Early hearing detection and intervention
January 1st 2016Unidentified children who are deaf or hard of hearing may have delayed speech and language development that can interfere with daily functioning. Unidentified hearing loss also places a cost burden on families and the healthcare system, with the lifetime educational cost of hearing loss estimated in 2007 at $115,600 per child.
NICU graduates: Be advocates for their healthcare
December 16th 2015Caring for the medically complex neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) graduates is a challenge for everyone: the very stressed parents and family members, physicians, physician specialists, nurse practitioners, nurses, and early intervention specialists including physical therapists, occupational therapists, and education specialists.
When 'firing' a patient for vaccine refusal is the only response
December 8th 2015Outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases like measles and pertussis have led pediatricians to take a hard line, sometimes dismissing patients who are non-compliant with immunizations. A new study examines the prevalence-and consequences-of patient dismissal.
First guidelines for pediatric pulmonary hypertension
December 3rd 2015Pediatric pulmonary hypertension (PH) can be difficult to spot, and a lack of research on this rare condition has resulted in a lack of evidence-based diagnosis and treatment guidance–until now. The American Heart Association and the American Thoracic Society have released new, extensive guidelines that task force members hope will pave the way for new research and continued development of care plans for pediatric PH patients.
Maternal supplements can provide breast milk with adequate vitamin D
December 1st 2015Breastfeeding mothers can supply enough vitamin D in their milk to satisfy their infants’ requirements by taking 6400 IU of vitamin D each day, a 6-month randomized trial among mothers of exclusively breastfed babies showed.
Mucositis and rash in a 9-year-old boy
December 1st 2015The anxious parents of a 9-year-old boy bring him to clinic for the evaluation of progressive sores in his mouth for 2 days and a rash that erupted last night. Nine days earlier, he had felt warm and had a cough with wheezing and abdominal pain.
Young violinist notes persistent red patch
December 1st 2015A healthy 14-year-old girl who is an avid violin player is brought to the office for evaluation of facial acne. The examination notes a rash on her left neck that has been present for a few years. The patch is mildly tender and itchy but otherwise asymptomatic.
Immunizations… A healthcare priority
November 30th 2015An array of challenging issues confronted by pediatric providers on a regular basis were presented and included, but were not limited to, best practices for migraine variants, sexually transmitted diseases, adolescent obesity, enuresis and encopresis, developmental hip dysplasia, alternatives to spanking, and the arduous task of breaking bad news to parents and families.