Pediatric News articles from November 2004

Pediatric News archives from November 2004

ACIP: questions on Menactra remain.(News)(Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices)
November 1, 2004... ATLANTA -- Guidelines for the use of the new conjugate meningococcal vaccine Menactra remain unfinished, with the members of a working group being asked to reconsider their preliminary recommendations at a meeting of the Centers for Disease...

Guidelines may hone diagnosis of acute otitis media: diagnostic criteria should flag OM with effusion before antibiotics are prescribed.(News)
November 1, 2004... SAN FRANCISCO -- The three requirements for a diagnosis of acute otitis media that are spelled out in recent guidelines should decrease the number of misdiagnoses, S. Michael Marcy, M.D., said. Middle ear effusion and inflammation of a...

Antidepressant labeling rules get mixed reviews: may initiate more cautious prescribing.(News)
November 1, 2004... The Food and Drug Administration's new requirements for warning labels on antidepressants given to children and adolescents are drawing mixed reviews from physicians. On the positive side, "this announcement will raise the level of...

Raise awareness of pain relief options in infant circumcision.(News)
November 1, 2004... SAN FRANCISCO -- Fewer than half of 1,814 infants undergoing circumcision received analgesia despite recommendations for its use during circumcision by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists,...

Poor psychiatrist collaboration may lead to medication mismanagement.(News)
November 1, 2004... TORONTO -- Pediatricians often prescribe medications for psychiatric disorders with an insufficient knowledge base and little collaborative help from psychiatrists, according to results of a cross-sectional survey of primary care pediatricians,...

NIH panel advises on preventing youth violence.(News)
November 1, 2004... BETHESDA, MD. -- Group detention centers, boot camps, and other "get tough" programs don't help prevent teen violence--and may make matters worse--a panel convened by the National Institutes of Health concluded. Moreover, laws that...

Flu vaccine to go only to high-risk patients.(News)
November 1, 2004... WASHINGTON -- Vaccine manufacturer Aventis Pasteur is working with federal health officials to ensure that influenza vaccine doses are rerouted to high-risk individuals. "The overall goal of this is to target the vaccine that we do have to...

Federal multiagency antiobesity effort gaining momentum.(News)
November 1, 2004... * AHRQ Educational Effort * National Institutes of Health * Department of Agriculture WASHINGTON -- As recognition of the national problem of obesity increases, the federal government has begun to fight back on several fronts. ...

Flu hospitalizations underscore need for vaccine for high risk.(News)
November 1, 2004... Influenza-related hospitalizations have increased significantly in the United States since 1979, due in part to the increase in the elderly population, William W. Thompson, Ph.D., and colleagues reported. But increases were also seen in the...

Influenza deaths in children now notifiable.(News)
November 1, 2004... Influenza-associated pediatric mortality has been added to the list of nationally notifiable diseases, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has announced. As with all other notifiable diseases, physicians should report cases to...

Company recalls unimplanted cochlear implants.(News)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Advanced Bionics Corp. is recalling all of its unimplanted CLARION and HiResolution cochlear implants because some of the devices may malfunction due to moisture. The company, a subsidiary of Boston Scientific Corp., released a statement...

Stay the course on AOM management.(Infectious Diseases)
November 1, 2004... SAN FRANCISCO -- Don't let controversy over one aspect of the recent guidelines for management of acute otitis media divert attention from other key recommendations, S. Michael Marcy, M.D., said. Much reaction to the guidelines published in...

Safety data could boost rotavirus vaccine.(Infectious Diseases)
November 1, 2004... SAN FRANCISCO -- A final review of safety data from an unusually large double-blind, controlled trial of a new rotavirus vaccine expected to be reported this month could help the vaccine become available by 2006, Penelope Dennehy, M.D., said at...

Ambulatory care OK for most UTIs.(Clinical Capsules)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Treatment with intravenous antibiotics at an ambulatory care center was effective for approximately 75% of urinary tract infections in a cohort of 291 pediatric patients, said Marie Gauthier, M.D., and her associates at the University of...

Five days' cefdinir cures OM.(Clinical Capsules)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... A 5-day course of cefdinir was as effective as a 10-day course of amoxicillin/clavulanate against nonrefractory acute otitis media (AOM) in a prospective, randomized, investigator-blinded, multicenter study of 425 children aged 6 months to 6...

Cultures confirm throat infection.(Clinical Capsules)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Confirming an infection by culture can reduce unnecessary antibiotic use among children with pharyngitis caused by group A [beta]-hemolytic streptococci (GABHS), said Maria Carmen G. Diaz, M.D., and her associates at Akron (Ohio) Children's...

Meningitis goes to camp.(Clinical Capsules)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... A viral meningitis outbreak occurred among 29 of 113 (26%) attendees at a summer camp in Prince William Sound, Alaska, in the summer of 2001, said Joseph B. McLaughlin, M.D., of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, and his...

