Articles tagged with Pediatrics
A study published in JAMA Dermatology found that high-quality photographs taken by parents with their smartphones can accurately diagnose pediatric skin conditions without an office visit. The results showed a 83% agreement between photograph-based and in-person diagnoses, paving the way for improved access to care through telemedicine.
The UC Davis Department of Pediatrics has received a $2 million grant to fund a new telemedicine program for children in remote communities. The program will provide physiatry care for kids with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and other disabilities, improving quality of life and preventing complications.
A recent analysis by the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health found that when low-income parents enroll in Medicaid, their children have a significantly higher chance of receiving annual well child visits. These visits are crucial for growth and development, immunizations, and proper nutrition and child behaviors.
A national survey of pediatric primary care physicians found that while most address at least one parental health issue during child health visits, fewer feel responsible for doing so. The study highlights the need to better understand how health systems can support current practices and improve parental health promotion in pediatrics.
A recent Vanderbilt University Medical Center study found that combination therapy with azithromycin is unnecessary in most cases of pediatric pneumonia. The study of 1418 children showed no significant differences in outcomes between patients treated with a single antibiotic versus a combination of antibiotics. The researchers argue t...
A new federally funded program aims to strengthen development of innovative pediatric medicines and devices by incorporating best practices and novel approaches. The Institute for Advanced Clinical Trials for Children will lead the initiative, which includes several other organizations committed to children's health.
Researchers are developing a universal influenza vaccine that would protect against all strains of flu globally. Current vaccines have varying effectiveness, with some years seeing only 10% effectiveness.
The US FDA has awarded a grant to I-ACT for Children to establish an alliance among leading institutions and health systems to address gaps in pediatric clinical trials. The network aims to improve the efficiency of trials through innovative design, operational efficiency, and stakeholder engagement.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that e-cigarette users who vaped with higher nicotine concentrations were more likely to use combustible cigarettes and experience intense vaping. The research suggests regulatory policies addressing nicotine concentration levels may affect progression of smoking and vaping among adolescents.
A study published in Pediatric Blood and Cancer found proton therapy to be as effective as photon radiation while improving quality of life for pediatric head and neck cancer patients. The treatment resulted in similar rates of tumor control and lower rates of toxicity, with no severe side effects reported.
Childhood low-grade gliomas, the most common type of brain tumor in children, exhibit distinct biological differences driven by mutated genes. These findings may guide personalized treatments for individual patients and provide insights into developing more effective anticancer therapies.
A three-year trial will examine a new transplantation approach to cure patients with sickle cell disease using a matched related donor. The goal is to find a well-tolerated and safe cure for children with the disease.
Researchers developed a growth-accommodating implant that can expand in tune with a child's natural growth, decreasing the number of heart surgeries a child must endure. The novel design, inspired by nature, could also be adapted for other growth-accommodating implants throughout the body.
A new growth-accommodating implant designed for cardiac repair in children can reduce the number of surgeries needed over time. The implant, developed by researchers at Boston Children's Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital, uses a biopolymer core that degrades predictably, allowing it to grow with the child.
The Philadelphia Pediatric Medical Device Consortium has awarded $50,000 in seed grants to Voxello and InfraScan for developing speech-generating systems and handheld scanners for detecting intracranial bleeding in children.
The committee's efforts focus on increasing the number of sites hosting research studies, expanding potential study volunteers, and reducing duplicated efforts. By leveraging public-private partnerships, they aim to develop effective medicines for children with kidney disease.
A randomized experiment found that children who watched a PG-rated movie clip containing guns played with a disabled real gun longer and pulled the trigger more often than those who saw the same movie without guns. Children who saw the movie containing guns also played more aggressively and sometimes fired the gun at people.
A large study found that families of children treated with ECMO for heart conditions report positive outcomes regarding health and physical limitations. However, a higher rate of medical and behavioral issues were revealed through more detailed questioning, including learning disabilities in over 50% of patients.
The study found that modifying diet or adding moderate exercise can improve chemotherapy efficacy independent of weight loss. Obesity is on the rise in pediatric cancer patients, with lower survival rates and higher relapse rates compared to non-obese patients.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has released its first clinical report on tattoos and piercings, providing guidance for pediatricians on body modifications. The report highlights potential risks and complications, including infection, and emphasizes the importance of proper care and caution when getting a tattoo or piercing.
A recent study found that nearly one-quarter of school nurses reported administering epinephrine shots, often by nonmedical staff or students without known allergies. The survey also revealed that 10.8% of students with severe allergic reactions required more than one dose before emergency responders arrived.
