 119 artigos levantados na revisão, 16 foram avaliados e apenas 1 alcançou alto nível de evidência científica. No estudo dois, o índice de cárie aumentou significativamente (p<0,05) com a inclusão das LMB, que predominaram na maioria dos dentes, principalmente nas superfícies lisas livres. No terceiro estudo, dentre os indicadores de risco analisados, os mais significativos para o desenvolvimento de LMB foram: altos níveis de SM (OR=2,3, CI=1,01-5,14), alta freqüência diária de consumo de açúcar total (OR=5,4, CI=1,42-20,88) e presença de biofilme nos incisivos superiores (OR=2,3, CI=1,01-5,14). Os fatores significativos para a progressão da CPI foram: altos níveis de MT (OR=4,6, CI=1,56-13,74) e presença de LB (OR=20,3, CI=4,03-102,51). Através da revisão foi concluído que os níveis de SM são um forte indicador de risco para a CPI; entretanto, estudos longitudinais com maiores níveis de evidência científica são necessários para que os níveis de SM sejam apontados como fortes fatores de risco. As conclusões dos estudos dois e três revelaram que a inclusão das LMB no diagnóstico da cárie possibilitou a identificação precoce de pré-escolares de risco à cárie e o direcionamento de medidas preventivas / Abstract: The prevalence of early childhood caries (ECC) in Brazil is high and its severity increases with age. This way, sensitive methods for the early caries diagnosis and risk indicators identification are important for the disease control. This thesis, comprised by three manuscripts, aimed: (1) to undertake a systematic review of studies which have evidenced the association between mutans streptococci (MS) levels and the prevalence and progression of the ECC; (2) to investigate the increase of caries prevalence in young children after the inclusion of early caries lesions (ECL) to WHO thresholds caries detection and the influence of these lesions in the epidemiological profile of the studied population; (3) to identify the main risk indicators of the ECC, with regards to the microbiological, dietary and social factors, as well as oral hygiene habits, considering the development stages of dental caries. In the review, Pubmed, Scopus and Cochrane Library databases were searched for papers (1951-2007). In studies two and three the sample comprised 351 and 169 children, respectively. These preschoolers, aging 36 to 48 months, from both genders, attended public nurseries and preschools in the city of Itatiba-SP. The clinical examinations for caries index determination were performed using gauze, probe and mirror under artificial light. In the third study, the children were divided in three experimental groups (caries free, ECL and cavitated lesions). A chart was employed for the diet evaluation whereas oral hygiene, family income, ethnicity and education level were assessed by a questionnaire. Dental biofilm was collected from all buccal and lingual surfaces with a sterilized handle (1 µl) in order to standardize the amount removed. Quantitative microbiological culture techniques were performed to determine the number of mutans streptococci (MS) colonies and total microorganisms (TM) and lactobacilli (LB) counts. The review data were appraised trough qualitative analyses; the data from studies two and three were statistically analyzed by paired t-test and multiple logistic regression, respectively (_=0.05). Out of the 119 articles yielded in the review, 16 were appraised and only one article has achieved high value as evidence. In study two, the caries index has significantly increased (p<0.05) when the ECL were included; these ECL were the predominant caries lesion in the majority of the teeth, particularly on smooth surfaces. In the third study, among all risk indicators studied, the statistically significant indicators associated with ECL development were: high levels of MS (OR=2.3, CI=1.01-5.14), high daily frequency of total sugar consumption (OR=5.4, CI=1.42-20.88) and biofilm presence on maxillary incisors (OR=2.3, CI=1.01-5.14). The significant factors associated with ECC progression were: high levels of TM (OR=4.6, CI=1.56-13.74) and lactobacilli presence (OR=20.3, CI=4.03-102.51). From the review it was concluded that MS levels are a strong risk indicator for early childhood caries; however, longitudinal studies with high levels of scientific evidence are required to point out MS levels as a remarkable ECC risk factor. From studies two and three it was concluded that the inclusion of ECL in the caries diagnosis allowed the earlier identification of caries risk preschoolers and targeting of preventive measures / Mestrado / Odontopediatria / Mestre em Odontologia

O aprendizado motor pode ser considerado um processo sensório-cognitivomotor, que envolve a formação de representações neurais da tarefa, chamadas de modelos internos. Essa forma de entender o aprendizado motor permite que processos como o aprendizado por meio da prática mental, ou seja, sem a finalização do movimento pelos efetores e a realimentação sensorial conseqüente a isso, possam ser compreendidos. A prática mental mostra-se uma forma de treinamento tão eficiente quanto a prática física em adultos, porém com vantagens quanto à generalização, visto que favorece a formação de modelos internos mais flexíveis. Entre os 5 e 6 anos de idade, a despeito das imaturidades de funções cognitivas, como memória de trabalho e atenção, as crianças já são capazes de imaginar tarefas motoras dinâmicas, embora não haja evidências