Define staph in neonates.(Clinical Capsules)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Skin rashes occurred significantly more often among the confirmed and probable Staphylococcus aureus (SA) cases, compared with coagulase-negative staphylococci (CONS) cases (20% vs. 4%) in a cohort of 191 neonates in intensive care, said C....

Persistent scales are a tinea tip-off.(Infectious Diseases)
November 1, 2004... NEWPORT BEACH, CALIF. -- Tinea capitis should join tuberculosis and syphilis on the list of great disease masqueraders, Sheila Fallon Friedlander, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the Pacific Dermatologic Association. The classic signs...

Coping with the flu vaccine shortage.(ID Consult)
November 1, 2004... The current critical shortage of influenza vaccine is affecting everyone, but fortunately pediatricians are not in as tough a position as our adult medicine colleagues. Following the announcement in early October that the U.S. flu vaccine...

Pepsin found in middle-ear fluid of children with otitis media.(Infectious Diseases)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... NEW YORK -- Pepsin or pepsinogen is present in the middle-ear fluid aspirates of many children with chronic or recurrent otitis media, but there appears to be no increase in symptoms of reflux in these children, Judith Lieu, M.D., reported at...

Consider rhinoviruses in lower airway infections.(Infectious Diseases)
November 1, 2004... TAMPERE, FINLAND -- Rhinoviruses contribute to lower respiratory illnesses more often than is commonly thought and may increase asthmatic patients' risk of developing acute respiratory infections, Sebastian L. Johnston, M.D., said at the annual...

Hanging together.(Letters From Maine)
November 1, 2004... Few physicians still have the courage and stamina to practice medicine alone. Instead, we cling to each other in partnerships and professional associations, giving up our freedom to practice exactly as we want in the hope of being compensated...

Managing your managed care contracts.(Guest Editorial)
November 1, 2004... When was the last time you took a good, hard look at your managed care contracts? If you haven't done it recently, you may be shocked to find that you have, for no apparent reason, been staying with a doddering old plan whose fee schedule...

Is liability the reason for the flu vaccine shortage?(Pro & Con)
November 1, 2004... * Yes * No Yes There is strong evidence that our nation's culture of lawsuit abuse is a contributing factor to the current flu vaccine crisis--a crisis that undermines public health and threatens public safety. This shortfall in...

Innovations extend reach of mental health care.(Behavioral Pediatrics)
November 1, 2004... Psychiatrists are in short supply, but patients in need of psychiatric care are not. As a result, practicing psychiatrists' waiting lists are backed up as much 6 months, and primary care physicians, forced to pick up the slack, are seeing...

Experiencing nature may quell ADHD in kids.(Behavioral Pediatrics)
November 1, 2004... Exposure to natural, or "green," environments appears to reduce symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children from different locales and social strata, according to Frances E. Kuo, Ph.D., and Andrea Faber Taylor, Ph.D., of...

Untreated suicide cases more deadly than meds.(Behavioral Pediatrics)
November 1, 2004... SAN DIEGO -- Some antidepressant medications may increase suicidal ideation in pediatric patients, but untreated depression is deadly without question, David Feinberg, M.D., said at a meeting sponsored by the Los Angeles Pediatric Society. ...

Excuuuuse me! A look at social faux pas.(Behavioral Consult)
November 1, 2004... When a baby releases gas with the gusto of a jet engine, everybody laughs. But when a 20-month-old gets naked in Nordstrom or a 4-year-old uses sailor talk on the preschool teacher, parents march to their pediatricians, horrified at the...

Abuse stats: rise in prescription, fall in illicit drugs.(Behavioral Pediatrics)
November 1, 2004... WASHINGTON -- Prescription drug abuse continues to rise among young adults, although fewer youths are smoking marijuana and using other illicit drugs, a federal survey of substance abuse habits showed. From 2002 to 2003, lifetime nonmedical...

Accidental asphyxiation from cosleeping identified as risk factor for infant death.(Clinical Rounds)
November 1, 2004... * Safe Cosleeping: How to Keep the Bond and Lose the Danger SAN DIEGO -- Many deaths previously attributed to SIDS are accidental asphyxiation deaths related to cosleeping, Carol D. Berkowitz, M.D., said at a meeting sponsored by the Los...

Poisoning fears for infants overblown by parents.(Clinical Rounds)
November 1, 2004... SAN FRANCISCO -- Deaths from poisoning in the first year of life are very rare and are almost always the result of intentional abuse or a dosing error by the caregiver, Milton Tenenbein, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy...

Injuries from toppled TVs surprisingly prevalent.(Clinical Rounds)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... SAN FRANCISCO -- The question of whether television harms children has been the subject of great debate over the years, but regardless of whether television harms children, it's quite clear that televisions do. The Consumer Product Safety...

