Articles tagged with Pediatrics
A pediatrician at Brenner Children's Hospital found that genital warts in young children do not necessarily mean child abuse. The virus causing the warts can also be spread through non-sexual contact, such as from mother to child during birth or through contaminated objects.
Steroid treatment has been shown to reduce inflammation of the heart blood vessels by half in children with Kawasaki's disease. The use of steroids combined with aspirin and IVGB significantly decreases the risk of developing serious complications. Most children recover fully from Kawasaki's disease, which is treatable.
A survey of pediatricians found that 85% reported encountering a family refusal of at least one vaccine in the previous year. The most common reasons for dismissal were lack of shared goals and trust. Pediatricians may choose to end care for families who refuse vaccinations due to concerns about immunization safety.
A new study using real-time MRI reveals improved tools for evaluating heart disease in fetuses. This advanced imaging technique provides three-dimensional measurements of the fetal heart's volume and function, allowing doctors to plan more effective care before birth.
The pediatric acute liver study, directed from Children's, will investigate the causes and treatment of acute liver failure in children. The three aspects of the study include developing a registry, therapeutic clinical trials, and basic research into genetic causes of the condition.
During lowest-rated games, emergency room visits were 15% above normal volume due to fans showing up in the emergency department. However, after the Red Sox won a game, visits dipped by 5-15%. The study found an inverse relationship between Red Sox viewership and ER visits.
The new guidelines emphasize ongoing self-education and research participation, with a focus on developing physician-scientists. The report outlines specific training requirements in key areas, including echocardiography, electrophysiology, and adult congenital heart disease.
A study of over 33,000 children's doctor visits found that only 0.1% were diagnosed with obesity during well-child visits, despite the national rate being 13-15%. When doctors did diagnose obesity, they were more likely to discuss diet and exercise.
A wire injury from jumping on a bed can be more than just a minor knock on the noggin, according to Dr. Dante Pappano. He published a case study in Pediatric Emergency Care journal after discovering that a mattress wire snapped inside a Rochester boy's foot, leading to a serious injury.
The hospital will train four fellows a year in pediatric rheumatology, addressing the shortage of specialists due to limited certification. Dr. Raphael Hirsch's lab is working on finding new targets for therapy and improving diagnosis.
The number of students in US medical schools remained constant between 1994-1995 and 2004-2005, at approximately 67,000. Meanwhile, full-time faculty members increased by 32%, with many specialties experiencing an influx of new recruits.
A randomized trial found that hand sanitizer reduced the incidence of secondary GI illnesses by 59% in families with day care children. Families who used hand sanitizer also showed a lower risk of transmitting respiratory illnesses, although this effect was not statistically significant.
A new JAMA study compares sleep deprivation to alcohol ingestion and shows that long work hours impair young doctors' cognitive function. The researchers found that residents who worked extended hours performed similarly to those with a blood alcohol concentration above the legal limit.
A recent study found that children using community health centers in medically underserved areas have a higher prevalence of overweight compared to the general population. The study analyzed data from nearly 2,500 children aged 2-11 and found that overweight children made up 22% of younger kids and 24% of older kids in these centers.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that prompt ear tube insertion does not improve developmental outcomes in healthy children with middle-ear effusion, contrary to previous findings. The study enrolled 6,350 infants and followed them regularly for three years.
Residential injuries are a major cause of death in US children and teens, with the majority being preventable. A study found that fatal residential injuries decreased by 22% between 1985-1997, but disparities persist due to socioeconomic factors.
A new study found that high school age children with a healthy weight had favorable lipid profiles, including lower levels of triglycerides and higher ratios of HDL cholesterol. The leanest teens, those with less than 25 percent body fat, had the best lipid/lipoprotein profiles.
A survey of over 115 parents found that 74% had heard of using cranberry for UTI prevention, but few discussed it with pediatricians. Cranberry products were used by 29% to treat or prevent UTIs, often without medical guidance.
Researchers found that all relatives with aortic valve disease had mutations in the NOTCH1 gene, leading to early developmental defects. The study suggests that targeting these mutations could prevent calcification and slow disease progression, offering potential therapeutic avenues for patients at risk.
PediPump, a small rotary dynamic VAD, demonstrates excellent hemodynamic performance in children. Researchers plan to further reduce its size to enable implantation as a totally implantable pediatric VAD.
