Hitoshi Osaka

Background Premature children are known to be at a high risk of developing behavioral problems. This study examined the effectiveness of parent–child interaction therapy (PCIT) in reducing behavioral problems in young children born premature. Methods The study included 18 child–parent pairs with children born at less than 35 weeks of gestation (range: 23–34 weeks, median: 31.0 weeks) and aged 27–52 months (median: 38.0 months). They were assigned to either the PCIT group ( n = 7) or the non‐PCIT group ( n = 11) based on maternal desire for treatment. The study was designed to examine the effects of PCIT. Specifically, the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory (ECBI) intensity score, ECBI problem score, and Parenting Stress Index Short Form (PSI‐SF) scores were compared before treatment and after 6 months. Results In the PCIT group, the mean ECBI intensity score was 135.7 (SD = 13.5; T‐score = 64) at baseline and 90.1 (SD = 15.5; T‐score = 46) at post‐assessment, the mean ECBI problem score was 9.8 (SD = 1.9; T‐score = 54) at baseline and 4.4 (SD = 3.1; T‐score = 44) at post‐assessment, the mean PSI‐SF total score was 60.1 (SD = 4.8; 95%tile) at baseline and 49.6 (SD = 5.6; 85%tile) at post‐assessment, showing a significant improvement (ECBI intensity scores: p < 0.001, d = 2.03; ECBI problem scores: p < 0.001, d = 1.94; PSI‐SF total scores: p = 0.004, d = 0.86). On the other hand, none of the scores showed significant change in the non‐PCIT group. Conclusions The PCIT can be considered as a potential treatment option for behavioral problems in young children born premature.

Thermal airway injuries, usually accompanied by facial burns, require emergency management. We encountered a pediatric case of a late airway-scalding injury without any initial signs of scalding on the face or inside the oral cavity. A 16-month-old boy was accidentally exposed to boiling water from overhead and developed tachypnea and dyspnea at 8 h after the injury. When he visited our hospital at 12 h after the injury, there were no scalding-related findings on his face or inside his oral cavity; however, severe laryngeal edema was observed, which required emergency intubation. Thermal airway injuries can occur later, even if there is no evidence of facial or oral scalding immediately after the injury. Airway injuries should be considered when a patient has been exposed to hot water from overhead.