2023
Persistent symptoms and conditions among children and adolescents hospitalised with COVID-19 illness: a qualitative study
Messiah S, Francis J, Weerakoon S, Mathew M, Shaikh S, Veeraswamy A, Lozano A, He W, Xie L, Polavarapu D, Ahmed N, Kahn J. Persistent symptoms and conditions among children and adolescents hospitalised with COVID-19 illness: a qualitative study. BMJ Open 2023, 13: e069073. PMID: 37734886, PMCID: PMC10514629, DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-069073.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCOVID-19 illnessIn-depth interviewsQualitative studyPaediatric healthcare systemHealth information sourcesLack of insurance coverageMental health impactsPrevalence of long COVIDPersistent symptomsPost-COVID-19 symptomsPost-traumatic stress disorderPersistent COVID-19 symptomsHealthcare systemCOVID-19 experiencePre-existing conditionsQualitative interviewsInsurance coverageCOVID-19Support strategiesWorsening pre-existing conditionsHealth impactsIllnessSupport systemInterviewsLong COVIDNeighborhood Characteristics and the Burden of E-Cigarette, or Vaping, Product Use-Associated Lung Injury: An Ecological Comparison Study
Lee H, Weerakoon S, Harrell M, Messiah S, Rao D. Neighborhood Characteristics and the Burden of E-Cigarette, or Vaping, Product Use-Associated Lung Injury: An Ecological Comparison Study. Pediatric Allergy Immunology And Pulmonology 2023, 36: 16-22. PMID: 36930825, DOI: 10.1089/ped.2022.0133.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSocioeconomic statusZip codesHealth insuranceE-cigarettesEVALI casesNeighborhood-level characteristicsPatient's zip codeElectronic medical recordsTargeted prevention programsProduct use-associated lung injuryHigh school educationUse-associated lung injuryAt-risk communitiesPrivate health insuranceData of adolescentsAmerican Community SurveySES characteristicsChildren's Medical Center DallasNeighborhood characteristicsPrevention programsInvestigate associationsCommunity SurveyNinety-five percentMedical recordsVaping products
2022
Clinical manifestations of EVALI in adolescents before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Abdallah B, Lee H, Weerakoon S, Messiah S, Harrell M, Rao D. Clinical manifestations of EVALI in adolescents before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Pediatric Pulmonology 2022, 58: 949-958. PMID: 36530031, PMCID: PMC9878061, DOI: 10.1002/ppul.26283.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHome oxygenGastrointestinal symptomsEVALI casesPatients treated with corticosteroidsProduct use-associated lung injuryHospital course of patientsUse-associated lung injuryDischarged with home oxygenSARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test resultsCourse of patientsE-cigarettesPositive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test resultsPulmonary function improvementReview of adolescentsPulmonary function testsShorter median lengthRT-PCR test resultsClinical presentationClinical improvementClinical characteristicsHospital courseClinical manifestationsLung injuryMechanical ventilationMedian lengthComparison of Long-Term Complications of COVID-19 Illness among a Diverse Sample of Children by MIS-C Status
Messiah S, Xie L, Mathew M, Shaikh S, Veeraswamy A, Rabi A, Francis J, Lozano A, Ronquillo C, Sanchez V, He W, Weerakoon S, Srikanth N, Borel M, Kapera O, Kahn J. Comparison of Long-Term Complications of COVID-19 Illness among a Diverse Sample of Children by MIS-C Status. International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health 2022, 19: 13382. PMID: 36293968, PMCID: PMC9603408, DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192013382.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMIS-CCOVID-19 illnessSevere COVID illnessMultisystem inflammatory syndromeLong symptomsPediatric COVID-19 casesAssociated with SARS-CoV-2 infectionPediatric healthcare systemLong COVIDSARS-CoV-2 infectionRetrospective EHR reviewFollow-up surveyInflammatory syndromePersistent symptomsEthnically diverse childrenPediatric professionalsPresence of long COVIDHealthcare systemVulnerable populationsPost-COVID-19 recovery effortsGovernment insurancePrivate insuranceSymptomsCOVID illnessIllnessHuman Papillomavirus Vaccination Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Francis J, Weerakoon S, Lucas S, Mathew M, Durante J, Kelly N, Tiro J. Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic. JAMA Network Open 2022, 5: e2234000. PMID: 36121657, PMCID: PMC9486449, DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.34000.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchRelationship Between Dating Violence and Contraceptive Use Among Texas Adolescents
