News

Q My patient is an 8-year-old boy whose progress I have been following since he was born. For the past four or five years he has had only one behavior problem—but it is a severe one: He refuses to have his bowel movements on the toilet.

In the aftermath of World War II, a newly born World Health Organization defined health as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."* More than 50 years later, despite a remarkable decline in disease-related morbidity and mortality, many children in the United States continue to suffer poor health under this definition.

Pediatric Puzzler is about first seizure and hypoglycemia

The authors take a case-based look at 10 immune disorders, and review when to suspect a primary immunodeficiency in a child with frequent infections and how to confirm the diagnosis.

New products of interest to pediatricians

Preventing the potentially irreversible effects of congenital hypothyroidism requires early recognition, prompt treatment, and constant reassessment. A screening test for hypothyroidism on all newborns is just the beginning of your role.

Few tasks are harder than telling a patient and family that they have fallen victim to a medical mistake. A forthright, sensitive approach is the best course.

Letters and comments from readers

The percentage of ethnic minorities represented in pediatric practice is on the rise. To deliver optimum health care to these patients, pediatricians should recognize and respect each family?s unique cultural beliefs.

Throat pain of 1-day's duration sent this 17-year-old boy for medical evaluation. He had no fever and no other symptoms.

After several days of suffering fever, headache, and malaise, a 17-year-old boy noticed a rash developing over much of his body. He sought medical attention and was admitted to the hospital.

A physician who practiced amid an outbreak of smallpox reviews the immunization procedure and complications.

Letters and responses from readers

By the time you read this, the war in Iraq will be largely over, and members of Congress returning from their Spring break may be able to turn their attention to the general welfare.

Q I follow a family of three children 2, 5, and 6 years of age. Recently, their father joined Alcoholics Anonymous to address his long-standing alcohol addiction. What is the best way to explain this situation to the children?

Q The mother of an 8-year-old girl in my practice, who describes herself as having been "very sensitive" ever since she was a child, mentioned to me that her daughter has recently adopted what she calls an "uncaring attitude" about the health and well-being of her family.

In early March 2003, in reports buried under headlines that described preparations for war, Americans began to learn about an apparently new respiratory infection spreading from the Far East. As news of severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, moved to the front pages, we learned about the immense effort of scientists around the world to track the disease, establish diagnostic criteria and a mechanism of contagion, determine a cause, develop diagnostic tests, and investigate possible treatments.

A physician who practiced amid an outbreak of smallpox reviews the immunization procedure and complications.

Smallpox has re-emerged--not yet as a disease but as a subject of apprehension, debate, and misunderstanding. Here, an expert reviews the disease, vaccine, and proposed immunization strategies.

Does the latest study of a therapy warrant changing the care you give to children in your practice? You can be the judge--if you know what questions to ask about the research and how to find the answers.