Debora Porter

To describe the cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) findings of children recovered from multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) greater than three months after acute illness. source https://www.jpeds.com/article/S0022-3476(22)00170-6/fulltext?rss=yes

To identify subgroups likely to benefit from monoclonal antibody and antiviral therapy, we evaluated the relationship between comorbidities and hospitalization among US adolescents with symptomatic COVID-19. source https://www.jpeds.com/article/S0022-3476(22)00169-X/fulltext?rss=yes

What Prevention Steps Should You Take Based on Your COVID-19 Community Level? (CDC 2/25/22)   With COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations plummeting after a vicious wintertime Omicron surge, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week announced a new, more relaxed strategy for preventing communities across the nation from being overwhelmed by future waves of new variants. Apoorva Mandavilli charts the virus’s recent course: The new guidelines are being released as the coronavirus is in retreat across the country. Case numbers have dropped to levels not seen before the surge of the Omicron variant, and hospitalizations have been plummeting. About 58,000 people are hospitalized with Covid nationwide, but those numbers have fallen by about 44 percent in the past two weeks.   More than 81% of Americans who are 5 years old and up and eligible to receive a COVID vaccine have gotten at least one shot, and 69% are fully vaccinated. Almost half (45%) of those 12 and ...

To evaluate, using video documentation, the sensitivity, specificity, and inter-observer reliability of visualizable signs of neonatal hypoglycemia at different glucose concentrations in neonates. source https://www.jpeds.com/article/S0022-3476(22)00166-4/fulltext?rss=yes

COVID times aside, children with viral bronchiolitis fill the hospital wards and pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) each winter.1 In many parts of the world, this burden is increasingly found in the PICU, in particular among children supported by non-invasive respiratory support like high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).2-4 The treatment of critical bronchiolitis varies widely between centers and clinicians5,6 and evidenced-based treatment guidelines primarily focus on patients cared for on general wards, in emergency departments, or at home. source https://www.jpeds.com/article/S0022-3476(22)00174-3/fulltext?rss=yes

Ben by Daniel Shelton ( GoComics.com )   source http://www.thepediablog.com/2022/02/27/sunday-funnies-495/

To evaluate decision-making processes OF pediatricians regarding developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) diagnosis and management by conducting a survey of pediatricians in the US. source https://www.jpeds.com/article/S0022-3476(22)00168-8/fulltext?rss=yes

Neurologic complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children including headache, altered mental status, encephalopathy, seizures, coma, encephalitis, demyelinating disorders, and aseptic meningitis have been-described (1, 2). Various mechanisms of involvement are hypothesized including direct viral injury to neural cells, vascular endothelial, and inflammatory injury (3). Autoimmunity and development of autoantibodies also is postulated source https://www.jpeds.com/article/S0022-3476(22)00167-6/fulltext?rss=yes

When The Levee Breaks from Playing For Change on YouTube : “When The Levee Breaks” is a powerful, thought-provoking and emotionally-charged classic by Led Zeppelin, from their Led Zeppelin IV album. The song is a rework of the 1929 original release by Kansas Joe Mccoy and Memphis Minnie about the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927; the most destructive river flooding in U.S. history. “It seems that little has changed since 1927, or even 2005 with Katrina. It’s still a really powerful track, both musically and lyrically.”- John Paul Jones Legendary multi-instrumentalist, John Paul Jones, is accompanied by Stephen Perkins of Jane’s Addiction, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks and over 20 musicians and dancers from seven different countries, in this Song Around The World version featured in Peace Through Music: A Global Event for the Environment.     (Back pat: R. Zakin)   source http://www.thepediablog.com/2022/02/26/cool-video-of-the-week-495/

The author declares no conflicts of interest. source https://www.jpeds.com/article/S0022-3476(22)00171-8/fulltext?rss=yes

To characterize decisional satisfaction, regret, and conflict among parents of critically ill infants with neurologic conditions. source https://www.jpeds.com/article/S0022-3476(22)00164-0/fulltext?rss=yes

