Articles tagged with Pediatrics
A NICHD study suggests that pediatricians can assist immigrant mothers in identifying potential problems with their children's development. The researchers found that Asian and Latino mothers scored lower on a survey measuring knowledge of infant development, but they were knowledgeable about physical health and safety guidelines.
Researchers found that PBSC transplants were associated with higher rates of mortality and chronic graft-versus-host disease compared to bone marrow transplants. This suggests a potential need for re-evaluation of transplant approaches in pediatric patients.
The ERICCA project aims to integrate electronic health records to improve asthma care for children. The system will facilitate communication among care providers, allow inter-disciplinary care planning, and provide clinical decision support.
A clinical trial found that daily and weekend administration of atropine sulfate eye drops have similar improvement in children with amblyopia, a condition affecting 3% of US children. The study suggests weekend drops may relieve parent burden while encouraging treatment compliance.
Children under 3 years old are prone to swallowing foreign objects, with up to 20% needing surgical removal. Swallowing multiple magnets can lead to severe complications like obstruction, necrosis, and perforation of the intestines.
A recent study published in Pediatrics highlights the need to prevent injuries to children on farms, which have an increased risk of serious and fatal injury compared to children in general. The authors recommend developing effective programs to address this issue, including education, regulations, and technological improvements.
A group of experts recommends incorporating environmental health into pediatric medical and nursing education, citing gaps in current curricula. The study aims to equip healthcare providers with tools to recognize, treat, and prevent diseases related to environmental factors.
Babies who received reconstituted blood during heart surgery had shorter ICU stays (70.5 hours vs 97 hours) and spent less time on mechanical ventilation (36.3 hours vs 53 hours). The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, puts to rest a decades-long debate and could save patients and blood banks money.
The CHICA system combines patient-relevant pediatrics guidelines with family information to enable tailored care. Pediatricians receive customized clinical reminders, improving health outcomes for 55,000 patients in its first year.
According to Dr. Broughton, most children reported missing are runaways or taken by noncustodial parents, not strangers. Children need to learn skills and confidence, not fear and avoidance. Parents can teach personal safety without causing unwarranted fear.
Researchers at Michigan Medicine found that using child-specific data improved quality of care for asthmatic children's hospital stays. The team reduced length and cost growth of hospital stays and readmission rates by 50% through targeted quality improvement efforts.
Researchers developed a small molecule inhibitor of the Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathway, HhAntag, which completely eradicated medulloblastoma tumors in mice. Long-term treatment prolonged medulloblastoma-free survival without toxic side effects.
A new study found the public spending gap between children and elders increased by 20%, with three times as many children living in poverty than elders. The major component of social welfare spending for children is education, while for elders it is Social Security.
Pediatrician Paul Wise finds that chronic illnesses like asthma and obesity are increasingly common in children due to improved medical treatments for acute conditions. Current policies fail to support chronically ill children beyond age 18, exacerbating disparities in child health.
The NYU Child Study Center is launching a new education campaign called Healthy Kids, Happy Futures to assist New York area Pediatricians in dealing with child mental health issues. The program will provide public education sessions and in-office education for recognizing signs of PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
The study found that pediatricians are treating more children with psychiatric problems due to chronic underfunding of the public mental health system. Many pediatricians felt unprepared to diagnose and treat anxiety and depression, highlighting the need for increased training and continuing medical education.
A survey of pediatricians and family physicians found that 80% of pediatricians and 69% of family physicians believed a universal influenza vaccination program for infants would be feasible. The majority also agreed that the vaccine would greatly decrease sickness during the influenza season.
A new planned-care method for children with asthma has been shown to reduce symptoms by 13 days per year, need for rescue medication by a third, and improve adherence to medication as prescribed. The method involves regularly scheduled visits with specially trained nurses and extra education for physicians in asthma management.
A University of Iowa study found that internet prescriptions increase the likelihood of families using quality health information online. The prescriptions provide a list of recommended websites and tips for evaluating online health resources.
A five-year-old girl with Ewing’s sarcoma had her leg turned into a 'knee' using rotationplasty to remove the diseased portion of bone. The procedure has improved limb-sparing surgery outcomes for children with cancer above the knee, with better function and durability.
