Are parents receptive to counseling about firearm safety?
February 1st 2017Results of a survey of more than 1360 parents conducted in pediatricians’ waiting rooms found that 75% of parents agree that pediatricians should advise about safe storage of firearms; those who disagreed were likely to be firearm owners.
Tight, shiny membrane encases newborn’s skin
February 1st 2017After a cesarean delivery at 30 weeks, a 1430-gram premature female neonate was noted to have generalized thick, dark brown scale forming a tight membrane over her entire skin surface. Her mother was a healthy 19-year-old gravida 1 with normal prenatal screening ultrasound and laboratory studies. Family history did not reveal any congenital malformations or genetic disorders.
Get smart about metabolic syndrome!
February 1st 2017As pediatricians we are all too aware of our nation’s struggle with childhood overweight and obesity. Approximately 1 of every 5 children that we see in the office every day is obese. Despite tremendous efforts to reverse this trend, it is clear we are in this battle for the long haul.
Factoring the metabolic X syndrome
February 1st 2017Although there is debate surrounding the definition of metabolic X syndrome in pediatrics and there are few long-term studies of outcomes in children with metabolic syndrome, pediatric metabolic syndrome needs to be on the radar of all pediatricians interested in ensuring a healthy adult life for their patients.
Kid safety on the slippery slopes
January 24th 2017In their article, “Kid care on the slopes,” in the latest Contemporary Pediatrics, Drs. Brown and Fishman draw on their many years of caring for kids in Colorado ski country to provide this special primer on managing pediatric injuries sustained while skiing and snowboarding.
Medication or placebo to prevent migraine?
January 1st 2017A trial comparing amitriptyline, topiramate, and placebo for prevention of migraine in children and adolescents with a history of migraine found that all 3 had about the same effect on reducing headache frequency or headache-related disability.
Effective early autism intervention has long-term impact
January 1st 2017A follow-up trial conducted 6 years after the conclusion of a randomized controlled trial of early intervention in autism spectrum disorder demonstrated that the intervention had a long-term effect on autism symptoms and continued effects on parent and child social interaction.
Concentration matters in newer urinalysis techniques
January 1st 2017In a retrospective study of 27,000 infants aged younger than 3 months evaluated for urinary tract infection (UTI) with paired urinalysis and urine culture, investigators set out to determine the optimal urine white blood cell (WBC) threshold for UTI when using an automated urinalysis system stratified by urine concentration.
Cures Act covers vaccines, ACIP, and more
January 1st 2017A congressional fact of life is the dangerous “Christmas tree” bill, which passes with so much on it that many things don’t get the scrutiny they deserve. The 21st Century Cures Act, signed into law by President Obama on December 13, 2016, is such a bill.
Possible link between unhealthy prenatal diet and ADHD
January 1st 2017A longitudinal study examined the relationship between prenatal or postnatal high-fat, high-sugar diet and symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children who demonstrated either early-onset persistent conduct disorder or minimal conduct problems.
Improve your practice: Facilitate patient access
January 1st 2017A major dilemma for patients is simply how to access good care that is both convenient and affordable. To thrive in these challenging times, practices should consider all options to facilitate patient access. If you have an open mind, you may even consider changing your “traditional” practice to one that provides “direct primary care.”
Small-for-age toddler is unable to walk
January 1st 2017A 22-month-old African American boy born at 38 weeks by normal vaginal delivery presents to a local hospital from a private pediatric office for failure to thrive. He was seen by his pediatrician until aged 1 month but was lost to follow-up. His delay in walking prompted his mother to reestablish care at age 22 months.