Articles tagged with Pediatrics
A study implemented an electronic tool to review pediatric patients' medication history at admission, reducing medication errors by 50%. The tool improved recording of medication history from 89% to 93% and decreased error rate from 5.9 to 2.5 errors per 1,000 admissions.
A study found that premature birth between 34-36 weeks' gestation results in differences in brain structure and cognitive skills compared to full-term births. Late preterm children showed more social, behavioral, and academic problems, as well as slower processing speed and difficulties with visuospatial reasoning.
New research highlights stigma as a primary cause of bullying and ostracism in children's mental health, linked to depression, anxiety disorders, and lower quality of life. Experts will discuss prevention and intervention strategies at the Pediatric Academic Societies meeting.
A study of over 16,000 patient visits found that physician practice facilitation led to significant improvements in pediatric preventive medical care delivery. Practices with early intervention saw a sixfold increase in obesity screening and a 20-fold increase in fluoride varnish application compared to those without intervention.
A recent study found that rates of infant immunization with pertussis-containing vaccine did not increase during a pertussis epidemic in Washington state. Despite high risk, vaccination rates remained stable before and during the epidemic, suggesting that conventional wisdom about vaccine acceptance may be challenged.
The American Academy of Pediatrics hosts a symposium on firearm injury prevention in children, highlighting the need for high-quality research to inform policy change. New studies will focus on epidemiology, risk factors, preventable accidents, and counseling programs.
A survey of young adults and parents found that many young parents use e-cigarettes to reduce harm to others, while also believing they are less harmful than regular cigarettes. The study highlights concerns about the risks of e-cigarette use and exposure to vapor, particularly among nonsmokers.
A new study shows that children with vesicoureteral reflux who receive antimicrobial prophylaxis have a substantially reduced risk of UTI recurrences compared to those receiving a placebo. The study found that prophylaxis was most effective in children with fever and bladder/bowel dysfunction at baseline.
A recent study found that approximately 200,000 high school students who are bullied bring weapons to school. The researchers discovered that youths who have been victimized in multiple ways are up to 31 times more likely to carry a weapon on campus than those who have not been bullied.
Pediatricians using motivational interviewing techniques successfully reduced children's body mass index (BMI) percentiles over a 2-year period. The study, conducted with the American Academy of Pediatrics, found that this approach can be a powerful tool to help healthcare practitioners address child obesity.
A recent study found that nearly half of physicians surveyed believe ADHD stimulant medication diversion is common among teens, while most have never received training on the topic. This lack of knowledge and expertise can lead to ineffective prevention strategies, posing health risks to patients.
Using substances at school is linked to increased odds of serious health risks such as depression and intimate partner violence. Students who used alcohol or marijuana on campus had a higher chance of experiencing these issues compared to those who used substances only out-of-school.
Despite recommendations for safer sleeping, infant deaths continue to occur due to bed sharing and prone sleeping. A study found that 18% of parents share a bed with their infants, with black families at higher risk.
A recent study found that supine sleeping, which reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), is less common among preterm infants than full-term babies. Only about two-thirds of term infants nationwide are placed on their backs to sleep, and this rate is even lower for preterm infants.
A recent study by pediatricians found that children who played non-educational games on touch-screen devices had lower verbal scores upon testing. In contrast, playing educational games showed no significant difference in developmental scores.
Abnormal lipid values occur in 1 in 5 U.S. children and adolescents, associated with cardiovascular disease in adulthood. Testing rates increased only slightly from 2.5% in 1995 to 3.4% in 2010, highlighting a low rate of cholesterol testing among children and adolescents.
Researchers found that nightmares or night terrors are more common in children who reported being bullied, indicating significant distress. The study suggests that parents and healthcare providers should be aware of this potential indicator of bullying and consider it when assessing a child's mental health.
A study of over 1,000 mothers found that many families are not following recommended safe infant sleep practices, including high-risk behaviors like bed sharing and stomach sleeping. The rates were highest among black and Hispanic families, highlighting a need for targeted interventions to reduce infant mortality.
A recent study by the American Academy of Pediatrics reveals that African-American and Afro-Caribbean youth face racial discrimination, which is associated with an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and social phobias. The study found that experiences with discrimination were linked to higher rates of mental health problems in both...
A study found that maternal smoking during the first trimester is linked to an increased risk of congenital heart defects, particularly among older women and heavy smokers. The research suggests that smoking during pregnancy may account for up to 1-2% of all heart defects.
