Pediatric News articles from July 2004

Pediatric News archives from July 2004

Meningococcal shot urged by ACIP.(Beyond current recommendations)
July 1, 2004... ATLANTA -- All adolescents and college freshman living in dormitories should be routinely vaccinated with quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine, according to a meningococcal work group of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's...

Year-round flu immunization appears effective: may help with the challenge of giving two flu shots in the fall before flu season starts.(First dose in the spring)
July 1, 2004... ATLANTA -- Children immunized against influenza in the spring and fall appear to reap the same benefits associated with a traditional fall dosing schedule set 1 month apart, according to data presented at a meeting of the Centers for Disease...

Online records identify missed vaccinations in ED: 'you can't trust parental report' of shots.(Vaccinate during emergency visit?)
July 1, 2004... ARLINGTON, VA. -- One of every six children presenting at a Mayo Clinic emergency department was late for at least one vaccination, although the majority of parents believed their child was up to date, according to a review of electronic...

No evidence of growth suppression for budesonide nasal spray in ages 4-8 years.(Allergic rhinitis)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... SAN FRANCISCO -- There's no evidence that budesonide nasal spray results in growth retardation when used for allergic rhinitis by children aged 4-8 years, Dr. Kevin R. Murphy reported at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy,...

Diagnostic dilemma.(News)(Viral myocarditis)
July 1, 2004... A 6-month-old baby boy presents with rhinorrhea, cough, and nasal congestion that his mother says has been going on for 1 week. However, the symptoms have grown worse over the 2 preceding clays and now include a worsening cough, increased work...

GlaxoSmithKline reveals all paroxetine data.(Full results online)
July 1, 2004... GlaxoSmithKline is providing full study data on the safety and efficacy of paroxetine for adolescent and pediatric patients on its Web site. The company has made both summaries and full results for nine placebo-controlled trials on the use...

Hypospadias, loratadine use in pregnancy: no link.(Birth defect study)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... A group of women who took loratadine early in pregnancy did not appear to be at increased risk for giving birth to sons with second- or third-degree hypospadias, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analysis. The CDC...

Parents' smoking overrides pet allergy benefit.(7-year study)
July 1, 2004... SAN FRANCISCO -- Two years ago, Dr. Dennis Ownby published a report showing that children who grow up with at least two dogs or cats in their home have a 50% reduced risk of developing common allergies (JAMA 288:963-72, 2002). At this...

Age and severity of symptoms set PIF variation.(Dry powder inhalers)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Mean peak inspiratory flow values increased with age and severity of asthma symptoms, regardless of whether the children used the Accuhaler or Turbohaler dry powder inhalers. The findings are important because drug release from dry powder...

SRI label changes considered: neonatal effects.(Withdrawal syndrome and toxicity)
July 1, 2004... ROCKVILLE, MD. -- A Food and Drug Administration advisory panel supported the addition of information to the professional label and patient package insert of serotonin reuptake inhibitors concerning neonatal withdrawal syndrome and toxicity...

In utero antidepressants: no pattern of eye anomalies.(FDA review ongoing)
July 1, 2004... ROCKVILLE, MD. -- To date, the Food and Drug Administration has not identified a recognizable pattern of congenital eye malformations in babies exposed to antidepressants during pregnancy, in a review of adverse events reported to the agency....

Individualizing psychiatric treatment held key.(NAMI task force report)
July 1, 2004... WASHINGTON -- Doing nothing may be the greatest risk of all when it comes to psychiatric care for children, Dr. Kenneth Duckworth said at a press briefing sponsored by the National Alliance for the Mentally III. The findings came from a...

Private insurance doesn't guarantee immunization.(For children 0-5 years)
July 1, 2004... NASHVILLE, TENN. -- A substantial portion of privately insured children lack adequate coverage for immunizations, Dr. David Wood said at the National Immunization Conference sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Data...

Positive phrasing gains good results in URI Tx.(If watchful waiting is warranted)
July 1, 2004... SAN FRANCISCO -- If you think that a child with an upper respiratory infection doesn't need antibiotics, don't even say the "a-word" when talking with the parent, according to Dr. Rita Mangione-Smith. Focusing instead on what can be done...