Srikanth N, Weerakoon S, Mathew M, Xie L, Messiah S. Relationship Between Dating Violence and Contraceptive Use Among Texas Adolescents. Journal Of Interpersonal Violence 2022, 38: 4852-4876. PMID: 36000420, DOI: 10.1177/08862605221119519.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDating violenceTexas adolescentsContraceptive useUnplanned pregnancyYouth Risk Behavior Surveillance System dataSexual dating violenceSexually transmitted infectionsDating violence preventionImpact reproductive healthLogistic regression analysisNoncontraceptive useAntiabortion lawsHormonal contraceptionViolence preventionSurveillance System dataViolenceCondom useReproductive outcomesMultinomial logistic regression analysisReproductive healthAge groupsLawPregnancyContraceptionRegression analysisPossible substance use disorders among first responders during the COVID-19 era: a quasi-experimental study of personal and residential vulnerability
Beauchamp A, Weerakoon S, Ponder W, Jetelina K. Possible substance use disorders among first responders during the COVID-19 era: a quasi-experimental study of personal and residential vulnerability. The American Journal Of Drug And Alcohol Abuse 2022, 48: 724-733. PMID: 35867134, DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2022.2088376.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSubstance use disordersOdds of substance use disordersCOVID-19 vulnerabilityResidential vulnerabilityMental health servicesNeighborhood vulnerabilityResidential locationQuasi-experimental studyVulnerability to COVID-19Increased occupational stressHealth servicesTime of entryNeighborhoodCOVID-19Study sampleMaladaptive copingOccupational stressAdjusted modelsRespondentsVulnerabilityCounselingOddsDallas/Fort WorthIncreased stressCOVID-19 era
2021
Cluster-randomised trial of the impact of an obesity prevention intervention on childcare centre nutrition and physical activity environment over 2 years
Natale R, Atem F, Lebron C, Mathew M, Weerakoon S, Martinez C, Shelnutt K, Spector R, Messiah S. Cluster-randomised trial of the impact of an obesity prevention intervention on childcare centre nutrition and physical activity environment over 2 years. Public Health Nutrition 2021, 25: 3172-3181. PMID: 34593076, PMCID: PMC9991736, DOI: 10.1017/s1368980021004109.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPhysical activity environmentsObesity prevention interventionsCluster randomised trialPhysical activityPreventive interventionsActive environmentNutritional scorePromote healthy weightObesity prevention programmesScreen time policiesRandom effects mixed modelPrevalence of obesityPre-school-aged childrenEthnically diverse familiesHealthy weightIntervention armEnvironment scoresPrevention programmesEPAOLow-incomeMiami-Dade CountyControl armSchool yearPrimary outcomeScore changesCOVID-19 related employment change is associated with increased alcohol consumption during the pandemic
Weerakoon S, Jetelina K, Knell G, Messiah S. COVID-19 related employment change is associated with increased alcohol consumption during the pandemic. The American Journal Of Drug And Alcohol Abuse 2021, 47: 730-736. PMID: 34043919, DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2021.1912063.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAlcohol consumptionAssociated with increased alcohol consumptionLoss of employmentDepressive symptomsCombined effects of depressive symptomsEffect of depressive symptomsInteractive effects of depressionAssociated with mental illnessDrink more alcoholEffects of depressionIncreased alcohol consumptionWeb-based surveyMultinomial regression modelsCOVID-19 pandemicAlcohol harmMental illnessEmployment statusSelf-reportCOVID-19Regression modelsPre-pandemicEmployment changesDepressionParticipantsAssociation
2020
Longer time spent at home during COVID-19 pandemic is associated with binge drinking among US adults
Weerakoon S, Jetelina K, Knell G. Longer time spent at home during COVID-19 pandemic is associated with binge drinking among US adults. The American Journal Of Drug And Alcohol Abuse 2020, 47: 98-106. PMID: 33280423, DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2020.1832508.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCOVID-19-related stressorsBinge drinkingAlcohol consumptionCurrent depressive symptomsNon-binge drinkersDiagnosis of depressionPandemic-related stressorsAssociated with binge drinkingOdds of binge drinkingSelf-report surveyDepressive symptomsBinge drinkersBingeAssociated with changesStressorsPopulation health consequencesExacerbate stressorsLimited researchDrinkersUnited StatesAlcoholCOVID-19 pandemicDrinkingMultinomial regression modelsAdultsAn Implementation Approach Comparison of a Child Care Center-Based Obesity Prevention Program.
