Medical Research | Pediatric Surgery

Pediatrics and Vaccinations

A growing controversy in the area of pediatrics are vaccinations. Vaccinations became widely used during the 1800s smallpox outbreak. Over the years the number of vaccinations grew in accordance with the number of fatal childhood illnesses. There is an argument among parents that the number of vaccinations children are receiving is unnecessary and causing more illnesses than they prevent. A growing community has emerged to educate parents and to stop the number of vaccinations and in some cases stop vaccinations altogether.

So, what is a vaccine? What vaccinations should children have and by what age? What is the success rate of vaccinations in preventing illness in the world’s children? Vaccines are simply medications or mixtures of medications with small amounts of a virus that are injected or ingested by a patient. These medications are designed to build immunity to the virus they are treating. They have progressed over the years from five vaccinations to over fifteen vaccinations. An increase in fatal illnesses is cited for the increase in pediatric vaccinations.

There is a general consensus among within pediatrics that children should be vaccinated for Tdap, HPV, Meningococcus, and Influenza. These vaccines should be followed up, over a scheduled amount of time from infancy to eleven, with MMR, Hepatitis B, Varcella, Polio, Hepatitis A, and Pneumococcus. Parents opposed to vaccinations claim that all but two or three of these vaccinations are needed. Some even argue that none are needed and that their parental rights supersedes the rights of the medical community and government to administer the vaccines.

The success rate of vaccinations in preventing illnesses speaks for itself in the bodies of healthy children across the world. Though there have been isolated cases of the vaccinations not working or of children being allergic to the vaccinations there is no scientific evidence that they harm the children they are designed to help. As with any medical issue there will be opposition. When it comes to a child’s health and safety it is natural to be cautious but it is also natural to obtain the knowledge before making a choice.

Filed Under: Medical Research, Pediatrics Tagged With: Child Health, Health, Medicine, Vaccination

Benefits of Cord Blood Storage

Cord blood storage is something that many expectant mothers hear about from their doctors. Different companies advertise to expectant mothers offering them the option of having their newborns cord blood stored in safe secure environments. Parents can choose to donate the cord blood making it available to themselves and other family members or they may choose to donate the stored cord blood to others in need or to research.

There are several benefits to storing cord blood. One of the main benefits is that cord blood can be stored for an indefinite amount of time. This means that if the cord blood is needed at a later date a parent or authorized guardian may access the cord blood. This is curcial in casees where childhood cancer has developed a year or more after birth. In these cases cord blood can be obtained and used by the Pediatrics department and Healthcare officials to help aide in it’s application for the child’s recovery.

Another benefit to storing cord blood is that it can be stored to assist in further research. With the time frame being open for storage possibilties this means that parents may choose at some point that they no longer wish to use all or portions of the stored cord blood. In this case they may choose to donate the remaining cord blood to research programs that are working to further the medical benefits of this resource.

A final benefit to storing cord blood that should be considered is its ability to help other children and adults that suffer from certain illnesses such as pediatrics related illnesses, leukemia, and injuries where cord blood can be used to grow and repair cells within the body. This benefit alone is a mircle to someone who may not have access to cord blood or who is willing to work with researchers to help their children or family member suffering from something cord blood could cure. Healthcare professionals are working hard daily to promote the benefits and research related to cord blood and cord blood storage helps in that endeavor.

Filed Under: Cord blood, Medical Research Tagged With: Cord blood, Health, Health care

Find Out Why Head Lice Shouldn’t Keep Your Child Out of School

: Image by tsand via Flickr

If you have school-aged children, you probably know about the standard head lice checks many schools conduct as a part of their public safety efforts. Usually, the school nurse calls in students and checks each child for signs of the parasitic insects. In times past, the nurse would call a parent to come get the child if she found any symptoms of head lice. Once parents successfully treated the lice, the school would check for nits and either accept or decline to let the student back in school.

While this was once the standard, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) encourages schools to abandon the “No-Nit Rule.” In its updated guide detailing how to treat head lice, the AAP reports that head lice shouldn’t cause medical alarm. According to the AAP, pediculus capitis don’t contribute to the spread of disease. Even though nits can be pesky, head lice shouldn’t cause a student to miss school. With no medical harm evident, it could be more detrimental for a student to miss seven to ten days of school.

The quick breeding cycle of head lice and the parasite’s ability to spread on contact can make it difficult for a school to keep head lice to a minimum. A female louse can lay up to ten eggs a day and has a life cycle of up to four weeks. The nits hatch within 10 to 14 days and can begin their own mating cycle soon after. Head lice live on human hair and feed by sucking blood from the scalp once a day. In order to get rid of head lice, the AAP recommends parents use a non-toxic formula containing at least one percent permethrin lotion. Applying the formula seven to ten days after the original application can help catch any nits just starting to hatch. Parents can find over-the-counter head lice products at reasonable prices at many grocery stores and pharmacies. In addition to applying a solution to kill lice, parents can use a head lice comb to remove any nits stuck to strands of hair.

Filed Under: Child Care, Conditions and Diseases, Health, Medical Research Tagged With: Conditions and Diseases, Head-louse infestation, Health

Hospitals Report an Increase in Childhood Kidney Stones

When most people think of kidney stones, they think of older individuals. But kidney stones can form at any age, and some U.S. hospitals are treating more kids for the condition than in years past. Kidney stones are the result of crystal-forming substances occurring in high quantities in the urine. Typically, the substances are calcium, oxalate, or uric acid. At the higher quantities, the liquid of the urine fails to dissolve the substance, leading to the formation of a kidney stone.

