Articles tagged with Pediatrics
Pediatric researchers identified gene variants that affect a child's need for pain-control drugs, suggesting personalized medicine for pain control. The study found associations between specific gene variants and increased postoperative pain in children.
A recent study published in Pediatrics found that young teens who received sexts were six times more likely to report being sexually active. Young teens who send over 100 texts a day also showed increased likelihood of sexual activity.
A recent study by UC Davis found that videoconferencing with family and friends significantly reduced patient stress among pediatric patients. The study showed that access to video conferencing technology improved outcomes for children during long hospital stays.
A new study of nearly 1 million California births found that women who are obese before becoming pregnant face an increased risk of delivering a very premature baby. The risk was highest at the earliest gestational ages and for non-Hispanic, white first-time mothers in the most obese category.
The guidelines provide healthcare providers with standardized recommendations for diagnosing and managing concussion in children, from initial assessment to recovery. The resources also include tools and instructions for parents, coaches, and school officials to recognize concussion and ensure safe reintegration into activities.
A large US study finds that nearly one in 25 babies are born too soon through elective cesarean sections and induced labor without medical indication. This increases the risk of respiratory distress, ventilation, and longer hospital stays for newborns.
A new study found that working parents often turn to urgent care visits when their sick children are excluded from child care due to strict health rules. The study suggests that these exclusions create a socioeconomic emergency for many families, especially single/divorced parents and African Americans.
The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation has named three outstanding young scientists to receive the prestigious Damon Runyon-Sohn Pediatric Cancer Research Fellowship Award, committing nearly $625,000 to support pediatric cancer research. The fellows, Ly Vu, David Woessner, and Mark Zimmerman, will conduct research with the potenti...
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have discovered a new driver of atherosclerosis, a molecule called 27-hydroxycholesterol (27HC), which exacerbates the condition and may be a promising therapeutic target. Blocking 27HC or inhibiting its actions could provide a complementary approach to preventing vascular disease.
Researchers developed a new design for preventive health care from birth to age 3 in low-income communities, focusing on family-centered, effective, and efficient care. The study suggests two working groups improved well-child visits by providing longer visit times, trained health educators, and online resources.
A recent clinical trial published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that lorazepam and diazepam are equally effective in treating seizures in children. The study, led by Dr. Prashant V. Mahajan, compared outcomes in 273 seizure patients and found no significant differences between the two medications.
According to a Yale University study, nearly 12% of American children experience confirmed maltreatment by age 18, affecting over 5.6 million children between 2004 and 2011. Black and Native American children are disproportionately affected, with one in five and one in seven experiencing maltreatment respectively.
Pediatricians face financial and data risks due to ICD-10 code conversions. Researchers found 26% of pediatric ICD-9 codes have complex mappings, potentially causing reimbursement issues and lost clinical information.
A study found that physician contributions to federal elections increased significantly, with most shifting towards Democratic candidates, particularly among female physicians and solo practitioners. The shift away from Republicans was driven by an influx of new donors more likely to support Democrats.
A comparative study published in Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found a 72.1-fold higher discharge rate for PBD in youth in the US compared to England. The disparity remains significant even after controlling for length of stay.
Improper placement of nasogastric feeding tubes can have serious and potentially fatal consequences in pediatric patients. The American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition recommends universal best practices, including standard approach to bedside verification, to improve patient safety.
A comprehensive study found that children who consistently received less than the recommended hours of sleep during infancy and early childhood had increases in both obesity and adiposity at age 7. Lower sleep scores were associated with higher levels of all body measurements reflecting obesity and adiposity, including abdominal fat.
A new study by researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine found that technology can improve the transition of adolescents with chronic diseases into adulthood. Patients in an intervention group received a secure web site and automated text messages to help them perform various tasks, resulting in improved...
Dr. Beverly Lange, a retired CHOP oncologist, is honored with the ASPHO Distinguished Career Award for her groundbreaking research on pediatric leukemia. Her contributions have significantly improved treatment outcomes, increasing survival rates to over 55%.
A recent study published in JAMA found that lorazepam, a commonly used but not yet FDA-approved drug for children, is no more effective than an approved benzodiazepine, diazepam, in treating pediatric status epilepticus. The study enrolled 310 children and found both medications successfully halted seizures in 70 percent of cases.
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology shows that nearly one-fourth of children diagnosed with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) can recover normal size and function of their hearts within two years. Dr. Steven Lipshultz's team found that appropriate medical treatment and management can lead to...
Dan Granoff, a CHORI scientist, has been recognized with the prestigious Maurice Hilleman/Merck Award for his work on developing vaccines against serogroup B meningococcus and an affordable serogroup A meningococcal conjugate vaccine for Africa.
Adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction technique (ASIR) lowers estimated radiation doses for pediatric brain CT exams compared to traditional methods. The study found significant reductions in brain and salivary gland doses, but no differences in thyroid gland, skeleton, or eye lens doses.
A new NIH-funded study provides evidence that treating children with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) with long-term low-dose antibiotics reduces the risk of frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs). Children with VUR who received antibiotics were 50% less likely to develop recurrent UTIs.
A recent study reveals that black and Hispanic children with autism are more likely to experience developmental regression, losing language, motor, or social skills. This phenomenon is observed at a rate of 27%, with black children being twice as likely to regress compared to white children.
Research demonstrates a clear link between screen violence and increased aggression in real life, highlighting the importance of minimizing exposure to violent media. Leading pediatricians and researchers will discuss ways to address public health implications of media violence at the Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting.
Children with ADHD experience higher rates of trauma than those without ADHD, according to a new study. Researchers found that 17% of children with ADHD had four or more adverse childhood experiences, compared to 6% of children without ADHD.
A study found that pregnant women who watched TV during meals were five times more likely to expose their infants to TV during feeding. Younger mothers and those not exclusively breastfeeding also faced this increased risk. The study suggests that reducing mealtime TV viewing during pregnancy may help prevent childhood obesity.
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.