PedMedicine: Pediatrics and Medicine

Why Children Need UV Protection for Their Eyes - WSJ video

2014-11-29T09:24:00.001-06:00

Why Children Need UV Protection for Their Eyes - WSJ YouTube http://bit.ly/1B1TzAv -- Children's vision experts say the sooner parents start protecting children's eyes from the sun, the lower the risk of developing future eye problems. Dr. Dawn Hartman joins Lunch Break with Tanya Rivero discusses what parents need to know.

#HowToDad - Underappreciated role of fathers highlighted in cereal ad

2014-08-07T07:55:00.001-05:00

To all the dads out there: this one's for you.
http://howtodad.ca

Link via @GruntDoc, ER physician from Texas and one of the first medical bloggers.

Baby's First Tweet - parents are creating accounts for their babies on social media websites (NYT video)

2014-05-22T10:00:00.000-05:00

Some parents are creating accounts for their babies on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other services, long before those children are able to add posts themselves. Produced by: Rebekah Fergusson, Vanessa Perez and Ricky Montalvo

Read the story here: http://nyti.ms/RVpChL

Why Tiger Moms Should Let Children Fail - Children who earn the best grades in school don't always become high achievers

2014-05-21T10:00:00.000-05:00

Children who earn the best grades in school don't always become high achievers, says Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg, of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. He tells why parents should sometimes let their children fail under their watch so they can be more resilient, successful adults. Here is the WSJ video:

The 7 Cs: The Essential Building Blocks of Resilience - by Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg

Competence: When we notice what young people are doing right and give them opportunities to develop important skills, they feel competent. We undermine competence when we don't allow young people to recover themselves after a fall.

Confidence: Young people need confidence to be able to navigate the world, think outside the box, and recover from challenges.

Connection: Connections with other people, schools, and communities offer young people the security that allows them to stand on their own and develop creative solutions.

Character: Young people need a clear sense of right and wrong and a commitment to integrity.

Contribution: Young people who contribute to the well-being of others will receive gratitude rather than condemnation. They will learn that contributing feels good and may therefore more easily turn to others, and do so without shame.

Coping: Young people who possess a variety of healthy coping strategies will be less likely to turn to dangerous quick fixes when stressed.

Control: Young people who understand privileges and respect are earned through demonstrated responsibility will learn to make wise choices and feel a sense of control.

Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg - Building Resilience from Community Parent Network

References:

Fostering Resilience, Building Resilience in Children and Teens--Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg http://buff.ly/1gk3tVj
Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg - URJ (audio files) http://buff.ly/1gk3ubN
Amazon.com: Kenneth R. Ginsburg: Books http://buff.ly/1gk3oRu

How parents can talk to their children about sexual education

2014-05-19T09:30:00.000-05:00

From NHS: When is the right time to talk your child about sex? Hear members of the public give their opinion. Plus, an expert explains why it's important to do so, how to approach the subject, and what information is appropriate to your child's age. Find out more about sex and young people:

http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/sexandyoungpeople/pages/sex-and-young-people-hub.aspx

3 Things Parents Should Tell Their Children

2014-05-15T08:30:00.000-05:00

Elizabeth Smart, a former child abductee turned activist, gives her top three tips on what every parent should tell their children in order to protect them from abduction and sexual abuse. Lee Hawkins reports fro WSJ:

The App for the Quantified Baby - WSJ video

2014-05-12T10:00:00.000-05:00

Baby Bundle, a new app, aims to place all the information that new parents need for the first 24 months of parenthood. Will it be enough to soothe new parents? Dr. Jennifer Trachtenberg, Baby Bundle co-founder, joins WSJ Lunch Break:

Straightening Congenital Scoliosis - Mayo Clinic video

2014-05-08T10:00:00.000-05:00

"Scoliosis is a condition that causes your spine to curve. It's often diagnosed during the early teen years, and many times it can be corrected with a brace. But a little boy named Hank was born with scoliosis. Bracing wouldn't work because a vertebra in his spine was not shaped normally. He needed surgery."

Autism - 2014 Lancet review

2014-04-08T10:00:00.000-05:00

What is autism?