Full recovery elusive after West Nile infection.(First follow-up study)
July 1, 2004... NEW YORK -- Survivors of West Nile virus infection continue to experience significant impairment 1 year after the illness, Denis Nash, Ph.D., said at a conference sponsored by Mount Sinai School of Medicine. In the first study to look at...

School entry laws boost vaccine compliance.(Hepatitis B)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... NASHVILLE, TENN. -- State school entry requirements for the hepatitis B vaccine should remain in effect long enough to ensure that children born prior to the routine infant recommendation receive the three-dose series, K. Michael Peddecord,...

Low IgM may portend death in West Nile virus.(Retrospective chart study)
July 1, 2004... NEW ORLEANS -- A low serum IgM ratio found early in neuroinvasive West Nile virus may predict a fatal outcome, according to the results of a small study. In a retrospective chart study of all cases of severe West Nile virus reported in...

Adenovirus ups respiratory syndrome risk.(Case-control study)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... ORLANDO, FLA. -- Infection with an adenovirus seems to increase the risk of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome in children, Dr. Alejandro J. Colom said during a poster presentation at the American Thoracic Society's international conference. ...

Palivizumab safely prevents RSV in infantile CHD.(AAP revises drug indications)(respiratory syncytial virus )(congenital heart disease)
July 1, 2004... MIAMI -- The monoclonal antibody palivizumab is safe and effective for the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus in infants with hemodynamically significant congenital heart disease, Dr. Giovanni Piedimonte said at a pediatric pulmonology...

Palivizumab good for hospitalization prevention.('Real world' results against RSV)
July 1, 2004... MIAMI -- Postmarketing experience with palivizumab indicates that the monoclonal antibody actually prevents more hospitalizations from respiratory syncytial virus than it did in clinical trials prior to its approval in 1998. "It is always...

Pneumococcal vaccine: less racial disparity.(Also shows herd effect)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... CANCUN, MEXICO -- The magnitude of the herd effect is a pleasant surprise associated with the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, Dr. Cynthia G. Whitney said at the 11th International Congress on Infectious Diseases. Since the vaccine...

Will Pertussis be the next neonatal vaccine?(Expert predictions)
July 1, 2004... MCLEAN, VA. -- New neonatal immunization recommendations may be coming down the pike in the next few years, with pertussis as the frontrunner, participants predicted at a neonatal vaccination workshop sponsored by the Centers for Disease...

Heart transplant shouldn't delay vaccination.(Small study)
July 1, 2004... BOSTON -- Physicians should not delay diphtheria, tetanus, or measles vaccinations in children facing heart and other solid-organ transplants, said Dr. Camille Sabella at the American Transplant Congress. Most childhood immunizations...

Time to go to public clinics?(Clinical Capsules)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Pediatricians in private practice may increasingly refer children to public clinics for vaccinations, said Judith E. Glazner of the University of Colorado, Denver, and her colleagues (Pediatrics 113[6]: 1582-87, 2004). The increasing use of...

Michigan Varicella outbreak page.(Clinical Capsules)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The Oakland County Health Division reported an outbreak of varicella in a kindergarten through third grade elementary school to the Michigan Department of Health in November 2003. The county and state health departments conducted a...

Pleural empyema management.(Clinical Capsules)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus has become a common bacterial cause of empyema in children, while empyema caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae has declined, said Dr. Karen D. Schultz and her associates at Baylor College of Medicine,...

Intrapartum antibiotic evils.(Clinical Capsules)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Newborns with ampicillin-resistant infections were significantly more likely to have mothers who received antibiotics for at least 24 hours prior to delivery, said Dr. Alison C. Rentz and her colleagues at the University of Utah, Salt Lake...

CDC reports 50 flu-associated encephalopathy cases.(Majority in children)
July 1, 2004... ATLANTA -- There were 50 influenza-associated encephalopathy cases in the United States during the 2003-2004 season, and the majority of these were among young, previously healthy children, Dr. Niranjan Bhat reported at a meeting of the Centers...

Influenza vaccine production to exceed 2003 supply.(Over 100 million doses)
July 1, 2004... ATLANTA -- More influenza vaccine will be produced this year than in 2003, with demand projected to be strong during the upcoming flu season. "We can expect production to be over 100 million doses," Dr. Gregory Wallace said at a meeting of...

