Articles tagged with Pediatrics
Pediatricians in a telemedicine service face difficulties diagnosing from a distance, managing patients' expectations, and working alone. To overcome these challenges, they use intuition, experience, and protocols, highlighting the need for special skills and training.
Nationwide Children's Hospital has launched an initiative to treat a neighborhood as a patient, targeting 'neighborhood effect syndrome' with housing development and community engagement. The Healthy Neighborhoods Healthy Families program has seen measurable improvements in housing stock, youth emotional health, academic performance, a...
The Philadelphia Pediatric Medical Device Consortium has awarded seed grants to six companies developing medical devices for children, including an airway clearance system and a vision acuity test. These innovative devices aim to address unmet clinical needs in pediatric care, such as cystic fibrosis and urinary flow disorders.
The Pediatric NEXUS Head Computed Tomography Decision Instrument (DI) reliably guides blunt trauma imaging decisions and may decrease head CT imaging in low-risk pediatric populations. The study found that the decision instrument could significantly reduce head CT utilization by up to 34%.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has published a clinical practice guideline on the use of actigraphy in evaluating adult and pediatric patients with suspected sleep disorders. Actigraphy is recommended as a useful tool for gathering objective data on sleep habits, but not used as a substitute for polysomnography.
A new study by Vanderbilt University found that opioid treatment programs in Appalachian states have limited capacity, with only 50% accepting insurance. Pregnant women are particularly excluded, with shorter wait times only when accepted to treatment programs.
A new study found that young adults with incarcerated parents are more likely to skip healthcare, engage in risky behaviors, and develop physical and mental health conditions. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to mitigate the effects of parental incarceration on youth behavior.
A new study from the University of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences reveals that parents who experienced severe childhood trauma are more likely to have children with behavioral health problems. The study found a strong association between parents' adverse childhood experiences and their children's behavioral health issues, par...
A study by Stanford researchers found that physician burnout is equally, if not more, responsible for medical errors as unsafe work environments. The study suggests that addressing burnout among healthcare providers is crucial to reducing medical errors and improving patient safety.
A new computational strategy using Bayesian analysis and CRISPR/Cas9 screening technology has identified 29 genetic changes contributing to rhabdomyosarcoma, a common childhood cancer. The study suggests potential treatments for the disease and provides a general approach for identifying oncogenic drivers in other cancers.
A therapist-based intervention significantly reduced dating violence perpetration and depression symptoms in teens. The study found a 47% lower rate of self-reported dating violence among participants who received the intervention compared to those without one.
A survey of 1,167 parents of children with Down syndrome found that 49% give or have given supplements to improve their child's health. The most popular supplement categories include antioxidants and vitamins, but some products pose unknown health risks due to lack of regulation.
A study by Sapienza University of Rome found that children of same-sex parents had fewer reported difficulties and normal scores in psychological adjustment compared to children of different-sex parents. Family functioning, particularly for gay fathers, was also better among same-sex parents.
Researchers found that children with multiple allergies are nine times more likely to develop eosinophilic esophagitis. The study suggests a common underlying biological cause among these allergies and implies that early treatment of one allergy may prevent later disorders.
A NIH-funded study of 91 youth ages 10-19 found that neither initial treatment with long-acting insulin followed by metformin, nor metformin alone preserved the body's ability to make insulin. Metformin did show modest improvement in blood glucose levels.
Researchers found exponential growth in pediatric Lyme disease cases from 2003 to 2013 in western Pennsylvania, shifting from rural to non-rural areas. Children with Lyme disease were more likely to be seen by primary care providers for late-stage symptoms such as arthritis.
A study of 829 adolescents found that both short sleep duration and poor sleep efficiency are associated with increased abdominal fat deposition and cardiometabolic risk. In contrast, longer sleep duration and higher efficiency were linked to reduced waist circumference, lower blood pressure, and improved HDL cholesterol levels.
A study has identified genetic variants associated with an increased risk of developing pediatric nephrotic syndrome, a debilitating kidney disease in children. The findings could lead to new diagnostics and treatments.
A new study finds that a fruit and vegetable prescription program can significantly increase shopping at farmers' markets among caregivers of children living in poverty. The program, implemented in Flint, aims to address food insecurity by providing access to fresh produce.
Researchers found that honey and sucralfate significantly reduce morbidity and mortality from highly caustic batteries. Ingesting honey before removing a button battery may protect against serious injuries in small children. The study's findings will inform clinical practice and guidelines for managing button battery ingestions.
