<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><rss version="2.0"><channel><title>Healio.com PEDIATRICS RSS Feed</title><link>http://www.healio.com/rss</link><description>The latest news and articles from the Healio.com, leading publication on the web.</description><copyright>(c) 2013, Slack Incorporated. All rights reserved.</copyright><updated>9/9/2013 1:12:49 AM</updated><ttl>5</ttl><item><title>School districts show positive results on health policies </title><description>School districts nationwide have improved in measures related to nutritional policies, physical education and tobacco policies, according to the 2012 School Health Policies and Practices Study.“Schools play a critical role in the health and well-being of our youth,” CDC Director Tom Frieden, MD, MPH, said in a press release. “Good news for students and parents — more students have access to healthy food, better physical fitness activities through initiatives such as ‘Let’s Move,’ and campuses that are completely tobacco-free.”</description><link>http://www.healio.com/pediatrics/practice-management/news/online/{1ec5a000-52ca-41d7-acb5-6caa1584eae2}/school-districts-show-positive-results-on-health-policies</link><pubDate>Fri, 06 Sep 2013 17:36:00 GMT</pubDate><guid>{1EC5A000-52CA-41D7-ACB5-6CAA1584EAE2}</guid></item><item><title>New recommendations proposed to reduce wasteful medical spending</title><description>The American Board of Internal Medicine Foundation and the Society of Hospital Medicine have compiled a list of five ways hospitalists and five ways pediatricians can reduce wasteful spending, according to data from two studies published in the Journal of Hospital Medicine.“In 2010, $2.6 trillion was spent on health care, an increase of $1.3 trillion between 2000 and 2010,” according to background information from one of the studies. “As much as 30% of health care spending may be wasted. Because physicians influenza approximately 80% of health care expenditures, including ordering tests and treatments, it is imperative that physicians take a leadership role in reversing this trend.”</description><link>http://www.healio.com/pediatrics/practice-management/news/online/{10a09d5c-9098-4551-a3f2-40767b521111}/new-recommendations-proposed-to-reduce-wasteful-medical-spending</link><pubDate>Fri, 06 Sep 2013 17:31:00 GMT</pubDate><guid>{10A09D5C-9098-4551-A3F2-40767B521111}</guid></item><item><title>West Nile virus infections reported in European Union</title><description>The European Centre for Disease Control reported 28 new cases of West Nile fever during the past week in the European Union, according to an agency press release.As of Sept. 5, 106 human cases of West Nile fever have been reported in the EU and 289 cases in neighboring countries since the beginning of the 2013 transmission season.</description><link>http://www.healio.com/infectious-disease/emerging-diseases/news/online/{a6566cc1-c3a4-4090-a79d-0447acc640d2}/west-nile-virus-infections-reported-in-european-union</link><pubDate>Fri, 06 Sep 2013 13:33:00 GMT</pubDate><guid>{A6566CC1-C3A4-4090-A79D-0447ACC640D2}</guid></item><item><title>Micafungin shows promise in treating invasive candidiasis </title><description>Children and adolescents with proven, probable or suspected Candida infection tolerated once-daily 3 mg/kg and 4.5 mg/kg doses of micafungin, according to recent study findings published in The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal.“The echinocandins, including micafungin, are increasingly recognized as valuable alternatives for the treatment and prevention of invasive Candida infections, including those caused by Candida species resistant to fluconazole,” according to background information in the study. “In children, micafungin has been shown to be as effective as currently approved antifungal medications for the therapy and prophylaxis of invasive candidiasis.”</description><link>http://www.healio.com/pediatrics/emerging-diseases/news/online/{19786baf-8ab0-4caf-9ec9-c243fd6c3341}/micafungin-shows-promise-in-treating-invasive-candidiasis</link><pubDate>Fri, 06 Sep 2013 09:12:00 GMT</pubDate><guid>{19786BAF-8AB0-4CAF-9EC9-C243FD6C3341}</guid></item><item><title>Pertussis cases in Texas may reach highest level in 50 years</title><description>The annual total of pertussis cases in Texas this year will likely surpass the 2009 high of 3,358, according to a press release.“This is extremely concerning.” said Lisa Cornelius, MD, a Texas Department of State Health Services infectious diseases medical officer. “If cases continue to be diagnosed at the current rate, we will see the most Texas cases since the 1950s. Pertussis is highly infectious and can cause serious complications, especially in babies, so people should take it seriously.”