Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Pediatrics for December 2018. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Delayed School Start Shows Benefits for Teens
FRIDAY, Dec. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Delaying school start times increases the amount of time teenagers sleep, which seems to improve school performance, according to a study published in the December issue of Science Advances.
Pregnancy Complications Up for Women Born at Low Birth Weight
FRIDAY, Dec. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Women born with a low birth weight have an increased risk for pregnancy complications, according to a study published online Dec. 19 in Obesity.
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Many EDs Do Not Have Pediatric Area, Emergency Care Coordinator
FRIDAY, Dec. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Many emergency departments do not have a pediatric area or pediatric emergency care coordinator (PECC), but an intervention can increase use of PECCs, according to three studies published in the December issue of Academic Emergency Medicine.
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Low-Priced Generic Drugs Most Likely to Have Shortages
THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The lowest-priced generic drugs are more likely to experience shortages, according to a study published in the November issue of Value in Health.
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Opioid Prescribing Patterns Vary for Pediatric Patients
THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There is considerable variation in opioid prescribing among pediatric patients, according to a study published online Dec. 21 in JAMA Network Open.
Pediatric Asthma Risk Score Has Good Sensitivity, Specificity
THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A new quantitative personalized tool can better predict asthma development in young children than the Asthma Predictive Index (API), according to a study published online Dec. 13 in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
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ASH Develops Practice Guidelines for Venous Thromboembolism
THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The American Society of Hematology (ASH) has developed new guidelines for the treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE); the clinical practice guidelines were recently published in Blood Advances.
Prophylaxis for Hospitalized and Nonhospitalized Medical Patients
Diagnosis of Venous Thromboembolism
Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia
Treatment of Pediatric Venous Thromboembolism
Venous Thromboembolism in the Context of Pregnancy
Optimal Management of Anticoagulation Therapy
Universal Vaccination for MenB at College Entry Not Cost-Effective
THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Universal vaccination against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B (MenB) at college entry does not appear to be cost-effective, according to a study published online Dec. 17 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Oculomotor Response to Head Impacts Studied in Youth Football
THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Near point of convergence (NPC) values change in response to subconcussive head impacts but begin to normalize over time in high school football players, according to a study published online Dec. 20 in JAMA Ophthalmology.
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Initiative Can Cut Gender Gap in Medical School Faculty Salaries
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — An institutional gender equity initiative (GEI) can reduce gender-based salary gaps among medical school faculty, according to a study published online Dec. 21 in JAMA Network Open.
Updated Guidelines Developed for Diagnosing, Treating Influenza
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The Infectious Diseases Society of America has updated their recommendations for the care of patients with suspected or diagnosed influenza; the clinical practice guidelines were published online Dec. 19 in Clinical Infectious Diseases.
New AAP Guideline Available for Infantile Hemangioma Treatment
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The American Academy of Pediatrics has developed its first guideline for the management of infantile hemangiomas (IHs); the clinical practice guideline was published online Dec. 24 in Pediatrics.
Malnutrition Ups Risk of Postop Issues in Pediatric Crohn Disease
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For children with Crohn disease (CD), malnutrition is associated with increased risk of complications after bowel surgery, according to a study published in the November issue of the Journal of Pediatric Surgery.
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Vit C for Pregnant Smokers May Improve Newborn Lung Function
MONDAY, Dec. 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For pregnant smokers, vitamin C supplementation may improve newborn lung function, according to a study published online Dec. 7 in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
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FDA: Fluoroquinolones Tied to Heart Vessel Ruptures, Tears
FRIDAY, Dec. 21, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Patients taking fluoroquinolones may be at higher risk for ruptures or tears in the aorta, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns.
FDA: Teething Jewelry Linked to at Least One Infant Death
FRIDAY, Dec. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Teething jewelry products, such as necklaces, pose significant safety risks and have been tied to at least one baby’s death, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns.
Mental, Behavior, Developmental Disorders Up With Low-Income
FRIDAY, Dec. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Children in lower-income households more often receive a diagnosis of mental, behavioral, and developmental disorders (MBDDs), according to research published in the Dec. 21 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Incident Concussion 5.1 Percent Per Season for Youth Football
FRIDAY, Dec. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The athlete-level incidence of concussion is 5.1 percent per season for American football players aged 5 to 14 years, according to a study published online Dec. 13 in The Journal of Pediatrics.
Growth in Use of Telemedicine Seen From 2005 to 2017
THURSDAY, Dec. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — From 2005 to 2017, there was a substantial increase in telemedicine use, although use was still uncommon in 2017, according to a research letter published online Nov. 27 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Affordable Care Act Sign-Ups Higher Than Expected
THURSDAY, Dec. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Despite numerous difficulties, early figures show that sign-ups for health coverage next year under the Affordable Care Act are higher than expected.
ADA 2019 Standards of Care Emphasize Patient-Centered Care
THURSDAY, Dec. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Patient-centered care is emphasized in updated clinical practice recommendations from the American Diabetes Association 2019 Standards of Care, published as a supplement to the January issue of Diabetes Care.
Structured Family-Centered Peds Rounds Improve Patient Safety
THURSDAY, Dec. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Structured communication involving families, nurses, and physicians can reduce harmful medical errors and improve family experience during pediatric hospitalizations, according to a study published online Dec. 5 in The BMJ.
