Pediatrics
- Breastfeeding
- Child-Adolescent Nutrition and Overweight
- Diagnosis, Imaging, Screening
- Diseases and Conditions
- General Information
- Guidelines
- Internet Sites
- Immunization
- Infant Nutrition
- Risk Factors
- Risk Reduction
- SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
- Treatment
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Child Health and Learning
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- Subtopics include: Bullying, Classroom Environment, General Information, Guidelines, Internet Sites, Healthy Childhood, Online-Electronic Environment, and Teaching Methods
Breastfeeding
NIH – Breastfeeding (Medical Encyclopedia) “Recommendations: Choosing how and what to feed your baby is a personal decision that deserves careful and thorough consideration. Breast milk is the natural nutritional source for infants less than one year of age. Most health care professionals (including the American Academy of Pediatricians and the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates and Practitioners) recommend breastfeeding for your baby's first year. Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for the first 6 months of life. It contains appropriate amounts of carbohydrate, protein, and fat, and provides digestive enzymes, minerals, vitamins, and hormones that infants require. Breast milk also contains antibodies from the mother that can help the baby resist infections. Experts agree that breastfeeding your baby for any length of time, regardless of how short, is of benefit to you and your baby. You can provide your baby with breast milk directly by breastfeeding or by feeding your baby breast milk from a bottle. ... ADVANTAGES OF BREASTFEEDING Research shows that breastfed babies may have less frequent: • Ear infections • Stomach or intestinal infections • Low iron levels in the blood (iron-deficiency anemia) • Skin diseases (infantile eczema) • Infant allergies Breastfed babies may have less risk of developing: • Digestive problems such as constipation or diarrhea • Obesity or becoming overweight • High blood pressure • Diabetes • Tooth decay”
NIH – Breastfeeding “What are the benefits of breastfeeding? Breastfeeding offers many benefits to the baby: Breast milk provides the right balance of nutrients to help an infant grow into a strong and healthy toddler. Breastfed infants, and those who are fed expressed breast milk, have fewer deaths during the first year and experience fewer illnesses than babies fed formula. Some of the nutrients in breast milk also help protect an infant against some common childhood illnesses and infections, such as diarrhea, middle ear infections, and certain lung infections. Some recent NICHD-supported research also suggests that breast milk contains important fatty acids (building blocks) that help an infant's brain develop. Two specific fatty acids, known as DHA and AA, may help increase infants’ cognitive skills. Many types of infant formulas available in the United States are fortified with DHA and AA, and all formula available for preterm infants is fortified with these fatty acids.”
Highlighted Articles
Breastfeeding and Child Cognitive Development (Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2008) “Conclusion These results, based on the largest randomized trial ever conducted in the area of human lactation, provide strong evidence that prolonged and exclusive breastfeeding improves children's cognitive development.”
Advances in our understanding of the biology of human milk and its effects on the offspring. (J Nutr. 2007) "The most important short-term immunological benefit of breast-feeding is the protection against infectious diseases. There is also some evidence of lower prevalence of inflammatory bowel diseases, childhood cancers, and type I diabetes in breast-fed infants, suggesting that breast-feeding influences the development of the infant's own immune system. One of the most consistent findings of breast-feeding is a positive effect on later intelligence tests with a few test points advantage for breast-fed infants."
Optimal duration of exclusive breastfeeding: what is the evidence to support current recommendations? (Am J Clin Nutr. 2007) "That review concluded that infants exclusively breastfed for 6 mo experienced less morbidity from gastrointestinal infection and showed no deficits in growth but that large randomized trials are required to rule out small adverse effects on growth and the development of iron deficiency in susceptible infants. Others have raised concerns that the evidence is insufficient to confidently recommend exclusive breastfeeding for 6 mo for infants in developed countries, that breast milk may not meet the full energy requirements of the average infant at 6 mo of age, and that estimates of the proportion of exclusively breastfed infants at risk of specific nutritional deficiencies are not available. Additionally, virtually no data are available to form evidence-based recommendations for the introduction of solids in formula-fed infants. Given increasing evidence that early nutrition and growth have effects on both short- and longer-term health, it is vital that this issue be investigated in high-quality randomized studies."
Immunization
NIH - Immunizations - general overview (Medical Encyclopedia) “IMMUNIZING CHILDREN: Babies get so many shots these days! Many parents are concerned that the sheer number of vaccines might overwhelm, weaken, or use up a baby's immature immune system. But a baby's immune system is built to make antibodies to as many as 10,000 foreign proteins. If a baby were to receive all 11 available vaccines at once, this would engage only a tiny fraction of the immune system. … IMMUNIZATION SCHEDULE The recommended immunization schedule is updated at least every 12 months by organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics. Consult your primary care provider about specific immunizations for you or your child. The current recommendations are available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at www.cdc.gov/vaccines. At every doctor visit, ask about the next recommended immunizations.”
