Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL) is a multi-faceted construct influenced by a myriad of environmental, demographic, and individual characteristics. Our understanding of these influencers remains highly limited in neurodevelopmental conditions. Existing research in this area is sparse, highly siloed by diagnosis labels, and focused on symptoms. This review synthesized the evidence in this area using a multi-dimensional model of HRQoL and trans-diagnostically across neurodevelopmental conditions. The systematic review, conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Checklist, was completed in June 2023 using Medline, PsycInfo, Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane Library. Our search revealed 78 studies that examined predictors of HRQoL in neurodevelopmental conditions. The majority of these studies focused on autism and ADHD with a paucity of literature in other conditions. Cross-diagnosis investigations were limited despite the fact that many of the examined predictors transcend diagnostic boundaries. Significant gaps were revealed in domains of biology/physiology, functioning, health perceptions, and environmental factors. Very preliminary evidence suggested potentially shared predictors of HRQoL across conditions including positive associations between HRQoL and adaptive functioning, male sex/gender, positive self-perception, physical activity, resources, and positive family context, and negative associations with diagnostic features and mental health symptoms. Studies of transdiagnostic predictors across neurodevelopmental conditions are critically needed to enable care models that address shared needs of neurodivergent individuals beyond diagnostic boundaries. Further understanding of HRQoL from the perspective of neurodivergent communities is a critical area of future work.

Novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreaks have dramatically changed lifestyles, with various effects on the physical and mental health of families and children with various childhood-onset neurological diseases. A questionnaire survey was conducted to identify family-specific issues and needs of patients with congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA) during major changes in their daily lives due to the COVID-19 outbreaks.

An anonymous questionnaire was sent to 56 families that were members of the Association of Patients and Families of CIPA in Japan between October and November 2020, the first 2 months of the third outbreak.

Thirty-eight families (67.2% response rate) responded to the questionnaire. The current concerns of the parents were (1) difficulty in predicting the future (19 parents, 50%), (2) household and work concerns (eight parents, 21.1%), and (3) whether they would become infected (25 parents, 65.8%). Fifteen families indicated stress due to increased time together (stress + group), and 10 families had a better understanding of each other due to increased time together. New sleep disturbances and behavioral changes were observed in approximately 20% and 50% of patients with CIPA, respectively. No single factor could explain family stress. There were also free descriptions of the importance of peer support, connections with experts, and prompt responses for resolution.

Each family has its own way of coping with multiple factors that contribute to the stress of the patient and family. A long-established resilience to the disease proved effective during this pandemic.

It is everyone's desire to seek the sound growth of children through food education and there is a critical need for fostering an environment for this purpose. Health policies are important for this support. To the present, the Japanese society has been greatly disrupted by COVID-19 pandemic. "Stay at home", "mokusyoku (silent eating)", and mask wearing were encouraged in nationwide campaigns as public health measures to combat COVID-19. There are some papers reporting negative effects of "stay at home" and lockdowns such as weight gain, decrease in physical activities and change in eating habits. In Japan, while benefits and advantages of food education during mealtime were previously well studied, the "mokusyoku" rule may directly run counter to this food education. Moreover, there are several reports showing that nutrients might contribute to prevention of infectious diseases. Japanese children were also encouraged to wear masks all day long. The results of the clinical research, especially randomized control trials, show limited protective effect of masks. On the other hand, negative outcomes of the masks were reported in various scenes. This review focuses on these topics and arousing reconsideration for a better environment for children.