Articles tagged with Pediatrics
A UCLA/RAND study found that more than half of children with an HIV-infected parent are not consistently in that parent's custody. Children of HIV-infected parents face risks for behavioral and emotional problems, highlighting the need for stable homes to cope with HIV effects.
A recent study found that only 10% of teens receive annual preventive exams, leading to inadequate vaccination rates. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends three HPV shots within six months, but many teens are not seeing their doctors often enough.
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that Practice-based intervention improved parents' reports of behavioral issues in children, parental discipline, and reading habits. The Healthy Steps program also increased family satisfaction with healthcare services.
A study by Nationwide Children's Hospital found that 12 out of 17 adolescents were misdiagnosed with asthma due to vocal cord dysfunction, which can cause breathing difficulties. The use of spirometry tests in emergency departments may help differentiate VCD from asthma attacks and reduce misdiagnosis.
Associate Professor Jennie Ching-I Tsao of the UCLA Pediatric Pain Program has been selected as a winner of the Mayday Pain & Society Fellowship. The program provides tools and skills to advocate for better treatment of pain, including media communication and policy engagement. Tsao's research focuses on biopsychosocial models of pain ...
A team of researchers is using cutting-edge neuroimaging technology to identify predictors of adaptive functioning in adults who survived pediatric brain tumors. The study aims to develop interventions to lessen the severity of late effects of treatment and optimize adaptive functioning across the patient's lifespan.
Pediatric palliative care specialists are calling for increased research to address the unique physical, psycho-social, and clinical needs of children with complex chronic conditions. The study identifies six challenges that must be addressed to further the field, including access to care and resources.
A new Research Center of Excellence in Pediatric Nephrology will be established at the Medical College of Wisconsin to accelerate treatments for children with genetic and acquired kidney disease. The center aims to develop unique therapies that can limit or cure progressive kidney disorders.
Children involved in car accidents with ill-fitting seatbelts are at higher risk for 'seat-belt syndrome,' a complex of spine and abdomen injuries. Healthcare professionals should be vigilant for signs of more serious injury, such as spinal cord or vertebral fractures.
A new study from Medical College of Wisconsin found that nearly two-thirds of Milwaukee County pharmacies struggle to communicate with patients who don't speak English. The analysis reveals a significant barrier to safe prescription use, particularly among vulnerable populations.
Researchers investigate causes and treatment options for pediatric heart failure, including gene regulation, cell regeneration, and surgical interventions. The grant aims to improve treatments and reduce the need for heart transplants in children.
A recent study found that cardiac-gated CTA radiation doses can vary and be substantial in children, up to 10 times the annual natural background radiation. The study cautions against using adult technologies and techniques in pediatric patients without further evaluation of newer methods.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified key signs of appendicitis in children, including rebound tenderness, abdominal pain around the belly button, and elevated white blood cell count. These signs can help doctors narrow down the diagnosis and decide whether to schedule an emergency surgery or wait for further evaluation.
A study by University of Illinois Chicago researchers found that low birth weights among African-American women are more closely related to racism, stress, and socioeconomic factors than genetics. The report highlights the impact of institutional and interpersonal discrimination on infant health outcomes.
A gene expression pattern linked to decreased zinc regulation could provide a therapeutic target for treating septic shock. The study identified 63 genes expressed differently in patients with septic shock, including two forms of metallothionein associated with increased death risk.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia identified a gene variant associated with an increased risk of Crohn's disease in children. The study found that 64% of children with the disease had a specific variant form of the ATG16L1 gene, compared to 52% of healthy children.
Researchers warn of a rare but serious complication associated with eye tests in infants. Apraclonidine eyedrops used to diagnose Horner syndrome can lead to severe lethargy lasting up to 10 hours, requiring hospital admission and oxygen administration.
A Saint Louis University study finds that pediatricians' efforts to encourage lifestyle changes in obese patients and their families are often futile due to a lack of motivation. Doctors recognize the challenges of changing patterns of behavior in low-income households with limited access to healthy food and time for physical activity.
Researchers have identified a new gene, KIAA0350, associated with an increased risk of type 1 diabetes in children. The study used genome-wide association to analyze DNA samples from 1,046 children with the disease and found a significant link between a specific genetic variant and the development of type 1 diabetes.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that daily antibiotics do not prevent future urinary tract infections and may actually increase the risk of resistant bacteria. The study analyzed data from over 74,000 children with at least two clinic visits between 2001 and 2006.
