Pediatrics

Regina Duperval ’21 researched sleep and activity in Haitian children and youth with Type 1 Diabetes and examined their impact on glycemic control, health-related quality of life, and life satisfaction. She found that physical activity levels were unrelated to glycemic control and quality of life, while shorter sleep was associated with a higher HbA1c. More research is needed, particularly among children and youth in lower-income countries.

Hope Rhodes ’19 wrote about the need for better child protection systems, mental health support, and systemic innovations for American children affected by COVID-19 school closures. These children experienced disengagement, mental health issues, weight gain, food insecurity and increased Type 2 Diabetes.

Neonatal hypothermia is a common issue in low-resource settings. Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is effective but not always feasible 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, alongside an educational program. The study showed a significant reduction in hypothermia rates and improved healthcare provider knowledge.