ACIP nudges health care workers to get flu vaccine.(Committee drafts new statement)(Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices)
July 1, 2004... ATLANTA -- In an effort to put teeth behind its current recommendations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices drafted a separate statement calling on health care workers and their...

Candidemia deaths are relatively low.(Compared with adults)
July 1, 2004... SAN FRANCISCO -- Children admitted to the hospital with candidemia are 10% more likely to die from their infections and are likely to require 30 extra days in the hospital, compared with children hospitalized for other reasons, Jaclyn Chu...

Preventing hearing loss due to CMV.(ID consult)(congenital cytomegalovirus)
July 1, 2004... New findings suggest that for the first time we may be able to prevent progressive hearing loss in infants born with congenital cytomegalovirus. But first we have to get more patients enrolled in an ongoing clinical trial that will confirm...

Horses and carts.(Letters from Maine)
July 1, 2004... Few of us are flexible enough to accept change without at least a grumble or two, just as none of us likes our cheese moved from its traditional perch in the refrigerator without fair warning. With these self-evident truths in mind, its not...

The cost of apathy.(Letters)
July 1, 2004... Dr. Patrick B. Massey's letter deserves particular attention ("Medicine Losing Doctors," March 2004, p. 20). Medicine is in crisis and the medical profession as a whole seems to be pretending that nothing is amiss. How many physicians in...

Rural pediatrics.(Letters)
July 1, 2004... I look forward to Dr. William G. Wilkoffs Letters From Maine column more than any other part of PEDIATRIC NEWS, but I have to disagree with his suggestions in "A Chill Wind" (May 2004, p. 18). Dr. Wilkoff stated that "neonatologists and...

Managing febrile infants.(Letters)
July 1, 2004... I am very concerned about the article "Clinical Judgment Best for Febrile Infants," in which a large prospective study by Dr. Robert Pantell and colleagues is summarized (April 2004, p. 10). The study, reported recently in JAMA, described...

The need for shades.(Guest Editorial)(child health safety)(Editorial)
July 1, 2004... It has been known for years that the bulk of the sun damage occurs in early childhood. Less well known to most doctors, however, is the fact that the same can be said for certain sun-induced ocular diseases. Recently, I was invited to an...

Schools' no-nit rules are lousy.(Guest Editorial)
July 1, 2004... No-nit policies are standard in many, indeed most, public schools. These policies prohibit children from attending school as long as they have any nits in evidence. Even the presence of empty nit shells is grounds for keeping a child at home,...

Know when to treat, refer quirky children.(Conduct full developmental exam)
July 1, 2004... ORLANDO, FLA. -- Some children, despite meeting developmental milestones, just never seem to fit in. Pediatricians can provide key leadership in helping families successfully deal with these children's issues, Dr. Perri E. Klass said at a...

Home videos may help complete diagnostic picture.(Catching odd behaviors on camera)
July 1, 2004... ORLANDO, FLA. -- When parents complain that a child is "doing something funny," a home video often provides helpful information, Dr. William R. Turk said at a conference on care of the sick child sponsored by the Nemours Foundation. This...

Teens fear long-term effects of birth control.(Hormonal contraception)
July 1, 2004... ST. LOUIS -- Young adolescent girls in the inner city may harbor fears and misperceptions of hormonal contraception, worrying especially that the menstrual irregularities it induces may have serious long-term effects on their health and...

Nourish healthy view on breast-feeding.(Behavioral consult)
July 1, 2004... Breast-feeding is but one of many intense emotional issues pediatricians must face in dealing with parents, but it is unique in that it often arises before you have a chance to really get to know a family. There's no substitute for...

Methamphetamine use persists in pregnancy.(Prenatal care often delayed)
July 1, 2004... SAN FRANCISCO -- Women who use methamphetamine during pregnancy face an increased risk of polydrug use, poverty, delayed prenatal care, and out of home placement of their newborns, compared with women who do not use the drug. Dr. Penny...

Symmetrical movements predict newborns' neurologic status.(Hands-on testing)
July 1, 2004... MIAMI BEACH -- Look for symmetry when evaluating the neurology of a healthy newborn, Dr. Israel Alfonso said at a pediatric update meeting sponsored by Miami Children's Hospital. Symmetrical movements on the part of the infant signal normal...