A study found significant variation among pediatricians in interpreting 'reasonable suspicion' for child abuse, with varying thresholds and inconsistent responses. This discrepancy has profound implications for victims, families, and caregivers, emphasizing the need for standardized guidelines and training.
Long-term effects of child early intervention programs show improved physical and mental health in adulthood. Participants who received more services had better health outcomes, including higher incomes and lower depression rates.
The report highlights the growth of female pediatricians and positive trends in medical student recruitment, but notes a lack of ethnic and racial diversity among pediatricians. The new policy aims to address geographic disparities and recruit more diverse pediatricians to serve the increasing population of minority children.
State-sponsored anti-tobacco media campaigns are associated with reduced youth smoking rates and increased antismoking attitudes. Students exposed to at least one state ad per four months were less likely to smoke and more likely to believe they would never start.
The National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC) proposes several key strategies to stabilize immunization financing, including expanded funding for vaccine programs and improved reimbursement structures. The NVAC also recommends expansion of the Vaccines for Children Program to include underinsured children in all public health clinics.
Health professionals from Physicians for Social Responsibility, American Academy of Pediatrics, and American Nurses Association file lawsuit against EPA over mercury rule. The rule threatens significant mercury reductions for 10-15 years longer than required by Clean Air Act, posing risks to brain development in children.
A new expert panel recommends that children spend at least an hour a day in moderate to vigorous physical activity. This can be achieved through appropriate school programs, parental influence, and community support.
A 13-member expert panel recommends that school-age children engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily. This is based on a review of over 850 articles and 1,200 abstracts, which found that shorter periods of activity may not be enough to achieve similar benefits.
A study of pediatrician attitudes towards childhood obesity found that many felt unconfident in their ability to treat the condition, with a scarcity of educational materials and personal biases being major factors. Despite this, nearly half of overweight pediatricians did not identify themselves as such.
A new program, The Sibling Center, aims to support the emotional and behavioral well-being of healthy siblings of children with chronic medical conditions. Preliminary responses show promising results, including reduced anger and improved communication within families.
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University found elevated levels of leptin may be the cause of cachexia, a common complication of CKD. Blocking the MC4-R pathway in the brain may provide a novel therapeutic strategy to combat this life-threatening complication.
Chronic drowsiness in teens can be a sign of an underlying sleep disorder, according to a new report. The study highlights the importance of rigorous pediatric sleep histories to diagnose potential conditions.
The new guidelines emphasize the importance of open communication between parents, camp officials, and medical professionals about a child's health needs. Camps are advised to provide parents with detailed information about their programs, including risks associated with certain activities, and to have staff trained in first aid and CPR.
A recent study by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that the Medicaid system fails to identify 28% of children in foster care. The study also discovered that nearly 40% of these children never visited a healthcare provider after being placed in foster care, highlighting concerns about unmet medical needs.
The lack of effective cancer therapy access in developing countries is a pressing issue, with over 60% of children lacking treatment options. Experts propose twinning partnerships between institutions to improve pediatric cancer care through education and training.
Pediatric oncologist Peter C. Adamson emphasizes the need for targeted treatments that spare healthy cells, reducing toxic side effects. The Institute of Medicine report proposes a public-private partnership to develop new pediatric anticancer drugs.
Researchers found that using limited amounts of chemotherapy improved outcomes in 86.4% of patients and overall survival rates of 95.9%. Factors such as bone marrow count and extra chromosomes were key predictors of response to less intensive treatment.
A study found that approximately 30,000 US children have short stature due to non-growth hormone deficiency Primary IGF-1 deficiency. This suggests one-third to half of idiopathic short stature cases can be re-classified as Primary IGFD.
A phase 2 trial of MIBG therapy shows an overall response rate of 35 percent in children with refractory or relapsed neuroblastoma. The treatment selectively targets tumor cells and has a lower risk of toxic effects on blood cells compared to conventional treatments.
Children under five are most likely to die waiting for a liver transplant due to organ shortage. Living donor liver transplantation offers better graft and patient survival rates for pediatric patients.
A recent study by University of Vermont researchers found that a majority of US children are hospitalized at non-children's hospitals, with over one in twenty visits being for mental health conditions. The study also highlighted disparities in care, including higher rates of hospitalization among low-income patients and teenagers.