To evaluate the association between the Child Opportunity Index (COI) and food insecurity. source https://www.jpeds.com/article/S0022-3476(22)00163-9/fulltext?rss=yes

Academic faculty with careers focused on education have traditionally struggled with generating publications, acquiring funding, and thus subsequently achieving the necessary criteria for promotion. 1-3 This may be due to a lack of training in educational research methodology and academic writing in the setting of restricted infrastructure and limited protected time to support scholarly efforts. As most institutions lack an organized foundation for developing education researchers, Education Research Units (ERUs) offer promise for developing institutional capacity to support the development of research skills in education faculty while concurrently defining an institution’s education research agenda. source https://www.jpeds.com/article/S0022-3476(22)00165-2/fulltext?rss=yes

*This post originally appeared on The PediaBlog on February 25, 2021.   Eating Disorders Awareness (2)     For its annual observance of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week ( February 22-28, 2021  February 21-27, 2022), the organizers hope to “shine the spotlight on eating disorders by educating the public, spreading a message of hope, and putting lifesaving resources into the hands of those in need.” Yesterday we learned that the reasons why children and teenagers develop eating disorders are complex. The American Academy of Pediatrics lists some of the main risk factors: • Family history of eating disorder or obesity • Affective illness or alcoholism in first-degree relatives • Ballet, gymnastics, modeling, “visual sports” • Personality traits (eg, perfectionism) • Parental eating behavior and weight • Physical or sexual abuse • Low self-esteem • Body-image dissatisfaction • History of excessive dieting, frequently skipped meals, co...

  Maybe you heard that the Omicron variant was milder than previous versions of SARS-CoV-2. Just don’t tell that to children who are too young to receive a COVID vaccine. The CDC reported in last week’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report that COVID-19 hospitalization rates among children under 4 years old in the U.S. were around 5 times higher during the peak of the Omicron surge compared to the peak of the Delta wave. In fact, Omicron was worse across the pediatric spectrum. The rate of hospitalizations for children under 18 years of age was nearly 4 times higher during the Omicron surge (measured from December 19, 2021 to January 22, 2022) than during the Delta surge, which lasted longer (July 1 to December 18, 2021). The report also indicates how valuable vaccinations are for adolescents, who were eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine for the duration of the study period. Compared to fully vaccinated teens, 12-to-17-year-olds who were unvaccinated were 6 times mo...

UMHS celebrates American Heart Month and those in the Cardiac Care field of medicine with a live virtual town hall, “Cardiology: A Discussion About Cardiac Care & Careers in Cardiology,” on Wednesday February 23rd at 7:00 pm EST. Hosted by UMHS alumni Dr. Arjun Kanwal, M.D., a Cardiology Fellow at New York Medical College, & Dr. Igor Areinamo, M.D., who is a Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care Intensivist at Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease. They will discuss what careers in cardiology can look like, the importance of cardiac care, what cardiac care is, heart health tips & much more. from University of Medicine and Health Sciences https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0YQjH6SXmE via UMHS YouTube Channel

UMHS celebrates American Heart Month and those in the Cardiac Care field of medicine with a live virtual town hall, “Cardiology: A Discussion About Cardiac Care & Careers in Cardiology,” on Wednesday February 23rd at 7:00 pm EST. Hosted by UMHS alumni Dr. Arjun Kanwal, M.D., a Cardiology Fellow at New York Medical College, & Dr. Igor Areinamo, M.D., who is a Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care Intensivist at Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease. They will discuss what careers in cardiology can look like, the importance of cardiac care, what cardiac care is, heart health tips & much more. from University of Medicine and Health Sciences https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0YQjH6SXmE via UMHS YouTube Channel

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) - Advise from a Medical school Counselor Scott Harrah, M.A., Director of Digital Content at the University of Medicine and Health Sciences recently interviewed Ruth Fitzgerald, M.A. the Director of Counseling Services at UMHS. Their discussing centered around several topics to help Medical students cope with the stress of Medical School. What advice do you have, especially for people that might suffer from something like the seasonal affective disorder? Ruth FitzGerald: Yeah. Okay. Well, the first very practical and simple thing would be to really invest in good lighting in your home and go out and buy lots of lamps and make sure that you have the lighting just working really well in your home so that when you go in there, you feel good, you have the lighting the way you want it, whether it's really, really bright and that helps your mood or whether it's relaxing. Scott Harrah: Sure. Ruth FitzGerald: But lighting is actually very important. I t...