</description><link>http://www.healio.com/pediatrics/respiratory-infections/news/online/{263c3dfd-ed8f-437d-a5b8-d0f066f1fba9}/pertussis-cases-in-texas-may-reach-highest-level-in-50-years</link><pubDate>Thu, 05 Sep 2013 17:22:00 GMT</pubDate><guid>{263C3DFD-ED8F-437D-A5B8-D0F066F1FBA9}</guid></item><item><title>What you don’t know can hurt you</title><description>In a recent decision, (Township Pharmacy v. Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services) a New Jersey appellate court upheld the denial of a pharmacy owner’s application to participate in the New Jersey Medicaid program as a pharmaceutical service provider because he failed to disclose an employee’s criminal past on his application.Despite the owner’s lack of knowledge of the pharmacy technician’s criminal background when he submitted his application to be a Medicaid provider and his subsequent firing of the employee once he discovered her criminal background, the court sustained the Medicaid fraud division’s finding that the pharmacy owner’s failure to provide accurate, truthful and complete information was good cause to deny his application to participate in the Medicaid program.</description><link>http://www.healio.com/news/online/{4560b9c3-3c4d-4ef5-8212-77b5789ef1be}/what-you-dont-know-can-hurt-you</link><pubDate>Thu, 05 Sep 2013 15:24:00 GMT</pubDate><guid>{4560B9C3-3C4D-4EF5-8212-77B5789EF1BE}</guid></item><item><title>Researchers identify 39 genes related to TB drug resistance</title><description>Thirty-nine new genes that are associated with drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis have been identified by researchers from Harvard Medical School, according to a report in Nature Genetics.“We have found that more genes might be implicated in resistance than previously thought, and this means that we can start to unravel the role of these genes,” Megan Murray, MD, MPH, ScD, professor of global health and medicine at Harvard Medical School, said in a press release. “This is significant because it implicates new mechanisms in the evolution of resistance that can be further studied now and raises the possibility of more specific targets for the detection of resistance through molecular methods.”</description><link>http://www.healio.com/infectious-disease/respiratory-infections/news/online/{f95b1485-a48c-4ed8-89dc-9ed5c69c6942}/researchers-identify-39-genes-related-to-tb-drug-resistance</link><pubDate>Thu, 05 Sep 2013 10:37:29 GMT</pubDate><guid>{F95B1485-A48C-4ED8-89DC-9ED5C69C6942}</guid></item><item><title>Measles outbreak in Texas causes concern in Oklahoma</title><description>As of Aug. 16, there have been 11 cases of measles this year in Texas, six of which occurred in the past month, according to a press release from the Texas Department of State Health Services. The most recently confirmed cases come out of Tarrant County, and the others were from Dallas, Denton and Harris counties. </description><link>http://www.healio.com/pediatrics/vaccine-preventable-diseases/news/online/{b45a0ecc-7e02-4a33-85c0-f54c888ab9a8}/measles-outbreak-in-texas-causes-concern-in-oklahoma</link><pubDate>Thu, 05 Sep 2013 09:45:00 GMT</pubDate><guid>{B45A0ECC-7E02-4A33-85C0-F54C888AB9A8}</guid></item><item><title>Maternal infection, colonization increased offspring infection risk</title><description>Infections in an infant’s first 7 days of life are associated with maternal infection and colonization, according to recent study findings published in PLOS Medicine.“Based on the results, there is great potential to reduce early-onset neonatal infections by focusing interventions on women with maternal infections (laboratory-confirmed, clinical signs), colonization, and risk factors for infection,” researchers wrote. “There is a need to understand the etiology of both maternal infections and colonization and neonatal infections in low- and middle-income countries.”</description><link>http://www.healio.com/pediatrics/neonatal-medicine/news/online/{2df7a5e7-5609-4753-af12-1c413681d174}/maternal-infection-colonization-increased-offspring-infection-risk</link><pubDate>Thu, 05 Sep 2013 09:15:00 GMT</pubDate><guid>{2DF7A5E7-5609-4753-AF12-1C413681D174}</guid></item><item><title>S. aureus associated with abscess, cellulitis infections in neonates</title><description>Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was the most likely cause of abscess and cellulitis infections, according to recent study findings published in The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal.“S. aureus causes infections ranging from localized pustulosis to invasive cases in neonates and infants,” according to background information in the study. “The emergence of community-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus has complicated the diagnosis and management of S. aureus infections in this age group.”