na literatura sobre a capacidade de aprendizado por meio da imaginação nem a comparação com o treino físico. Desta forma, o objetivo deste estudo foi comparar a capacidade de aprender, reter e generalizar uma nova habilidade motora de oposição seqüencial de dedos por meio do treino físico e mental, em crianças de 5 e 6 anos. Para tal, foi comparado o desempenho motor em uma tarefa de oposição seqüencial de dedos, em 3 diferentes condições: com treinamento físico da tarefa, com treinamento mental e sem treinamento. O grupo de prática física (PF) era composto por dezesseis crianças com média de idade de 6,5±0,2 anos, sendo doze meninas e quatro meninos; o grupo de prática mental (PM) composto por 12 crianças com média de idade de 5,7±0,5 anos, dentre elas 7 meninos e 5 meninas e o grupo sem prática (SP), por 12 crianças de 5,6±0,4 anos, das quais 8 eram meninos e 4 meninas, todos destros. Os grupos de PF e PM foram submetidos a uma sessão de treino com 2400 repetições, sendo avaliados, assim como o grupo SP, antes, depois, 4, 7, 14 e 28 dias após o treinamento. Os resultados mostram que independente da forma de treino, as crianças foram capazes de melhorar o seu desempenho em termos de velocidade ao longo do treinamento, sendo que o grupo PM foi mais rápido para concluir cada bloco de treino em comparação com o grupo PF. Quanto à aquisição, embora de forma mais lenta, as crianças do grupo PM atingiram o mesmo desempenho que o grupo PF ao final das reavaliações, enquanto que o grupo SP permaneceu com o desempenho semelhante ao da primeira avaliação e significativamente inferior aos grupos PF e PM. Já para a generalização, os grupos PF e PM apresentaram melhora do desempenho da seqüência reversa (SR) mais lenta em comparação à seqüência treinada (ST), porém ao final dos 28 dias de experimento o grupo PM manteve esta melhora, enquanto o grupo PF perdeu desempenho. O grupo SP não apresentou diferenças significativas no comportamento de nenhuma das 2 seqüências testadas. Com base nesses resultados, pode-se concluir que crianças de 5 e 6 anos vii são capazes de aprender, reter e generalizar uma nova habilidade motora envolvendo movimentos seqüenciais de oposição de dedos por meio da prática mental, sem diferenças em comparação com a prática física, porém com vantagens quanto à generalização. / Motor skill learning (MSL) is a sensory-cognitive-motor process that involves the formation of neural representations of a task, known as internal models. This way of understanding the MSL allows processes such as motor learning through mental practice, which is, without end-movements from muscles and the subsequential sensorial feedback to those movements, to being understood. Mental practice is shown as a form of training as efficient as the physical practice in adults, however with advantage on generalization since it favors the formation of more flexible internal models. Between 5 and 6 years of age, in spite of immature cognitive functions such as working memory and attention, children are already capable to imagine dynamic motor tasks, although there is no evidence in literature regarding motor learning through imagination neither a comparison with physical training. Therefore, the objective of this study is to compare the ability of learning, retaining and generalizing a fresh motor ability of sequential opposition of fingers by physical and mental practice in children of 5 and 6 years. To do so, motor performance in a task of sequential opposition of fingers was compared in 3 different conditions: by (1) physical training of the task, (2) mental training and (3) no training at all. The physical practice group (PF) was composed by sixteen children with an average of 6,5±0,2 years, with twelve girls and four boys; the mental practice group (PM) was composed by 12 children with an average of 5,7±0,5 years, amongst them 7 boys and 5 girls and finally the notraining group (SP), composed with 12 children of 5,6±0,4 years, 8 boys and 4 girls, all dexterous. The PF and PM groups were submitted to one session of training with 2400 repetitions; they were evaluated, as well as group SP, before the training and 4, 7, 14 and 28 days after the training. The results have shown that regardless the form of training the children were capable to improve their speed performance throughout the training, with PM group concluding each block of training faster when compared to group PF. Regarding acquisition, although being slower, the children of PM group have reached the same performance as PF group in the end of the reevaluations, whereas SP group remained with the same performance as the one on the first evaluation and thus significantly inferior performance compared to PF and PM groups. As for generalization, groups PF and PM presented improvement in performance of the reversal finger opposition sequence (SR), both slower in comparison to the trained finger opposition sequence (ST), however in the end of 28 days of experiment the PM group kept this improvement while PF group lost performance. SP group did not present significant performance differences in neither of the 2 tested sequences. Based on these results, we conclude that children of 5 and 6 years are capable to learn, to retain and to generalize a new motor ability involving sequential movements of ix opposition of fingers through mental practice, without differences in comparison with physical practice, however with advantages in generalization.

