Clinical Tip: The straw that breaks the pill-swallowing impasse
I have helped many children learn to swallow pills by passing along this tip to parents: Have the child place one M & M mini candy on the side of her tongue. Then instruct her to drink her favorite beverage from a glass with a straw. The child will be amazed to discover that she has swallowed the candy along with the drink-and not felt a thing! Most children easily learn to swallow larger pills using the straw technique, then give up the straw altogether.
Anne C. Autry, MDCincinnati, Ohio
Artificial intelligence improves congenital heart defect detection on prenatal ultrasounds
January 31st 2025AI-assisted software improves clinicians' detection of congenital heart defects in prenatal ultrasounds, enhancing accuracy, confidence, and speed, according to a study presented at SMFM's Annual Pregnancy Meeting.
