Infant with a persistent nodular skin rash
January 1st 2014The worried mother of a 4-week-old boy brings her son to you for evaluation of a rash that started 3 weeks ago on his left eyebrow and chest, then spread to his back, arms, and legs despite treatment with topical steroids. What’s your diagnosis?
Drug safety and efficacy data lacking for neonates
December 27th 2013Despite some key pieces of federal legislation passed in recent years, most drugs-about 93%-are still not studied in neonates. Of those drugs that researchers have studied in this vulnerable population and that bear labels reflecting the changes in pediatric prescribing information, only about half (54%) are used in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Narrow versus broad antibiotics for pneumonia
December 16th 2013Although little difference exists in outcomes between broad-spectrum and narrow-spectrum antibiotics for children hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), narrow-spectrum agents are associated with a shorter hospital stay, according to a recent study, and, not incidentally, help to minimize the problem of antibiotic resistance.
Beware of expensive computer programs for ADHD
December 10th 2013Computer-based cognitive training programs that claim to improve things such as inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and academic and social success in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) probably don’t live up to those promises.
“Kangaroo care” for preemies has long-term pluses
December 10th 2013While experts have known that maternal-preterm infant contact produces highly beneficial short-term effects on preemies’ physiology, psychology, and behavior, a new study shows that early and consistent touching between mother and child produces benefits that span the first 10 years of life and potentially beyond.
Driving distractions especially risky for teens with ADHD
December 1st 2013An investigation of the combined risks of adolescence, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and driving while engaged in texting or cell phone conversation found that while distractions significantly impair the driving performance of all adolescents, the negative effects of texting are especially prominent in youngsters with ADHD.
Encouraging trend seen in adolescents' obesity-related behaviors
December 1st 2013Efforts to increase the time adolescents spend in physical activity and reduce the time they spend watching television seem to be paying off, according to analysis of data from 3 quadrennial surveys of students in grades 6 to 10.
Treating eosinophilic esophagitis in children
December 1st 2013Eosinophilic esophagitis is an increasingly recognized condition in children and adults that may mimic gastroesophageal reflux but that does not respond to acid suppression. Current treatment focuses on dietary modification and topical corticosteroids. However, future studies are needed to better define this disease’s natural history and to identify effective therapies for children and adults.
Too many GERD diagnoses in those too young?
November 19th 2013A new study raises a question about whether too many antireflux procedures (ARP) are performed on children during a period of infancy when frequent regurgitation is normal and when already ambiguous measures of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are difficult to interpret at best.