NIH - Childhood Immunization “Vaccines help make you immune to serious diseases without getting sick first. Without a vaccine, you must actually get a disease in order to become immune to the germ that causes it. Vaccines work best when they are given at certain ages. For example, children don't receive measles vaccine until they are at least one year old. If it is given earlier it might not work as well.”
CDC - Recommended Immunization Schedules for Persons Aged 0--18 Years --- United States, 2008
CDC - Immunization Schedules (USA)
Childhood Vaccines: What They Are and Why Your Child Needs Them “Are there any reasons my child should not be vaccinated? In some special situations, children shouldn't be vaccinated. For example, some vaccines shouldn't be given to children who have certain types of cancer or certain diseases, or who are taking drugs that lower the body's ability to resist infection. The MMR vaccine shouldn't be given to children who have a serious allergy to eggs. If your child has had a serious reaction to the first shot in a series of shots, your family doctor will probably talk with you about the pros and cons of giving him or her the rest of the shots in the series. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about whether your child should receive a vaccine.”
CDC - Common Questions Parents Ask about Infant Immunizations
NHS – Childhood immunisations (UK) “Childhood immunisation prevents a large variety of diseases. These include: Tetanus. An infection found in the soil that causes severe muscle contractions and breathing difficulties. Polio (short for poliomyelitis). A virus that first attacks the gut (bowel) but then travels to the nervous system. Polio can cause paralysis (when you can't move your limbs) in one or more parts of your body. Pneumococcal infections. These can affect anyone, but young children are at an increased risk of developing serious complications such as meningitis. Diphtheria. A highly contagious disease caused by a bacterium called Corynebacterium diphtheriae. It causes a serious throat and chest infection. Meningitis C. Caused by the meningococcus group c bacterium. In rare cases it can lead to blood poisoning and serious types of meningitis. Hib (full name is haemophilus influenzae type b). A bacterium that can cause pneumonia and meningitis. Whooping cough (pertussis) - causes prolonged coughing that can be very distressing. In children, complications can include brain damage. Measles. Caused by the measles virus and can result in a serious fever and rash. In severe cases, measles can be fatal. Mumps. Caused by the mumps virus. Mumps usually leads to inflammation and swelling of the salivary glands (the glands located just below the ears). In severe cases this can cause deafness. Rubella (also know as German measles). Caused by the rubella virus and can lead to a mild illness and rash. In later life rubella can be serious to an unborn child as it can potentially lead to several birth defects. Other immunisations Some children may require additional immunisations that are not part of the childhood immunisation programme. Your GP will be able to advise you if your child requires any further immunisations. These may include immunisations if your child has a chronic condition.”
Highlighted Article
Thimerosal exposure in infants and neurodevelopmental disorders: An assessment of computerized medical records in the Vaccine Safety Datalink. (J Neurol Sci. 2008) “Routine childhood vaccination should be continued to help reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with infectious diseases, but efforts should be undertaken to remove Hg from vaccines.”
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Pediatrics
General Information
NEWS:
9 in 10 High Schoolers Short on Fruits, Veggies
Abused Kids Face Higher Cancer Risk “"One important avenue for future research is to investigate dysfunctions in cortisol production -- the hormone that prepares us for 'fight or flight' -- as a possible mediator in the abuse-cancer relationship," she said in a news release from the university. "Few talk about childhood physical abuse and cancer in the same breath," Esme Fuller-Thomson, of the University of Toronto's faculty of social work and department of family and community medicine, said in the news release. "From a public health perspective, it's extremely important that clinicians be aware of the full range of risk factors for cancer. This research provides important new knowledge about a potential childhood abuse-cancer relationship." “
Air Quality Up, Ear Infections Down “Cleaner air resulting from federal pollution laws may have significantly reduced the prevalence of ear infections in children, a new study shows.”
Baby's Sleep Position Is The Major Factor In 'Flat-Headedness'
Cause often not serious when babies cry a lot “The most common serious diagnosis was urinary tract infection, with infants less than 1 month old having the highest rates of infection.“
Early Bedtime May Help Stave Off Teen Depression “Teens whose parents pack them off to bed at 10 p.m. are less apt to become depressed or have suicidal thoughts than their peers who stay up much later, recent research shows. "This study bolsters the argument that a lack of sleep can cause depression," said study author James Gangwisch, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City. "Teens with earlier parental-mandated bedtimes were less likely to suffer from depression and suicidal thoughts." “
Early Spankings Make for Aggressive Toddlers, Study Shows “Children who are spanked as 1-year-olds are more likely to behave aggressively and perform worse on cognitive tests as toddlers than children who are spared the punishment, new research shows. Though the negative effects of spanking were "modest," the study adds to a growing body of literature that's finding spanking isn't good for children.”