Neonatal ICU graduates need to be watched for years.(Some problems arise later)
July 1, 2004... NEWPORT, R.I. -- Graduates of neonatal ICUs must be watched for months after discharge to spot problems that might not be immediately apparent, Dr. Robert Burke said at the annual conference of the Rhode Island Academy of Family Physicians. ...

Panel: thirst should guide daily fluid intake.(Conventional wisdom refuted)
July 1, 2004... WASHINGTON -- Most healthy individuals will be adequately hydrated if they simply let thirst be their guide, an Institute of Medicine panel concluded in a report that rejects the conventional wisdom that people need to drink eight glasses of...

New & approved: Flovent HFA Inhalation Aerosol, Twinject Auto-Injector.(Clinical Rounds)
July 1, 2004... Flovent HFA Inhalation Aerosol (fluticasone propionate HFA, GlaxoSmithKline) The Food and Drug Administration approved Flovent HFA Inhalation Aerosol for prophylactic and maintenance treatment of asthma in adults and adolescents 12 years...

Reassure parents during craniofacial disorder Tx.(Team approach needed)
July 1, 2004... MIAMI BEACH -- Keeping parents of children with craniofacial disorders calm and achieving the best results for the children require a team approach, Dr. Mislen Bauer said at a pediatric update meeting sponsored by Miami Children's Hospital. ...

Three genetic mutations are associated with isolated clefts.(Cleft lip and cleft palate)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... KISSIMMEE, FLA. -- Several genetic mutations may provide clues to the underlying diagnosis of isolated cleft lips and palates, Dr. Jeffrey C. Murray said at a meeting sponsored by the American College of Medical Genetics. Thirty percent of...

Hiccups.(Beyond chicken soup)
July 1, 2004... Almost every new parent has a question about the hiccups. In fact, since I anticipate the "hiccups" question, I include the subject in my preliminary conversations with new parents about what to expect and what should not alarm them after...

Expert discusses plethora of baby formula types.(Guiding parents)
July 1, 2004... ORLANDO, FLA. -- Manufacturers have released a myriad of new infant formulas within the past few years, requiring physicians to update their knowledge so they can guide parents navigating through the product-marketing maze in making sound...

Anger problems are associated with weight gain in teens.(3-year study)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... SAN FRANCISCO -- Teenagers with problems managing anger are more likely to be overweight than those who manage anger appropriately, William H. Mueller, Ph.D., said in a poster presentation at a conference on cardiovascular disease epidemiology...

Short casts OK in distal-third forearm fractures.(Good construction is key)
July 1, 2004... SAN FRANCISCO -- Well-constructed short-arm casts are just as effective as full-length plaster casts in treating displaced, distal-third fractures of the forearm, while allowing children to return more quickly to their usual activities,...

WashMnl, PDA cases.(Digital Assistance)
July 1, 2004... Featured App: WashMnl (The Washington Manual of Medical Therapeutics, 30th Edition) Top of Page As a welcome to new interns across the country, and in remembrance of our own training experience, we have chosen to feature the Washington...

Count pitches to avoid overuse injury.(It isn't just the number of innings)
July 1, 2004... VANCOUVER, B.C. -- Children who pitch should be followed closely with a pitch count to avoid overuse injuries, regardless of how many innings they have pitched, Dr. Tracy Ray said at the annual meeting of the American Medical Society for Sports...

Getting home on time.(The Rest of Your Life)
July 1, 2004... The way Dr. Jennifer Sudarsky sees it, one of the biggest challenges to being a physician is the quest to get home on time, whatever "on time" means for you. "It's all such a struggle," said the 40-year-old family physician who holds two...

Adverse hospital events more common in very young children, Medicaid recipients.(AHRQ stud)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Children aged 1 year and younger are at greater risk for adverse events during hospital stays than are older children, according to a study by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Obstetric trauma in teen mothers is the most...

New AAP vice president.(Policy & Practice)(American Academy of Pediatrics)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Dr. Eileen M. Ouellette, a Newton Center, Mass., pediatric neurologist, is the new vice president of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Ouellette will take office as AAP president-elect in October 2004 and will become the organization's...

School-based asthma management.(Policy & Practice)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... A comprehensive school-based asthma management program resulted in significantly fewer daytime asthma symptoms, fewer asthma-related school absences, and better grades in science with outcomes evident up to 2 years after intervention, according...

