Articles tagged with Pediatrics
A new mobile app provides effective support for children with obesity by tracking their weight development in real-time and offering personalized care. The app achieved twice the weight loss results compared to conventional care, particularly benefiting adolescents who were previously difficult to reach with behavioral therapy.
St. Jude researchers will present novel treatments for pediatric brain tumors, including a response rate of 86.8% for high-risk neuroblastoma patients. The hospital will also share findings on disparities in survival rates and improve childhood cancer outcomes worldwide through the World Health Organization Global Initiative.
Between 2017 and 2019, more than 1 million US youth aged 14 to 17 years became new daily tobacco users, with three-quarters of them vaping e-cigarettes daily. The majority of these young users were introduced to JUUL products, which had high nicotine concentrations and youth-appealing flavors.
Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital and MIT designed an oil-based gel system, oleogel, to deliver medications to children with swallowing difficulties. The system has been shown to be compatible with most drugs and can facilitate drug uptake at levels comparable to solid tablets.
Children previously infected with COVID-19 or MIS-C are not protected against the newer Omicron variant. However, vaccination shows protective effects, according to a study published in Nature Communications.
Children from marginalized groups and those with public insurance had poorer five-year survival rates, even when receiving standardized treatment. The study highlights the need for healthcare delivery and supportive care interventions to mitigate racial and ethnic disparities in childhood cancer.
A new study found that unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions for nonhospitalized children resulted in 2.8 million cases of avoidable infections, costing the US at least $74 million. Children prescribed inappropriate antibiotics were up to eight times more likely to develop complications such as diarrhea and skin rashes.
Pediatric pathologists have discovered a new, aggressive subtype of liver cancer in children, characterized by molecular features that don't fit existing classification models. The tumors are less responsive to chemotherapy and have poor outcomes, prompting the development of a diagnostic algorithm to guide specialized treatment.
A study published in PLOS ONE identified a biomarker panel that could help predict gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in early pregnancy, potentially reducing its impact on mother and baby. Researchers found distinct expression of microRNA genes in extracellular vesicles isolated from maternal blood samples taken during the first trim...
A study led by Tel Aviv University researchers reveals a common mechanism underlying genetic mutations associated with autism, schizophrenia, and other neurological disorders. The discovery points to an experimental drug developed by the team as a potential treatment for these conditions.
A study by researchers at UCSF found that e-cigarette use costs the US $15 billion annually in healthcare expenditures, with each user paying around $2,000 extra per year compared to non-users. The study, published in Tobacco Control, highlights the growing concern over health care costs associated with e-cigarette use.
A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics examines the association between patient race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic disadvantage with missed telemedicine visits for pediatric patients during COVID-19. The findings suggest that these factors disproportionately contribute to higher no-show rates among disadvantaged populations.
A new study by McGill University researchers has shed light on the complex relationships between concussion symptoms and brain damage in children. The findings suggest that certain combinations of brain injury can lead to specific symptoms, such as attention difficulties and sleep problems.
A recent cohort study found that previous cardiovascular conditions, including heart surgery and heart failure, were associated with increased COVID-19 severity in US pediatric patients. The study highlights the importance of pre-existing medical conditions in determining COVID-19 outcomes in children.
The COVID-19 pandemic saw a devastating rise in adolescent mental health crises, with 60% of admitted patients exhibiting suicidal ideation or attempting suicide. Mental health admissions increased for depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and substance-related disorders, particularly among girls.
A new perspective published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition recommends strategies to prevent future shortages and regain public trust. Strategies include a thorough, public process to instill confidence in safe production, assessment of supply system factors, and evaluation of business practices.
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine found that COVID-19, MIS-C and Kawasaki disease share similar underlying molecular patterns. The study reveals that MIS-C is a more severe version of the immune response than KD, with potential implications for improved disease diagnosis and treatment.
A study published in the Journal of Surgical Research found that e-cigarette explosions caused 15 traumatic injuries in children between 2016 and 2019. The devices' use of inferior quality batteries prone to explosion puts users at risk of severe injuries, including burn wounds, jaw fractures, and eye damage.
A low-cost ventilator prototype has been developed, making it accessible to all, including adults and children, with a potential price tag of USD $1500. The PVP1 project aims to provide a pressure-controlled ventilator research platform for compatible adult and pediatric uses.
A national study of over 170 pregnant women found rising exposure to potentially harmful chemicals from plastics and pesticides. Latinas had higher levels of parabens, phthalates, and bisphenols, which may be linked to increased risk during fetal development.
