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November 16, 2009

News for pediatricians and other child health professionals

Top Stories

CDC stats show 3 major STDs still spreading in U.S.
CDC researchers said U.S. rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea were stable at unacceptably high levels in 2008, and cases of syphilis are increasing after the STD almost was eliminated. Data showed that girls ages 15 to 19 had the most chlamydia and gonorrhea cases of any age group. Reuters (11/16)

FDA approves flu vaccines for children
The FDA has approved CSL Limited's H1N1 vaccine, already on the market for adults, for children 6 months and older. The expanded approval also included the Australian company's seasonal flu shots. U.S. News & World Report/HealthDay News (11/13)

Pediatric Health Care

Children with kidney disease may have masked hypertension
A U.S. study of 366 pediatric kidney disease patients showed 38% had masked systolic or diastolic hypertension. Researchers said the high prevalence supports use of early echocardiography and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in these patients. Reuters (11/12)

Iowa programs focus on children's mental health
The Wrap Around Program and the Columbia Teen Screen are two Iowa programs aimed at reaching more children with mental health problems. The Wrap Around Program brings community resources together so care is not fragmented, and the Columbia Teen Screen is directed at preventing teen suicide. The Globe Gazette (Mason City, Iowa) (11/16)

Trends & Technology

Telemedicine critical to child psychiatric care in Mich.
Telemedicine is a critical element of psychiatric care for children in rural areas of Michigan, a state that has a shortage of child psychiatrists and where 20% of children have behavioral or emotional issues. U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., co-sponsored a bill to increase funding and reimbursement for health care providers who offer the services. Detroit Free Press (11/15)

Miss. students with asthma required to have action plans
Mississippi schools this year are requiring students with asthma to have action plans that cover maintenance and early warning signs of problems in addition to emergency measures. The plan, created by a child's physician, includes medications and directions on what to do in an emergency. The Clarion-Ledger (Jackson, Miss.) (11/16)

Health Policy & Regulations

N.C. to stop paying for vaccines for insured children
North Carolina officials said the state will stop paying for 11 childhood vaccines for families with health insurance beginning Dec. 1. The change is expected to save the state $4 million, and officials said it will help pay costs for vaccinating uninsured children. WRAL-TV (Raleigh, N.C.)/The Associated Press (11/13)

FDA investigates safety of alcoholic energy drinks
The FDA has requested proof from the companies that make alcoholic energy drinks, increasingly popular among young people, that the products are safe. A task force of state attorneys general and other officials says the combination of alcohol and caffeine is dangerous and should be banned, and the FDA is now asking drink makers for "their side of the story." Los Angeles Times (11/15)

Anti-bullying bills receive strong support in Mass.
Massachusetts legislators are set to consider a series of bills aimed at preventing bullying in schools. While similar efforts have failed in the past, the latest has widespread support among groups led by the Anti-Defamation League, which is backing a measure to mandate school reporting of all bullying incidents and subsequent discipline to the state. The Boston Globe (11/15)

The Last Word - News from the AAP

Child health disparities and health literacy
The November issue of Pediatrics features the supplement, "Child Health Disparities and Health Literacy." The supplement contains papers commissioned for two invitational AAP conferences that examined and increased the attention given to health disparities and health literacy issues affecting children. For more information, visit Pediatrics.

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