Natale R, Atem F, Weerakoon S, Lebron C, Mathew M, Sardinas K, Chang C, Shelnutt K, Spector R, Altare F, Messiah S. An Implementation Approach Comparison of a Child Care Center-Based Obesity Prevention Program. Journal Of Developmental And Behavioral Pediatrics 2020, 42: 135-145. PMID: 32947578, PMCID: PMC9336224, DOI: 10.1097/dbp.0000000000000861.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsImprove dietary intake patternsCluster randomized controlled trialTrain-the-trainer approachObesity prevention interventionsPhase 1Obesity prevention programsChild dietary practicesBody mass index percentileSnack food consumptionTrain-the-trainerDietary intake patternsUniversity-based research teamPhase 2Randomized controlled trialsVegetable intakeUnhealthy foodsEthnic minority familiesFruit consumptionPreventive interventionsDietary practicesTeam implementationPrevention programsIntake patternsControlled trialsHealthy rangeParent concerns regarding paediatric obesity in community‐based programmes serving children with developmental disabilities
Natale R, Weerakoon S, Woody M, Kolomeyer E, Pena K, Schladant M, Bulotsky‐Shearer R, Messiah S. Parent concerns regarding paediatric obesity in community‐based programmes serving children with developmental disabilities. Child Care Health And Development 2020, 46: 733-740. PMID: 32803796, DOI: 10.1111/cch.12803.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCommunity-based programmesPaediatric obesityPreschool-aged childrenChild weightParental concernsDisability statusParents of preschool-aged childrenAverage child ageCommunity-based programsPrevalence of obesityDevelopmental disabilitiesOdds of parentsParents of childrenCross-sectional analysisPublic health problemFamilies of preschool-aged childrenChildhood obesityPublic health concernObesity concernsHealth problemsBaseline entryLogistic regressionChild ageHealth concernObesityImplementation of a telehealth-enhanced home visiting programme for families of young children
Jetelina K, Oke O, Rodriguez P, Weerakoon S, Barlow S. Implementation of a telehealth-enhanced home visiting programme for families of young children. Journal Of Telemedicine And Telecare 2020, 28: 266-279. PMID: 32772762, DOI: 10.1177/1357633x20938282.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHome visiting programmeVisiting programmeElectronic health recordsPost-implementationEmergency departmentLongitudinal electronic health recordsPrimary care servicesPaediatric healthcare systemClinical care staffIncreased post-implementationEvaluate patient experienceIntermediate clinical outcomesFamilies of young childrenPreliminary effectivenessCare staffInner settingCare servicesPatient experienceEligible familiesHealth recordsHealthcare professionalsHealthcare utilizationED utilizationHealth systemOuter settingDeterminants of accurate visual perception of child anthropometric phenotype among ethnically diverse preschool parents in the United States
Messiah S, Weerakoon S, Atem F, Schulte M, Lebron C, Kambali S, Mathew M, Chang C, Natale R. Determinants of accurate visual perception of child anthropometric phenotype among ethnically diverse preschool parents in the United States. Health & Social Care In The Community 2020, 28: 2095-2104. PMID: 32510693, DOI: 10.1111/hsc.13020.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsChild weight statusWeight statusBMI percentileParental perceptions of child weight statusPerceptions of child weight statusAnthropometric phenotypesHigher obesity prevalenceChild BMI percentileChildhood obesity epidemicAssociated with parental perceptionsCountry of birthNon-Hispanic parentsMexican caregiversMultivariate linear regressionCaregiver perceptionsObesity prevalenceHeight/weight measurementsUnhealthy weightHealthy weightUnhealthy BMIChi-square analysisObesity epidemicCaregiversChild sociodemographicsParents' perceptionsRelationship between risky behaviors and non-prescription opioid use among Asian American youth
Weerakoon S, Keeton J, Vidot D, Arheart K, Messiah S. Relationship between risky behaviors and non-prescription opioid use among Asian American youth. Journal Of Ethnicity In Substance Abuse 2020, 21: 377-386. PMID: 32497460, DOI: 10.1080/15332640.2020.1772931.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid useNon-prescription opioid useMultivariate logistic regression modelAA teensYouth Risk Behavior Surveillance SystemBehavior Surveillance SystemLogistic regression modelsRisky sexual behaviorAsian AmericansRisky behaviorsAsian American youthAssociated with weaponSubstance abuse treatmentOpioidPublic health practiceSexual behaviorAmerican youthAbuse treatmentHealth practicesRegression modelsYouthAA youthSurveillance systemBody imageUseInvestigation of Pupillary Changes After Carotid Endarterectomy and Carotid Stent Placement Using Automated Pupillometry
Weerakoon S, Stutzman S, Atem F, Kuchenbecker K, Olson D, Aiyagari V. Investigation of Pupillary Changes After Carotid Endarterectomy and Carotid Stent Placement Using Automated Pupillometry. Journal Of Stroke And Cerebrovascular Diseases 2020, 29: 104693. PMID: 32107154, DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2020.104693.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCarotid artery stentingCarotid artery endarterectomyLeft eyeHorner's syndromeDilation velocityAutomated pupillometryConstriction velocityDecreased sympathetic responsePupillary changesPupillary light reflex measurementsCarotid stent placementLeft sided procedureMean pupil sizeCS patientsNo significant differenceStent placementIpsilateral pupilRetrospective analysisContralateral sideSide procedureArtery stentingCarotid endarterectomySympathetic responseReflex measurementsArterial plexus