For the past several years, I’ve listed “difficult parents” on my department’s conference evaluation form as my answer to the question, “What do you consider to be the single biggest problem that you face in your practice?” At times, I have to admit that difficult parents have made me dread my decision to become a pediatrician.
A 10-month-old boy with an asymptomatic rash is brought to your office by his mother. The rash, which began on the legs and spread to the arms, face, and buttocks, has been present for 3 days. Other than rhinorrhea and nasal congestion for the past 3 to 5 days, the infant has been well, although fussier than usual, especially at night. His appetite is normal. The rash has persisted despite the application of bacitracin, petroleum jelly, and cortisone. He has had no sick contacts with a similar rash or illness. His immunizations are up-to-date.
During hospitalization of a 6-month-old boy for respiratory syncytial virus infection, spiking fevers led to a bacteremia workup.
A 16-year-old girl with internal jugular phlebectasia presented for followup ultrasound evaluation. At age 15 months, she was noted to have a right-sided neck mass that appeared when crying or straining. Her weight, height, and head circumference were normal. She had no cardiac anomalies and was otherwise healthy.
Hearing loss : Investigating membrane retraction pockets Puzzler : Flank pain and fever in a teen Dermcase : Brown bumps persist on neck and trunk Breast masses in adolescents
An investigation among nearly 2,000 ethnically diverse children in California schools found consistent positive associations between ærobic fitness and standardized test scores.
In the April 2010 issue, there is a very helpful article by Harper and Copans on "Engaging the help-rejecting depressed adolescent."
Investigators conducted a multicenter study of the effects of montelukast on eosinophil degranulation and recurrent wheezing episodes after respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis.
The nation knows little about why late pre-term births have increased and have driven up the overall preterm birth rate over the last several decades, an expert from CDC told Congress in a recent hearing.
While we can't predict the future, we may find clues to possible future developments in pediatric medicine based on changes that have occurred over the past two decades or so.
More than half of pediatricians report making a diagnostic error at least once or twice a month, a new study shows.
Children with newly diagnosed epilepsy generally have favorable outcomes, according to new research.
Being exposed to diabetes in utero substantially increases the risk of premature end-stage renal disease, according to a new study.
The FDA has released an alert for parents and caregivers regarding liquid Vitamin D supplement products.
The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology has issued a ruling that establishes a temporary certification program for EHR technology.
A new rule issued by FDA and authorized by the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act seeks to restrict the sale and distribution of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco to children and adolescents.
Vascular birthmarks are very common in newborns, and some varieties affect up to 50% of babies.
Mixing insulin detemir with aspart is equivalent to giving the 2 medications as separate injections in children with type 1 diabetes.
A 15-year-old girl is desperate for you to treat brown bumps on her chest, neck and trunk that have increased in number over the last 8 years.
Breast masses can cause anxiety for adolescent girls and their parents.
To help healthcare providers navigate through the language of HIT requirements in order to quality for EHR incentive payments, CMS has launched an official informational website for the Medicare and Medicaid incentive programs scheduled to begin in 2011.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has issued a new committee opinion stating that the first dedicated reproductive health visit should take place when a girl is between 13 and 15 years.
A retraction pocket is to be differentiated from the common and usually benigh simple retracted tympanic membrane, which is often detected in a child with a simple upper respiratory infection.
After developing fever and left-sided lower back pain, a previously healthy 15-year-old boy had been diagnosed by his private physician with a urinary tract infection and treated with trimethorpim-sulfamethoxazole for 7 days.
FDA has authorized for use a new test for the diagnosis of H1N1 influenza virus infections. This test was developed by the CDC.
Investigators tested the hypothesis that analysis of gene expression of circulating white blood cells or of plasma cytokines can be used to improve diagnostic accuracy in children being evaluated for appendicitis.
FDA will now periodically prepare and post summaries of safety analyses on recently approved products as well as steps the agency is taking to address safety issues.
FDA has approved alglucosidase for patients aged 8 years and older for the treatment of late-onset Pompe disease.
On June 4, the Health Information Technology Policy Committee's meaningful use workgroup gave testimony on how to include in the definition of "meaningful use" measures that could reduce racial, ethnic or any other disparities in the health of patients.
With the recent and highly publicized tragedy involving a Delaware pediatrician arrested and charged with 471 criminal counts of sexual abuse of patients more than 12 years old, I believe we are all called on to examine our office practice of examination and anticipatory guidance.