A study found that trampoline injuries among children increased significantly between 1990 and 2002, with 91% of injuries occurring at home. The incidence of severe injuries requiring hospitalization also rose dramatically during this period.
A survey of 1,800 parents found that most prefer a combination of restrictive and instructive strategies to monitor their children's media usage. The study also revealed that parental concerns about media use's negative effects are linked to increased limiting or discussing content with kids.
The study reveals that type 2 diabetes now accounts for up to 45% of new cases among adolescents globally. Rising obesity rates are particularly alarming in certain ethnic groups, including Native Americans and Pima Indians, who have the world's highest recorded rate of Type 2 diabetes.
Research reveals a correlation between soft drink consumption and childhood obesity risk, highlighting the importance of promoting healthier beverages in schools. Experts emphasize the need for strengthening existing nutrition programs over contracts with soft drink companies to combat this issue.
New treatments for pediatric HIV infection were not always used as recommended by guidelines, with single and dual NRTI regimens being most frequent from 1987-1997. From 1998-2003, 22% of children initiated ART with unapproved regimens, and switching risk decreased with age but increased with year of initiation.
Researchers discovered a new genetic disease, Nephrogenic Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuresis (NSIAD), in two infants who were retaining excess fluids and diluting sodium levels in their blood. The condition is caused by mutations in the AVPR2 gene that affects vasopressin binding, leading to inappropriate antidiuresis.
A three-question model asks about parental smoking habits and home environment to gauge ETS exposure risk. The study used hair samples to measure cotinine levels, finding that parental reports often underestimated child exposure.
A new screening tool has been developed to assess children's exposure to secondhand smoke by asking caregivers about smoking factors in the home. The tool, which correlates with hair cotinine levels, can help pediatricians identify high-risk children and facilitate assessment in busy practices.
A review of treatments for pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) in children reveals an acute need for more research into diagnosing the condition. The study found that only four per cent of blood clots in children presented without any risk factors, highlighting the importance of recognizing symptoms.
A Hopkins study found that treating older children with amblyopia can be effective in improving vision. The research challenged traditional age-based treatment guidelines, showing success in teenagers as young as 13. While some visual impairment remains, the treatment offers hope for improved sight.
Researchers found that freedom from rejection after 12 months was 10% higher with those treated with CellCept (63%) compared to azathioprine (53%). Additionally, the one-year survival rate was significantly better in CellCept patients (96%), compared to only 87% of AZA patients.
A study analyzing 2002 claims data from two large private health insurers in Washington state found that 83.6% of insured children had any insurance claims, with 6.2% using an alternative professional during the year. CAM use was more likely among children with cancer, low back pain, and adult family members who used CAM.
The supplement highlights the need for pediatricians to engage with communities to confront health problems such as obesity, mental health concerns, and violence. Pediatricians are becoming more sensitive to socioeconomic status and child health outcomes, and models for community-based approaches are being developed.
A survey of 580 ethnically diverse Northern California ninth-graders found that teens considered oral sex less risky and socially acceptable than vaginal sex. However, most participants underestimated the risk of sexually transmitted infections due to oral sex.
A review article highlights the importance of engaging physicians-in-training in community health initiatives to combat issues like obesity, violence, and mental health disorders. The authors emphasize that each community and residency program has unique needs, requiring tailored training models.
A new study by UMaine researchers found that consistency in sleeping arrangements is crucial for infants' nighttime sleep. The study suggests that changing sleeping arrangements can be disruptive to sleep and contribute to night-time anxiety in infants.
The study found that Twist1 and Hand2 proteins couple to determine the number of digits on a hand, paw or wing, and whether these digits are webbed or not. Additionally, the researchers identified high-frequency mutations in patients with Saethre-Chotzen Syndrome, which may lead to cardiac and placental tissue defects.
A study of 160 children found that 65% were exposed to violence, leading to traumatic stress reactions and poor health outcomes such as allergies, asthma, and ADHD. Clinical interventions to improve mothers' safety and health may help protect their children from these effects.
Several herbal supplements have shown promise in reducing illnesses in children, including Andrographis paniculata, Evening primrose oil, Ivy leaf, and Valerian. These supplements may help improve symptoms of colds, asthma, and other respiratory infections in children.