CDC estimates 1 in 88 children has an autism spectrum disorder
April 5th 2012Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) now affect 1 in 88 children in the United States and are almost 5 times more common among boys than girls, according to estimates based on a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network. Why are the numbers growing?
Higher insurance copays linked to reduced use of asthma medications in children
April 5th 2012Increasing out-of-pocket prescription costs may be responsible for reductions in asthma medication use among children and more frequent asthma-related hospitalizations. What strategies can help you improve medication therapy adherence in your patients with asthma?
Genetic variants linked to fatty liver disease in children with obesity
April 5th 2012Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is the most common cause of pediatric chronic liver disease. New research has found that genetic variants are associated with increased susceptibility to fatty liver disease in children with obesity. What does this finding mean for your patients with obesity?
Obesity's stigma lingers for teenage girls who attain normal BMI
April 5th 2012White teenage girls with obesity who lose weight may benefit physically, but the weight change does not guarantee a boost to their self-esteem. Why is it important to help patients overcome the negative stereotypes associated with obesity?
Smelly urine increases likelihood of UTI
April 5th 2012The presence of foul or strong urine odor is often taken as an indicator of urinary tract infection (UTI) in young children. A new study finds that parent report of malodorous urine increases the likelihood of infection among patients being evaluated for suspected UTI, but is the association strong enough to confirm a diagnosis?
Contemporary Pediatrics, Digital Edition, April 2012
April 1st 2012Abnormal childhood aggression : When systems are unbalanced Mastering the language : Communicating with parents who have low health literacy Dermcase : Now where did he get that big blister? Puzzler : Chest pain in child with persistent fever Updates : Alcohol screening, FDA approves Lucinactant Medication Poisoning, Chlamydia testing, PPACA Home Health Provision
Who is least likely to fill a prescription after a pediatric emergency department visit?
April 1st 2012To find out what factors raise the risk of prescription going unfilled after an emergency department visit, researchers conducted a study in children discharged with a prescription from the pediatric ED of an urban safety-net hospital serving a low-income population.
Low rates found for chlamydia testing, retesting in young women
April 1st 2012Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends annual chlamydia screening for sexually active women aged 25 years and younger, data from 2006 to 2008 show that only 30% of those aged 15 to 19 years reported having had a chlamydia test within the past year.
Nurse-initiated treatment improves ED outcome for children with asthma
March 29th 2012Children who present to the emergency department (ED) with moderate to severe acute asthma symptoms and receive oral corticosteroids from ED nurses show improvement earlier, are discharged sooner, and are less likely to be admitted to the hospital than children who are not treated until after assessment by the ED physician. Find out how a medical directive allowing nurses to initiate oral corticosteroid treatment significantly improved the efficiency of a pediatric ED.
Pediatricians should recognize symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest, AAP says
March 29th 2012Pediatric care providers should be familiar with the warning signs and symptoms of pediatric sudden cardiac arrest and ensure that those at risk are referred to a pediatric cardiac center for evaluation, according to a new policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Learn why a comprehensive family history is critical in identifying individuals at risk.
Long-term survival increases in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia
March 29th 2012Five-year survival for acute lymphoblastic leukemia among children and adolescents treated through Children's Oncology Group clinical trials increased from 83.7% from 1990 to 1994 to 90.4% from 2000 to 2005, according to a study showing similar gains in 10-year survival. The researchers credited the advances to treatment that comes as part of rigorous clinical trials.
Misinformation limits teens' access to emergency contraception
March 29th 2012Although emergency contraception (EC) is safe, effective, and widely available, misinformation communicated by pharmacies to adolescents and their physicians can make it difficult for teens to obtain EC in a timely manner. Do you know how to counter the misinformation and help your patients access EC?
Simple steps can reduce children’s injury risk
March 22nd 2012A study based on a nationally representative sample showed that, on average, 1 child younger than 5 years is treated in an emergency department every 6 minutes for a stair-related injury. See what simple precautions can be taken to reduce the number of injuries.