Articles tagged with Pediatrics
The publication of consensus recommendations in Pediatrics marks an important step towards advancing physician awareness of unique challenges in the medical management of children with autism. The guidelines provide guidance on how current general pediatric standards of care can be adapted for children with ASD, highlighting the need f...
The Pediatric Cardiac Genomics Consortium aims to identify genetic and epigenetic causes of congenital heart disease. The collaboration seeks to discover preventive strategies, targets for treatment, and better diagnostic information for families.
A study by Brigham Young University professor Renea Beckstrand and graduate student Nicole Rawle identified the three biggest obstacles to supporting families of dying children: language barriers, parental reluctance to withdraw life-support technologies, and mixed signals from different specialties on the medical team. The researchers...
The Goudge Inquiry's analysis of pediatric forensic pathology highlights the importance of carefully controlling the use of expert witnesses. The report emphasizes the need for medical experts to provide fair, objective, and impartial testimony, regardless of their relationship with the court or party involved.
A recent study by Brandeis and Rice University sociologists found that families frequently raise the topic of prayer when a child is seriously ill or dying. Pediatricians respond to these requests in different ways, including participating in prayers, accommodating them, reframing prayers for realism, or referring patients to religious...
According to a new study, half of urban teenage girls may acquire at least one common sexually transmitted infection (STI) within two years of becoming sexually active. The researchers found that repeated infections with chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis were very common among the participants.
A recent study found that pediatricians and family physicians have limited knowledge of childhood food allergies, leading to potential misdiagnoses and ineffective treatment. Despite this, most physicians report providing care for children with food allergy and are proficient in identifying common allergens.
The US pediatric oral health report, published in Academic Pediatrics, emphasizes the need to improve outcomes and address disparities. The report presents key findings on the state of pediatric oral health in the US, including the prevalence of dental caries and access to care.
A new newborn exam, the NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS), has been developed to identify infants at risk of developmental problems. The exam identified five distinct neurobehavioral profiles, with poor performance linked to behavior problems, school readiness issues, and low IQ.
A new study found that only a small percentage of providers prescribe hydroxyurea to eligible children with sickle cell disease due to concerns about future reproductive issues and low patient compliance. Despite its efficacy in preventing pain, many providers prescribe the drug for other complications without sufficient evidence.
A new study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that late recurrence is a risk for some pediatric cancers, particularly Ewing sarcomas and tumors of the central nervous system. The study analyzed data from over 12,000 childhood cancer survivors and found varying rates of late recurrence depending on the type...
A new study by UT Southwestern researchers found that parent mentors can significantly reduce asthma-related complications in minority children. The intervention program, which provided specialized training to caregivers, resulted in fewer wheezing episodes, asthma attacks, and emergency room visits among participating families.
A study published in Pediatrics found that educational home visits can significantly improve asthma control in children, leading to fewer hospitalizations and reduced symptoms. The research suggests that providing regular asthma education and support can go a long way in managing the condition.
A recent study published in the November issue of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy found that six percent of asymptomatic women underwent endoscopic screening and were diagnosed with Barrett's esophagus. Additionally, researchers demonstrated the accuracy of EUS-FNA in diagnosing pancreatic endocrine tumors, predicting five-year survival rat...
A study published in American Journal of Roentgenology found that chest ultrasound is a viable alternative to chest CT for evaluating pediatric patients with complicated pneumonia. The study suggests using chest radiography and ultrasound as initial evaluations, with CT reserved for cases where ultrasound is technically difficult or di...
Researchers at the University of Washington successfully used exome sequencing to identify a previously unknown gene responsible for Miller syndrome, a mendelian disorder. This breakthrough study demonstrates the efficiency and potential of this strategy in discovering the genetic basis of rare diseases, which could lead to new therapies.
Researchers found significant improvement in heart performance during treatment with sildenafil, suggesting potential benefits for exercise performance and quality of life. The study involved 28 children and young adults who received either placebo or sildenafil for 6 weeks, with improved heart function observed after switching to the ...
The NIH has awarded $8.5 million to support research on pharmaceuticals for children, with a focus on determining outcome measures to facilitate future studies. The grants will support studies in pediatric cardiology, neonatology, and pediatric neurology, aiming to improve the quality of pediatric research.
A recent study found that pediatric onset multiple sclerosis is more aggressive and causes more brain lesions than MS diagnosed in adulthood. However, patients with pediatric-onset MS develop disabilities at a slower pace than those with adult-onset MS, with an average delay of almost 10 years.
