Articles tagged with Pediatrics
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.
A computerized safety checklist reduced rates of serious hospital-acquired infections by threefold, according to a Stanford/Packard study. The system automated data from patients' electronic medical records and alerted caregivers to follow national guidelines, improving compliance with best-care practices.
Research published in Pediatrics shows that premature babies who hear more adult talk in the NICU have higher language and cognitive scores at 18 months. The study found that every increase in adult word count per hour during the recording period was associated with a two-point increase in the language score.
Studies reveal that infants with a heartier appetite grow more rapidly, potentially putting them at increased risk for obesity. Additionally, children with lower satiety responsiveness are more likely to have genetic predisposition to obesity, highlighting potential targets for pharmacological and behavioral interventions.
A longitudinal study by Boston Children's Hospital reveals that the negative effects of bullying can accumulate and worsen over time. The study found that children who experienced chronic bullying reported poor mental and physical health, including depressive symptoms and difficulties engaging in physical activities.
Research suggests common infections increase stroke risk in children by six times, but routine vaccinations can help decrease this risk. The study found that childhood vaccinations were associated with a lower stroke risk, particularly for those who received all or most vaccines.
Hal Dietz, a Johns Hopkins pediatric cardiologist and geneticist, has been recognized for his groundbreaking work on Marfan syndrome. He identified the cause of the rare genetic disease and found that losartan can attenuate overgrowth of the aorta.
A new study by the University of Michigan finds that pediatric providers are using less effective screening tests for type 2 diabetes in children, leading to potential missed diagnoses. The new American Diabetes Association guidelines have been criticized due to lower test performance and increased costs for non-fasting tests.
Using point-of-care ultrasound for suspected appendicitis in kids has been shown to reduce emergency room length of stay by 46% and avoid unnecessary CT scans. The study found no cases of appendicitis were missed, and surgeons became more comfortable using ultrasound for decision-making.
A study published in Neuron has identified a small protein, Endothelin-1, that can be targeted to promote repair of damaged brain tissue in multiple sclerosis patients. The molecule inhibits myelin repair, and blocking it or using genetic approaches may help restore myelin in the brain.
A large-scale study found that almost 90 percent of children with low-grade gliomas are alive 20 years after treatment, with a significant difference in survival rates between those who received and did not receive radiation. The study highlights the importance of reducing long-term toxicity risk when treating these tumors.
A new study found that financial and social hardships are a major contributor to hospital asthma readmissions among black children. Nearly 23% of black children were re-admitted within a year, compared to 11% of white children.
A meta-analysis study found that more than half of parents underestimate the weight of their overweight or obese child, regardless of age or obesity rates in their area. Parents' perceptions about their children's weight become more accurate with age.
A group of experts has proposed concrete steps to prevent and manage drug shortages, including sharing scarce drugs and giving equal priority to patients. The 'blueprint for action' aims to move away from reactive strategies and focus on prevention, ensuring life-saving medications are accessible to children with cancer and beyond.
A new diagnostic tool, PERSEVERE, has been developed to predict mortality risk in children with septic shock. The tool, which measures five biomarkers and combines patient information, estimates the probability of survival and helps guide treatment decisions.
The landmark DCCT and EDIC studies are marking their 30th anniversary, with a new focus on refining self-monitoring and exploring the effects of glucose control on cognition. Intensive management is critical for preventing complications of type 1 diabetes.
About 20 children per day are hospitalized due to firearm injuries in the US, resulting in 453 deaths annually among those under 20. The most common types of firearm injuries include open wounds, fractures, and internal injuries.
Rhabdomyosarcoma is a pediatric soft-tissue cancer characterized by two distinct genotypes. The disease was found to have a relatively low number of somatic mutations compared to birth DNA alterations. Key genes, such as NRAS and KRAS, were identified with frequent mutations.
A new study reveals substantial geographic variation in waiting times for children needing kidney transplants, with local organ supply and demand affecting outcomes. The findings suggest that a broader geographic sharing of kidneys is necessary to address these disparities.
Researchers at Stanford Medicine found a new way to boost survival of pediatric patients whose hearts stop while hospitalized. The new training approach, which includes everyone who responds to a pediatric code event, resulted in a 60% increase in survival rates compared to the national average.
