PRACTICE MANAGEMENT

Bottom line improves for pediatric practices

If your pediatric practice is typical, you may be seeing revenue and expenses moving in the right direction, if ever so slightly. After years of rapidly rising costs, independent pediatric practices experienced a 2.5% drop in operating expenses. The revenue picture was not as favorable. See how your practice compares. » More

NEW RESEARCH

Stimulant use: ADHD treatment inconsistent across country

Overall, the use of stimulants to treat ADHD increased from 1996 to 2008 but at a considerably slower rate than the 10 years before. Which children are treated with stimulants and how often varied widely across the country, however. What factors—other than severity of condition—influence those treatment decisions? » More

Survey

According to the latest Medical Group Management Association survey, there has been a slight drop in the cost of operating expenses and a slight rise in revenues for pediatric practices. Contemporary Pediatrics would like to know: How's your bottom line?

Better than last year
Worse than last year
About the same as last year

Last month we asked if you have seen a rise in the incidence of STIs in your younger than 16-year-old patients. Here’s what you told us.

NEW RESEARCH

Monitor vitamin D when prescribing corticosteroids

Pediatricians should regularly monitor vitamin D levels in children taking oral corticosteroids to make sure they do not develop a severe deficiency, according to a recent study that used a large, nationally representative sample. You may be surprised to find out how much more likely severe vitamin D deficiency is in pediatric patients taking oral steroids than untreated children. » More

Formula-fed infants benefit cognitively from DHA supplements

The medical consensus may be that breast is best, but some mothers cannot or will not nurse for the recommended year or more. For infants who receive formula instead, a new study suggests that supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid improves cognitive measures. What other benefits are linked to omega-3 fatty acid supplementation? » More

PHARMACOLOGY

Balancing drug benefits and risks for patients with pediatric arthritis

Without much specific research in children, pediatricians often have to extrapolate adult information when prescribing disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) for patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). A new federal government report synthesizes clinical evidence from studies of JIA to help pediatric clinicians better balance the benefits of DMARDs against risks of adverse effects. Read more to see what the study says about the use of nonbiologic DMARDs versus the biologic forms. » More

NEW RESEARCH

Traumatic brain injury: New statistics suggest interventions

At what age are children more likely to suffer brain injuries from falls than from being struck with an object? How much more likely are boys to incur head injuries than girls? A new study answers these questions and could help you develop customized interventions on the basis of a patient’s age or sex. » More

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