HEALTH LAW & POLICY

HPV vaccine for boys: Who will pay?

With all the news coverage about a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory committee recommending vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) for boys aged 11 to 12 years and “catch up” vaccination for young men through 21 years, you are likely to get calls and visits from parents who want to have their male children vaccinated immediately. One of the first questions you should ask is: Are you prepared to pay for it out of pocket? » More

NEW RESEARCH

Pediatric knee injuries: What to do about a 400% increase in 12 years

Children and adolescents increasingly are being diagnosed with knee injuries. Although better diagnostic techniques may account for some of this, researchers suggest that greater participation in sports definitely played a part. What can you do to help young athletes avoid anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus tears? » More

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NEW RESEARCH

Routine statins not recommended for pediatric patients with lupus

Should you routinely prescribe a common statin for pediatric patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)? The answer is a qualified no, based on the findings of a recent study. Atorvastatin therapy proved to be ineffective in reducing atherosclerotic progression in children and adolescents with SLE. The study, however, had some interesting observations about treatment with the statin for patients with more severe SLE who were not part of the trial. » More

Teen suicide risk linked to criminal record

Here’s an effective way to find out which adolescents are at higher risk of suicide: Check their criminal records. Swedish study results show that the more convictions teenagers had, the more likely they were to commit suicide, with results peaking at 5 convictions. You might be surprised to find out how dramatically the risk increased for those who ran afoul of the law. » More

Children at increased risk for invasive melanoma

As dangerous and frightening as melanoma can be for any patient, a new study suggests that children may have a higher risk than adults for the deadly form of skin cancer to become invasive. The Johns Hopkins study raises some important questions about how biologic differences between children and adults can manifest in diseases such as cancer. What characteristics were found to be the strongest predictors of disease severity? » More

HEALTH LAW & POLICY

ADHD in young children better treated with parental training

Commonly prescribed medications appear to be safe and effective in controlling symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in older children, at least in the short term, but little evidence supports their use in children younger than 6 years, according to a recent government report. The report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality recommends that pediatricians consider advocating formal training in parenting strategies instead of drug therapies for preschoolers. Find out how effective those interventions have been. » More

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