Extremely low-birth-weight problems persist into adolescence
August 4th 2011Researchers conducted a study to examine changes in the rates of chronic conditions of extremely low-birth-weight children aged between 8 and 14 years and found some surprising results, especially when it comes to obesity. Our experts offer advice to pediatricians whose practice includes these patients.
Fasting not always necessary in pediatric dyslipidemia screening
August 4th 2011Both the AAP and the American Heart Association recommend that children who are at risk for dyslipidemia have a fasting cholesterol check, but denying food to children, who may not understand what is going on, is different than an adult who foregoes morning coffee until after the blood work. Find out why a new study suggests that fasting may not always be necessary.
Cell phones do not put young people at greater risk of brain cancer, study says
August 4th 2011Perennial concerns about whether cell phones cause brain cancer often focus on children and adolescents. In the first-of-its-kind study, Swiss researchers found that answer is no, and they also offer some advice to parents who are anxious.
Contemporary Pediatrics, Digital Edition, August 2011
August 1st 2011Diagnosing allergic diseases : Why knowing the history is as important as the test Managing vomiting : Should I consider options besides rehydration? Puzzler : Dressing up as fever and a rash Dermcase : Lesions expand at blistering speed in baby boy
Study raises questions about fluid resuscitation in patients with shock
August 1st 2011Investigators conducted a comparative examination of the practice of early resuscitation with saline or albumin fluid boluses in children with shock and life-threatening infections living in settings with limited resources.
Is immunoprophylaxis against RSV infections cost effective?
August 1st 2011According to an evaluation of the cost effectiveness of immunoprophylaxis with palivizumab against respiratory syncytial virus infection, based on actual cost and observed RSV incidence rates in various pediatric risk groups during the 2004 to 2005 RSV infection season in Florida, the answer is no.
Circumcision ban ruled off ballot in California
August 1st 2011The Male Genital Mutilation bill scheduled to appear on the November ballot to ban circumcision in San Francisco was ordered removed by a Superior Court judge on the grounds that state law already regulated medical practices and that such a measure would infringe on religious freedom.
Salivary PCR assay as screening tool for cytomegalovirus infection in newborns
August 1st 2011A comparison of real-time polymerase-chain-reaction-based testing of liquid and dried-saliva specimens with standard rapid culture of saliva specimens obtained at birth showed that PCR assays of both types of saliva specimens have high sensitivity for detecting congenital cytomegalovirus infection.
Salmonella outbreaks associated with pet frogs
August 1st 2011The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning parents and caregivers that Salmonella Typhimurium present in pet frogs is responsible for a national outbreak of Salmonella illness and continues to pose a serious risk to children, especially sick children.
Enhancing our ability to treat various conditions
August 1st 2011As we continually enhance our ability to prevent and treat a wide variety of conditions that threaten the health and lives of our children, our tolerance diminishes for ailments that seemed trivial when infection shortened too many lives.
Premature Infant With Motor Delays
August 1st 2011This 1-year-old African-American boy is being followed for developmental delays. His 35-year-old mother has no known health problems, and this was her third pregnancy.Premature delivery at 27 weeks was uncomplicated, yielding appropriate birth weight and Dubowitz scores for gestational age.
Bedsharing in toddlers does not result in behavioral, cognitive deficits
July 28th 2011Although parents still need to be warned that allowing infants to sleep in adult beds is a dangerous practice that should be avoided, bedsharing with toddlers does not seem to negatively affect their behavior or cognition, according to a new study. Find out what may cause those problems.
Secondhand smoke, not just loud music, may harm teens' hearing
July 28th 2011Teenagers may seem to be not listening but they actually may be having trouble hearing. And the reason may not always be their ubiquitous iPod earbuds, especially if they live in a home where someone smokes, new research has suggested. That study recommended that pediatricians consider secondhand smoke exposure to be a risk factor for hearing loss in adolescents and screen accordingly.
Varicella vaccine dramatically reduces morbidity, mortality in children
July 28th 2011In its first 12 years, the chicken pox vaccine was been an unqualified success, dramatically reducing deaths and hospitalization in young people, even among groups that cannot be vaccinated. Researchers speculate that the newer 2-dose formulation could completely eliminate any severe outcomes from the childhood disease.
Grants make school a medical home for more children
July 28th 2011For many kids, their medical home is at school. A $95 million grant from the Department of Health and Human Services to 278 school-based health centers this month means 440,000 more children will be able to get the primary care, mental health services, dental exams, health education, and chronic disease monitoring they need?without having to miss hours of class time.
New policy for pediatricians seeks to protect patients in wake of sexual abuse case
July 28th 2011In the aftermath of a shocking case of child abuse by a pediatrician in Delaware, the American Academy of Pediatrics has published a new policy statement on protecting children from sexual abuse by health care providers. Meeting the recommendations may require changes in the way your pediatric practices operates.