A study presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics conference found a significant rise in pediatric patients testing positive for opioid addiction or dependency in US emergency departments. The number of ED visits by children aged 21 and younger increased from 32,235 in 2008 to 49,626 in 2013.
New research highlights the dangers of sliding down playgrounds with young children on your lap. The study found that most injuries occur when a child's foot catches on the edge and twists while sitting on an adult's lap, resulting in leg fractures.
Pediatric emergency departments are more likely to use ultrasounds over CT scans to diagnose abdominal pain in children due to reduced radiation exposure. According to the study, general emergency departments still rely heavily on CT scans for this purpose.
A new study found that overall child passenger safety education programs are successful, with improved placement of infants and toddlers in car seats. The research reviewed trends in child safety practices from 2009-2015 and identified areas for improvement, such as increasing top tether use and booster seat use.
A new study finds that many pediatric emergency department physicians do not discuss firearm injury prevention when discussing overall injury prevention issues. Despite the importance of primary prevention, only half as many clinicians provide counseling on firearm injury prevention compared to other topics.
Research highlights the disparity in firearm injury rates among pediatric populations in urban and rural settings. Teenagers living in urban areas are disproportionately affected by firearm assaults, whereas children in rural areas face a higher risk of accidental firearm injuries. Accidental injuries were the leading cause of hospital...
A study by Nemours Children's Health System found that telemedicine visits for sports medicine appointments saved patients and families an average of $50 in travel costs and 51 minutes in waiting time. Each telemedicine visit also reduced the health system's costs by $24 per patient.
A new study found that female youth soccer players who participate in only one sport, such as soccer, experience worse mood, stress levels, fatigue, and soreness compared to those who play multiple sports. Despite getting similar sleep hours, specialized athletes reported lower sleep quality.
A study by Children's National Health System researchers found that regions with stronger firearm legislation had lower rates of Emergency Department visits for pediatric firearm-related injuries. The majority of these injuries were accidental, affecting children aged 6-10 most severely.
Research reveals that nearly half of colonia residents live in severely overcrowded environments with poor infrastructure, leading to chronic diseases and mental health issues. The study aims to raise awareness about the need for public policies and interventions to buffer the effects of poverty on these communities.
A study of 108 child patients found that 76% sustained at least one bone fracture, with skull fractures accounting for nearly half of all fractures. Children under 16 years old should not drive golf carts, and those using them should do so at cautious speeds.
The Asking Saves Kids (ASK) campaign has been shown to increase caregivers' comfort level in asking about guns in a home where their child plays. A study presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics conference found that after ASK education, 85% of caregivers felt comfortable asking about guns, up from only 44% before.
Girls are significantly more likely than boys to return to play the same day after a soccer-related concussion, with over half of female athletes resuming play within 24 hours. This finding highlights the need for improved education and awareness among parents, coaches, and medical staff to prevent premature returns to play.
A new study examines cell phone ownership among children in third to fifth grades and finds that they are more likely to be victims of cyberbullying. Cell phone owners, especially in grades 3 and 4, were significantly more likely to report being cyberbullied. The study suggests that continuous access to social media increases online in...
Researchers identified four key themes in mannequin design, including flexible vocal cords, realistic color change, step-by-step training, and more natural movements. The findings aim to improve clinical competency and optimal clinical outcomes for pediatric residents.
The presentation aims to help pediatricians understand that immigration-related issues can impact children's mental health and overall well-being. Clinicians can support immigrant children by understanding their unique needs, exploring legal options, and bridging from neutral starting points to clinical care.
A new study reveals that post-surgical painkiller prescriptions can become a pathway to continued, nonmedical opioid use in teens and young adults. The research found that nearly 5% of patients who underwent common surgeries had persistent opioid use after 90 days.
A new study found that immigrant parents reported fewer potentially health-harming adverse childhood experiences, such as abuse, violence, or divorce, compared to native-born Americans. The researchers suggest that immigrants may experience different forms of stress early in life than those born in the US.
Research at the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference & Exhibition found that green schoolyards improve heart health, mental health, weight management, ADHD, and stress among children. Green schoolyards provide opportunities for active outdoor play, relaxation, and community engagement.
Researchers found that regions with higher Brady Gun Law Scores, indicating stricter gun laws, had lower rates of firearm-related emergency department visits among children and teens. The Northeast region had the lowest rate of 40 injuries per 100,000 visits, while the South had the highest rate of 71 injuries per 100,000 visits.