FDA Issues Final Regulation on Dental Amalgam
Go PVC-Free for Back-to-School “Toxic PVC plastic is widespread in lots of school supplies. While the chemical industry argues PVC is perfectly safe, PVC is unique among plastics because it contains dangerous chemical additives. These harmful chemicals include phthalates, lead, cadmium, and/or organotins, which can be toxic to your child’s health. What’s worse is the danger these chemicals pose- phthalates and other toxic additives can leach out or evaporate into the air over time posing unnecessary dangers to children. That’s why we call it the poison plastic. NY Times columnist Nichols Kristof recently wrote a must read op-ed about the dangers of phthalates. Over 90% of these phthalates are used to soften PVC products such as school supplies - that’s over 5 million tons a year! More and more studies are coming out every month uncovering the hidden dangers of these ubiquitous chemicals.”
Health Tip: Putting Baby to Bed “Newborn babies shouldn't be expected to sleep through the night. Their bodies are so tiny that they should be awakened if they haven't eaten for at least five hours, the Nemours Foundation says. But there are things that new parents can do to help ensure a safe night's rest for their little one. The foundation offers these suggestions: • Put baby to sleep on his or her back to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). • Don't let baby sleep with plush bedding, blankets or pillows. • Remove stuffed animals from baby's crib when it's bedtime. • Each night, alternate which side of his or her head your baby sleeps on, to prevent development of a "flat spot" on a favored side of the head.“
Inadequate Sleep Leads to Misbehaved Kids “They found children who slept less than 7.7 hours had a higher hyperactivity and impulsivity score and a higher ADHD total score but a similar inattention score than those children who slept longer. Children who had trouble sleeping displayed behaviors such as hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention.”
Kids Can Make a Beautiful Marriage Ugly “The birth of children has an immediate negative impact on even blissfully happy couples, raising stress and reducing satisfaction levels of husbands and wives, new research says. Reasons for the negative toll kids take on marriage vary between men and women, but researchers say satisfaction levels start dropping as soon as children are born. … There was a significant decrease in marital satisfaction for both men and women after the birth of a child. Sudden increases in problem intensity and poor conflict management, and decreases in relationship confidence, were seen in mothers after birth; a sudden decrease in relationship dedication was seen in fathers. In the couples without children, declines in marital satisfaction occurred gradually over time. Men had decreased relationship dedication, as well, over time. Mothers with daughters had greater decreases in marital satisfaction compared to mothers who had boys. The authors write that their findings are "consistent with previous studies that have shown that male children are associated with lower rates of divorce and higher marital satisfaction, possibly because fathers of girls are less active in childcare than fathers of boys."
Lots of Schoolkids Squint to See Chalkboard “More than 20 percent of kids aged 12 to 17 have trouble seeing the classroom chalkboard, a new national survey shows. Of the nearly 1,500 children in the survey, more than 25 percent of the teen age group complained of headaches, even though 45 percent of them wore some type of prescription eyewear. About 25 percent of children aged 6 to 11 wear prescription glasses, according to the survey, conducted by Prevent Blindness America and VSP Vision Care. Eye problems among children increase with age. The most common vision problem in older children was nearsightedness (myopia), a condition in which close objects are seen clearly but objects that are far away, such as chalkboards, are blurry. All children should have their vision checked regularly, according to Prevent Blindness America. Unfortunately, more than 66 percent of those under the age of 6 have never had their eyes examined by an eye doctor, the survey found. “
Many Kids Don't Need the Vitamins They're Taking “Many healthy U.S. children and teenagers may be popping vitamins and mineral supplements they don't need, researchers report. The experts note that vitamin and mineral supplements are not considered necessary when a person eats a varied diet. On the other hand, children who actually need these supplements -- those with poorer nutrition, less physical activity, and from low-income households -- may not be getting the dosage of vitamins and minerals they require, according to researchers reporting in the February issue of the Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine.”