A study found that most pediatric primary care practitioners are reluctant to prescribe antidepressant medications to adolescent patients, even in severe cases. PCPs who had access to on-site mental health care providers and were more knowledgeable about depression were more likely to prescribe antidepressants.
A study found that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) reduced headache frequency and disability in children with chronic migraine. CBT was more effective than headache education, with 86% of participants experiencing a 50% or greater reduction in headache days.
A new study from Boston Children's Hospital found that a quality, payment initiative positively impacted pediatric care by improving preventive and acute care quality for the sickest pediatric patients. The study showed that children with chronic illness experienced higher quality gains.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) have identified a new technique that reduces postoperative pain in children following high-risk urology surgeries, resulting in less need for pain medicine. The study evaluates continuous infusion of local anesthesia using the ON-Q pain relief system and shows promising results.
The American Academy of Pediatrics urges consumption of only pasteurized dairy products, citing bacterial infections risks. Studies show equivalent nutrient levels in raw and pasteurized milk, but pasteurization prevents severe illnesses.
A new analysis found that children aged 6 to 11 years on the waiting list have similar mortality rates to older candidates, contradicting earlier data suggesting higher death rates. The study helps inform ongoing discussions about potential changes to the US lung allocation policy.
A Johns Hopkins study found hospitalized children are at high risk of life-threatening blood clots, particularly those with multiple medical conditions or central venous catheters. The research highlights the need for vigilant monitoring and preemptive treatment to prevent these clotting risks.
A pilot program using telehealth technology found that pediatric patients were satisfied with their virtual appointments, considering them just as good as in-person visits. The program also showed positive outcomes in BMI scores and blood pressure normalization, making it a promising tool for overcoming barriers to care.
The study aims to determine the prevalence of pediatric chronic fatigue syndrome in over 20,000 Chicago area youth ages 5 to 17. Chronic fatigue syndrome is an illness affecting close to 1 million Americans, causing significant impairment in physical functioning and daily activities.
The Philadelphia Pediatric Device Consortium, led by CHOP and Drexel University, aims to address the shortage of medical devices designed for children. With a $1.5 million FDA grant, the consortium will provide expertise, seed funding, and business support to translate innovative ideas into practical devices.
Research analyzed top-grossing children's movies from 2006-2010, finding 70% included weight-related stigmatizing content. The study also reveals that 26% of movie segments showed exaggerated portion sizes and 51% depicted unhealthy snacks.
A nationwide study led by Children's Mercy researcher found that adding a monoclonal antibody called gemtuzumab to standard chemotherapy significantly reduced the risk of relapse and increased disease-free survival rates in children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The treatment was most effective in patients at high risk of relapse.
A new guideline recommends most immunocompromised patients receive annual influenza shots, while those with cancer or undergoing chemotherapy should not. The guideline aims to provide 'one-stop shopping' for clinicians caring for immunocompromised patients.
Research reveals racial disparities in pediatric liver transplant survival, with higher graft and patient survival rates among white children. Socioeconomic differences also contribute to these disparities, highlighting the need for further investigation and intervention.
Researchers at Children's National Hospital have discovered two distinct subtypes of pediatric diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPGs), a type of brain stem tumor that is almost always lethal. The study found that these subtypes are associated with poorer overall survival rates, particularly for patients with histone 3 mutations.
Javad Nazarian, a Children's Research Institute researcher, has received a $99,979 grant to study pediatric diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) using proteomics and RNA sequencing. The goal is to understand the molecular biology of this lethal childhood cancer.
A study by researchers at Henry Ford Hospital found that while minimally invasive nephrectomy is gaining popularity, it still accounts for less than 10% of pediatric kidney surgeries. The majority of procedures are performed on children under age one and those with benign conditions.
Researchers found a sharp downward trend in ear infection visits between 2004 and 2011, coinciding with the advent of PCV-13 vaccine in 2010. This trend was most pronounced in children under 2 years old. The study suggests that medical interventions, especially vaccines, have reduced the burden of otitis media in US children.
A new study published in Human Genetics found that 180 DNA variants predict tall stature in Europeans with an accuracy of 0.75.
