Misuse of Legal Drugs Raises Drug Abuse Risk
March 3rd 2008College students who report non-medical use of prescription drugs are more likely than those who have only used such medications for their intended purpose to test positive for drug abuse, according to a report in the March issue of the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.
Internet Can Help Combat Teens' Binge Eating
March 3rd 2008Teenagers who start the day with breakfast are more likely to maintain a healthy body mass index, while Internet-based programs can successfully help adolescents avoid binge eating and maintain a healthy weight, according to two studies published in the March issue of Pediatrics.
Clinical Tip: Preventing labial adhesions during catheterization
March 1st 2008I work in a pediatric emergency department, and nurses frequently tell me they are unable to catheterize female infants and toddlers due to labial adhesions. Since we need to obtain sterile catheterized specimens for workups for fever, here is an easy way to remove adhesions.
Measuring bone density in children (CME)
March 1st 2008Growing bones and shifting hormone levels make determining a child's bone density much like hitting a moving target. Fortunately, technologies are evolving to make this measurement more accurate. Evidence on which patients warrant this procedure is also building.
Radiographic Findings in Child Abuse
March 1st 2008These images were obtained from a 5-month-old boy who was brought to the emergency department (ED) by his parents who noted new-onset rectal prolapse. The prolapse promptly recurred following initial successful reduction under sedation in the ED. A surgical consultation was obtained and abdominal radiographs were requested.
The Benefits of Frequent Family Meals
March 1st 2008In today's hectic world, where parents and children alike are rushing fromone activity to the next, it is difficult to get meals organized-let alone tofind time to eat together as a family. While this only gets more complicatedas children reach their adolescent years, recent studies have stressedthe importance of these joint meals, especially for teenagers.
Maternal Antibodies May Play Role in Autism
February 29th 2008Mothers of children with autistic disorder tend to have antibodies that react differently against fetal brain tissue than women with unaffected children, according to research released online in December in advance of publication in the Journal of Neuroimmunology.
Childhood Immunization Rates in Britain Could Be Better
February 29th 2008Although the majority of British children are immunized with the combined measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, a substantial proportion remain susceptible to infection due to the conscious decision of their parents not have them immunized, according to an article published Feb. 28 in BMJ Online First.
Obese Hispanic Adolescents Have Subclinical Inflammation
February 28th 2008Overweight Hispanic children and adolescents with normal glucose tolerance have higher levels of plasma markers of endothelial dysfunction and inflammation as well as high blood pressure, high triglycerides and insulin resistance, researchers report in the March issue of Diabetes Care.
Cystic Fibrosis Incidence Decreasing in Massachusetts
February 27th 2008Fewer newborns are being born with cystic fibrosis in Massachusetts, a decrease that researchers attribute to increased preconception and prenatal screening for the genetic disease, according to an article published in the Feb. 28 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Obese Children More Likely to Have Anesthesia Trouble
February 27th 2008Anesthesia providers should be aware of perioperative complications that are more likely to occur with children who are obese, including major oxygen desaturation and critical airway events, according to research published in the March issue of Anesthesiology.