</description><link>http://www.healio.com/pediatrics/mrsa/news/online/{cf2af22b-627f-4779-b2c2-c3e3794a1c5d}/s-aureus-associated-with-abscess-cellulitis-infections-in-neonates</link><pubDate>Wed, 04 Sep 2013 16:25:00 GMT</pubDate><guid>{CF2AF22B-627F-4779-B2C2-C3E3794A1C5D}</guid></item><item><title>HBV immunization program yields long-term benefits in Taiwan</title><description>A nationwide hepatitis B immunization program in Taiwan improved risk and mortality rates for liver disease continuously during a 30-year period, according to recent results.Researchers evaluated the results of the immunization program, initiated during July 1984. Initially, the program only included infants born to high-risk mothers who tested positive for HBV surface antigen, but coverage extended to all newborns during July 1986, to preschool children during July 1987 and to all primary school children between 1988 and 1990. Coverage rates from 1984 to 2010 were 88.8% to 96.9%.</description><link>http://www.healio.com/hepatology/chronic-hepatitis/news/online/{7970c2a3-2596-462e-b510-64ec4280d91e}/hbv-immunization-program-yields-long-term-benefits-in-taiwan</link><pubDate>Wed, 04 Sep 2013 15:04:05 GMT</pubDate><guid>{7970C2A3-2596-462E-B510-64EC4280D91E}</guid></item><item><title>Maternal transmission cause of HCV in children</title><description>Mother-to-child transmission is the leading causes of hepatitis C virus infection in children, according to recent findings published in The Journal of Pediatrics.“Mother-to-child transmission of HCV is defined as transmission occurring during pregnancy or in the perinatal period from the HCV-infected mother to the fetus or to the child,” according to background information in the study. “The exact timing and the ultimate mechanism of mother-to-child transmission of HCV infection are unknown. Among children acquiring infections from the mother, only a few have been found to be HCV-RNA positive in the first days of life.”</description><link>http://www.healio.com/pediatrics/emerging-diseases/news/online/{5cfb8a67-c27a-4c0d-95cd-b700bce4bb2f}/maternal-transmission-cause-of-hcv-in-children</link><pubDate>Wed, 04 Sep 2013 08:12:15 GMT</pubDate><guid>{5CFB8A67-C27A-4C0D-95CD-B700BCE4BB2F}</guid></item><item><title>Similar antibody levels found among 4 PCV13 immunization schedules</title><description>Differences in antibody levels for all serotypes after a 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine booster dose after different immunization schedules were not statistically significant, according to recent study findings published in JAMA.“WHO estimated that more than 800,000 children younger than 5 years died of pneumococcal disease in 2000, making it the leading vaccine-preventable cause of death,” according to study background information. “Since the licensure of the first 7-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine (PCV7) for infants, many countries have added PCV to their existing national immunization programs.”</description><link>http://www.healio.com/pediatrics/vaccine-preventable-diseases/news/online/{d5e1f0ad-58f1-4993-ab46-52bb391368cd}/similar-antibody-levels-found-among-4-pcv13-immunization-schedules</link><pubDate>Tue, 03 Sep 2013 17:35:00 GMT</pubDate><guid>{D5E1F0AD-58F1-4993-AB46-52BB391368CD}</guid></item><item><title>Younger siblings of those with ASDs at increased risk for recurrence</title><description>Siblings of those with autism spectrum disorders are at increased risk for the disorders themselves compared with siblings of those without autism spectrum disorders, according to recent study findings published in JAMA Pediatrics.“To date, this is the first population-based study to examine the recurrence risk for autism spectrum disorders, including time trends, and the first study to consider the [autism spectrum disorders] recurrence risk for full- and half-siblings,” Therese K. Grønborg, MSc, of Aarhus University in Denmark, and colleagues wrote. </description><link>http://www.healio.com/pediatrics/autism-spectrum-disorders/news/online/{2eaef472-1dfc-4873-ab58-7faa89c9c316}/younger-siblings-of-those-with-asds-at-increased-risk-for-recurrence</link><pubDate>Tue, 03 Sep 2013 14:48:00 GMT</pubDate><guid>{2EAEF472-1DFC-4873-AB58-7FAA89C9C316}</guid></item><item><title>Hydroxyurea reduced medical costs for children with sickle cell anemia</title><description>Hydroxyurea as treatment for sickle cell anemia in young children decreased medical care costs, according to recent study findings published in Pediatrics.