A new genomic profiling study has identified genetic alterations in 96% of brain tumors in children, including genes that can be targeted with specific treatments. The study found distinct patterns of mutations between low-grade and high-grade gliomas, which could lead to more effective treatment options for these patients.
A new research network, led by CHOP and Penn Medicine, aims to identify strategies to prevent kidney stone recurrence. The PUSH study tests personalized fluid goals, financial incentives, and health coaching to reduce stone recurrence over a two-year period.
A study of nine young athletes found that contact drills involving multiple players led to the highest number of head impacts, while open-field tackling resulted in high-magnitude impacts. The study suggests modifying or eliminating certain drills from practice sessions to reduce injury risks.
A Massachusetts law restricting ORV use to 14-year-olds led to significant reductions in emergency department visits and hospital admissions. The study found ORV-related ED visits dropped 50% among children aged 10-13, while hospitalizations decreased by 41% for all children under 17.
A multi-center study found significant racial and ethnic differences in antibiotic prescribing for viral acute respiratory tract infections in pediatric Emergency Departments. Non-Latino white children were nearly twice as likely to receive antibiotics, while Latino and black children received lower rates of unnecessary prescriptions.
The Childhood Solid Tumor Network offers a vast collection of pediatric solid tumor samples, drug-sensitivity data, and related information to researchers worldwide. This resource has significantly expanded scientific resources for pediatric solid tumor research, enabling the study of rare cancers like osteosarcoma and retinoblastoma.
The Southern California Consortium for Technology and Innovation in Pediatrics (CTIP) has awarded $165,000 in seed grants to accelerate projects improving the safety and delivery of care to infants and children. The funded projects focus on developing innovative medical devices to address unmet needs in pediatric care.
A new study found that flu vaccination rates for children may have decreased due to the unavailability of a nasal spray vaccine. The study, published in Vaccine, analyzed data from 9,591 pediatric patients and found that without the option of the nasal spray, total influenza vaccination rates were 1.6% lower in 2016-17 than in 2015-16.
A clinical trial demonstrates the safety and efficacy of magnetic resonance-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (MR-HIFU) for treating osteoid osteoma, a benign but painful bone tumor in children. The procedure eliminates incisions and ionizing radiation exposure, offering a faster treatment option with improved outcomes.
The new guidelines offer a series of evidence-based recommendations for pediatricians, including routine blood pressure measurements only at annual wellness visits and using ambulatory blood pressure monitors. The report also removes obese patients from normal blood pressure calculations, replacing them with average-weight kids to prev...
A new framework allows physicians to tailor radiation dose to achieve optimal image quality for pediatric patients. The framework considers the interdependency of quality, dose, and size, providing a basis for optimizing individual scan parameters.
A new study from McGill University Health Centre highlights significant gaps in transition care services for young adults with diabetes in Quebec. Pediatric care providers reported lack of standardized policies and limited communication between settings, underscoring the need for targeted interventions to improve the transition process.
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia will lead a collaborative effort to discover causes of childhood cancer and structural birth defects using big data. A centralized database and discovery portal will be created to share well-curated clinical and genetic sequence data from dozens of cohorts, comprising thousands of patients.
Researchers found that age and tumor type are key factors in initial denial, with cancers outside brain/spine denied 4.5 times more frequently. Despite this, 97% of cases were overturned on appeal, highlighting the need to streamline the appeals process.
A new automated system for measuring nighttime oxygen levels could help diagnose sleep apnea in children who snore. The approach was most accurate for children with severe apnea and detected 90% of those with severe disease. The test is simple, inexpensive, and can be performed at home using a pulse oximeter.
Alex Huang, MD, PhD, receives funding to continue fighting childhood cancer with a focus on immune system activation and tumor evasion strategies. The award supports breakthrough research at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and the National Cancer Institute's 'moonshot' initiative.
The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation has awarded four young pediatric cancer researchers with nearly $1 million in funding. The award supports innovative research into prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of one or more pediatric cancers.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends focusing on clusters of cardiometabolic risk factors, such as high blood sugar, hypertension, and obesity, to identify overweight or obese children at highest risk for cardiovascular and metabolic complications. Pediatricians should target youth with multiple component risk factors for more...
A new study found that civil unrest after Freddie Gray's death led to a significant spike in maternal depressive symptoms and concerns about daily routines. The research suggests chronic stress may undermine young children's health and well-being, highlighting the need for policies to protect mothers and children from community violence.