Web Pedi

Parents Want their Kids Tested for Tobacco Exposure

Dr. Webpedi — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 01:08:44 +0000

Both smokers and non-smokers want to have their children tested for tobacco smoke exposure at their pediatrician’s office.

Previous concerns have been that parents who smoke would be hesitant to allow testing of their children, but this study reveals that the rate of smoking parents (>60%) who would agree to this testing equals the rate in non-smoking parents.

The Hygiene Hypothesis: Dirty is better for Kids!

Dr. Webpedi — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 17:39:06 +0000

Data continues to mount for the theory that early exposure to dirt, allergens and germs may actually help children build up appropriate defenses for all.

Similarly, allergic diseases may be provoked when children are shielded from all of these exposures early in life.

This review details the findings from several recent studies.

Chemical Burn Injuries Increasing in Children

Dr. Webpedi — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 16:31:37 +0000

Although identifying a decrease in the incidence of burn injuries in children under 5 years of age, this epidemiologic analysis from Australia reveals that the incidence of chemical burns requiring hospitalization is increasing.

The authors point out that “all of the burn-injury hospitalizations reported … were preventable”, and that “most burns occurred in the home and resulted from exposure to a household hazard.”

Tongue-Tie, Frenotomy and Breastfeeding

Dr. Webpedi — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 19:08:50 +0000

Infants who are “tongue tied” (ankyloglossia) can have difficulties with breastfeeding.

This systematic review identifies that frenotomy (snipping of the membrane under the tongue in newborns) may benefit those infants where breastfeeding is impaired.

The Impact of Social Media on Children

Dr. Webpedi — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 18:01:27 +0000

Social Media websites represent potential risks for children of all ages, as emphasize d in this latest Clinical Report from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Potential problems include cyberbullying, sexting, and the newly identified concern of “Facebook depression.”

Autism Treatment Benefits Lacking

Dr. Webpedi — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 22:05:34 +0000

This current review of scientific evidence for the treatment of Autism concludes that “strikingly little evidence exists tosupport benefit for most treatments”.

Although Risperidone shows some benefits for severe cases and repetitive behaviors, the adverse effects of this drug warrants caution.

Newborn Blood Screens and Privacy

Dr. Webpedi — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 14:46:47 +0000

Dried blood samples from newborns are routinely sent to State Centers for Newborn Screening. States vary widely in their policies regarding retention and use of these blood samples. The authors of this study conclude that “some states that retain (DBS) Dried Blood Samples may be acting outside of the scope of their legal authority.”

Possible CAM Benefits for Infant Colic

Dr. Webpedi — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 17:26:11 +0000

A systematic review of Complementary Medicines for the treatment of infant colic reveals “some encouraging results”, but authors of the review are careful to emphasize “that all the trials studied have major limitations” and additional confirmatory replications need to be completed before any conclusions can be drawn.

High-Cal Beverages in US Schools

Dr. Webpedi — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 16:31:38 +0000

Over the last five years, public elementary school student access to high-calorie beverages, for sale at school, increased from 50% of schools to over 60% of schools.

This despite national guidelines against the sale of high-calorie beverages in schools.

Brain oxygen reduced when infants sleep prone

Dr. Webpedi — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 17:06:05 +0000

Infants who sleep prone manifest lower cerebral oxygenation in this recent study from Australia.

The authors postulate possible associations with the greater risk of SIDS in infants who sleep prone.