“The BABY HUG study demonstrated clinical benefits of hydroxyurea for infants and toddlers with sickle cell anemia, who had less frequent episodes of pain, dactylitis, and [acute chest syndrome] and fewer [hospitalization] and [transfusions] compared with those receiving placebo,” Winfred C. Wang, MD, of St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, and colleagues wrote. “In this retrospective analysis, we found that hydroxyurea treatment was associated with an estimated annual per patient expenditure of [approximately] 21% less than estimated for standard care alone.”</description><link>http://www.healio.com/pediatrics/practice-management/news/online/{a7365b7f-5b8a-40ab-9568-bd5f5f4fe2fb}/hydroxyurea-reduced-medical-costs-for-children-with-sickle-cell-anemia</link><pubDate>Tue, 03 Sep 2013 11:40:00 GMT</pubDate><guid>{A7365B7F-5B8A-40AB-9568-BD5F5F4FE2FB}</guid></item><item><title>Essential components of acne global grading scales identified</title><description>Essential components of highly ranked acne global grading scales were identified by a criteria assessment tool, according to recent study results.Researchers identified acne global grading scales (AGGS) through a literature search of Medline and Embase from January 1990 to April 2012 using the following terms: “acne, severity, grading, assessment, scale, tool” and “severity of illness index.” A criteria assessment tool, developed from the Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation instrument, was used by four raters to independently evaluate the AGGS against essential criteria (components and subcomponents; features and subfeatures).</description><link>http://www.healio.com/dermatology/acne/news/online/{f2a739d5-f452-4c41-a9ba-69962f777627}/essential-components-of-acne-global-grading-scales-identified</link><pubDate>Tue, 03 Sep 2013 10:49:00 GMT</pubDate><guid>{F2A739D5-F452-4C41-A9BA-69962F777627}</guid></item><item><title>Medication non-adherence increased health care use in chronically ill children </title><description>Increased health care use in children and adolescents with chronic medical conditions is associated with medication non-adherence, according to recent study findings published in Pediatrics.“The number of children and adolescents diagnosed with a chronic medical condition has been steadily increased over the past 20 years, driven in part by increases in the prevalence of obesity and asthma as well as advances in medical care that increase survival (eg, cystic fibrosis, kidney transplant),” according to background information in the study. “Increases in the prevalence of chronic medical condition have only increased the already disproportionate health care expenses accounted for by children and adolescents who have a chronic illness.”</description><link>http://www.healio.com/pediatrics/practice-management/news/online/{1ad28091-61a9-49b0-95b4-db9e8955e4e0}/medication-non-adherence-increased-health-care-use-in-chronically-ill-children</link><pubDate>Mon, 02 Sep 2013 08:22:00 GMT</pubDate><guid>{1AD28091-61A9-49B0-95B4-DB9E8955E4E0}</guid></item><item><title>Pediatric mortality rates higher among males</title><description>Males younger than 20 years face higher mortality rates from a number of underlying conditions than females, according to recent study findings published in Pediatrics.“Our analysis of the gender difference in mortality among persons &lt;20 years of age suggests the existence of a ‘male syndrome,’” Sheri L. Balsara, BS, of The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and colleagues wrote. “We observed an overall female survival advantage that starts early in life and exists across many diverse causes of mortality. In each 5-year-span age group, males are at significantly greater risk and the number of males who died between 1999 and 2008 exceeded the number of females by thousands.”</description><link>http://www.healio.com/adolescent-medicine/practice-management/news/online/{a677a0d8-d1bd-469c-aea2-4b28f9965fc8}/pediatric-mortality-rates-higher-among-males</link><pubDate>Mon, 02 Sep 2013 08:21:00 GMT</pubDate><guid>{A677A0D8-D1BD-469C-AEA2-4B28F9965FC8}</guid></item><item><title>The ‘cost’ of health care reform</title><description>Look in the doubt we’ve wallowed</description><link>http://www.healio.com/pediatrics/news/print/infectious-diseases-in-children/{c9029adf-0f99-4381-8b0e-2aa7ef01354b}/the-cost-of-health-care-reform</link><pubDate>Sun, 01 Sep 2013 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate><guid>{C9029ADF-0F99-4381-8B0E-2AA7EF01354B}</guid></item><item><title>STI prevention and role of the male condom</title><description>The adolescent population is at increased risk of exposure to, and development of, sexually transmitted infections.</description><link>http://www.healio.com/pediatrics/news/print/infectious-diseases-in-children/{e3ea0358-81d7-4acb-bc0e-93ff7003e88d}/sti-prevention-and-role-of-the-male-condom</link><pubDate>Sun, 01 Sep 2013 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate><guid>{E3EA0358-81D7-4ACB-BC0E-93FF7003E88D}</guid></item></channel></rss>