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February 22, 2013

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News for pediatricians and other child health professionals

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AAP guidelines address gene tests for children
Decisions on conducting genetic tests and screening for children must focus on their best interests and should be offered in the context of genetic counseling, according to a policy statement issued by the AAP along with the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics. While both groups agree on newborn testing, they do not support routine carrier testing for minors. The joint statement was published in the journal Pediatrics. PhysiciansBriefing.com/HealthDay News (2/21)

Study links cardiometabolic risk factors to premature death
Researchers looked at data on 9,245 people ages 12 to 39 and found that cardiometabolic risk factors such as central obesity, smoking and hyperglycemia were associated with a higher risk of death before age 55. They found no evidence that premature death was linked to high-density lipoprotein or non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol measures. The study appeared online in the journal Pediatrics. PhysiciansBriefing.com/HealthDay News (2/21)

Pediatric Health Care

CDC calls for better tools to protect against influenza
Data on 2,697 children and adults showed this year's flu vaccine has been effective in 56% of people who were vaccinated. The vaccine provided better protection against influenza B, and better protection against influenza A among younger people compared with older people. The findings in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report highlight the need for a better and longer-lasting vaccine against flu, CDC officials said. Reuters (2/21)

Supply of children's Tamiflu continues to drop in U.S.
Supplies of Genentech's Tamiflu OS, a flu drug approved for children 2 weeks and older, remain limited nationwide. All quantities of the drug have been shipped to distributors and no additional supplies will be available for the 2012-2013 flu season, Genentech spokeswoman Tara Iannuccillo said. WebMD (2/21)

Fetal heart development takes longer than previously thought
The heart's four chambers develop in the eighth week of pregnancy, but the heart lacks fully organized muscle tissue until the 20th week, according to a U.K. study in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface Focus. Since a fetal heartbeat begins at about 22 days of pregnancy, researchers said the findings were surprising. HealthDay News (2/21)

Lack of access to green spaces raises obesity risk, study says
Low-income children are more likely to live in neighborhoods that lack access to green spaces that encourage play and exercise, predisposing them to reduced levels of physical activity, a study in Social Science and Medicine says. The findings suggest that less access to such areas may contribute to obesity, researchers said. MedicalXpress.com (2/21)

Trends & Technology

Experts weigh in on unnecessary screenings, procedures
Seventeen leading medical specialty groups released a list of unnecessary tests, treatments and procedures that can potentially be harmful to patients and raise medical costs. The AAP warns against the use of CT scans for children suffering from minor head injuries, saying that screening can increase the risk of cancer later in life. NBC News (2/21)

Poll: Families rate factors that influence perception of doctor
A survey in JAMA Internal Medicine showed 73% of family members of ICU patients said it's essential that a physician have an easy-to-read name tag in an initial meeting, while 65% said neat grooming and 59% said dressing professionally were important. A doctor's lack of tattoos and piercings also was an important factor for about a third of respondents, researchers noted. Los Angeles Times (tiered subscription model)/Booster Shots blog (2/19)

Health Policy & Regulations

Administration releases rules for essential health benefits
HHS has unveiled the final rule regarding essential health benefits for insurance policies under the Affordable Care Act, outlining services to be covered in 10 categories including prescription drugs, hospitalization, mental health and substance abuse care, maternity and newborn care, and prevention. The 149-page document applies to individual and small-group plans as well as coverage under Medicaid expansion. Reuters (2/20), Kaiser Health News/Capsules blog (2/20), BeckersHospitalReview.com (2/20)

Galderma acne treatment OK'd for younger patients
The FDA approved Galderma Laboratories' Epiduo gel, or adapalene, to treat acne in children 9 and older. The approval was based on a 12-week trial involving 285 pediatric patients. Adapalene previously had been cleared for use treating children 12 and older. Pharmaceutical Business Review Online (2/20), PharmaBiz.com (India) (2/21)

The Last Word - News from the AAP

Resident Video Challenge - Deadline is 3 days away
The AAP is pleased to announce the AAP’s Pediatric Resident Video Challenge. The goal of the challenge is for pediatric residents to develop compelling videos that will increase awareness of adolescent immunizations and model effective ways to address parental concerns. Prizes for the first ($100) and second ($50) place winners for each question will be awarded. For full terms and instructions, visit the AAP website.

Call for nomination – 2013 F. Edwards Rushton CATCH award
Nominations are being sought for the 2013 F. Edwards Rushton CATCH award that recognizes an outstanding CATCH grantee whose project has developed over time and expanded beyond its original goals to positively impact child health. Nominations are due Friday, March 22, by 5 p.m. CT. For more information, visit the CATCH website.

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You can do anything in this world if you are prepared to take the consequences."

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This news roundup is provided as a timely update to AAP members and other health professionals about child health topics in the media. Links to articles are provided for the convenience of pediatricians who may find them of use in discussions with patients or colleagues.

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