Autism is a set of heterogeneous neurodevelopmental conditions, characterised by:

- early-onset difficulties in social communication
- unusually restricted, repetitive behavior and interests

How common is autism?

The worldwide population prevalence is 1%. Autism affects more males than females. Comorbidity is common (more than 70% have concurrent conditions).

Individuals with autism have atypical cognitive profiles:

- impaired social cognition, social perception, and executive dysfunction
- atypical perceptual and information processing

These profiles are underpinned by atypical neural development at the systems level.

Is it hereditary?

Genetics has a key role in the etiology of autism, in conjunction with developmentally early environmental factors. Large-effect rare mutations and small-effect common variants contribute to risk.

What is the treatment?

Early detection is essential for early intervention. Early comprehensive and targeted behavioral interventions can improve social communication and reduce anxiety and aggression.

Drugs can reduce comorbid symptoms, but do not directly improve social communication. Creation of a supportive environment that accepts and respects that the individual is different is crucial.

References:

Autism - The Lancet http://bit.ly/1h1TpyN

Cerebral palsy - 2014 Lancet review

2014-04-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

Cerebral palsy encompasses a large group of childhood movement and posture disorders.

Overall prevalence has remained stable in the past 40 years at 2—3.5 cases per 1000 livebirths, despite improvements in antenatal and perinatal care.

Cerebral palsy is a lifelong disorder.

References:

Cerebral palsy - The Lancet http://bit.ly/1h1SXR4

How to get a picky eater to eat - CNN video

2014-01-20T08:30:00.000-06:00

Adenotonsillectomy for Childhood Sleep Apnea does not improve attention or executive function

2013-05-23T08:07:00.000-05:00

Adenotonsillectomy for Childhood Sleep Apnea does not improve attention or executive function.

However, as compared with the watchful-waiting group, the early-adenotonsillectomy group had significant improvement on polysomnographic, behavioral, symptomatic, and quality-of-life measures.

However, 46% of the patients in the watchful-waiting group had a normalization of polysomnographic findings after 7 months

References:

NEJM article: http://buff.ly/167Vndb and editorial: http://bit.ly/14xa1WZ

Things Summer Camps Won't Tell You

2013-05-08T12:08:00.006-05:00

From WSJ and MarketWatch:

10 things sleepaway camps won’t say - 10 things - MarketWatch http://on.mktw.net/11STOcg

Things Summer Camps Won't Tell You:

Shopping for Kids Shoes - Mayo Clinic video

2013-01-24T11:30:00.000-06:00

The average toddler outgrows their shoes four times a year. It's enough to keep parents on their toes. But, there's no need to stress over making the right choices for healthy feet. A few simple considerations will save you worry and money:

Stopping a Nosebleed (video)

2013-01-23T00:38:00.001-06:00

Nosebleeds are common, but can be scary for a child. If they're not treated properly they could become a medical problem. Dr. Kim Giuliano, a pediatrician at Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital says if your child's nose begins bleeding, the first thing to do is to get them upright:

Children who had a dog during first year of life get fewer respiratory infections

2012-07-09T12:05:00.002-05:00

Children who had a dog during first year of life get fewer respiratory infections - a Cleveland Clinic pediatrician comments on a Finnish study: http://goo.gl/j0XeH

Febrile seizures - 2012 review from Am Fam Physician

2012-02-28T09:44:00.014-06:00

From Am Fam Physician:

Febrile seizures are common in the first 5 years of life.

Initial evaluation should determine whether features of a complex seizure are present and identify the source of fever.

Routine blood tests, neuroimaging, and electroencephalography are not recommended.

Lumbar puncture is no longer recommended in patients with uncomplicated febrile seizures.

In the unusual case of febrile status epilepticus, intravenous lorazepam and buccal midazolam are first-line agents.

After an initial febrile seizure, physicians should reassure parents about the low risk of long-term effects. However, there is a 15-70% risk of recurrence in the first 2 years after an initial febrile seizure.

This risk is increased in patients:

- younger than 18 months
- with a lower fever
- short duration of fever before seizure onset
- family history of febrile seizures

Antiepileptic or antipyretic medications are not recommended for the prevention of recurrent febrile seizures.