Higher rates of binge drinking among lesbian and gay adolescents may be linked to minority stress caused by discriminatory experiences, leading to poor health outcomes. The study found internalized homophobia and community connectedness as significant predictors of binge drinking.
Research shows that childhood poverty can lead to adult poor health through epigenetics and toxic stress. The American Academy of Pediatrics is working to address this issue through policy, education, and healthcare reform.
A study found that children in an obesity intervention who lived closer to a supermarket ate more fruits and vegetables. The distance from a supermarket affected the success of the interventions, with those living farther away experiencing larger increases in body mass index.
A study found that nearly one in five Ivy League college students misused prescription stimulants to help them study and write papers. The misuse was often viewed as a common occurrence on campus, with 37% of those who used stimulants believing more than 30% of their peers had done the same.
A new study reveals that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are more likely to experience gastrointestinal (GI) complaints, including constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. The research highlights the need for standardized screening instruments and clinical guidelines to detect and address GI symptoms in ASD patients.
A new poll found that 53% of parents limit children's entertainment screen time by location, while 13% do not. Parents' views on reasonable screen time vary by age, with 88% of those with children aged 2-5 years old believing two hours or less daily is reasonable.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has issued updated policy statements recommending improved research and education on the treatment of children in urgent care centers. The guidelines emphasize the need for timely evaluation, stabilization, and transfer of children with emergencies, as well as consistent oversight and quality monitoring.
A new study by UCLA psychologists found that girls who are told they are too fat at age 10 are more likely to be obese at age 19. The researchers also found that the number of people telling a girl she is fat increases her likelihood of obesity.
Researchers applied NASA's threat and error model to pediatric cardiac surgery, identifying 763 threats in 524 'patient flights.' Most errors led to cycles of additional error, causing progressive loss of safety margins and harming patients. Optimizing communication and resource utilization can improve error rescue and patient outcomes.
The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation is launching a three-year training program for nurse midwife technicians in rural Malawi to address the critical shortage of health care workers. The program aims to provide quality HIV and health services to rural communities, with support from the US CDC through PEPFAR.
Dr. Carol D. Berkowitz receives 2014 Ray E. Helfer Award for her work on detecting child abuse and neglect, with a focus on improving healthcare system protection for children.
A new study from UCSF found that codeine is frequently prescribed to children in US emergency rooms, with up to 877,000 prescriptions per year. The researchers recommend using safer alternatives like ibuprofen or hydrocodone, and changing prescribing patterns to reduce codeine use.
Researchers have identified two biomarkers, head circumference and head tilting reflex, to screen for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) at 9 months old. The study found that these infants were at risk for ASD or developmental language delay if they had a head circumference above the 75th percentile or failed the head tilting reflex test.
Depressive symptoms increased by 68% in young fathers over the first five years of fatherhood. Early intervention is crucial to help young men transition through this critical period and mitigate the detrimental effects on their children's language, reading, and behavior development.
A Stanford-led study found that an empowerment program for adolescent girls in Kenyan slums sharply curtails rape and sexual harassment. Nearly 18% of participants had been raped before the program began, but after training, more than half fended off rape or stopped harassment, halting 817 assaults.
A pilot study found that children with uncomplicated acute appendicitis improved significantly with antibiotic treatment, with 93% showing improvement within 24 hours. The research suggests that antibiotics may be a successful alternative to surgery for this condition.
The Children's National team, led by Drs Yang Liu and Reuven Schore, will investigate novel approaches to address unmet medical needs of relapsed pediatric AML patients. They aim to develop a therapy that can eliminate leukemia stem cells, which are highly resistant to conventional chemotherapy.
A study of over 800 Swedish teenagers found no significant differences in fantasy content or attitudes towards pornography between boys and girls. However, the most sexually experienced adolescents showed a perception that both boys and girls are equally interested in sex.
The updated guidelines emphasize a multidisciplinary approach to care, targeting growth, neurocognitive development, quality of life, and risk for complications. Children's Mercy Hospital has led the Chronic Kidney Disease in Children study, identifying factors that lead to kidney disease progression in children.
Researchers found that integrating URI education into Early Head Start programs led to a decline in pediatric emergency visits and adverse care practices among predominantly Latino families. The intervention showed promise in addressing health literacy gaps, with significant reductions in over-the-counter medication misuse.
