HEALTH LAW & POLICY

Flu-like symptoms? Inquire about swine exposure

With 10 cases this year of swine-origin influenza reported, mostly in children, the CDC is urging pediatricians to screen patients presenting with fever and respiratory symptoms for contact with swine. It also said you shouldn’t rely on commercially available diagnostic tests to tell the difference between swine flu and seasonal influenza A viruses. Here’s why. » More

CLINICAL GUIDELINES

Daily corticosteroids may not be best for intermittent wheezing

Although current clinical guidelines call for daily low-dose inhaled corticosteroid treatment for preschoolers who have recurrent wheezing and are at risk for developing asthma, that may not be the best course of action. You might be surprised at how few times a year treatment was necessary for respiratory symptoms that had caused wheezing in the past. » More

HbA_1c test misses many cases of pediatric diabetes

Using a simple, nonfasting blood test to screen children for diabetes may be too good to be true. A new study found that hemoglobin A_1c is not very effective for diagnosing diabetes in children and misses as many as 2 out of 3 cases. What tests did the researchers recommend instead? » More

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Last month we asked readers if they had chosen their pediatric EHR system. Click here to see the results.

HEALTH LAW & POLICY

Possible child abuse underreported because of lack of confidence, information

Is lack of confidence keeping you from reporting possible child abuse? A new study suggests that could be the case. What other factors prevented pediatricians and other PCPs from reporting suspected child abuse?
» More

NEW RESEARCH

Score one for warm-ups: Leg injuries reduced in teenage girls

Here’s a way to help your female teenagers avoid athletic injuries: During their sports physicals, tell them and their parents that coach-led neuromuscular warm-ups have been shown to reduce anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and other leg injuries in teen girls who play soccer and basketball. Find out what a dramatic difference warm-ups made and how cost-effective they are. » More

Mortality from necrotizing enterocolitis reduced by change in transfusion practices

Premature infants with the AB blood type who develop necrotizing enterocolitis are nearly
3 times more likely to die from it as preemies with other blood types, according to a recent study. A straightforward change in blood transfusion practice can reduce mortality, however. What do the study researchers recommend? » More

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