References:

Febrile seizures: risks, evaluation, and prognosis. Graves RC, Oehler K, Tingle LE. Am Fam Physician. 2012 Jan 15;85(2):149-53.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22335215?dopt=Abstract

Making Doctor Visits Fun (video)

2011-11-23T11:08:00.001-06:00

From Doctors TV: Making Doctor Visits Fun (video)

Ho to Avoid Illness at School - Cleveland Clinic Video

2011-11-16T09:31:00.000-06:00

Ho to Avoid Illness at School - Cleveland Clinic Video.

Recommendations for Prevention of Influenza in Children - CDC

2011-11-01T10:42:00.000-05:00

Image of the H1N1 Influenza Virus, CDC.

The key points for the upcoming 2011–2012 season are:

- the influenza vaccine composition for the 2011–2012 season is unchanged from the 2010–2011 season

- a simplified dosing algorithm for administration of influenza vaccine to children 6 months through 8 years of age has been created

- most children presumed to have egg allergy can safely receive influenza vaccine in the office without need for an allergy consultation. Most egg-allergic children can now receive influenza vaccine safely.

- an intradermal trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine has been licensed for the 2011–2012 season for use in people 18 through 64 years of age

References:

PEDIATRICS Vol. 128 No. 4 October 1, 2011, pp. 813 -825, (doi: 10.1542/peds.2011-2295)

Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) in Children - Mayo Clinic Video

2011-10-26T11:53:00.001-05:00

Dr. Carola Arndt, a Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist at Mayo Clinic, discusses Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP). ITP, also called immune thrombocytopenic purpura, is a blood-clotting disorder that can lead to easy or excessive bruising and bleeding. Dr. Arndt discusses symptoms, diagnoses, and treatment options.

"Slapped cheek" syndrome - NHS video

2011-10-18T10:34:00.001-05:00

From NHS Choices YouTube channel: Slapped cheek syndrome is a viral infection and the fifth most common disease in children. Here, a GP talks about the symptoms to look out for.

How To Stop A Child's Nosebleed - Seattle Mama Doc video

2011-10-10T10:55:00.000-05:00

How To Stop A Nosebleed | Seattle Mama Doc - http://goo.gl/VwIeR

Recombinant Human Growth Hormone Improves Treatment of Patients With Cystic Fibrosis

2011-10-02T07:18:00.002-05:00

Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) improves growth in patients with growth hormone deficiency or idiopathic short stature.

This meta-analysis suggests that rhGH improved almost all intermediate measures of pulmonary function, height, and weight in patients with CF. Improvements in bone mineral content are also promising.

However, with the exception of hospitalizations, the benefits on final health outcomes cannot be directly determined at this time

References:

Recombinant Human Growth Hormone in the Treatment of Patients With Cystic Fibrosis. PEDIATRICS Vol. 126 No. 5 November 2010, pp. e1211-e1226 (doi:10.1542/peds.2010-2007).

From Care To Cure for Celiac Disease - UChicago To Host International Symposium in 2013

2011-09-26T09:47:00.006-05:00

The University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center has been selected to host the 15th International Celiac Disease Symposium in 2013. This is a short informational video about the host city Chicago. The video also includes "From Care To Cure," created to highlight the center's mission and activities, especially the path from Care to Cure, and the goal to cure celiac disease in the next 10-15 years.

New classification is being proposed for gluten-related disorders: celiac disease; dermatitis herpetiformis; gluten ataxia; wheat allergy; gluten sensitivity. WSJ, 2012.

Related reading:

Think Like a Doctor - The Right Test Solved the Mystery - Celiac Disease http://goo.gl/XagL3 - NYTimes published actual patient records online

Lack of awareness of celiac could be contributing to a delay of up to 11 years in diagnosis of adults in North America, http://goo.gl/sy778

Dr. Guandalini, a renowned UChicago celiac disease expert, answers patient questions on YouTube http://goo.gl/QADXY

Recent studies support the existence of the new condition nonceliac gluten sensitivity which is defined as symptoms with negative celiac antibodies and biopsy (http://goo.gl/57IlB).