Articles tagged with Pediatrics
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.
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.