Uncertainty about autism screening efficacy
August 20th 2015A federal panel is asking for more research to support regular autism screening, stating in new draft guidance that there is not enough evidence that early, routine screenings recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and many others are worthwhile.
New support for nonsurgical OME intervention
August 18th 2015Antibiotics and other medications don’t do any good and surgery is sometimes an extreme fix for otitis media with effusion (OME). Now, a United Kingdom researcher is giving new credence to a nonsurgical treatment that children can do on their own at home.
Proactive response diagnoses ASD earlier
August 1st 2015Although parents of children who turn out to have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often express concerns about their child’s development early on, providers are far less likely to respond proactively to these concerns-instead delivering a reassuring/passive response-than to address parental concerns about intellectual disability/developmental delay (ID/DD).
Juiced: What kids do to compete
August 1st 2015Pediatric sports and activity participation is on the rise. It is estimated that up to 45 million children are involved in some form of athletics.1 On the whole, exercise is something to be encouraged in today’s children, with benefits of improving physical fitness, increasing social interaction with peers, decreasing stress, achieving self-efficacy, and gaining experience in goal setting, teamwork, and commitment.
ACIP votes new policy options for MenB vaccine
August 1st 2015In June, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) declined to recommend that a newly approved serogroup B meningococcal (MenB) vaccine series be used universally in adolescents aged 16 to 18 years, basically leaving the decision up to parents and providers.
New drug labels for pregnancy lauded
August 1st 2015Although drug manufacturers are required to include new safety information for pregnant and lactating women on their labels, much more clinical data is needed to determine whether products are safe for that population, according to professors and clinicians.
Top 5 unnecessary newborn tests and treatments
July 28th 2015As part of the Choosing Wisely campaign, the American Academy of Pediatrics worked with a team of neonatologists at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston to devise a list of the top 5 tests and treatments that can be left out of routine newborn care because of cost or lack of efficacy.
New recommendation for MenB vaccine?
July 16th 2015The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices discussed vaccination for serogroup B meningococcal disease (MenB) at its June 2015 meeting and voted its recommendation. What does ACIP’s decision mean for your practice?
Pioneering treatment for pediatric migraine
July 9th 2015Migraines in children have been associated with anxiety and depression as well as physical and psychiatric morbidity. How can a new intervention for pediatric migraine improve and potentially eliminate these headache symptoms in the pediatric/adolescent population?