Monthly Archives :

November 2019

Calls to U.S. Poison Control Centers for Natural Psychoactive Substances Increasing, Driven by Rising Marijuana Exposures
Calls to U.S. Poison Control Centers for Natural Psychoactive Substances Increasing, Driven by Rising Marijuana Exposures 150 150 Laura Dattner

Researchers encourage states legalizing marijuana to implement poison prevention strategies Natural substances with psychoactive effects have been used by people for religious, medicinal and recreational purposes for millennia. Lack of regulation has led to an increase in their availability, especially online. Some psychoactive substances may be appealing to recreational users because of the perception they…

Increased Number of Pediatric Eye Injuries From Nonpowder Firearms
Increased Number of Pediatric Eye Injuries From Nonpowder Firearms 150 150 Laura Dattner

BB guns accounted for most of the injuries; Researchers highlight importance of protective eyewear, and call for stricter, more consistent safety legislation. Nonpowder firearms have long been marketed to children and teenagers as toys or “starter” firearms and include BB, pellet, airsoft and paintball guns. A new study conducted by researchers at the Center for Injury…

A Major Milestone in Cystic Fibrosis Treatment
A Major Milestone in Cystic Fibrosis Treatment 1024 575 Mary Bates, PhD
Illustration of lungs on blue silhouette of upper chest on black background

A triple medication combination could be life-changing for the majority of patients with cystic fibrosis. A Phase III clinical trial shows that elexacaftor added to ivacaftor and tezacaftor improves lung function and quality of life in cystic fibrosis patients with the most common genetic mutation, F508del. The triple therapy, known as Trikafta, could effectively treat 90%…

Predicting Acute Health Care Utilization in Patients with Pediatric Type 1 Diabetes
Predicting Acute Health Care Utilization in Patients with Pediatric Type 1 Diabetes 150 150 Jan Arthur

Study demonstrates the utility of a high risk assessment screening tool in differentiating between patients with versus patients without any acute health care utilization. The multidisciplinary Quality Improvement Team in the Section of Endocrinology at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, led by Manmohan Kamboj MD, FAAP, Division chief and section chief of Endocrinology, developed a brief risk screening…

Study Identifies Barriers High Schools Face When Implementing and Enforcing State Concussion Laws
Study Identifies Barriers High Schools Face When Implementing and Enforcing State Concussion Laws 150 150 Laura Dattner

All 50 U.S. states enacted concussion laws between 2009-2014 to mitigate the consequences of concussion. While details of the laws vary from state to state, all state laws address three main factors: concussion education; removal from play after suspected concussion; and return-to-play requirements. A new study conducted by researchers at the Center for Injury Research and…

Redirecting the Natural Immune Response to Disrupt Bacterial Biofilms
Redirecting the Natural Immune Response to Disrupt Bacterial Biofilms 150 150 Lauren Dembeck

A new vaccine candidate has the potential to improve outcomes for patients with chronic, recurrent diseases, such as ear infections. Could this platform technology be an important key in solving the antibiotic resistance threat? Most bacterial species prefer to live in biofilms, where they are protected from antibiotic treatments and can lead to chronic and recurrent…

Health Care Leaders Offer Interim Guidelines on Vaping and EVALI Care
Health Care Leaders Offer Interim Guidelines on Vaping and EVALI Care 150 150 Mary Bates, PhD

While investigations are ongoing, an interim report offers clinical guidance regarding vaping-associated lung injuries. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), state and local health departments, and public health and clinical partners are looking into a multistate outbreak of lung injury associated with the use of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette), or vaping,…

Regular Physical Activities Tied to Improved Quality of Life in Adults With Fontan Circulation
Regular Physical Activities Tied to Improved Quality of Life in Adults With Fontan Circulation 150 150 Kevin Mayhood

Starting regular exercise in childhood can help lay the groundwork for greater health and quality of life, pediatric cardiologists suggest. Children and adults with Fontan circulation are at risk of a sedentary lifestyle. This is due in part to physicians who advise patients restrict exercise out of concern vigorous physical activity may contribute to venous…

Type of Anorectal Malformation at Birth is Predictive of Fecal Continence
Type of Anorectal Malformation at Birth is Predictive of Fecal Continence 150 150 Kevin Mayhood

Study also finds fecal continence rates for children born with ARMs are lower than previously reported. Recently published research shows the rate of fecal continence among 4-year-olds who underwent surgery for an anorectal malformation (ARM) as infants averages 40%, and the type of malformation — which reflects severity — is predictive of the outcome. Though…

Unique Course Trains Young Physicians and Researchers in Muscle Disorders and Therapies
Unique Course Trains Young Physicians and Researchers in Muscle Disorders and Therapies 150 150 Kevin Mayhood

The annual myology course is designed to train the next generation of clinicians and lab scientists in the basics and the latest. Every year, more than 60 young trainees come to Nationwide Children’s Hospital for the annual Myology Course, an intensive, week-long introduction to muscle biology, disease and therapeutics. Hosted by Nationwide Children’s and The…

It’s Not All About Weight: Treating and Managing Obesity in Pediatric Patients
It’s Not All About Weight: Treating and Managing Obesity in Pediatric Patients 150 150 Abbie Miller

Study highlights different metrics for measuring success of a weight management program for pediatrics. For pediatric patients who have severe obesity that is not well managed with the routine standard of care – diet, exercise and a meeting with a dietician – a more structured, multidisciplinary approach may be warranted. And for patients with endocrine…

Predicting Urinary Continence For a Child With Anorectal Malformation
Predicting Urinary Continence For a Child With Anorectal Malformation 150 150 Kevin Mayhood

Researchers suggest objective, measurable factors can be used to provide families with reasonable expectations In a child born with an anorectal malformation (ARM), anatomical features including a low-complexity ARM, high sacral ratio and a normal spine each independently predicts the child has a higher chance of urinary continence, research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital shows. “When…

Newspapers Overlook Best Practices When Reporting a Celebrity Suicide Death
Newspapers Overlook Best Practices When Reporting a Celebrity Suicide Death 150 150 Katelyn Hanzel

A new study shows that most articles do not adhere to suicide reporting guidelines, but experts say parents can help by starting conversations about mental health. Research shows media coverage of a celebrity suicide has the potential to increase the risk for contagion, especially among vulnerable individuals. To reduce possible harmful effects, suicide reporting guidelines…