Top Stories

• Many youths with chronic conditions have used alternative remedies
  Nearly 50% of more than 900 parents of children admitted at two Canadian pediatric hospitals reported the use of complementary and alternative medicine along with conventional treatment, a study in the journal Pediatrics showed. About 10% of the respondents said they considered alternative remedies before resorting to conventional therapy. Researchers said that the most commonly used CAM products were vitamins and minerals, while the most popular CAM practice was massage. The Huffington Post (1/14), CBC.ca (Canada) (1/14)     

• Influenza pervasive across 47 states, CDC reports
  CDC officials reported Friday that 47 states are now experiencing widespread flu activity, an increase from 41 states a week earlier. Officials also said the current flu vaccine showed 60% efficacy, indicating moderate protection from the illness. HealthDay News (1/11)     

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Pediatric Health Care

• Cuomo declares public emergency for flu in New York
  New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo declared a public health emergency on Saturday in response to the severity of the flu this season, which has affected more than 19,000 residents. The executive order makes vaccines more accessible to children, temporarily allowing pharmacists to administer shots to patients aged 6 months to 18 years. Reuters (1/12)     

• Review looks at preventive, therapeutic effects of Tamiflu on kids
  U.K. researchers reviewed published trials on Tamiflu and found that the drug reduced the median duration of influenza by 26% among children aged 12 years or younger. In terms of flu prevention, the use of Tamiflu lowered the incidence of illness by 8%. The findings appear in the Cochrane Database Systemic Reviews. FoodConsumer.org (1/13)     

• Pediatric heart muscle cells can regenerate
  Heart muscle cells can regenerate until about age 20, peaking during infancy and again during teens' growth spurt, according to a study in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The findings raise the possibility that damaged hearts can be repaired through stimulation of cell production. DoctorsLounge.com/HealthDay News (1/11)     

• Talking more to babies may help prevent developmental disorders
  Less vocal communication between mothers and their babies was associated with a greater likelihood of developmental problems like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, Scottish researchers said. The study published in the journal Research in Developmental Disabilities suggests that active parenting may help protect a child from developing emotional problems and behavioral disorders. The Herald (Glasgow, Scotland) (1/13)     

• Fewer college students have P.E. requirements, study finds
  Only 39% of students at four-year colleges and universities in the U.S. had physical education and exercise requirements in 2012, compared with 97% in 1920, according to a study in the journal Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport. "It is alarming to see four-year institutions following the path that K-12 schools have already gone down, eliminating exercise as part of the curriculum even as obesity rates climb," said lead author Brad Cardinal. HealthDay News (1/11)     

Trends & Technology

• Pedestrian safety project curbs injury rates in NYC schools
  New York City schools participating in the Safe Routes to School initiative saw a 44% decline in the number of school-aged pedestrians injured before or after school between 2001 and 2010, U.S. researchers found. They said that more than 200 pedestrian injuries among students in the city could be prevented by expanding the initiative. The findings appear in the journal Pediatrics. Reuters (1/14)     

• Team-based care may hold promise for physician shortages
  A team-based approach that assigns patients to two or three doctors and shifting one-fifth of patient demand to nonphysician personnel may help relieve physician shortages, according to new research. The findings were published in Health Affairs. BeckersASC.com (1/10)     

Hot Topics

Top five news stories selected by AAP SmartBrief readers in the past week.

• Influenza burden remains high among U.S. children, study shows (eMaxHealth.com)

• Babies can be left alone to cry themselves back to sleep, study says (International Business Times)

• Drug manufacturers see shortage of flu treatment, vaccine in the U.S. (Reuters)

• Paternal mental health may influence child behavior at age 3 (USA Today)

• CDC: Binge drinking is an under-recognized health issue for women (Reuters)

• Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers.

Health Policy & Regulations

• Advisory commission repeats call to repeal SGR
  The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission has renewed its call to repeal and replace the sustainable growth rate formula, which determines physician compensation under Medicare. The commission's recommendation will be included in its annual report forwarded to Congress on March 15. Modern Physician (free registration) (1/11)     

The Last Word - News from the AAP

• 2013 Protecting Children and Families from Tobacco: Leadership Advocacy Training
  The AAP, American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American College of Physicians and the American Medical Association are seeking applications from members to be trained as physician leaders in tobacco control advocacy. The training will be held on April 26 and 27, in Washington, D.C. Applications are due by Jan. 18. Read more about the training by visiting the AAP Richmond Center.     

• Save time and money - Print patient education resources on demand
  A convenient Patient Education Online subscription gives you immediate online access to the extensive AAP collection of pediatric health information – brochures, CDC vaccine information statements, injury and violence prevention materials, and more. For a virtual tour, visit the Patient Education Online website.     

SmartQuote

You will do foolish things, but do them with enthusiasm." --Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, French novelist and performer