A national survey of pediatricians found that many order few genetic tests, don't discuss risks and benefits, and take limited family histories. The study highlights the need for robust education, access to resources, and improved electronic health records systems to enhance integration of genetic medicine into routine primary care.
A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that pregnant women exposed to phthalates are at a higher risk of preterm birth. The study analyzed urine samples from 130 women with preterm birth and 352 control participants, revealing an association between increased phthalate metabolite concentrations and higher odds of preterm birth.
The Child Health Improvement through Computer Automation (CHICA) system has improved autism screening rates by identifying at-risk children at the 24-month visit. This personalized and automated patient screening process prompts pediatricians to follow up in needed areas, leading to timely diagnosis and treatment.
A groundbreaking global study on preterm birth and disability has found baby boys are at a higher risk of death and disability due to preterm birth than baby girls. The study reveals that boys are 14% more likely to be born preterm than girls, with disabilities ranging from learning problems and blindness to deafness and motor problems.
A multi-institutional study recommends cutting inpatient mortality for pediatric cardiac surgery patients by limiting clinical experience to less than two years. Nurse education preparation at the baccalaureate level or higher also improved mortality rates.
Diagnosing influenza with a rapid test reduces the need for unnecessary antibiotics, lab tests, and antiviral medications. It also increases the prescription of antiviral drugs, leading to more targeted and efficient care in emergency departments.
The Department of Defense has awarded Nemours a $3.9 million grant to evaluate how physicians use best practice guidelines and strategies to maintain clinical skills. The study will examine patterns in physicians' types of cases and their variability in practice for certain targeted medical conditions.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is active in many difficult-to-treat pediatric brain tumors, offering a potential new target for treatment. Blocking this pathway with an experimental drug reduced tumor growth by up to 73% in laboratory studies.
A Swedish study found that birth before 32 weeks is associated with increased risks of retinal detachment in childhood, adolescence and young adult life. The research indicates the need for ophthalmologic follow-up in children and adults born extremely and very prematurely.
A telemedicine program called HEALTH-COP improved health outcomes for children with obesity in rural California. Clinicians learned how to better assess patients' weight, provide nutrition and physical activity counseling, and implement strategies to change lifestyle behavior.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that 17.9% of adolescent boys in the US are extremely concerned about their weight and physique, leading to increased risk of drug use and binge drinking. Boys focused on muscularity were more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors.
Dr. Noel's landmark study with the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition documented a drastic increase in cases of kids swallowing powerful neodymium magnets. His work led to recalls, lawsuits, and increased awareness about the dangers of these magnets.
Over 15 million children are exposed to intimate partner violence annually, with significant health consequences. Healthcare providers can mitigate this impact by screening for IPV and collaborating with community programs.
A Stanford-led study of pesticide exposure and hypospadias in male infants found only weak evidence of an association. The researchers analyzed thousands of birth records and commercial pesticide application records for eight counties in California's Central Valley, identifying 15 chemicals with possible associations with the condition.
A new smartphone-enabled otoscope attachment and app has been shown to accurately diagnose acute otitis media (ear infections) in children. The device provides high-quality video images of the ear drum, allowing for better understanding of the child's diagnosis and treatment.
The study found that children under 14 are four times more likely to be shot at home and are much more likely to arrive by ambulance than older teens. Older teens often walk in or are dropped off at emergency department entrances.
Research finds that early skin-to-skin contact in the delivery room significantly increases exclusive breastfeeding rates, particularly when mothers intend to breastfeed exclusively. Skin-to-skin contact and maternal intention are strongly associated with successful breastfeeding outcomes.
A study by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that different helmet brands and custom mouth guards did not reduce concussion risk in high school football players. The study tested various mouth guard brands, including custom-fit mouth guards, and new and older football helmets.
A recent study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that young athletes who spend twice as much time in organized sports than free play are more likely to be injured. The study also found that those who specialize in a single sport for extended periods are at a higher risk of overuse injuries.
A study found that pediatricians can successfully promote safe driving agreements between teens and parents using a web-based Checkpoints TM program. Nearly 4,000 parents were reached, resulting in over 2,100 website visits and an average of 3.5 minutes spent on the site.