Pediatrics Clinical Briefs

• Hypothermia Decreases Brain Injury in Hypoxic Infants; MRI Aids in Predicting Prognosis CME A new study confirms that therapeutic hypothermia is helpful in reducing brain tissue injury in infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and establishes MRI as a useful biomarker of outcome at 18 months.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• Hematuria/Dysuria May Be Inconstant in Children With Recurrent Abdominal Pain/Urolithiasis CME In children younger than 8 years, abdominal pain is often central or diffuse; additional warning signs of urinary stones are infrequent pain attacks and a family history of urolithiasis.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• Postnatal HIV Transmission Seen After Infant Prophylaxis Stopped CME HIV virus transmission via breast milk occurred after antiretroviral prophylaxis was stopped, suggesting that infant prophylaxis was only effective while the agents were being administered.
  Reuters Health Information CME, November 2009
• Pain Control Recommended for Newborns CME/CE In a prospective study, any method of pain control for newborns was better than none, and feeding and breast-feeding during heel-lancing were found to be the most effective methods of pain relief.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• Role of Primary Care Clinicians in HIV Management Reviewed CME/CE A review describes the role of primary care clinicians in the treatment of patients with HIV infection.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• Many Antibiotics Used During Pregnancy Are Not Associated With Several Birth Defects CME In a case-control study, penicillins, erythromycins, and cephalosporins were not associated with many birth defects, but sulfonamides and nitrofurantoins were linked to several birth defects.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• Management of Vitamin D Deficiency Reviewed CME A review suggests best practices for recognition and management of Vitamin D deficiency in the family practice setting.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• Trait Anxiety in Pregnant Women Linked to Smaller Infant Size CME In a longitudinal cohort study, trait anxiety measured in pregnant women at the second and third trimesters predicted reduced birth weight and length.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• Long-Term Use of Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole May Reduce UTIs in At-Risk Children CME In a randomized trial, long-term, low-dose trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole shows a consistent but modest treatment effect across subgroups of children with urinary tract infections.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• FDA Approvals: Arzerra and Berinert CME/CE The FDA has granted accelerated approval of ofatumumab intravenous infusion for chronic lymphocytic leukemia and has also approved an intravenous therapy for hereditary angioedema.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• Three-Day Course of Antibiotics May Be Effective After Pediatric Tonsillectomy CME In a small, randomized trial, a 3-day course of antibiotics was as effective as a 7-day course in terms of postoperative analgesic use and resumption of normal diet and activity.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• First-Time Antipsychotic Use Linked to Rapid Weight Gain, Adverse Metabolic Changes in Kids CME/CE First-time, second-generation antipsychotic use in children and adolescents is associated with rapid and significant weight gain as well as varied adverse metabolic changes, new research shows.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• Intensified Blood Pressure Control May Improve Renal Function in Children With CKD CME In a randomized trial, intensified blood pressure control targeting 24-hour blood-pressure levels in the low range of normal was associated with a substantial benefit in renal function.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• New Clinical Guidelines Issued for Exacerbations in Cystic Fibrosis CME The evidence-based guidelines discuss management of pulmonary exacerbations in cystic fibrosis, highlighting synergy testing and the dosing of aminoglycoside antibiotics.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• Radiologic Scale Helps Predict Disease Severity in Infants With Necrotizing Enterocolitis CME In a case-control study, the Duke Abdominal Assessment Scale assisted clinicians in determining the severity of disease and the need for surgery in infants with necrotizing enterocolitis.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• FDA Approvals: Elitek, Fluarix, Votrient CME/CE The FDA has approved an expanded indication for rasburicase intravenous infusion, a pediatric use of a trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine, and pazopanib tablets for advanced renal cell carcinoma.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• CDC Issues Guidelines for Early Empiric Antiviral Treatment in Persons With Suspected Influenza CME/CE The new recommendations aim to assist clinicians in prioritizing use of antiviral medications for hospitalized patients and those at higher risk for influenza-related complications.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• Bones More Mature Than Chronologic Age May Be a Marker for Hypertension in Children CME A study shows that irrespective of body mass index, advanced skeletal maturation should be considered as an independent marker for the development of hypertension in children.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• Guidelines Updated on Number of Embryos to Be Transferred During In Vitro Fertilization CME The guidelines advise limiting the number of embryos to be transferred to reduce the number of high-risk multiple pregnancies.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• Prophylactic Acetaminophen Before Vaccination in Infants Reduces Vaccine Response CME A new study shows that the antipyretic acetaminophen may interfere with the efficacy of vaccines and suggests that their use should not be routinely recommended.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009