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) - Advise from a Medical school Counselor Scott Harrah, M.A., Director of Digital Content at the University of Medicine and Health Sciences recently interviewed Ruth Fitzgerald, M.A. the Director of Counseling Services at UMHS. Their discussing centered around several topics to help Medical students cope with the stress of Medical School. What advice do you have, especially for people that might suffer from something like the seasonal affective disorder? Ruth FitzGerald: Yeah. Okay. Well, the first very practical and simple thing would be to really invest in good lighting in your home and go out and buy lots of lamps and make sure that you have the lighting just working really well in your home so that when you go in there, you feel good, you have the lighting the way you want it, whether it's really, really bright and that helps your mood or whether it's relaxing. Scott Harrah: Sure. Ruth FitzGerald: But lighting is actually very important. I t...

  Last week on The PediaBlog, we considered COVID’s devastating impact on children’s mental health two years after living through a disruptive and deadly pandemic. Fear of the unknown, grief from losing grandparents, parents, and other family members and acquaintances, social isolation during and after lockdowns, and economic hardships experienced due to family job losses and, more recently, inflation, have had severe impacts on the mental health of everyone, especially young people. And all of this has been happening as interactions between humans have grown dark and mean in the past several years. As we close in on one million fatalities from COVID-19 in the United States (nearly six million worldwide), let’s remember all the people who got sick from coronavirus and survived. At a minimum, about 80 million Americans tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and survived. (Plenty more tested positive at home where reporting is not required, and many others didn’t or couldn’t test at all...

In the last 40 years, the use of human milk as the primary nutritional source for preterm infants has changed from being a debatable novelty 1,2 to being a de facto standard of care 3, either as mother's own milk (MOM) or if MOM supply is inadequate as donor human milk Despite this, as two articles in this Vvolume of The Journal of Pediatrics remind us 4,5, there remains much to learn, or to re-learn, about the use of human milk in preterm infants. source https://www.jpeds.com/article/S0022-3476(22)00162-7/fulltext?rss=yes

Intra-abdominal cysts in newborns are usually due to enteric duplication cyst, meconium pseudocyst or cystic lymphatic malformation (1). We report a newborn with abdominal distension and respiratory distress due to massive urinoma. source https://www.jpeds.com/article/S0022-3476(22)00151-2/fulltext?rss=yes

  With cases of Omicron dwindling, hospitals emptying out, and deaths finally in retreat ( on average , 2,184 died in the U.S. from COVID-19 each day during the last two weeks),  many Americans are hoping that “new normal” we’ve all been waiting for is at hand. State and city governments and school districts across the nation are relaxing COVID mandates and restrictions on gatherings and masking. In truth, the people were way ahead of their elected leaders; it’s hard to find many people keeping their distance and wearing face masks in public places anymore. Let’s be honest — the last two years have been brutal for everyone on the planet. Globally, more than 5.8 million have died. In the U.S., it’s more than 935,000,  according to  data collected by the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. It’s safe to say that coronavirus is not like influenza or even a bad cold. It’s much worse. SARS-CoV-2 is an aggressive virus once it gains entry into the body. Primarily...

