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Quiz: Critical congenital heart disease screening data collection, implementation
In December 2024, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) introduced updates to the critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) screening algorithm to enhance efficiency and accuracy in newborn screenings. The refinements aim to reduce misinterpretation and improve sensitivity, ensuring more consistent implementation across hospitals.
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The checks and balances that uphold safe, effective immunization schedules
The FDA has approved the intranasal influenza vaccine (FluMist) for at-home administration by parents for children aged 2 to 17 years and self-administration for individuals aged 18 to 49 years. This marks the first vaccine approved for at-home use. The article explores the regulatory oversight of vaccines by the FDA and ACIP, as well as the importance of maintaining evidence-based immunization schedules to prevent disease outbreaks.
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Puzzler poll: Urticarial rash in a 9-hours-old male
Welcome to this Contemporary Pediatrics poll. Take a look at the following case below.
The case:
A 6-day-old male with history of waxing and waning urticarial rash presents to the general pediatrician’s office for evaluation. The parents describe the rash as red, raised skin lesions that become flat and congregate, lasting several hours to days, resolving without leaving marks and then appearing in new areas. The rash began shortly after birth, and it does not seem to bother the patient. The parents deny any other concerns, including vomiting, fever, joint swelling, oral ulcers, or irritability. The patient is breastfeeding well and has normal urination and bowel movements.
On review of the nursery notes, it appears that at 9-hours of life the patient developed a rash that started as small, blanching, erythematous, circular macules on the legs; gradually increasing in size and number; becoming raised and coalescing to large, diffuse patches on the legs, back, chest, face, and soles that resolved within several hours. The patient was born to a 30-year-old gravida one mother at 40-weeks gestation via spontaneous vaginal delivery. The parents are without consanguinity or family history of autoimmune or inflammatory diseases. The pregnancy was complicated by maternal hypothyroidism and group B Streptococcus positive status, with the mother adequately treated with levothyroxine and intrapartum antibiotics.
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