A study published in Communications Biology has linked the protein PARP1 to an aggressive form of pediatric liver cancer called hepatoblastoma. Researchers found that inhibiting PARP1 slowed or stopped cancer progression in laboratory tests, providing a potential treatment target for this disease.
A study published in JAMA Ophthalmology found that US pediatric eye injuries decreased by 26.1% from 2006 to 2014. Most of these injuries had a low risk of causing permanent vision loss. In contrast, sports and household-related injuries increased, while motor vehicle crashes, gun-related incidents, and chemical burns declined.
Dr. Peña has made significant contributions to pediatric surgery, particularly in treating anorectal malformations and other congenital anomalies of the pelvis. His work introduced the posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (PSARP) procedure, widely adopted by top surgeons worldwide.
According to a new study published in Pediatrics, adolescents with severe obesity should not be excluded from weight loss surgery due to pre-existing psychiatric disorders. The research found no association between pre-operative psychiatric diagnosis and post-surgical weight loss outcomes, suggesting that bariatric surgery can be equal...
A free tax preparation program in pediatric clinics helped over 753 clients receive $1.6 million in federal tax returns, with a significant improvement in tax filings and client knowledge about the EITC. The program also reduced financial stress for low-income families and maximized their tax refunds.
A consensus statement from pediatric and law experts defines abusive head trauma (AHT) as a medical diagnosis, not a legal determination. Key findings include few infants with AHT having isolated injuries without retinal hemorrhages or other signs of abuse.
A new study found that even parked in the shade, vehicles can reach lethal temperatures for a child in under two hours. The research highlights the importance of awareness and prevention measures to prevent pediatric vehicular heatstroke.
A study found that higher local temperatures and population densities are associated with increased antibiotic resistance in common bacterial strains. The findings suggest climate change could be compounding an increase in antibiotic resistance, posing a significant threat to public health.
Infant formulas with fructose or sucrose pose a risk to babies with hereditary fructose intolerance, who may experience acute liver failure if fed these sweeteners. Parents can avoid this risk by switching to formula without fructose and labeling products with explicit warnings.
A new Vanderbilt-led study published in Pediatrics found that hospitalizations for suicidal thoughts or attempts among school-age children have increased by over 100% since 2008. The study, which analyzed data from U.S. children's hospitals, also revealed seasonal trends in encounters, with peaks during the fall and spring months.
A recent study published in Pediatrics found that no single category of intervention was effective in reducing hospital readmission for children with asthma. However, multimodal interventions that combined multiple categories showed promise in reducing the risk of readmission between 30 days and one year after initial discharge.
A new preclinical study finds that early BPA exposure may slow heart rates, cause irregular rhythms and calcium instabilities in developing hearts. The research highlights the need for alternative biomaterials to improve patient safety outcomes.
Researchers found a significant association between oral antibiotic use and an increased risk of developing kidney stones in children and adults. The study suggests that disruptions in the intestinal and urinary microbiome may contribute to the occurrence of kidney stones.
A new study examines how a novel approach to patient safety, Safety II, impacts patient safety in high-performing units. The study identified key domains and behaviors that contribute to low adverse drug event rates, including innovative approaches such as out-of-box thinking.
A review of nearly 500 patient cases shows that surgery can cure virtually all patients with focal congenital hyperinsulinism. Surgery also prevents complications in patients with the diffuse form, where defective insulin-producing cells occur throughout the pancreas.
A study found that children hospitalized for unintentional injuries have a 63% increase in mental health diagnoses and a 155% increase in medications prescribed to treat mental illness. Children under four years old with burns and head injuries are at greatest risk.
A survey of patients with type 1 diabetes on a very-low-carbohydrate diet found exceptional blood-sugar control with few complications, including lower rates of hypoglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis. The researchers call for controlled clinical trials to test the diet's safety and efficacy.
A new study found that increased childhood stress negatively impacts school performance, while strong protective factors lead to better outcomes. The research analyzed over 65,000 children aged six to 17 and discovered a significant correlation between adverse childhood experiences and poor academic performance.
A recent study found that late preterm infants (LPTs) are at a higher risk of morbidities and hospital stays due to their physiological immaturity. The research investigated the role of indications of delivery in determining common neonatal morbidities, with results showing that LPTs experience different outcomes despite experiencing s...