  The third Monday in February is Presidents’ Day : Originally established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington, the holiday became popularly known as Presidents’ Day after it was moved as part of 1971’s Uniform Monday Holiday Act, an attempt to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers. While several states still have individual holidays honoring the birthdays of Washington, Abraham Lincoln and other figures, Presidents’ Day is now popularly viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents, past and present.   In observance of Presidents’ Day, Kid President shares 20 things we should say more often to help make the world awesome.       (Google Images)   source http://www.thepediablog.com/2022/02/21/make-the-world-awesome/

Adam@Home by Rob Harrell ( GoComics.com )   source http://www.thepediablog.com/2022/02/20/sunday-funnies-494/

Simon Beck – Snowartist from  #inspirasjonstryn  on Vimeo : By creating mesmerizing designs in the snow just by walking in a pair of snowshoes the British artist Simon Beck takes hiking in the mountains to a whole other level. Simon Beck was one of 4 artists that were invited to Stryn in Norway. The inspiration they found here led to unique art projects!     source http://www.thepediablog.com/2022/02/19/cool-video-of-the-week-494/

Associations between fetal exposure to antidepressants and neonatal hypotonia were studied using VigiBase® and the French PharmacoVigilance Database. We identified significant associations between neonatal hypotonia and clomipramine, venlafaxine, and imipramine. Reports from the French database implicated prolonged fetal exposure. Neonatal hypotonia may be associated with in utero exposure to antidepressants. source https://www.jpeds.com/article/S0022-3476(22)00149-4/fulltext?rss=yes

*This post originally appeared on The PediaBlog on February 18, 2019.   Emergency Kit   Sudden fevers, itchy skin eruptions, scraped knees and banged heads are just some of the situations parents must be ready to manage at the most unexpected moments. Mom and pediatrician, Dr. Jamie Friedman, suggests that parents and caregivers stay prepared by taking a CPR class, keeping the number of the Poison Control Center saved on their phones (1-800-222-1222) , and having these simple items handy in case of emergency: • Thermometer • Fever/pain reducer • Bandages • Antibiotic ointment (generic triple antibiotic ointment is fine) • Gauze (regular and non-stick) and tape • Ice packs • Antihistamine • Elastic bandages • Copy of child’s medical history, medications, allergies and phone numbers for doctors and specialists to take to the ER or give to babysitters   Periodically check the expiration dates for all medications in your emergency kit and replace them when...

  Ever since the American Academy of Pediatrics declared a national emergency in children’s mental health in October, evidence has been piling up that the pandemic is making things much worse. A recent study from Canada showed that mental health care services for anxiety, depression, psychotic disorders, and substance use in children and teenagers all increased since the start of the pandemic. Rising rates of despair in children might just be the tip of the iceberg, Lei Lei Wu discovered : “Given the chronic and cumulative nature of distress on mental health and well-being, the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of children and adolescents is likely not yet fully realized,” [study author Dr. Natasha] Saunders and colleagues emphasized.   In an accompanying editorial in JAMA Pediatrics , Dr. Tami Benton and colleagues sound the alarm for an urgent and sustained response to the mental health crisis in the United States and elsewhere: The immediate effect of...

To assess the association between age of juice introduction and child anthropometry after the American Academy of Pediatrics changed their guidelines in 2017 to recommend delaying juice introduction until at least 12 months of age (previously 6 months), citing concerns of weight gain. source https://www.jpeds.com/article/S0022-3476(22)00140-8/fulltext?rss=yes

  Yesterday on The PediaBlog , we expressed disappointment that parents will have to wait a little longer — until April at the earliest, after Pfizer proves its vaccine is safe and effective for children under 5 years old — before their young children can be immunized against COVID-19. Dr. Leana S. Wen shares her disappointment but predicts staying patient will be worth it: The Food and Drug Administration’s announcement that it will delay authorization of a coronavirus vaccine for children under 5 felt like a gut punch. The new timeline means my two kids and about 18 million others won’t be inoculated until mid-April at the earliest, and they probably won’t be fully vaccinated until June. Despite my disappointment, I believe the FDA made the right decision to choose caution over expediency. Authorizing vaccines without meeting the endpoint for effectiveness could have worsened vaccine hesitancy. The FDA’s pause — especially in the face of many advocates urging quick appr...