A survey of 30 pediatric physicians reveals differing views on the role of religion and spirituality in medicine, with some seeing it as a barrier to care and others as a bridge. The study found that pediatric oncologists are more likely to view patients' religious backgrounds as relevant to their treatment.
A study in Italy found that pediatricians over-prescribe antibiotics due to perceived parental expectations, particularly if parents expect a prescription for respiratory tract infections. The main factors associated with actual practices were discharge from the child's ear and parental expectation of a prescription.
Pediatric physicians tend to pragmatically consider religion and spirituality in family decision-making and end-of-life situations, but view them as barriers when they conflict with medical decisions. The study found that pediatricians often welcome patients' religious beliefs when medicine has failed or all options are exhausted.
Reducing daily steroid doses for children with status asthmaticus shows no effect on hospital stay length. High-dose inhaled albuterol is linked to metabolic acidosis risk. Tonsil size may predict obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) in kids
A multicenter study led by the University of Pittsburgh found that inhaled nitric oxide therapy did not significantly improve long-term outcomes for premature newborns with respiratory failure. Despite early promising results, the study revealed no significant improvement in survival rates or neurological function at one year of age.
According to a study, nearly half of all American children will reside in households receiving food stamps between ages 1 and 20. The analysis found that poverty and food insecurity are detrimental to a child's health, with the receipt of food stamps serving as a marker of both conditions.
Glaucoma clinics face challenges in providing follow-up care to patients from diverse ethnic backgrounds, with long wait times and interpreter issues cited as major barriers. To address these issues, researchers suggest streamlining appointment procedures and resolving wait time and language obstacles.
Research suggests prolonged thumb sucking and pacifier use beyond 9 months may lead to speech disorders in young children. Delaying bottle use until 9 months old can reduce the risk of speech impediments. The study found that extended sucking behaviors outside breast-feeding tripled the likelihood of developing speech issues.
MedImmune will present four abstracts on RSV and influenza, including research on the burden of RSV on pediatric health and innovative solutions to prevent illness. The presentations focus on high-risk populations, such as children with congenital heart disease and late-preterm infants.
A UNC study found that using audio recordings of guided imagery at home in addition to standard medical treatment can significantly reduce abdominal pain in children. The benefits were maintained for six months after treatment ended, highlighting the potential of self-administered treatment as a cost-effective and accessible option.
The Primary Immune Deficiency Treatment Consortium will focus on three severe immune disorders: SCID, WAS, and CGD. Researchers will study patients who have already received treatment and develop new clinical trials to better understand these disorders and improve treatment outcomes.
A new study from the University of New Hampshire found that nearly half of US children experienced physical assault in the past year. The research also revealed that three out of five children were exposed to violence, abuse or a criminal victimization, including witnessing domestic violence and dating violence.
Button battery ingestions are common among young children, with 62% of cases involving kids under 5. While most recover without issues, some experience long-term complications like tracheostomy dependence and vocal paralysis. Education is key to preventing these incidents.
Researchers found that 66% of inner city pediatric voice clinic patients presented with hoarseness, while 77% had vocal nodules. This suggests a significant prevalence of vocal health issues in this population, highlighting the importance of laryngeal examination in all pediatric patients with vocal nodules.
A Boston University School of Medicine study found that training pediatricians and clinical nurses improves communication with parents to reduce children's risk of developing early childhood caries. The intervention resulted in a significant reduction of ECC rates among patients at the trained site.
A recent study found that young adults are less likely to use ambulatory or preventive care, even though their mortality rate is more than twice that of adolescents. Young adults, especially black and Hispanic males, underuse ambulatory medical care and infrequently receive preventive care.
The lack of preparedness in pediatric emergency departments poses a significant risk, particularly during the onset of novel H1N1 flu. The guidelines recommend equipment, training, medications, and policies to ensure appropriate care for children.
Researchers found that pediatric strokes are significantly under-counted using traditional methods based on diagnostic codes, with a rate of 2.4 cases per 100,000 person-years. The study suggests that more prospective studies are needed to accurately capture the incidence and cost of pediatric stroke.
A new study published in Academic Pediatrics found that parents are more likely to understand a body mass index (BMI) chart if it's color-coded, like a traffic light. The color-coded charts were most helpful to parents with the lowest math abilities, increasing correct answers from 51% to 81%.
Researchers found that obese children with larger waists are more likely to develop risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including high triglycerides and low HDL levels. Routine waist measurements may help identify which children are at a greater risk of developing the warning signs of cardiovascular disease.