More Dairy, Calcium in Childhood Could Mean Longer Life “A 65-year-long study finds that people who took in lots of calcium and dairy products as children tended to avoid stroke and live longer than those who didn't. "This study shows a modest protective effect of dietary calcium intake in childhood against stroke risk later in life, and a modest protective effect against mortality from any cause from higher intake of milk in childhood," said Dr. David L. Katz, director of the Prevention Research Center at Yale University School of Medicine. He was not involved in the study, which was published in the July 28 online edition of Heart. Risk factors for heart disease start in childhood, but there is little evidence of the effect dairy foods have on these risks. Some dairy products, such as whole milk, butter and cheese, have a lot of saturated fat and cholesterol. Studies have also shown that eating these foods in adulthood contributes to heart disease, researchers say. “
One in seven US teens is vitamin D deficient “Of the specific findings, the authors were particularly concerned about the role of weight in deficiency. "Because vitamin D is stored in body fat, simply increasing the dosage of vitamin D may not be effective in overweight adolescents," notes senior author Dr. Linda M. Gerber, professor of public health in the Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology and professor of epidemiology in medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College. "As the prevalence of childhood obesity increases, vitamin D deficiency may increase as well. In this group, appropriate nutrition could solve both problems." Another concern is the increased risk of deficiency in girls, some of whom may become pregnant during adolescence. The authors note that a lack of vitamin D may increase maternal risk of preeclampsia and gestational diabetes and may be associated with reduced bone mineralization in the offspring.“
Size of fat cells and waist size predict type 2 diabetes in women
Sustained Effect of Early Physical Activity on Body Fat Mass in Older Children. (Am J Prev Med. 2009) “CONCLUSIONS: Some effects of early-childhood MVPA on fatness appear to persist throughout childhood. Results indicate the potential importance of increasing MVPA in young children as a strategy to reduce later fat gains.”
The Consequences of a Boozy Youth “Boozing it up in adolescence contributes to risky behavior in adulthood, according to a new study with rats. Some researchers suspect that the same is true for people, but they've had a hard time establishing whether adolescent drinking makes people prone to risk-taking or whether risk-prone people are simply more likely to start drinking as teenagers. Although the new work doesn't settle the issue, it bolsters the case that early alcohol use can cause lasting changes in behavior. … One possibility, Bernstein says, is that brain regions such as the prefrontal cortex, which plays an important roles in decision-making and is still maturing in human teenagers, are particularly sensitive to the effects of adolescent drinking: "Alcohol for some reason is very toxic to developing nervous systems." “
We Need to Put Vitamin D Back in Children and Adolescents
Wet Combing More Accurate Than Visual Inspection For Identifying Active Head Lice Infestation
When Toddlers Point a Lot, More Words Will Follow “Don't just talk to your toddler -- gesture, too. Pointing, waving bye-bye and other natural gestures seem to boost a budding vocabulary. Scientists found those tots who could convey more meaning with gestures at age 14 months went on to have a richer vocabulary as they prepared to start kindergarten. And intriguingly, whether a family is poor or middle class plays a role, the researchers report Friday. “
ARTICLES:
Common Conditions that Mimic Findings of Sexual Abuse
Pre-Preschool “"It probably won't do any good, and it can in fact be harmful," says Janet DiPietro, a developmental psychologist at Johns Hopkins University who has studied fetal development for 20 years. But, she added, many people "don't understand that anyone can say anything they want on that label and it's not vetted anyplace and those products are not FDA-regulated in any way."”
JOURNAL ARTICLES:
Health and well-being in school-age children following persistent crying in infancy. (J Paediatr Child Health. 2009) “CONCLUSION: At school-age, children with a history of hospitalisation for persistent crying in infancy had a significantly higher prevalence of mental health problems and mental disorders, as compared with community samples.”
Imaging Data Reveal a Higher Pediatric Stroke Incidence Than Prior US Estimates (Stroke 2009)
Iodine supplementation improves cognition in mildly iodine-deficient children. (Am J Clin Nutr. 2009)
Prevention and Management of Vitamin D Deficiency in Children: Part II. Vitamin D Supplementation (Pediatr Pharm. 2009)
School-based exercise improves fitness, body composition, insulin sensitivity, and markers of inflammation in non-obese children. (J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2009)
The effect of acute treadmill walking on cognitive control and academic achievement in preadolescent children. (Neuroscience. 2009) “Collectively, these findings indicate that single, acute bouts of moderately-intense aerobic exercise (i.e. walking) may improve the cognitive control of attention in preadolescent children, and further support the use of moderate acute exercise as a contributing factor for increasing attention and academic performance. These data suggest that single bouts of exercise affect specific underlying processes that support cognitive health and may be necessary for effective functioning across the lifespan.”
Very Short Gastroesophageal Acid Reflux during the Upright Position Could Be Associated with Asthma in Children. (Allergol Int. 2009)
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