Researchers found that children exposed to SSRIs before birth had better executive functions, even after controlling for mother's mood. The study suggests a potential developmental advantage but also raises concerns about increased anxiety.
A new study examines the effectiveness of the ScreenQ tool in measuring screen-based media use in children. The research found that the ScreenQ demonstrated strong internal consistency and good reliability.
A study found that only a minority of transgender teens and their parents are willing to delay hormone therapy to preserve fertility, with parents being significantly more likely to consider this option. The majority of youth and parents cited wanting more information as a major factor in their decision.
A new study found that abused rural children are younger, more likely to have public insurance, and live in zip codes with lower median household incomes. The study used the 2012 Kids' Inpatient Database and U.S. Census data to analyze rates of child physical abuse hospitalizations across urban-rural categories.
A survey of pediatricians found that delays in receiving influenza vaccine from private and VFC stock pose problems, with 56% delaying vaccinations for patients whose vaccines are out of stock. This highlights the need for systematic changes to address these delays and increase uptake of influenza vaccine among children.
A recent survey of 582 adolescents aged 13-17 found that nearly half reported not being asked about sex by their primary care providers, while only 13% received sexually transmitted infection screening. Meanwhile, 90% of parents reported discussing sex with their adolescents, but only 39% reported the same.
States with stricter firearm laws have lower rates of firearm-related deaths in children, according to a new study. The research found that states requiring universal background checks for firearm purchase had significantly lower median mortality rates compared to those without such laws.
A new study found that almost half of pharmacies in Texas have an age requirement for purchase and over half require consultation prior to buying emergency contraception. The study also revealed inadequate pharmacy staff knowledge about the effective use of levonorgestrel (LNG) 1.5mg oral tablet, a common form of emergency contraception.
Researchers used eye tracking to assess receptive language in typically developing children and those with neurodevelopmental delay. The study found that eye tracking can be a feasible tool for evaluating word comprehension in young children, with significant implications for diagnosing developmental delays.
Research finds that placental ALLO levels increase during pregnancy, especially in preterm births, which may affect fetal brain development. Higher ALLO levels have been linked to improved neurological outcomes in some cases.
A new study examining factors associated with sexual coercion among 10th graders in a rural high school found that sexual coercion was reported by 18 percent of students. The research identified predictors including age, race, ethnicity, prior substance use, and controlling relationship behaviors.
Two new studies reveal increased trends in medical claims by transgender youth and the need for more training among pediatricians. Researchers found that primary care pediatricians have poor knowledge of existing guidelines, but expressed high levels of interest in additional training.
A new study found that longer maternity leave duration increases breastfeeding success throughout the first year of life in military populations. Active duty mothers under a 12-week policy had a significant increase in breastfeeding duration and exclusivity, while no difference was seen with a six-week policy.
A new study found that hospitals caring for seriously ill children rely heavily on public payers like Medicaid and CHIP. The research suggests that reducing federal funding for these programs could destabilize specialty care referral networks, particularly affecting privately-insured children with chronic conditions.
Immune cells called innate lymphoid cells have been found in human breast milk, which may help protect newborns from infection and aid in the development of their own protective immune system. The presence of these cells in breast milk is more evidence of the benefits of breastfeeding.
A recent study found that hepatitis C cases among infants are increasing due to the opioid epidemic, with a significant proportion remaining undiagnosed. The study suggests that improved screening and testing protocols are needed to address this growing public health concern.
Dr. Paul Offit, Director of Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, receives the 2018 Albert B. Sabin Gold Medal for his groundbreaking work on an oral rotavirus vaccine that has saved thousands of children's lives globally. He is recognized for his tireless advocacy for immunization and leadership in promoting...
According to a nationwide analysis, approximately 2.6 million American children and adolescents had diagnosed anxiety and/or depression in 2011-12. This represents about 5.3% of the population, with current anxiety or depression affecting around 65,000 parents about their children aged six to 17 years.
Researchers found variations in immune cells in children from higher vs lower socioeconomic status families. This disparity affects asthma control and suggests a link between socioeconomic factors and immune system dysfunction.
The new American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines have led to an increase in the prevalence of elevated blood pressure among US children. This is largely due to the exclusion of overweight or obese children from normal blood pressure charts and revised diagnostic thresholds aligned with adult definitions.
A smartphone app designed to promote proper child car seat use has been shown to improve safety practices among parents. The app, Safety in Seconds v2.0, was tested in a randomized controlled trial involving over 700 participants and reported significant improvements in several child car seat behaviors.