Tackling back pain in a young athlete
November 1st 2005Today's focus on intense, specialized sports training at younger ages means that children are increasingly susceptible to back injury. The authors provide an overview of the diagnosis and treatment of back pain in child and adolescent athletes, including conditions to consider in the differential.
A new leader assumes the reins at AAP
October 11th 2005Eileen Ouellette, MD, JD, of Newton Center, Mass., today began her role as the 2005-2006 President of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), based in Elk Grove Village, Ill. Dr. Ouellette is the AAP's fourth woman president since it was founded in 1930.
Allergic conditions exact a heavy toll, says specialist
October 11th 2005Allergic diseases are the sixth leading cause of chronic disease in the United States and cost the health-care system more than $18 billion a year. But despite the seriousness suggested by these numbers, many people don't understand how deflating allergies can be to quality of life for patients and families, according to Mark Boguniewicz, MD, professor at Denver's National Jewish Medical and Research Center.
Ten strategies to make the care of children safer
October 10th 2005Despite the best efforts of clinicians, accidents still occur in pediatric care settings. Speaking from the American Academy of Pediatrics' Conference and Exhibition in Washington, D.C., this week, Marlene Miller, MD, MSc, and Uma Kotagal, MD, MBBS, MSc, presented an audience of pediatricians with 10 strategies for improving the safety of that care in inpatient and outpatient settings, based on their experiences and studies.
Is there really "one-stop shopping" for a physician's medical reference needs?
October 10th 2005It isn't exactly news: For the past few years, a commercially available device has helped physicians, nurse practitioners, medical students, residents, and pharmacists, quickly obtain the medical information in the palm of their hand. That handheld device is the personal digital assistant known as Epocrates Essentials, delivering information to clinicians on drugs, diseases, and diagnostics.
Study: Ritalin effective in preschoolers with ADHD
October 10th 2005The longest and most complex study of methylphenidate (Ritalin) in preschool children shows that it can be safe and effective for some children in that age group who have attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), according to the study's lead author.
What it means for a child to have gay parents
October 10th 2005Do children who have been raised in a gay or lesbian household have problems with school or their personal and social relationships? What are the implications of marriage for these children? Those questions were discussed today during a special scientific forum at the AAP's National Conference.
New program aims to meld violence prevention into routine care
October 10th 2005Six years in the making, a program that gives pediatricians tools to help families protect their children from violence has been launched by the AAP. The Academy's program, "Connected Kids: Safe, Strong, Secure," made its debut Monday at the AAP's National Conference and Exhibition.
A novel means to stop bleeding
October 9th 2005For patients with a bleeding disorder, including frequent nosebleeds or a low platelet count, or who are on a blood-thinning medication, a new product can stop bleeding almost instantly, according to the claim of its manufacturer, Biolife, made at AAP 2005 National Conference and Exhibition. Quick Relief Powder (QR) works as a powder bandage, creating a scab around the wound to stop bleeding quickly and protects the wound from infection, irritation, and contamination.