A study of 72,000 pediatric encounters found that non-Hispanic Black children were more likely to be readmitted within a year due to diabetic ketoacidosis. Healthcare disparities persist among racial and ethnic groups in pediatric care, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions.
A review of over a decade of data from the HOLBAEK Study reveals wide range of obesity-related complications present at young age, including dyslipidaemia and sleep apnoea. The study also found family-based weight management programmes to have positive effects on overweight and related complications.
A new study found that endurance exercise improves mitochondrial function in some patients with primary mitochondrial diseases, but not others. The research highlights the importance of considering individual genetic status when recommending exercise as therapy.
Canadian and German researchers have identified personalized prescriptions that combine drugs to treat obesity and Type 2 diabetes. The combination therapy shows higher effectiveness in some patients and fewer side effects compared to single drugs. Studies are now needed to understand why individuals respond differently to the treatment.
Researchers used gene therapy to recover the TCF4 gene's function in human brain tissue, rescuing neural structure and function in brain organoids. The study offers promising insights into treating neurological disorders like autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia.
A study of nearly 9,000 children found that those on a vegetarian diet had similar measures of growth and nutrition compared to those who eat meat. Children with a vegetarian diet also had higher odds of underweight weight status.
Researchers developed a decision support program to reduce blood draws in pediatric intensive care units (PICU), leading to reduced antibiotic prescriptions without increasing sepsis risk. The program resulted in significant reductions in blood culture rates and unnecessary medication use.
A new supplement in Pediatrics suggests that early life interventions can improve later health outcomes and address pressing concerns around youth mental health. The Life Course Intervention Research Network calls for a major focus on supporting children's positive health development and sense of well-being.
Researchers developed a new method using actigraphy to monitor sleep-wake cycles in children with brain injury during inpatient rehabilitation. The study found lower rest-activity ratios, suggesting poorer sleep-wake regulation and lower functional status.
A study found that pediatric transplant patients attend on average less than one appointment per year after transferring to adult care, resulting in longer hospital stays and poorer health outcomes. Maintaining regular appointments is crucial for continued transplant success, according to the researchers.
The Pediatric Academic Societies 2022 meeting will feature over 60 specialties presenting on various topics, with 500 hours of content available. The event will also include keynote speakers and a full scientific program with oral abstract presentations and posters.
A new study from Boston Medical Center found that COVID-19 infection during pregnancy is associated with elevated inflammatory markers in infants, potentially impacting growth and brain development. Researchers emphasize the importance of COVID-19 vaccinations for pregnant women to avoid long-term adverse consequences for their infant.
A team of UTHealth Houston researchers has been awarded a $2.85 million NIH grant to study a new technique assessing cerebrospinal fluid in babies with hydrocephalus, which affects 400,000 newborns globally each year.
Researchers aim to improve pediatric heart transplant outcomes by identifying how certain drugs work and developing new medications to prevent damage to transplanted hearts. The studies will focus on a recently identified population of immune cells, MAIT cells, to adjust medication dosages and minimize side effects.
A study using Ohio license data found that mandatory driver education, including behind-the-wheel training, reduces crash rates among novice drivers under 18. The research suggests reevaluating comprehensive licensing policies to keep young drivers safe.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in mental health visits in pediatric primary care, with significant rises in eating disorders and mood disorders. The study highlights the importance of screening and managing youth mental health conditions in primary care during periods of social isolation.
The study compares current recommendations for ventilation and chest compression versus ventilation during neonatal resuscitation using an ovine model. The findings suggest that optimizing ventilation could reduce the need for chest compressions and improve gas exchange in neonates, potentially improving overall outcomes.
A new study examines the effect of rapid infusion of sodium bicarbonate on gas exchange and coronary and cerebral perfusion in the immediate post-resuscitation phase. The study found that rapid administration led to a significant rise in myocardial and cerebral perfusion, as well as higher levels of exhaled carbon dioxide.
A new study examines factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and uptake in the autism community, revealing that early skepticism waned over time. The majority of caregivers eventually received the vaccine following FDA approval. Firmly held vaccine-hesitant beliefs influenced a minority of autism spectrum disorder caregivers.
A study found that fetuses with single-ventricle congenital heart disease are more susceptible to social-emotional problems compared to those with two-ventricle congenital heart disease. Infants with impaired prenatal brain growth also experience worsened language, cognitive, and motor outcomes by 18 months.
