BREAKING NEWS

Household chemicals can make vaccines less effective

Common household chemicals such as those found in nonstick cookware, food packaging, and fabrics—even microwave popcorn bags—can reduce the immune response to routine childhood immunizations. According to newly released study results, the more children are exposed to perfluorinated compounds, the less likely they are to have a good immune response to vaccinations. These results may not entirely surprise you, but they might help you to figure out what is wrong when a child’s vaccination didn’t seem to work. » More

NEW RESEARCH

Survey: Most pediatricians skip ECG before starting ADHD stimulants

Results of a survey of AAP members show that most US pediatricians bypass an ECG before starting children on stimulant medication for ADHD, opting for a routine cardiac history and physical examination instead. Find out how perceived barriers to cardiac screening influence clinical practice. » More

Survey

Do you agree with HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius’ directive to overrule the FDA decision that would have made emergency contraception available over the counter to all women, including those younger than 17 years old?

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Last month we asked whether it was right for child protective services to take an obese child away from the family. We found that this was an issue many of you felt the need to weigh in on. Read the surprising results here.

NEW RESEARCH

Contraception used half the time in unintentional teen pregnancies

Half of teen mothers who became pregnant unintentionally say that they did nothing to prevent the pregnancy, according to data from a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey. The data show that misperceptions still abound regarding contraception and pregnancy, and it is never a bad idea to have frank talks with your patients—boys and girls alike. » More

Childhood obesity rates leveling off

The latest data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey show that the overall prevalence of obesity in children may be leveling off at about 17%, in contrast to the rapid increases seen in the 1980s and 1990s. Another study showed that the availability of junk foods had little effect on weight gain in middle-school children. Learn why efforts to promote healthy eating may have to extend beyond the classroom. » More

Co-occurring conditions sometimes leads to a change in ASD diagnosis

Certain characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may change as a child ages. An analysis of a national survey of children’s health found that children with a current diagnosis of ASD were more likely to have a co-occurring neurodevelopmental or psychiatric condition, such as learning disability or depression, than those with a past (but not current) diagnosis of ASD. This is important information to have when arriving at an ASD diagnosis. » More

Recognizing problems behind infant-formula stretching

Stretching infant formula by dilution or reduced feedings exposes babies to serious developmental risks, yet it can be a monthly temptation for families receiving supplemental nutrition assistance. Find out how families forced to resort to formula stretching can be better identified and what other options can be offered to them. » More

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