News

Adolescent survey for transition of care

A10-year-old boy was brought to a medical mission clinic in Roaring Creek, Belize, for evaluation of bald spots on his head. The mother reported that the bald areas seemed to be worsening because of the child's uncontrollable desire to pull out his hair.

One week earlier, a 14-month-old girl with a history of eczema was evaluated because of a diffuse rash of excoriated lesions, some of them purulent. She was afebrile. Worsening eczema with secondary infection was diagnosed. Treatment with oral clindamycin was prescribed. At follow-up, the lesions had worsened. The child had multiple excoriated papules, some of which had coalesced into plaques. She also had two 5-mm vesicles on her right shoulder. Eczema herpeticum was diagnosed clinically. Culture of the vesicles later grew herpes simplex virus (HSV).

A 9-month-old girl was brought to the emergency department (ED) byher mother for abdominal distention, progressive failure to thrive, diarrhea,and occasional vomiting.

This thumb anomaly in a 16-month-old boy was noted within the first month of life. The mother heard an occasional popping sound when trying to straighten the thumb. The infant also had subcoronal hypospadias. He was otherwise healthy.

The clinical diagnosis of influenza is often challenging, especially in young children. Thus, pediatricians often use in-office rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs) to confirm clinical suspicions of influenza.

Researchers have long known that treatment with second-generation antipsychotic agents is often associated with weight gain in adults. This association has now also been demonstrated in pediatric patients treated with these agents.

Pharmacotherapy, namely the stimulant medications methylphenidate (MPH) and amphetamine (MAS) and the nonstimulant medication atomoxetine (Strattera), is the recommended treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

To encourage accurate and early identification of children with delays, disabilities, and emerging problems, in 2006 the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) updated its policy statement on developmental surveillance (DS) and screening to include a decision-making paradigm.

A new study has demonstrated that millions of US children may have low levels of vitamin D.

Chronic abdominal pain is a common problem in children, but a recent study demonstrated that the use of home-based guided imagery can alleviate pain and improve quality of life in these patients

An adolescent girl seeks medical advice for managing recurrent nodules on her ear lobes. The diagnosis is keloids.

The world's best-known pediatrician, by a country mile, is still Benjamin Spock, MD, the author of The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved several agents for use in pediatric patients, including a new cervical cancer vaccine and a seasonal influenza vaccine.

Profiles of exam table paper, baby bottles, nasal plugs.

Although the use of acetaminophen along with vaccination may reduce the incidence of fever in pediatric patients, a new analysis has demonstrated that this practice may also reduce the effectiveness of the vaccines.

Letter about smoking and web poll data.

Pediatric patients undergoing tonsillectomy are often given antibiotics after surgery to reduce pain. A new study has demonstrated that a 3-day course is as effective as a 7-day course.

A collection of links for all of the past CP Links in one spot.

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has released new recommendations for school meal programs, setting maximum calorie levels for breakfast and lunch and recommending that the sodium content of meals should be gradually reduced over the next 10 years.

An article published in Contemporary Pediatrics 25 years ago instructed pediatricians on medications to treat attention deficit disorders (ADD). Their observations were so perceptive that, with a few tweaks, they could be republished as a 2009 update on attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

A 12-month-old boy apparently had a seizure. He is no longer seizing and is reportedly stable.

The infant who arrives for medical care after an apparent life-threatening event (ALTE) presents the pediatrician with a host of uncertainties

Adolescent and young adult patients need help with the process of transitioning to adult care, in which patients are more responsible for their own healthcare.

Journal research looks at elevated BP in children who snore, leading treatments for lice and cause of colic.

A collection of links for the most current, comprehensive information on H1N1.

An editorial that examines the current status of H1N1 in the medical setting.

Dr Bhagwan Das Bang received the Pediatric Hero Award at The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference & Exhibition (NCE) in Washington, DC today (October 20, 2009).

Timothy Culbert, MD, and Rebecca Kajander, MPH, CNP, nearly put the audience to sleep at their October 18th interactive workshop, “Replacing Pills with Skills.” But that was just what they had hoped would happen!The two staff members from the Integrative Medicine Program at Children’s Hospital and Clinics in Minneapolis demonstrated-and then had the audience practice-a variety of self-care techniques that can be taught to children to help them manage common health problems, such as pain, insomnia, anxiety, and nausea.

Attorney General Eric Holder made a surprise appearance at Monday morning’s (Oct. 19) plenary session to talk to attendees at this year’s AAP Convention about the problem of children’s exposure to violence – and what pediatricians can do about it. His impassioned speech was met with a standing ovation from the packed DC Convention Center ballroom.