How substandard housing affects children's health
October 1st 2000Recognizing that a child?s substandard home may be the cause of his or her asthma attacks, lead poisoning, or injury is the first step toward bettering that child?s health. The second step is to help the family access available resources for improving the home environment.
Is it an endocrine disorder or a "non-disease"?
October 1st 2000Children referred for evaluation of an endocrine disorder often turn out to have findings that merely mimic the suspected disease. Early identification of these nondiseases can save patients and parents a lot of unnecessary testing and worry. First of two parts.
Autistic spectrum disorders: When traditional medicine is not enough
October 1st 2000Vitamins and supplements, special diets, and other nontraditional treatments for ASD are becoming increasingly popular. To advise families, pediatricians need to be knowledgeable about the efficacy and side effects of these therapies.
"At least it's natural...." Herbs and dietary supplements in ADHD
September 1st 2000Parents increasingly are turning to alternative therapies to manage their child's ADHD. This review of the pharmacology an toxicology of the most popular herbs and dietary supplements for treating ADHD and what the literature shows about their efficacy should help you advise parents.
Infection control in the office: Keeping germs at bay
September 1st 2000Minimizing the risk that your patients and employees will acquire a contagious disease in your office demands diligent infection control. This review summarizes guidelines and offers recommendations that can reduce the spread of infection?from what soap and lotion to use for handwashing to what immunizations your office staff need.
Hemolytic uremic syndrome: Reducing the risks
September 1st 2000Though not as deadly as it once was, HUS remains a serious threat to young children, with a real risk of dangerous complications. Continuing outbreaks caused by E coli O157:H7 highlight the need for accurate diagnosis, intensive supportive care, and effective prevention.
Diagnosing and treating adolescent endometriosis
September 1st 2000Not at all rare in teens, endometriosis is sometimes severe even in early adolescence. Accurate and early diagnosis is important so you can start treatment before this disease affects reproductive potential. Family history is one red flag.
PANDAS? Or PAND? Or both? Or neither?
August 1st 2000Pediatricians increasingly are being asked about PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococci) by parents who read about this entity on the Internet and in the lay press. An association with group A streptococcal infection remains to be confirmed.
Pediatric sedation : Seeing patients safely through
August 1st 2000In the last few years, a growing number of physicians have started using procedural sedation and analgesia to help children tolerate unpleasant therapeutic and diagnostic procedures. This review will familiarize you with the sedatives used, when and how they're administered, and what type of monitoring patients require.
What every pediatrician needs to know about lung transplants in children
August 1st 2000Despite some formidable obstacles, lung transplantation has become an accepted treatment for children with end-stage lung disease caused by conditions such as cystic fibrosis. Do you have a patient who could benefit?
Back to basics: Caring for the newborn's skin
August 1st 2000Parents look to pediatricians for advice on bathing their newborn and avoiding diaper rash. Discolorations and lesions (usually benign) are another concern. This review also updates the best way to care for the umbilical cord and addresses special skin-care considerations in premature infants.