Pediatric researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia will investigate the most beneficial method of using antibiotics to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs) in children. The goal is to determine if a shorter treatment period can reduce drug resistance while effectively treating UTIs.
A new study finds that single kidneys from very young deceased donors can maintain the health of an adult with kidney failure. The research suggests that this practice is safe and effective, offering an alternative to traditional organ allocation methods.
A new study found that over a third of baby photos in women's magazines show babies sleeping in unsafe positions, and two-thirds of sleep environments depicted are also hazardous. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends placing babies on their backs without soft bedding to reduce SIDS risk.
Researchers are exploring the use of anti-growth factor drugs to treat children's eye diseases, offering a new tool in the fight against vision loss. However, specialists warn that these drugs may pose serious side effects, particularly in young patients.
A study of Bangladeshi women with young children found that those who experienced intimate partner violence were more likely to report respiratory infections and diarrhea in their children. The authors suggest that trauma and anxiety from violent households can lead to suppressed immune systems, increasing the risk of illness.
Researchers at UT Health Science Center at Houston have identified an organism called Klebsiella that may be sparking inflammation and gut issues in colicky infants. The study found a link between the bacterium and gut inflammation in colic sufferers, potentially paving the way for treatment with probiotics.
Researchers found that active video games can burn calories comparable to moderate-intensity walking, making them a safe and valuable means of promoting energy expenditure in children. The study, published in Pediatrics, suggests that substituting screen time with physically active games can help reduce the risk of obesity and diabetes.
In a study mapping the gene profiles of children with severe Staphylococcus aureus infections, researchers found that the innate immune response is overactivated while the adaptive immune system is suppressed. This knowledge could lead to better patient outcomes and more effective therapies.
A study by Riley Hospital for Children and Indiana University School of Medicine found that parents of children with special health care needs mostly use the right type of car seat, but often misuse it. The researchers also discovered that many children would benefit from additional body-positioning support to ensure safe transportation.
Researchers are developing innovative cell cycle-based strategies to stimulate heart muscle tissue repair, as well as studying molecular mechanisms of non-compaction of the left ventricle. The goal is to identify risk factors associated with death and improve treatment outcomes for children with congenital heart defects.
A study by researchers at Dartmouth College found that exposure to smoking in movies can lead to an increase in smoking among teenagers. The study, published in the July 2009 issue of Pediatrics, suggests that even positive characters who smoke have a stronger influence on youth than previously thought.
A study of 201 newborns found that high phthalate levels were consistently associated with low birth weight, highlighting the potential environmental risk factor for infant health. The research supports efforts to minimize phthalate exposure and reduce its impact on newborns.
A new study has revealed a significant decrease in the sex difference in birth weight due to growing endocrine disruption related to environmental contaminants. The study found that exposure to contaminants in plastic materials may be responsible for this phenomenon.
Researchers at University of Michigan and University of Utah are conducting a multi-center trial to investigate whether lowering body temperature can prevent or reduce brain damage in children who suffer cardiac arrest. The Therapeutic Hypothermia After Pediatric Cardiac Arrest (THAPCA) Trials will randomize children into two therapy g...
A recent study found that less than four percent of children and teens were diagnosed with a sleep disorder. The most common diagnoses included enuresis, sleep disordered breathing, and insomnia. Pediatricians are advised to ask about sleep during every well-child visit to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.
The American Gastroenterological Association honors individuals for their lifetime achievements and significant advancements in gastroenterology. This year's awardees include Dr. Daniel K. Podolsky, Dr. Warren Strober, and Dr. Judith M. Podskalny, among others.
A study found that many retained elementary students do not receive individualized special education services, even if they are eligible. Children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds were less likely to receive these services. The lack of IEPs raises concerns about the special education needs of retained children.
A study by Michael L. Nance and colleagues identified 170 verified pediatric trauma centers in the US, with estimated access ranging from 22.9% in rural areas to 93.5% in urban areas. The authors estimate that 17.4 million children would not have access to a center within 60 minutes.
A new study reveals that over 17 million US children lack access to specialized trauma care within an hour, with the largest gaps in rural areas. Establishing guidelines and maintaining an inventory of pediatric trauma centers could improve fragmented access to life-saving care.
A nationwide study found a significant decrease in baseball-related injuries among children and adolescents, with emergency department treatments dropping by 25%. The most common injuries were soft tissue injuries, followed by facial and upper extremity injuries, highlighting the importance of injury prevention efforts.
A simplified chart created by a pediatrician can help identify children with high blood pressure, improving diagnosis rates. The revised chart uses age and gender to determine abnormal readings, reducing the need for height percentile verification.