Pediatrics

Regina Duperval ’21 researched sleep and activity in Haitian children and youth with Type 1 Diabetes, examining their effects on glycemic control, health-related quality of life, and life satisfaction. She discovered that physical activity levels did not relate to glycemic control or quality of life, while shorter sleep was linked to a higher HbA1c. More research is needed, especially among children and youth in lower-income countries.

Hope Rhodes ’19 highlighted the need for improved child protection systems, mental health support, and systemic innovations to aid American children affected by COVID-19 school closures. These children faced disengagement, mental health challenges, weight gain, food insecurity, and a rise in Type 2 Diabetes.

Neonatal hypothermia is a common problem in low-resource settings. Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is effective but not always practical as a continuous heat source. A study co-authored by Zulema Garcia Ulloa ’23 introduced an infant warmer in a low-resource hospital in Chiapas, Mexico, along with an educational program. The study showed a significant decrease in hypothermia rates and enhanced healthcare provider knowledge.