Quick action keeps injuries from chronic stage.(Clinical Rounds)
November 1, 2004... SAN DIEGO -- Three quick and simple office-based measures can minimize long-term harm associated with acute sports injuries, James G. Garrick, M.D., said at a meeting sponsored by the Los Angeles Pediatric Society. None requires expensive...

Maternal AFP level associated with SIDS.(Clinical Rounds)
November 1, 2004... The risk of SIDS increased in a linear fashion in association with rising serum levels of maternal alpha-fetoprotein during the second trimester of pregnancy in a study of 214,532 Scottish women. Tests for maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein...

Constipation.(Beyond Chicken Soup)
November 1, 2004... * The Old Standbys * Clean Out the Kitchen Cupboards Taking count and observing the color and characteristics of bowel movements become a part of every parent's routine. Some become more fascinated by this physiologic phenomenon than...

Consider metformin, insulin in type 2 diabetes.(Clinical Rounds)
November 1, 2004... KEYSTONE, COLO. -- An "unscientific but rational" approach to the treatment of type 2 diabetes in adolescents might emphasize metformin as first-line therapy, with a low threshold for addition of insulin, Phil Zeitler, M.D., said at a...

Putting a dent in diabetic ketoacidosis.(Clinical Rounds)
November 1, 2004... KEYSTONE, COLO. -- The key to preventing diabetic ketoacidosis in children with known diabetes is adult supervision of insulin therapy, Robert H. Slover, M.D., stressed at a conference on management of diabetes in youth. "Children whose...

Faster recovery with coblation tonsillectomy: coblation patients had significantly fewer 'bad days' than did electrocautery patients (6 vs. 1).(Clinical Rounds)
November 1, 2004... NEW YORK -- Coblation-assisted tonsillectomy can ease the pain of recovery from this common childhood surgery, compared with the traditional electrocautery procedure, researchers said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of...

FloSeal quicker than cautery in adenoidectomy bleeding.(Clinical Rounds)
November 1, 2004... NEW YORK -- A biologic gelatin and collagen hemostasis agent controlled bleeding during adenoidectomy in just 30 seconds, compared with 9 minutes for electrocautery, Ronald Mathiasen, M.D., reported at the annual meeting of the American Academy...

Omnicef, Norditropin NordiFlex.(New & Approved)
November 1, 2004... * Omnicef Oral Suspension (cefdinir for oral suspension, Abbott Laboratories) * Norditropin NordiFlex (somatropin [rDNA] injection, Novo Nordisk) Omnicef Oral Suspension Top of Page (cefdinir for oral suspension, Abbott Laboratories)...

Topical corticosteroids clear most forms of lichen planus in children.(Clinical Rounds)
November 1, 2004... ROME -- Lichen planus affects only about 3% of pediatric dermatology patients in the United States, and most cases can be adequately managed with medium- to high-potency topical corticosteroids, Barbara Kunz, M.D., said at the 10th World...

Diet & exercise assistant, PDA GPS.(Digital Assistance)
November 1, 2004... * Featured App: Diet & Exercise Assistant * Accessorize: PDA Global Positioning Systems * Surf This Site: DoctorsGadgets.com Featured App: Diet & Exercise Assistant Extra Halloween candy, Thanksgiving turkey and gravy,...

Atopic dermatitis triggers: more than just skin deep.(Clinical Rounds)
November 1, 2004... ROME -- A pediatric atopic dermatitis treatment plan isn't complete without a psychological element, Caroline Koblenzer, MD., said at the 10th World Congress of Pediatric Dermatology. "Without adding a psychological component to treatment,...

Combo Tx advised to combat acne.(Clinical Rounds)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... ORLANDO, FLA. -- Combination therapy is often better than single-agent treatment of mild, moderate, and severe ache, Larry E. Millikan, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the Florida Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery. ...

Preparing for maternity and paternity leave: the rest of your life.(Practice Trends)
November 1, 2004... * Where to Find Help Justin Woodhouse, M.D., was just a few weeks into his first-year dermatology residency at the Cleveland Clinic when his second child was born. But the thought of not taking 2 weeks of paternity leave never occurred to...

Confidential mediation may hasten settlement.(Practice Trends)
November 1, 2004... A federal experiment to encourage early settlement of malpractice cases through a confidential mediation process won't solve the medical liability crisis, but it's a step in the right direction, physicians and other health experts claim. ...

Urban, rural practice styles surprisingly similar.(Practice Trends)
November 1, 2004... SAN FRANCISCO -- Rural primary care providers had less direct access to consultants and other sources of medical information, but they asked clinical questions and got answers as often as nonrural clinicians through an old-fashioned...

