Ms. Hester is Content Specialist with Contemporary OB/GYN and Contemporary Pediatrics.
LGBTQ teens at increased risk of violence in relationships
March 19th 2020Not all romantic relationships are healthy and some come with the danger of violence. A research letter looks at the increased risk of physical and sexual violence in romantic relationships that involve sexual minority adolescents.
Forward progress seen in pediatric cancer survival rates
March 11th 2020A cancer diagnosis no longer means the grim prognosis for children that once might have happened. However, 2 recent studies illustrate that although progress has been made, there is still opportunity to improve cancer survival rates.
Developmental screening on the rise, but has room to improve
March 6th 2020Doing a developmental screen is an important way to get children the help they need in a timely manner. A new study shows that utilizing standardized screening tools has increased, but there is still plenty of room for improvement.
Too few young HIV patients achieve viral suppression
March 2nd 2020Nearly 25% of all newly diagnosed HIV cases occur in adolescents and young adults, who also have some of the poorest outcomes. A new study examines the rates of viral suppression and the urgent need for interventions focused on this population.
One-third of kids not receiving timely vaccines
February 27th 2020Following the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices schedule for vaccination is the best way to protect young children from preventable diseases. However, parents may not follow that schedule for a number of reasons. A new study examines just how many children aren’t receiving vaccines on a timely basis.
Trans teens may not share gender identity to providers
February 26th 2020Children who are trans face many hurdles. One of those hurdles can be health care access and gender-affirming care. A recent study indicates that many trans teenagers and young adults don't disclose their gender identity, even when this information could be important.
Lower-income parents less likely to say child’s water supply is safe
February 24th 2020Nearly a quarter of parents aren’t confident in the safety of their home tap water, according to a new C.S. Mott poll examining parents perceptions about the safety of their children’s drinking water at home and school.
Pediatric population hit hard this flu season, hospitalizations higher
February 20th 2020Influenza season is full-blown and widespread, with higher hospitalization rates among children and young adults, according to the most recent surveillance report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Caregivers to blame for half of kids poisoned by prescription medications
February 19th 2020A new study indicates that pediatric exposures to prescription medications are just as often the result of adults removing pills from original containers as improper use or failure of child-resistant packaging.
Hexavalent vaccine added to Vaccines for Children program
February 12th 2020Following a unanimous vote by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a hexavalent vaccine with diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis adsorbed, inactivated poliovirus, Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate (meningococcal protein conjugate), and hepatitis B (HepB) (recombinant) has been included in the federal Vaccines for Children program.
Parental stress can increase screen exposure in young kids
February 11th 2020Guidance abounds for how much screen time children should have and when they first should be given access. However, a new study indicates that parental stressors can have an impact on when and how much very young children are exposed to media and screens.
$123 million spent annually on unneeded pelvic exams for teens
February 4th 2020It’s a source of worry and a potential reason for adolescent girls to forego needed gynecologic care: the pelvic exam. A recent study in JAMA Internal Medicine looked at just how many unnecessary exams are performed on teenagers and young women who don’t need them.
Study confirms group B meningitis vaccine efficacy
January 31st 2020Group B meningitis poses a serious health risk to children, but the disease is vaccine preventable. A recent study evaluated the efficacy of vaccination with the multicomponent meningococcal group B (4CMenB) vaccine in young children with positive results.
Certain marijuana types lead to chronic use
January 30th 2020As more states legalize marijuana and the variety of products containing cannabis proliferates, the question becomes whether this will impact adolescent use of the drug and possibly lead to persistent use of cannabis. A new study in JAMA Network Open looked at how experimental use of 5 different cannabis products impacted progression of use.
Teen bariatric surgery won’t solve mental health woes
January 27th 2020It seems to be a logical conclusion: Weight loss in severely obese teenagers will result in better mental health outcomes in addition to the more obvious health benefits. However, a new Swedish study indicates that this may not be the case.
Visits to pediatricians are decreasing
January 24th 2020The typical day in Pediatrics is a busy one and the pressure to see as many patients as possible is felt by many. However, a new study published in JAMA Pediatrics indicates that more and more children aren’t being seen by a pediatrician for problem visits.
Alarming number of teens at risk of type 2 diabetes
January 7th 2020The rising prevalence in childhood obesity increases the risk of teenagers and adolescents developing conditions linked to excess weight like type 2 diabetes, a condition long considered to be a disease for older people. A recent study in JAMA Pediatrics indicates that many adolescents and young adults have prediabetes, the stepping stone to type 2 diabetes.