M.Tech. (Homoeopathy) / Upper Respiratory tract viral infections (URTIs), such as influenza and the common cold, are a group of common infections in the human population. They have a seemingly mild nature, but studies have found them to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide (Wat, 2004). In the western world, the majority of pre-school childrenconsult a doctor for a respiratory infection at least once a year. Conventional medical treatment options are said to be limited, and antibiotics are often unnecessarily prescribed.The frequency of antibiotic prescriptions has caused a resistance of pathogenic bacteria against these antibiotics, and this in turn, has become a major threat to treatment (Schönbeck et al., 2005). A traditional South African herb, Pelargonium sidoides (P. sidoides), has been shown to have antibacterial, antiviral, and immunomodulatory properties in many investigations (Brendler, 2009). No studies have been done to date assessing the efficacy of P. sidoides as a prophylactic for influenza and the common cold in children. This study aimed at establishing the efficacy of Linctagon® Syrup in the prevention of colds and influenza in pre-school children. The study was a double- blind, placebo–controlled study whereby thirty healthy children aged four to six years old were placed into two groups using matched pairs according to gender. Fifteen participants were allocated to the experimental group whereby the Linctagon® Syrup was taken for the duration of the study. The other fifteen participants were allocated in the placebo group for the duration of the study and given a placebo syrup. Parents / guardians were requested to read the Participant Information Leaflet (Appendix B), and sign the Participant Details and Consent Form (Appendix C,) and the participants were requested to sign the Participation of Minor Assent Form (Appendix D). On day 0, the parents / guardians signed the forms and the initial visit took place. The researcher conducted an ear, nose, throat and respiratory examination on each participant and vital signs were measured. The medication was randomised by an independent person at Nativa Laboratories. Each participant received two 150ml bottles of either the Linctagon® syrup or placebo syrup, and parents / guardians were advised on how to administer the medication (Appendix E), by the researcher. The participants were required to take 2.5ml twice daily for a period of sixty days. A Weekly Progress Questionnaire (Appendix F) was handed to the parents / guardians of each child, and they were requested to fill them in over an eight week period. This questionnaire assessed the wellness of the child for the duration of the study and involved a 4-point rating system to assess the severity of symptoms for both influenza and the common cold. Weekly telephone calls were made to the participants’ parents / guardians to follow up on progress. A final visitation occurred on day 60, and included the collection of the questionnaires. The parents / guardians were requested to fill in a score card at the end of the study, rating the effectiveness of Linctagon® Syrup in the prevention of colds and influenza in their child (Appendix G). The data was statistically analysed by Statkon at the University of Johannesburg by means of non-parametric tests, namely: descriptive data, Cochran’s test, Chi-square test, cross tabulation, Mann-Whitney U test and the Friedman test. The research study determined that Linctagon® Syrup did not have a statistically significant effect in the prevention of influenza and the common cold in children, in support of the null hypothesis. Linctagon® Syrup also had no effect on reducing the incidence, frequency or duration of symptoms in those children who became ill, however this may be due to the relativity low dosage prescribed. Further large scale studies are recommended to validate these results.The score card (subjective rating on the efficacy of the syrup) showed a statistically significant result between the two groups, in favour of the treatment group.

In order for the individual's chances of good health to increase, health promotion should beintroduced to the youngest children. A recent report shows that Sweden is falling in ranking in termsof equal health where Sweden ended up in 23 out of 35 countries. The socioeconomic gaps inSweden's society mean that children's health becomes a geographical issue. The preschool's rolebecomes extremely important in this context, as statistics show that 84% of children living inSweden are enrolled in preschool. The purpose is to investigate how preschool teachers feel thatthey work with children's health and well-being at preschool. The study consists of six qualitativeinterviews with preschool teachers spread across two preschools. A qualitative content analysis ofthe data was conducted to find prominent categories. Preschool teachers in the study agree thathealth in preschool needs more attention. They agree that physical activity is restricted to theoutdoor environment due to large children's groups and small premises. The result emphasizes thatpreschool should be a positive and safe environment in which the children feel good.