New Law Boosts Fight Against Sickle Cell Disease
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 19, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A sickle cell disease prevention and treatment program in the United States has been reauthorized to receive nearly $5 million each year over the next five years.
NBC News Article
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‘Aggressive Steps’ Needed to Stop Adolescent Use of E-Cigarettes
TUESDAY, Dec. 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — “Aggressive steps” must be taken by parents, teachers, health providers, and government officials to prevent children and teens from using electronic cigarettes, U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams, M.D., M.P.H., said in an advisory.
Exclusion of Doctors From Public Health Insurance Up 2007 to 2017
TUESDAY, Dec. 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — From 2007 to 2017, the number of physicians excluded from Medicare and state public insurance programs increased, according to a study published online Dec. 14 in JAMA Network Open.
Psychosocial Factors Key in Peds Care for Special-Needs Kids
TUESDAY, Dec. 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Pediatric providers need to be aware of the impact of psychosocial factors on the health and wellness of children and youth with special health care needs and their families, according to a clinical report published online Dec. 17 in Pediatrics.
Routine Supplements to Prevent Chronic Disease Not Advised
TUESDAY, Dec. 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Routine use of vitamin and mineral supplements to prevent chronic disease is not recommended, according to an Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics position paper published in the November issue of the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
More U.S. Teens Are Vaping, but Use of Opioids, Alcohol Falling
MONDAY, Dec. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Vaping among American teenagers increased dramatically in 2018, with nearly two of every five high school seniors reporting they had tried an electronic cigarette during the past year, according to the latest Monitoring the Future survey funded by the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Risk for Later Suicide Up for Certain Youth Presenting to ED
MONDAY, Dec. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The risk for subsequent self-directed violence is increased among young people presenting to the emergency department for certain medical conditions, according to a study published online Dec. 17 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Pediatricians Have Role in ID’ing Postpartum Depression
MONDAY, Dec. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Pediatric physicians should screen women for postpartum depression (PPD) at well-child visits and make use of community resources for treatment and referral, according to a policy statement and technical report published online Dec. 17 in Pediatrics.
Policy Statement
Technical Report
Racial Disparities Seen Among Teens Undergoing Flu Vaccination
FRIDAY, Dec. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Racial disparities exist among adolescents undergoing influenza vaccination, with lower odds of vaccination among black versus white adolescents, according to a study recently published in Public Health Reports.
Depressive Symptoms Up From Age 10 for Sexual-Minority Youth
FRIDAY, Dec. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Sexual-minority youth have higher depressive symptoms at age 10 and an increased likelihood of self-harm in adolescence and young adulthood, according to a study published online Dec. 11 in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health.
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Persistent Discrimination ID’d Among Physician Mothers
FRIDAY, Dec. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Physician mothers experience discrimination in a range of ways, which can impact the medical profession, according to a study published online Dec. 12 in The BMJ.
Subfertility Linked to Increased Asthma Risk in Offspring
FRIDAY, Dec. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Parental subfertility is associated with an increased asthma risk among offspring, according to a study published online Dec. 4 in Thorax.
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Inhaling Hypertonic Saline May Aid Infants With Cystic Fibrosis
THURSDAY, Dec. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — In infants with cystic fibrosis (CF), preventive inhalation with hypertonic saline (HS) during the first months of life is safe and well tolerated and results in clinical improvements, according to a study recently published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
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CDC: More Cases in Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Recalled Beef
THURSDAY, Dec. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The number of illnesses in a Salmonella outbreak linked to beef products from Arizona-based JBS Tolleson Inc. now stands at 333 in 28 states, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Medication Errors Resulting in Death Most Common in Elderly
THURSDAY, Dec. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Medication errors in acute care that result in death occur most often in patients older than 75 years, with the most common error category being omitted medicine or ingredient, according to a study published online Nov. 22 in Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy.
Enrollment Under the Affordable Care Act Down From Last Year
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 12, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Enrollment for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act is down with just days left to sign up, according to the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Antipsychotics Up Risk for Unexpected Death in Youths
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 12, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Antipsychotic use is associated with an increased risk for unexpected death among children and youths, according to a study published online Dec. 12 in JAMA Psychiatry.
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2017 Saw Slowing in National Health Care Spending
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 12, 2018 (HealthDay News) — National health care spending slowed in 2017, according to a report published online Dec. 6 in Health Affairs.
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Case Numbers of U.S. Children With Polio-Like Illness Hit Record High
TUESDAY, Dec. 11, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There has been a record number of cases of a rare paralyzing illness among children in the United States this year, according to health officials.
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U.S. Medical Schools See Increase in Diversity
TUESDAY, Dec. 11, 2018 (HealthDay News) — After implementation of the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) diversity accreditation standards, U.S. medical schools saw increasing percentages of female, black, and Hispanic matriculants, according to a research letter published in the Dec. 4 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Global Prevalence of Eczema Estimated for Children, Teens 
Immunization Schedule for Children, Teens Updated for 2023 
Most Children Exposed to Makeup, Body Products for Play 
Surge in Severe Strep Cases in Children Was Really a Return to Normal: CDC 
2013 to 2022 Saw Increase in Group A Streptococcal Infections 
Rhinoviruses, Enteroviruses Persisted During Pandemic Among Pediatric Patients 
Genetic, Environmental Prenatal Risk Factors Play Role in Early Atopic Dermatitis 
Measles Outbreak in Ohio Declared Over After 85 Cases 
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