Pediatrics News and Research

Latest Pediatrics News and Research

Women with preeclampsia have fewer EPCs: Magee-Womens Research Institute

Compared to women with uncomplicated pregnancies, women with preeclampsia have reduced numbers of special cells that are thought to help grow and maintain blood vessels, according to a study by researchers at the Magee-Womens Research Institute and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

7 Apr 2010

Obesity can be detected in infants as young as 6 months: Study

Obesity can be detected in infants as young as 6 months, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.

7 Apr 2010

University of Wisconsin-Madison uses ultrasensitive detector to find fetal heart rhythm problems

At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, one of the most powerful magnetic detectors in the world is helping screen high-risk pregnant patients for rare but very serious fetal heart rhythm problems. Thanks to a collaboration with The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee; Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee; and Hope Children's Hospital, Chicago, the ultrasensitive detector measures magnetic signals coming from the tiny beating hearts of fetuses.

6 Apr 2010

Health officials monitor cases of pandemic H1N1 flu in the Southeast

The continued spread of H1N1 influenza virus this spring is cause to pay heed to upper-respiratory maladies such as congestion, runny nose and cough, says David Kimberlin, M.D., a preeminent influenza specialist who co-directs the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases.

6 Apr 2010

Socially deprived children appear to benefit from foster care

Socially deprived children removed from orphanages and placed in foster care appear to experience gains in growth and intelligence, catching up to their non-institutionalized peers on many measures, according to a report posted online today that will appear in the June print issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

6 Apr 2010

Exposure to certain chemicals may lead to early pubertal development

Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine have found that exposure to three common chemical classes-phenols, phthalates and phytoestrogens-in young girls may disrupt the timing of pubertal development, and put girls at risk for health complications later in life.

6 Apr 2010

Attack on ‘junk food’ marketing to cut down on obesity

Amidst warnings of the obesity epidemic health authorities voicing their concern called for restrictions on fast non healthy food and alcohol advertising. Australia is one of the most overweight nations in the world, with more than 60% of adults and 25% children overweight or obese.

5 Apr 2010

Research Roundup: Soda taxes, health reform timeline, children's health disparities, best hospital practices

Health Affairs: Soda Taxes, Soft Drink Consumption, And Children's Body Mass Index - "Using data on state sales taxes for soda and individual-level data on children," the authors report existing taxes on soda fail to "substantially affect overall levels of soda consumption or obesity rates." However, the authors also found "statistically significant and substantively larger effects of differential soda sales taxes among children who are heavier, have lower family income, are African American, or watch a great deal of TV.

3 Apr 2010

Town hall meetings highlight the dangers of underage drinking

In recognition of Alcohol Awareness Month in April, communities throughout the nation are conducting town hall meetings to discuss what can be done to prevent and reduce underage drinking.

3 Apr 2010

Nationwide Children's Hospital unveils new combined operative and diagnostic MRI suite

As technology continues to change and grow, Nationwide Children's Hospital is keeping pace by unveiling a new combined operative and diagnostic MRI suite. Unlike a fixed MRI system, this structure offers the versatility of moving between three different rooms, ultimately utilizing the machine for two needs - intraoperative MRI diagnostics and non-operative diagnostic imaging.

3 Apr 2010

Winner of 2010-2011 Luminex/ACMGF Award

The American College of Medical Genetics Foundation (ACMGF) has awarded Dr. Marilyn M. Li, of the Tulane Medical Center and the Tulane University School of Medicine the 2010-2011 Luminex/ACMGF Award at the ACMG 2010 Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting in Albuquerque, NM.

From Luminex 3 Apr 2010

Tips to get optimum healthcare coverage during economic downturn

The economic downturn is impacting the health of many people – not only by exacerbating conditions like hypertension, stress and fatigue, but also by causing some people to put off getting the health care they need.

3 Apr 2010

Laughter is the best medicine for ill kids: say Clown Doctors

Jean-Paul Bell aka "Dr B Loony" has given child patients across Australia a reason to smile and laugh this National Smile Day. He believes, "When you're in pain and suffering ... it's not like the last thing you want to do is have a laugh…You'll grab a laugh instantly just to escape where you're at - humour has that effect where it gives you a brief out-of-body experience."

2 Apr 2010

Study finds potential role of NGF in islet transplantation

Islet transplantation is a promising treatment for type 1 diabetes mellitus. The promotion of angiogenesis is an important endeavor to prevent islet graft failure. Endothelial precursor cells (EPCs), a heterogeneous group originating in the hematopoietic compartment of bone marrow, have an important role in the angiogenesis of adult tissues.

2 Apr 2010

Liver function tests misinterpreted in majority of children's hospitals

New research led by physician-scientists at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine shows that the test most commonly used to screen pediatric patients for chronic liver disease is often incorrectly interpreted in many children's hospitals throughout the United States.

2 Apr 2010

Young athletes overuse their bodies and strike out too early

Today, leaders in healthcare, wellness, safety and fitness came together to launch the STOP Sports Injuries campaign. The campaign will educate athletes, parents, trainers, coaches and healthcare providers about the rapid increase in youth sports injuries, the necessary steps to help reverse the trend and the need to keep young athletes healthy.

1 Apr 2010

Health law includes $250 million for abstinence education

The new health care law contains "a renewal of $50 million per year for five years for abstinence-focused education," CNN reports. "Programs that receive this funding must 'teach that abstinence from sexual activity is the only certain way to avoid out-of-wedlock pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and other associated health problems,' according to the Department of Health and Human Services. To qualify, they must also teach that sex before marriage is "likely to have harmful psychological and physical effects'..."

1 Apr 2010

Leaders join forces to help young athletes play safe and stay healthy

1 Apr 2010

Meditation to replace traumatic court visits for abuse kids

The Australian Government is discussing the introduction of meditation as a means to reduce psychological trauma to children who are abused or have to sit through court sessions. The trauma that a child at risk of abuse or other legal conflicts undergoes has been long debated and often accepted as a bitter truth.

1 Apr 2010

Breastfeeding benefits expanded to cover mothers: Risk of diabetes reduced

Research has found a new benefit that mothers can obtain by breast feeding – decreased risk of type 2 diabetes. Benefits of breastfeeding for the baby have been cited for a long time now. In spite of this knowledge according to The Australian Breastfeeding Association there is a definite gap in awareness regarding health benefits that this simple yet effective practice can offer.

1 Apr 2010