A recent study has found that prenatal cocaine exposure is linked to behavioral problems in boys, but not girls. The study of 473 children aged 6-7 found that those exposed to cocaine in the womb had more behavioral issues and cognitive problems than their non-exposed peers.
A recent study examined near-term and full-term newborns at Massachusetts General Hospital and found that the near-term group had significantly more diagnoses of clinical problems. The average hospital stay costs for near-term infants were also $2,600 higher than those of full-term infants.
A new UCSD study found that general pediatricians and specialists frequently miss diagnosing Kawasaki disease in children under six months and over eight years old, leading to preventable coronary artery damage. The study aims to raise awareness and provide recommendations to improve diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
A survey of mothers reveals that they view pediatricians as 'parenting partners' and carefully select a doctor for their child. Key findings include the importance of personality, health insurance coverage, and compatibility with parenting objectives in choosing a pediatrician.
A national survey of 2,500 American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery members found that 45% of physicians reported a recent medical error in their practice. The most common errors were technical mistakes during procedures, medication errors, and testing errors.
A new study has compared the efficacy of tacrolimus ointment and pimecrolimus cream in treating atopic dermatitis. The results show that tacrolimus ointment worked better for all severities of atopic dermatitis, including mild sufferers and severe patients. The six-week study involved 1,056 patients, aged 2 to 15, with mild to severe AD.
A pediatric gastroenterologist urges increasing availability of comprehensive weight loss programs to support adolescents struggling with obesity. High-quality behavior-based weight-control programs are rare and expensive, but essential for reducing the need for life-altering bariatric surgery.
Parents who monitor their children's movie and video-watching habits and prohibit R-rated movies have a profound impact on reducing the chances their children will try smoking. Only 3 percent of kids who were never allowed to watch R-rated movies tried smoking, compared to 14 percent of those who frequently viewed such movies.
The number of pediatricians in the US has more than doubled since 1978, with a higher concentration in wealthier states. This disparity affects access to care among children in poorer states.
A study published in American Journal of Roentgenology found MDCT angiography successful in pediatric patients with an 83% technical success rate. The procedure's advantages include speed, lack of sedation, and low contrast volume, making it a safer alternative to conventional angiography.
A study found that implementing child safety questionnaires significantly increased the detection of domestic violence, with 73% of cases identified. This led to an estimated 40+ cases per year of domestic violence being missed without active screening.
Researchers discovered a link between respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and asthma in mice, showing that an anti-RSV antibody could decrease the risk of developing asthma. The study suggests that treatments against RSV may reduce asthma-related complications in children.
A study led by Dr. Susan Brundage found that students are turning away from surgery due to its grueling workload and lack of flexibility. The profession demands a minimum of seven- to eight-year commitment, including extensive training in trauma surgery.
Researchers found that emergency department caregivers who received comprehensive home safety education and devices showed significant improvements in preventing poisoning and burns. The study suggests the ED as an ideal setting for teaching home injury prevention.
The study shows that quality of childhood healthcare is good, but parents express a need for key child development issues. Parent satisfaction ratings are strongly related to the care received, increasing with more time, in-depth discussions, and family-centered care.
Researchers developed a medical home improvement tool kit to help practices adopt the community-based model, which coordinates care through clinicians, educators, and caregivers. The program improved access to care, patient satisfaction, and health outcomes for children with complex conditions.
A survey of fourth and fifth-grade pupils and their parents found significant discrepancies between reported and actual use of bike helmets and seatbelts. The study emphasizes the need for injury prevention programs targeting both parents and children to address these gaps and reduce child injuries.
New guidelines from Thomas Jefferson University offer more precise classification of blood pressure in children and adolescents based on gender, age, and height. Pediatricians are encouraged to recommend diet, exercise, and weight control counseling for children with prehypertension.
A new study published in Liver Transplantation reveals that regional review boards effectively distinguish between high- and low-risk patients, ensuring fair organ allocation. The study also found that referring physicians have poor predictive capacity for patient mortality.
Penn State researchers aim to develop a small, effective pediatric heart assist system for infants, children, and teens. The goal is to create a device that can provide support for at least six months until the heart recovers or a donor heart is found.