Researchers investigated the use of intranasal human milk as a stem cell therapy for preterm infants with intraventricular hemorrhage. The study found that preterm infants could tolerate nasal milk therapy without major safety events, paving the way for further research on long-term outcomes.
A randomized controlled trial found that furosemide increases the risk of electrolyte adverse events but no difference in hearing loss or nephrocalcinosis was observed. The study suggests caution when using furosemide in preterm infants at high risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
A randomized clinical trial found that outreach messages were minimally effective at promoting scheduling of adolescent well care visits, but had limited impact on completing visits. Efforts to address widening disparities are needed.
A study examines adolescent perspectives on TikTok's mental health benefits and risks, including how the algorithm enables unique connections with peers around interests and mental health struggles. Participants also discussed excessive use, peer comparison, and challenges in regulating their TikTok use.
Researchers found no evidence that early selective treatment with ibuprofen reduces death or moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia in extreme preterm infants. However, treatment reduced the risk of an open patent ductus arteriosus and surgical treatment for a symptomatic PDA.
Firearm-related deaths have surpassed car accidents as the leading cause of death among children under 19, with a widening racial gap. Secure gun storage counseling and hospital-based violence intervention programs show promise for prevention and reduction of all three categories of gun violence.
Scientists have developed novel methods to study human brain cell migration during fetal development by tracking genetic mutations in healthy adult individuals. This allows for the first time to reconstruct brain development and provide key findings on cell type origins and hemisphere separation.
A new study from the University of Georgia found that only about one-third of infants enrolled in WIC meet the daily recommendation for vitamin D by 13 months. Experts recommend increased education and supplementation to address this issue, which can lead to diseases like rickets and Type 1 diabetes.
A new Michigan Medicine study found that for children with a pelvic tilt and lower lumbar spine tilt of fewer than 10 degrees, the pelvis did not need to be included when inserting growing rods. This could help avoid painful complications such as skin breakdown and infection.
A study from the University of Pittsburgh found that methionine restriction can slow down the growth of difficult-to-treat brain tumors in children, known as diffuse midline gliomas. The researchers discovered that these tumors are uniquely dependent on methionine, an amino acid, and that depleting it can repress cancer cell growth.
CHOP researchers have developed a targeted treatment that controls blood sugar in patients with hyperinsulinism, a genetic disease. The study found exendin-(9-39) reduces likelihood of fasting hypoglycemia by 76% and protein-induced hypoglycemia by 82%
A recent study found that COVID-19 spreads extensively in households, with approximately 50% of household members infected from the first-infected individual. Children were less likely to spread the virus but equally likely to become infected as adults, highlighting their potential role in transmission.
A new study found that older children (6–12 years, 13–17 years) and those with high inflammation markers were at highest risk of severe MIS-C. Gastrointestinal symptoms and cardiac involvement were common in affected children.
Pediatric cancer patients from lower- and middle-income countries faced a higher risk of all-cause mortality than those in high-income countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study found that patients in LMICs had 35.7 times the risk of all-cause mortality compared to those in HICs.
Scientists have constructed a detailed map of lung development after birth, providing insights into the genetic and epigenetic factors that affect lung health. The study used next-generation single-cell sequencing technologies to analyze over 80,000 human and mouse lung cells, revealing clues on how cell types communicate and develop.
The RACE Act has led to an increase in required studies for cancer drugs targeting molecular targets relevant to pediatric cancer. Since its implementation, 42.9% of approved drugs have been required to conduct pediatric studies, up from 8.3% before the act.
The UCF-developed real-time blood monitor uses an optical fiber to assess blood status and can be inserted directly into heart-lung machines or catheters without withdrawing blood from patients. This device has been shown to save doctors critical time during life-or-death operations, particularly in surgeries on infants.
Disparities in social determinants of health affect people with congenital heart disease, leading to unequal access to care. Strategies to address these issues include increasing specialist availability and improving telehealth capabilities.
A virtual cooking/nutrition program, Flint Families Cook, demonstrates success in reaching youth from low-income families and improving cooking self-efficacy and nutrition knowledge. The program encourages families to cook healthy meals together at home, using local ingredients.
Researchers at MUSC have developed a device to remove toxic chemotherapy drugs, such as doxorubicin, from the blood after cancer treatment. The device uses heat and an activated carbon filter to effectively remove the drug, potentially reducing harmful side effects.