A new Rhode Island Hospital study shows a significant increase in trampoline-related injuries, with 531,378 reported cases over the decade. The majority of injuries (71%) were to extremities and occurred on home trampolines, prompting researchers to urge parents not to purchase these equipment for their children.
Regulatory warnings about antidepressant risks led to a 33% decrease in new prescriptions among Tennessee's expanded Medicaid program. Fluoxetine prescriptions actually increased, suggesting altered treatment decisions.
Researchers from Indiana University found that 68% of pediatrician malpractice cases were withdrawn or dismissed, and only 5% went to trial. Pediatricians accounted for only 2.97% of all malpractice claims, with median payments rising from $65,000 in 1985 to $270,000 in 2005.
A recent study found that children with serious complex illnesses are more likely to die at home than in hospitals, especially among African American and Hispanic patients. The shift towards home care raises questions about how to provide optimal care and resources for very sick children.
A RAND Corporation study found that improved access to federal and employer-provided time off improves parents' ability to care for their chronically ill children. The study revealed that many parents struggle to balance work and caregiving responsibilities due to inadequate leave policies.
Infants are most at risk for elevator-related injuries in the United States, with an estimated 29,030 cases occurring between 1990-2004. The majority of these injuries were caused by the elevator door closing on a body part or soft tissue injuries.
A new study in Preventive Medicine reveals that candy cigarettes can favorably set the minds of some children towards becoming future cigarette smokers. Children who played with candy cigarettes were more likely to become adult smokers than those who never consumed them.
Pediatricians now have a practical tool to help determine whether children with chronic diseases like Crohn's, juvenile arthritis and anorexia nervosa are at increased risk for bone mass deficiencies, fracture or osteoporosis as they get older. Researchers developed standardized data on bone mass categorized by sex, age, and race.
A study by pediatric researcher Robert H. DuRant found that over 70% of families surveyed did not store their firearms safely in the home. The study emphasizes the importance of storing guns safely to prevent accidents and suicide, particularly among children. Experts recommend removing guns from homes or using gun locks when not in use.
A new study from Michigan Medicine found that up to 17% of physicians in a single state who claim to be pediatricians are not board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP). The researchers also discovered that another 12% of pediatricians did not complete a medical residency training program in pediatrics. Parents can check...
A follow-up study found that pediatricians' behavioral health treatment methods showed only partial success, despite receiving structured interventions, FDA warnings, and mental health reforms. The interventions, including newsletters and resource guides, aimed to increase education on anxiety and depression recognition, collaboration ...
A comprehensive study found that 85% of pediatric chemotherapy errors reached patients, with most common mistakes involving improper dosing and timing. The antimetabolite class of chemotherapeutic agents was most frequently associated with errors, highlighting the need for targeted medication administration safeguards.
A study by Indiana University School of Medicine found that pediatricians and pathologists cannot agree on half the time whether a child's death from traumatic brain injury should be investigated as potential child abuse. Researchers developed a framework to help compare cases, aiming to improve uniform definitions for future studies.
A simple procedural change has significantly reduced cardiopulmonary arrests outside a pediatric hospital's intensive care unit. The American Heart Association recommends calling the cardiac emergency team at warning signs of respiratory problems or heart issues, rather than waiting for CPR initiation.
Using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, researchers found no association between 100% juice intake and overweight risk in children. In fact, juice consumers had healthier diets, lower saturated fat and sodium intake, and higher intakes of essential nutrients like vitamin C and potassium.
Research suggests a seasonal correlation between pesticides, nitrates, and premature births, with highest rates in May-June and lowest in August-September. The study analyzed over 27 million US live births and found a significant link between environmental contaminants and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
A study by pediatrician Robert Schwartz found that 94% of parents who received motivational interviewing said it helped them change their family's eating habits. The average body mass index (BMI) of participants who received motivational interviewing decreased by 2.6 points, compared to a decrease of 0.6 points in the control group.
Research by Dr. Paul Winchester found that children conceived in June-August had lower math and language ISTEP scores, potentially linked to prenatal exposure to pesticides and nitrates. The study suggests that environmental factors during pregnancy may have long-term effects on cognitive development.
A new study by UCLA and Rand Corp. reveals that more than half of children with an HIV-infected parent are not consistently in that parent's custody. This finding can help physicians better address the needs of families affected by HIV.
Deepak Srivastava, GICD Director, received the prestigious E. Mead Johnson Award for his work in understanding normal and abnormal cardiogenesis. His research focuses on using knowledge of cardiac developmental pathways to devise novel therapeutics for human cardiac disorders.