Researchers have discovered new mutations linked to high-grade glioma brain tumors in young children, which most often occur in the youngest patients. The study found that ACVR1 mutations were present in 32% of DIPG patients and NTRK fusion genes drove tumor development in non-brainstem HGGs.
A study in the Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics found a strong association between teen indoor tanning and unhealthy weight control behaviors. Females who used indoor tanning were more likely to report fasting, vomiting, or taking laxatives to lose weight.
A case report documents a 27-week-old premature infant's cardiopulmonary arrest after receiving Cyclomydril eyedrops during retinopathy of prematurity screening. Pediatric ophthalmologists should be equipped to handle such emergencies, as the eyedrops can cause serious side effects due to systemic absorption.
Miriam Hwang's article on longitudinal changes in medical complications in adults with pediatric spinal cord injury won the Ernest Bors, M.D., Award. The award recognizes excellence among young investigators pursuing careers dedicated to bettering lives of individuals with spinal cord injury.
A new study by Iowa State University found that limiting screen time yields multiple benefits for children, including improved sleep, academic performance, and reduced aggressive behavior. The study suggests that parents can make a significant impact on their children's health outcomes by setting limits on screen time and media content.
A study published in Neural Regeneration Research found that early rehabilitation significantly improved sensory function, motor function, and activity of daily living in pediatric children with spinal tumors. The research suggests that rehabilitation programs initiated earlier are effective in achieving functional independency levels ...
A new assessment tool for young adults with sickle cell disease has been developed to gauge their readiness for adult care. The tool, which was found to be effective in pinpointing areas of need, includes a comprehensive guidebook addressing personal concerns and knowledge gaps.
Pediatricians Rebecca H. Buckley and Jennifer M. Puck received the March of Dimes Lifetime Achievement Award in Genetics for laying the groundwork for early detection of severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID). Their research led to the development of a newborn screening test, significantly improving long-term survival rates.
A study of 12,712 children found that 30% had borderline or elevated total cholesterol, underscoring the importance of universal pediatric cholesterol screening. The findings suggest that adopting healthy lifestyle choices and regular screening can potentially stall vascular changes and reduce future disease risk.
A new study from Loyola Medicine found that only 10.3 percent of US children ages 6 to 18 are at risk for inadequate or deficient vitamin D levels under the Institute of Medicine guidelines. Children who are overweight, female, non-white, and between 14 and 18 years old are more likely to be at risk.
A randomized trial found that integrating brief behavioral and mental health programs in pediatric practices improved access to care, participation, and treatment completion. Pediatricians who received training reported increased confidence and efficacy in treating ADHD.
The prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, particularly ESBL-producing bacteria, is increasing in US children, raising concerns about dwindling treatment options. These infections can lead to longer hospital stays, higher healthcare costs, and increased mortality.
A study of 181 children with obesity aged eight to 17 years old found that up to a third could be classified as 'metabolically healthy,' meaning they're not at risk of developing insulin resistance or other obesity-related diseases. Lifestyle behaviors such as physical activity and diet played a crucial role in their health status.
Antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative superbugs are on the rise in US children, particularly those aged 1-5 years old. The prevalence of these bacteria increased from 0.28% to 0.92% between 1999 and 2011.
Research suggests that pediatric ACL surgeries are faster for those with commercial insurance and higher household incomes, leading to better outcomes and quicker returns to sports. This delay in treatment may increase the risk of additional knee injuries.
Researchers at CU Denver Anschutz Medical Campus will receive $3 million as part of a national effort to study pediatric stroke. The focus is on understanding mechanisms of injury, protection, and repair of the brain following stroke in children, with the goal of training a new generation of pediatric stroke physicians.
Researchers used innovative tools to detect a previously unknown gene mutation and initiate personalized drug treatment for a boy with uncontrollable seizures. Memantine was shown to have an effect in reducing seizure activity.
The American College of Surgeons publishes guidelines defining resources needed for effective and safe surgical care in infants and children. The recommendations are based on personnel, medical resources, and equipment, with three levels of care: Level I (highest), Level II, and Level III.
Children who outgrow one type of food allergy may develop another, more severe type to the same food. Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) can cause swelling and inflammation in the esophagus, leading to symptoms like weight loss and swallowing difficulties.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has updated its policy on the off-label use of drugs in children, offering guidance for physicians to ensure safe and effective treatment. The new recommendations aim to improve drug safety and efficacy in pediatric patients, particularly those with special needs or rare diseases.