June 11 2014   Vol. V, Issue 24
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Omega-3 fatty acids for hyperactivity in Autism (ASD)

A small study of 57, 5-8 year old children with hyperactivity and ASD randomly assigned to receive either 1.3 grams Omega-3 fatty acids or a placebo were followed for 3 months with outcomes assessed by parents and teachers.

 

Omega-3 ingestion in ASD does NOT appear (though non-statistical reduction in hyperactivity was noted) to reduce hyperactivity. Larger trials are needed.

 

Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 

Pertussis: A persistent cause of morbidity and mortality in young infants  

Pertussis continues to cause morbidity and death in young infants, particularly those less than 3 months of age despite recent recommendations (2013 ACIP) that pregnant women be immunized with Tdap during each pregnancy (at ~20 weeks gestation - preferably between 27-36 weeks) or post-partum, plus household contacts ("cocooning") and infants as early as 42 days of age.

 

A study of a 2012 Pertussis outbreak demonstrates the importance of ensuring that pregnant women receive, with every pregnancy (antibody levels may decline over a two year period), Tdap. "Cocooning" and infant administration of DTaP as early as 42 days of age may be the best strategy combination.

 

Journal of Pediatrics 

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Sports participation and children's reported Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL).

 

HRQL is an important outcome to not only patients but also researchers, clinicians and policy makers; it encompasses an individual's perceptions, beliefs, expectations and their interpretation of physical, social, and psychological experiences. Many chronic diseases in childhood are associated with low levels of HRQL and it as important to identify factors which may improve it.

 

A longitudinal study of a large cohort of children (8 and 10 years old) examined via interviews and questionnaires HRQL and related them to sports participation (vs. those not involved in sports).

 

Children who continue sports participation between the ages of 8 and 10 years report a significantly greater HRQL compared to those who don't; team participation results are even better than individual sports.

 

Journal of Pediatrics

Video Feature  
Bariatric Surgery in Adolescents Improves Obesity-Related Diseases
Bariatric Surgery in Adolescents Improves Obesity-Related Diseases
via YouTube
Bariatric surgery vs. intensive medical therapy (IMT) for obesity in uncontrolled type II Diabetes patients

A study of 150 obese adult patients with uncontrolled type II Diabetes who underwent either IMT alone or IMT plus gastric bypass/sleeve gastrectomy, and followed over three years, indicates that IMT plus bariatric surgery improves glycemic control, enhances weight loss and improves quality of life measures significantly, without major adverse incidents.

Transmission of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) and respiratory illness (ARI) from children to parent

 

A retrospective cohort study of 374 parent/children groupings (12-16 months of age) indicates that AGE and ARI transmission from child to parent occurs in approximately 1 in 3 episodes for both types of infection. Greater focus on parental prevention practices is needed.

 

Pediatrics Infectious Disease Journal

 Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome (CVS) in children


Cyclic vomiting is characterized by repeated episodes (attacks) of severe nausea, vomiting and physical exhaustion that may last for hours or days, occurring without any apparent cause (though mitochondrial dysfunction as a cause has been suggested). Symptom free periods of weeks to months may occur and the diagnosis is made by exclusion. A variety of "triggers" may precipitate an attack.

 

A retrospective study of 106 CVS patients (<21 years of age) evaluated medical history, laboratory and imaging studies. Mean age of patients at diagnosis is 8.9 years; 15% of patients have abdominal ultrasound abnormalities during an acute episode (which revert to normal in approximately �, after the attack) and 38% have blood and/or urine metabolic abnormalities suggesting mitochondrial dysfunction.

 

Pediatric Neurology

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