Do parents know kids' safety habits?(Policy & Practice)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Parents may think their children are taking safety precautions such as wearing bicycle helmets when they're really not, according to a study by researchers from West Virginia University. In a survey of 731 fourth- and fifth-graders and 329...

Parents' thoughts on well-child visits.(Policy & Practice)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... A majority of parents feel well-child visits are important to their children's health and development, report they spent adequate time with the physician at their last well-child visit, and would recommend their children's doctor to others. ...

Electronic health records can lead to errors.(Lack of filtering can be a problem)
July 1, 2004... FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. -- Electronic health records can cut down on lots of medical errors, but they can also lead to other mistakes, Dr. Joseph H. Schneider said at a meeting sponsored by the Medical Records Institute. "EHRs can provide...

Partnership supports 'medical home' model.(Children with special health care needs)
July 1, 2004... SAN DIEGO -- Partnerships that promote a "medical home" model of care for children with special health needs are starting to emerge, but much more work needs to be done, Dr. W. Carl Cooley said at a meeting sponsored by the National Initiative...

Begin ABCDs of child mental health screening.(Medicaid project getting underway)
July 1, 2004... Over the next few years, five state Medicaid agencies will design ways to increase developmental mental health screening for young children. These efforts are part of the second phase of the Assuring Better Child Health and Development...

Diagnostic dilemma.(Practice Trends)
July 1, 2004... A 6-month-old baby boy presents to a hospital emergency department with labored breathing, frothy white sputum, and tachypnea. His mother reports that he seemed to have a cold 1 week ago but has worsened recently. Now he sleeps only an hour at...

Vital signs: pediatrics a popular calling for women.
July 1, 2004... [GRAPHIC OMITTED]

Talk back online.(News)
July 1, 2004... Should children receive overdue vaccinations during a visit to the emergency department? Weigh in at www.epediatricnews.com We look forward to hearing from you!

Data watch: developmental screening by primary care providers.(Brief Article)(Illustration)
July 1, 2004... DATA WATCH Developmental Screening by Primary Care Providers Pediatricians (n=328) Used Standardized Instrument One or more instruments...

Medical examination lights.(Products)(MedicaLights)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The MedicaLights are a series of mobile examination lights designed for physicians. The lights have weighted caster bases, plug-in transformers, and vented shades. A blue filter option is also available. For more information on this product,...

Pathogen-free water.(Products)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The Purefecta water filtration system removes pathogens from drinking water. People with compromised immune systems, as well as infants, young children, pregnant women, and the elderly, are at greater risk of infection from contaminated water....

Decontamination device.(Products)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The SterilWand uses ultraviolet waves in the C band to decontaminate surfaces of mold, bacteria, or viruses by destroying the microorganism's DNA, preventing replication. The handheld device can be used in laboratories, hospitals, and other...

Latex examination gloves.(Products)(Bio-Flex International Inc.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Bio-Shield Plus latex gloves are powder free and are sold in boxes of 100, which retail for $3.95 per box. Pro-Fit latex gloves are lightly powdered and retail for $2.95 per box of 100. For more information, call Bio-Flex International Inc. at...

Infants and toddler data book.(Products)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... "America's Babies: The Zero to Three Policy Center Data Book" provides readers a statistical national picture of the state of both babies and toddlers in the United States. For more information on the data book, contact Zero to Three Press,...

Hands-free pumping.(Products)(Easy Expression Products Inc.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The Easy Expression bustier is a zip-front strapless bra that allows nursing mothers to attach two breast pumps for hands-free pumping. The bra works with most pumps. For more information, contact Easy Expression Products Inc., 866-522-7177,...

Furniture catalog.(Products)(Heathcare Furniture & Accessories)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The new edition of the "Heathcare Furniture & Accessories" catalog is available from Medical Arts Press. To request the free catalog, product samples, or additional information, call 800-328-2179 or visit www.medicalartspress.com.

Single-dose aural antibiotics.(Products)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Floxin Otic (ofloxacin otic solution) 0.3% is available in premeasured, single-dispensing containers. The antibiotic is indicated for otitis externa, acute otitis media with tympanostomy tubes, and chronic suppurative otitis media. For more...