A recent survey found that nearly 60% of US children ages 3-11 are exposed to secondhand smoke daily, with urban children suffering the highest rates. Pediatricians lack formal training on effectively addressing secondhand smoke-related issues, despite knowing its hazardous health consequences.
A recent study by the University of Alberta highlights the need for improved reporting and surveillance to better understand the incidence of adverse events in children treated with spinal manipulation. Serious injuries, such as stroke and paraplegia, were found to be rare but warrant further investigation.
The International Pediatric MS Study Group has published a supplement on pediatric MS research and care, highlighting the need for standardized diagnosis and treatment. The study group aims to improve understanding of MS in children and adolescents, and its management, with the goal of enhancing international collaborative research.
A new study by Dr. Jacques Lacroix found that a restrictive transfusion strategy can be as safe as a liberal strategy in stable, critically ill children without increasing adverse outcomes. This approach reduced the need for transfusions and improved health care outcomes for pediatric ICU patients.
A nationwide survey of pediatricians found that nearly two-thirds use patient family members to relay health information, while only 40% use professional interpreters. Pediatricians in rural areas or states with higher non-English proficient populations are less likely to use translation services.
The March of Dimes and Johnson & Johnson Pediatric Institute have launched a three-year partnership to reduce preterm births in targeted areas of Kentucky. The goal is to decrease singleton preterm births by 15%, with a focus on interventions combining clinical care, public health, and education.
Dr. Kenneth Lyons Jones, a pioneering researcher, has received the 2007 March of Dimes/Colonel Harland Sanders Award for his groundbreaking work on dysmorphology and fetal alcohol syndrome. His research has focused on identifying mechanisms of normal and abnormal fetal development.
Researchers analyzed gene expression patterns in leukocytes from children with four common infections: flu, staph, strep, and E. coli. They identified infectious agents with high accuracy rates, distinguishing between viral and bacterial pneumonias.
A study published in Pediatrics confirms the effectiveness of MMR and chicken pox vaccines in extremely preterm infants, contradicting previous concerns about their immune systems. The study found that both term and preterm infants reached a level of immunity considered protective against these diseases.
A new US study found that nearly four out of five hospitalized children receive medications approved for adults, highlighting the need for further research on pediatric drug approval. The study also revealed that children who undergo surgery or have severe illnesses are more likely to receive off-label drugs.
A new study published in Pediatrics found that higher body mass index scores in girls as young as age 3 and large increases in BMI between ages 3 and first grade are associated with earlier puberty. The study suggests that childhood obesity may contribute to an earlier onset of puberty in girls.
Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh has been selected by the NIH as a Center of Excellence for training future generations of scientists in pediatric research. The center, led by Dr. David Perlmutter, will provide mentorship and training to up to four junior scientists annually.
A large study found that living in greener neighborhoods or close to grocery stores is associated with reduced risk of childhood overweight. Increased green space was closely tied to decreased risk for children in higher population density areas.
Researchers found that garlic tablets are effective in reducing morbidity for upper respiratory tract infections and resolving warts in children. However, more research is needed to explore its effects on cardiovascular disease and potential adverse effects when applied topically, which can cause second-degree burns.
A groundbreaking study at UCSF Children's Hospital aims to correct pectus excavatum, a congenital chest deformity, using a magnetic procedure. The 3MP technique uses magnets to gradually realign the breastbone and chest wall, offering a potential alternative to invasive surgery.
Researchers found African-American women are three times more likely to deliver prematurely and nearly five times more likely to experience recurrent preterm births. The study analyzed data from Missouri birth statistics between 1989 and 1997, adjusting for socioeconomic factors.
The Pediatric Exclusivity Program has generated over 300 pediatric studies and labeling changes for more than 115 products. The program's economic return is highly variable among products, with blockbuster medications producing substantial profits while others yield modest returns.
A survey of pediatricians found that most support reporting and disclosing medical errors to patients' families, but believe formal error reporting systems are inadequate. Many physicians face challenges in disclosing errors due to fear of reputation damage or legal action.
A recent study by RAND Corporation found that only 28% of HIV-positive unmarried parents have made legal arrangements for who will care for their children if they die. This lack of planning can lead to emotional and behavioral problems in children, making guardianship plans essential.
A new study published in the journal Sleep reveals that parasomnias are common and frequent in children. Pediatricians should actively involve parents in identifying symptoms and taking an active approach to helping their child overcome a sleep disorder. Home videos and sleep diaries can be useful tools for classifying parasomnias.