A new sedation algorithm has significantly reduced unplanned extubations in pediatric ICU patients without increasing hospital stays. The Penn State Children's Hospital Sedation Algorithm sets target behavior goals for ventilated children and provides corresponding medication recommendations.
A four-year study assesses pediatricians' ability to change parents' behaviors and prevent violence. The study measures media exposure, gun storage, and communication between parents and healthcare providers.
The study found that child safety restraint use rose from 49% in 1999 to 63% among children under 9 by the end of 2002. Optimal child restraint use increased for 3-year-olds, with a significant increase in optimal child restraint use rocketing to 93% in 2002.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Children's Center report successful treatment of six HIV-positive children using customized medication regimens created through genotype analysis and a web-based algorithm tool. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of a salvage therapy approach in managing drug-resistant HIV infection.
A Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center team increased immunization rates in a specialty outpatient clinic from 41% to above 90%, exceeding national averages. The project used business-world strategies, including reminders and tracking systems, to address barriers and foster innovation.
A family-based self-management intervention aimed at low income adolescents with Type 1 diabetes led to better health and functioning in the short term. The program helped kids eat better and exercise more, resulting in improved physical functioning.
Experts question whether Europe can achieve ambitious environmental goals for children due to limited action taken. Prioritizing specific areas with clear disease causation and high burden is recommended.
Researchers at Saint Louis University found a potential link between adolescent marijuana use and increased risk of cerebellar strokes. Dr. Thomas Geller's study revealed three cases of teenage boys who suffered strokes after consuming large doses of marijuana.
According to Dr. George Lister, using high-dose epinephrine in children may impair organ function and survival after cardiac arrest. Limiting doses to recommended levels can reduce errors and improve outcomes.
The Cancer Survivors Center will provide care management programs to monitor treatment side effects and offer training programs for teachers and coaches. Pediatric cancer survivors will also receive parent and sibling counseling, as well as special sports/training programs to re-enter their active lives.
A study found that 45% of families reported giving their child herbal products, with many caregivers unaware of potential side effects. Parents should seek expert guidance and inform their child's pediatrician about any supplements taken to ensure safe use.
A new study found that children who stayed in the ICU for more than 48 hours after cardiac surgery were at a higher risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Five out of 43 children met diagnostic criteria for PTSD, with symptoms including disorganized behavior, nightmares, and concentration problems.
The TPN Calculator significantly reduced medical errors and saved time for healthcare providers. With the online calculator, errors decreased by nearly 90%, allowing caregivers to dedicate more time to patient care. The system's development preserved the existing ordering process while improving efficiency and reducing calculation errors.
A new study finds that cephalosporin drugs are more effective in treating strep throat than penicillin, with a superior bacterial cure rate. First-generation cephalosporin drugs offer the same narrow-spectrum effect as penicillin at comparable costs.
A study of 5,800 California adolescents found that gun threats were more common than self-defense instances, with most threats coming from other teenagers. The research suggests that gun use for self-defense often involves hostile interactions between teens with weapons.
A University of Pittsburgh study found that providing young women with emergency contraceptive pills at home did not lead to an increase in unprotected sex or inconsistent contraceptive use. Instead, the study showed a corresponding increase in condom use among those who received the pills.
A recent study by UT Southwestern Medical Center found that children with sickle cell disease are now living up to 18 years longer than comparable statistics from 30 years ago. Modern treatments, including prophylactic penicillin and hydroxyurea, have significantly improved survival rates.
A recent UCSF study found that pediatricians' clinical judgment may be more effective than strict adherence to guidelines in managing febrile illnesses in infants. The study analyzed data from 3,066 infants and found that experienced clinicians using clinical judgment may reduce unnecessary hospitalizations and improve treatment outcomes.
Researchers found that 36% of infants were hospitalized, while 64% received treatment outside the hospital. Despite guideline non-adherence, infant mortality rates remained low.
Research suggests that pediatricians can play a crucial role in addressing postpartum depression among mothers. A study found that mothers are open to discussing their mental health concerns with pediatricians, but a trusting relationship must be established first.