News

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), part of the National Institutes of Health, is funding five new research projects on antidepressant medications, notably selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and their association with suicidal thoughts and actions (suicidality). SSRI use in children and adolescents has become a controversial issue, with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), issuing a black box warning for all SSRIs in 2005.

What's the cause of a hyperpigmented patch on an adolescent boy's back?

A 5-year-old boy's constant need to remove all his clothing before using the toilet to void or defecate.

Here's how to analyze the numbers that reveal the financial health-or sickness-of your practice.

This year: A CLIA-waived test for blood lead levels, a high-tech hearing screener, nonsurgical help for OME, a quieter electronic stethoscope, great software, and more. Plus, a 25th-birthday salute to the personal computer.

Does sexualized content in advertisements and entertainment media directed at children have a cumulative effect? We don't know for certain, but available data suggest real cause for concern.

The keys to optimal use of psychostimulant and nonstimulant medications for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are careful screening of patients, appropriate dosage regulation, and-most of all-close monitoring of both positive and adverse outcomes.

A 5-year-old boy arrives at the ED for management of sepsis and evaluation of "blast cells" on a peripheral blood smear. His guardian says that he is "always sick." What's causing this medical mystery?

As the prevalence of obesity in children increases, so does metabolic syndrome, with its attendant health risks-chiefly cardiovascular disease. Early identification and treatment are essential to stave off complications and lower the risk of premature death in adulthood.

If the promise of new vaccines, such as Gardasil, is to be achieved, pediatricians and family physicians must be relieved of the burdens associated with purchasing and administering them.

An almost 7-year-old girl was referred to Child Protective Services for evaluation of suspected sexual abuse after a school nurse noticed marks on her neck (Figure). The nurse was concerned that the marks were "hickeys," or suction marks, made by another person's mouth.

We, as physicians, complain about patients not following our advice and not listening to us. We should not forget that they are listening, that our words are not ignored, and that therefore, they should be well chosen.

A 3-month-old infant presented with a 4-week history of a symmetric skin eruption on her face, axillae, distal extremities, and external genitalia. The infant was otherwise healthy, although colicky since birth. She was exclusively breast-fed and had a good appetite. Voiding and stooling patterns were normal. Her growth was appropriate for age.

Lately, the media has been riddled with news about a recent study pertaining to brainstem abnormalities in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). How pertinent are the findings to your everyday practice? Should this study change the anticipatory guidance that you provide to new parents?

A 14-year-old girl came to the office with severe hip pain, which occurred after she attempted a cheerleading maneuver on a trampoline. She reported that she was bouncing as high as she could and landed on the trampoline with her left knee flexed and her right hip extended. On impact, she felt a "pop" that was immediately followed by right hip pain. She could barely move after the landing but managed to get off of the trampoline; she has been walking with pain since her injury.

Patient delivered vaginally at term to a G2P1 24-year-old mother following an uncomplicated pregnancy. Apgar scores, 7 and 9 at 1 and 5 minutes, respectively. No history of maternal exposure to teratogens. Parents non-consanguineous. No family history of congenital or chromosomal abnormality.