Easier access to inhalers.(Policy & Practice)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Congress has approved legislation that will make it easier for children with asthma to self-medicate at school. "Many students attend schools in states that prohibit them from carrying their prescribed asthma medication," said Rep. Cliff...

Mental health guidelines.(Policy & Practice)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... The American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Association of School Nurses have developed guidelines to help schools address violence, drug abuse, and other issues. The Health, Mental Health, and Safety Guidelines for Schools are designed...

Tanning ban.(Policy & Practice)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... California recently banned children under the age of 14 from using artificial tanning devices. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the bill (AB 2193) into law in September and it will go into effect in January. Besides barring children from using...

Stem cell poll.(Policy & Practice)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... More than half of Americans now strongly or somewhat strongly favor embryonic stern cell research, according to the results of a national survey conducted by Virginia Commonwealth University. The percentage of people who favor stern cell...

More options for minority children.(Policy & Practice)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... The medical care that minority children receive is often inferior to the services provided to other children, Anne C. Beal, M.D., senior program officer at the Commonwealth Fund, noted (Health Aft. 2004;23:171-9). National surveys show that 37%...

Medicaid challenges continue.(Policy & Practice)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... All 50 states and the District of Columbia took action to control Medicaid spending growth in fiscal year 2004, and all are planning to do it again in fiscal year 2005, according to results of a survey from the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and...

Getting more expensive.(Policy & Practice)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Health care is far less affordable than it was 4 years ago. In 35 states, average premium costs for workers rose at least three times faster than average earnings from 2000 to 2004, a Families USA report stated. Specifically, workers' premiums...

Industry incentives may help ensure flu vaccine supply.(Practice Trends)
November 1, 2004... With the United States facing an influenza vaccine shortage this season, vaccine experts are calling for long-term solutions to ensure adequate supplies in the future. "It's such a fragile supply system and such an unpredictable demand...

Diagnostic dilemma.
November 1, 2004... * Diagnostic Dilemma * Short Differential Diagnosis * Work-Up * Final Diagnosis * Treatment Diagnostic Dilemma Ten days before hospital admission, a 4-year-old boy fell on a stick that punctured the skin just above...

Vital signs: residents who pursue additional training.
November 1, 2004... [GRAPHIC OMITTED]

Neonate cardiac program.(Products)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... The S.T.A.B.L.E. cardiac module provides specific guidelines for neonates with severe congenital heart disease. The CD-ROM is available for $295, and the accompanying handbook is $29.95. An intranet version is also available ($395). For more...

Acne cream and gel.(Products)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Nicomide-T ache cream and gel are nonantibiotic products, containing nicotinamide and nicotinic acid. For more information, contact Sirius Laboratories Inc., 847-968-2424, fax 847-968-2484.

Extra-large germicidal wipes.(Products)(Professional Disposables International)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Sani-Cloth germicidal disposable wipes are now available in an extra-large 8-by-14-inch size. For more information, contact Professional Disposables International, 800-999-6423, www.pdipdi.com.

Central scheduling software.(Products)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... AppointmentsCS software links all of a practice's sites to a centralized scheduling system, allowing office staff to book a patient appointment at any location. For more information, contact SpectraSoft Inc., www.spectrasoft.com, 800-889-0450.

Billing and Reimbursement Software.(Products)(OmniMD)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... "OmniMD charge capture software allows charge capture and the creation of superbills at the point of care. The software can be integrated with most leading practice management systems. For more information, contact OmniMD, 914-332-5590,...

Nasal congestion relief.(Products)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Claritin-D 12-hour and 24-hour (loratadine/pseudoephedrine sulfate) extended release tablets are indicated for the relief of nasal congestion due to the common cold in adults and children aged 12 years and older. For more information, contact...

Disable used needles.(Products)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... The NeedleZap mobile health kit uses low-voltage electricity to disable needles and destroy blood-borne pathogens. The device can be used with standard needles sized 16-30 gauge. For more information, contact Health Care Logistics Inc.,...

Decapper removes vial seals.(Products)(Kebby Industries Inc.)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... The plier decapper removes crimped aluminum seals from vials and bottles. The tool comes in 8-mm, 11-mm, 13-mm, 20-mm, and 30-mm sizes and can be sterilized or autoclaved. For more information, contact Kebby Industries Inc., 815-963-1466,...

Safety container for sharps.(Products)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Horizontal-entry sharps containers allow for hands-free disposal, helping to reduce needlestick injuries. The containers come in 4-, 8-, and 14-quart sizes. For more information, contact Health Care Logistics Inc., 800-848-1633,...

New version PocketBilling released.(Products)(PocketMed)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... PocketBilling 3.0 is available for use with the Palm handheld operating system. The newest version features changes to the user interface. For more information on this handheld operating system, contact PocketMed, 434-825-0099,...