To clarify the characteristics of milestone achievement of Japanese infants using data assessed and recorded in real time via a web-based app by caregivers. source https://www.jpeds.com/article/S0022-3476(22)00139-1/fulltext?rss=yes

To develop a comprehensive competency assessment tool for pediatric bag-mask ventilation and demonstrate multi-dimensional validity evidence for this tool. source https://www.jpeds.com/article/S0022-3476(22)00116-0/fulltext?rss=yes

  Parents and pediatricians were disappointed on Friday when the Food and Drug Administration announced it was postponing a meeting for later this week to review data on Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 6 months to 5 years old. Hope was growing that the vaccine would be given the green light for this age group by the end of the month. Instead, the American Academy of Pediatrics says we’ll all have to wait until the springtime for the clinical trial to be completed: FDA officials said the delay will allow more time to review data on a third dose and help decide whether three doses should be considered as part of its decision on emergency use authorization (EUA).   The dose given to young children in the study is 3 micrograms per shot — significantly lower than the 10 microgram shots for 5-to-11-year-olds and 30 micrograms for everyone else 12 years and older. Preliminary data showed high efficacy in children between 6 months and 2 years old. However, kids be...

To optimize the permethrin-based therapies for scabies infestations in infants and young children the efficacies of three different regimens were evaluated. source https://www.jpeds.com/article/S0022-3476(22)00115-9/fulltext?rss=yes

To assess the influence of diastolic dysfunction on the evolution of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in neonates with Down Syndrome over the early newborn period. source https://www.jpeds.com/article/S0022-3476(22)00113-5/fulltext?rss=yes

Nature’s First Vaccine By Brian W. Donnelly, M.D., F.A.B.M. AHN Pediatrics — Pediatric Alliance Northland     A recent article in the Washington Post  asks the question, “Are more moms waiting to wean, thanks to covid?” It’s a good question. The author’s answer is a facile yes. But I think this deserves a coach’s challenge. The larger effect of the shutdown on breastfeeding needs to be considered. On one hand, it makes sense that mothers might want to nurse their babies and toddlers longer than they originally planned while a global pandemic caused by a highly contagious respiratory virus is raging. That’s what Jillian Pretzel decided to do: But between my daughter’s birth in summer 2020 and getting vaccinated against the coronavirus in early 2021, I made it my goal to continue to breastfeed until my baby could get vaccinated, too. I know that not every parent is able to breastfeed, and many of those who do aren’t able to go so long. But I felt lucky to n...

Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson ( GoComics.com )                   source http://www.thepediablog.com/2022/02/13/sunday-funnies-493/

Lego – Rebuild the World from Fela on Vimeo : Blending Afrofuturism with bricks, Lego artist Ekow Nimako inspired a new generation of artists and builders to use their skills, their imagination, and their talent to rebuild the world.     source http://www.thepediablog.com/2022/02/12/cool-video-of-the-week-493/

To evaluate temporal differences in concussion symptoms up to 30 days following a sports-related concussion (SRC). source https://www.jpeds.com/article/S0022-3476(22)00112-3/fulltext?rss=yes

*This post originally appeared on The PediaBlog on February 11, 2016.   Alcohol And Family Planning     Last November, The PediaBlog   examined an American Academy of Pediatrics  report concluding that any consumption of alcohol during pregnancy is ill-advised. The reason is summed up in the report’s first sentence: Prenatal exposure to alcohol can damage the developing fetus and is the leading preventable cause of birth defects and intellectual and neurodevelopmental disabilities.   In order to prevent the birth defects associated with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), the AAP made four important points: During pregnancy: ◦ no amount of alcohol intake should be considered safe; ◦ there is no safe trimester to drink alcohol; ◦ all forms of alcohol, such as beer, wine, and liquor, pose similar risk; and ◦ binge drinking poses dose-related risk to the developing fetus.   We considered the compelling stat...