Contemporary Pediatrics Staff

It seems yet another reason exists not to overprescribe antibiotics, particularly in infancy. And still something else that may contribute to the childhood obesity epidemic.

A study finds that children exposed to anesthesia before their third birthdays are at higher risk for neuropsychological deficits later in childhood.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for the 2012-2013 flu season include an updated vaccination schedule for children aged 6 months through 8 years.

Investigators assessed the efficacy of oral immunotherapy in children with egg allergy in inducing "sustained unresponsiveness" to egg allergen, a greater clinical effect than "desensitization."

A survey of a large group of Australian schoolchildren when they were aged 12 years and again at 17 years found that levels of physical activity and of sedentary behaviors are associated with health-related quality of life (QOL), which includes physical, mental, and social well-being.

Investigators set out to determine whether plasma levels of follistatin-like protein 1 (FSTL-1), which is produced by cardiac myocytes, correlate with Kawasaki disease (KD) and acquired coronary artery aneurysms (CAA), of which KD is a major cause.

Life expectancy has increased markedly for children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, to the point that estimated life expectancy of patients diagnosed between 1965 and 1980 is only about 4 years less than that of the general US population.

Most children survive serogroup B meningococcal disease without major sequelae. British researchers report, however, that about 10% of children who have had meningococcal infection experience major disabling deficits. What screening is needed for survivors of meningococcal disease? More >>

The steadily declining rate of circumcision in US newborn boys could add more than $4.4 billion in avoidable health care costs for treating the increasing cases of sexually transmitted infections and related cancers among uncircumcised men and their women partners over the next decade. More >>

Infants and children aged younger than 2 years who are vaccinated against hepatitis A virus (HAV) show persistent seroprotection whether they received antibodies to the virus from their mothers, a new study reports. More >>

The health benefits of newborn circumcision of boys outweigh the risks and justify elective, although not routine, use of the procedure, according to the latest policy statement on circumcision from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). What are the benefits? More >>

About half of all information on the Internet about safe infant sleep practices is incorrect or irrelevant, according to new research. How can you help parents find the right half? More >>

Children with nonsevere obstructive sleep apnea who took the oral leukotriene modifier montelukast daily for 12 weeks showed reductions in severity of symptoms and adenoid size, a new study reports. Which children might benefit? More >>

Some children who receive typical doses of codeine for pain relief after tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy may suffer life-threatening adverse effects or death, a drug-safety communication from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns. More >>

Tobacco use by middle school students decreased by nearly half between 2000 and 2001—from 14.9% to 7.1%—and fell from 34.4% to 23.2% among high school students, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). How do you help to continue the downward trend? More >>

Researchers from Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center found that infants exposed to 3 types of mold in their homes were more likely to develop asthma by the time they were aged 7 years. Targeting these specific mold species could lead to more efficient asthma treatment. More >>

Persistent, loud snoring in children aged 2 to 3 years is significantly associated with behavior problems, a new study reports. What factors predict persistent snoring? More >>

At their first dose of quadrivalent vaccine for human papillomavirus (HPV), more than 11% of young women aged 13 to 21 years who had never had sexual intercourse were already infected with 1 or more strains of HPV, a study has found. What is the mechanism of transmission? More >>

A report by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) researchers shows favorable trends in the lipid levels of US children and adolescents from 1988-1994 to 2007-2010. Nonetheless, nearly 1 in 10 children had elevated total cholesterol (TC) in the latest survey. More >>

Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency is prevalent in 40% of critically ill children, new research has found. Which factors are protective against deficiency? More >>

Acquiring a new pet after children with autism are 5 years old improves their social skills, French researchers found in a small study. Does having a pet since birth have the same effect? More >>

Children with disabilities are 3 to 4 times more likely to suffer violence than children without disabilities, and children with mental and intellectual disabilities are at greatest risk for sexual abuse, new data show. More >>

Israeli researchers have confirmed the benefits of a cold remedy that Mary Poppins might recommend. They found that honey is a safe and effective treatment for nighttime cough in children older than 1 year. More >>

Psychological or emotional maltreatment is a pattern of caregiver abuse that affects a child’s cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. Do you know the signs? More >>

Results of a survey from the National Center for Health Statistics show that the median age at which children with special health care needs and ASD are identified is 5 years.

The increase in spending on children's health care is outpacing that of any other age group.

Parents of children with trisomy 13 and trisomy 18 who participate in support groups view their children's situation more positively than do medical professionals.

One manufacturer of a patented oxycodone is now conducting a clinical trial that will evaluate the long-term safety of a daily 2-dose, controlled release formulation of the drug in children aged 6 to 17 years.

Now legislation will enable FDA to provide marketing incentives for the development of new treatments for rare pediatric diseases, including childhood cancer and sickle cell anemia.

According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, 2012 might be a record year for pertussis, with the highest number of cases reported since the 1970s.