A recent study of data from pediatric hospitals in the U.S. indicated an increase from 125 cases of children with kidney stones in 1999 to over 1,300 in 2008. Doctors who reviewed the data were reluctant to say the upswing is a trend. The information corresponds to children seen at hospitals; therefore, it may not be a true representation of the average U.S. population. The increase could be the result of pediatric clinics designated for kidney stones. Doctors may refer more patients to these clinics than they would have prior to them opening.

Some researchers believe there may be a connection between the increase in childhood obesity and the increase in children developing kidney stones. As research continues into the obesity epidemic that has gained national attention in part because of First Lady Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign, the connection may become more apparent. As with obesity, children’s diet may be a contributing factor. Dr. Jonathan C. Routh, a practitioner at Boston’s Children’s Hospital explained that an increase in sodium intake, eating more animal fat, and not getting enough fluids can increase the risk of kidney stones. Children who have a family history of the condition may see an elevated risk, as well. To prevent kidney stones, parents can make sure their kids drink plenty of water, especially after exercising or during warmer weather. Keep in mind children who have had one kidney stone have an increased risk of developing additional ones later in life. Passing a kidney stone can be very painful. If you think your child might have one, call your doctor as soon as possible.

Filed Under: Child Care, Conditions and Diseases, Medical Research Tagged With: Conditions and Diseases, Health, Kidney stone

Tobacco Advertising Increases the Risk of Teens Smoking

In 1998, tobacco companies reached a settlement with the U.S. government prohibiting the use of cigarette ads targeted toward children to market their products. The original debate called into question R.J. Reynolds use of Joe Camel, a carton character, to promote smoking, as well as other popular ads. In 2005, tobacco companies began selling candy-flavored cigarettes with fun names like “Kauai Kolada.” Supporters of the government’s restriction on tobacco advertisements were quick to jump on what they deemed a violation of the settlement. While the settlement prohibits using anything that targets kids, it may not be enough.

An article published in the August 2010 issue of Pediatrics shows a connection between exposure to general cigarette advertisements and an increase in smoking among teenagers. The article examined data from a study that followed 1,681 children between the ages of 11 and 14. Participants started the study as non-smokers. Through the duration of the study, researchers documented the frequency of visits participants made to stores with a higher quantity of cigarette displays and ads. Many of these stores were gas stations, liquor stores, or convenience stores. By the end of the study, 18 percent of participants had begun smoking. Participants who visited stores with more tobacco advertisements at least twice a week were more likely to start smoking than those who visited such stores less frequently.

The study raises questions as to whether the 1998 settlement has gone far enough to protect children from the health risks associated with smoking. Many of the stores visited during the study had locations close to schools. While the ads didn’t feature cartoon characters or anything aimed at teenagers, some believe exposure to multiple ads is enough of a risk. The initial study may spark additional research to determine whether the government needs to look at restricting how close to a school a tobacco advertisement might be.

Filed Under: Child Care, Conditions and Diseases, Health, Medical Research Tagged With: Advertising, Cigarette, Research, Tobacco smoking

Government Panel Cautions Against Using One Brand of Flu Shot for Young Children

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The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices issues a directive on August 5, 2010, warning U.S. doctors to avoid using the CSL vaccine for children under the age of eight. After receiving shots of the CSL flu vaccine, young children who live in Australia and New Zealand experienced convulsions and fevers.

CSL Biotherapies is an Australian-based company that is manufacturing a portion of the flu vaccines headed to the U.S. for the fall. The remaining vaccines will come from four additional manufactures and have had no negative side effects as of yet. Overall, the U.S. anticipates receiving 170 million doses of the vaccine from the combined group of manufacturers.

While health professionals have not reported any deaths in association with the CSL vaccine, members on the panel for the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices expressed concern over the negative side effects. According to the vaccine information, children under the age of five experienced almost 10 times more problems with the vaccine than with other ones. Regardless of the warning, the majority of panel members believed it would be better for doctors to adminster the CSL vaccine in children at risk of flu complications rather than skipping the shot because other vaccine brands weren’t available.

As a result of the warning, many expect the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to issue a formal warning to doctors and the public regarding the CSL vaccine. The CDC usually adopts recommendations made by the panel.

Professionals looking into the negative side effects related to the CSL vaccine have yet to determine a cause for the fevers or convulsions. However, Sharon McHale, a representative for CSL Biotherapies, said the company was cooperating with the U.S. committee. The company had already decided not to distribute one form of its vaccine and supports taking precautions with the vaccine it will send to the U.S.

Filed Under: Child Care, Conditions and Diseases, Health, Medical Research Tagged With: Health, Influenza vaccine, United States

Americans Girls Entering Puberty At Age 7

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In August 2010, a research team led by Dr. Frank Biro, who works with the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, published the results of a study for breast development in American girls. According to the information collected, girls are developing breasts as early as age seven or eight. The study showed more girls are starting puberty early than in a similar study conducted 10 and 30 years ago. The largest variance from previous studies occurred in young girls with Caucasian background. There could be several factors causing the early development, including environmental stimulants and genes, but the study didn’t pinpoint a predominant reason.

The Environment Research Center and the Breast Cancer Center recruited 1,239 girls between six and eight years of age for the study, which began in 2003. Participants lived in three areas: New York’s East Harlem, the San Francisco Bay area, and the greater metropolitan area of Cincinnati. To analyze breast development, participants compared their development to the Tanner Breast Stages, comprising five stages. Researchers also interviewed the primary care givers for participants. The examinations showed the following statistics for seven-year-old participants: 23.4 percent of black, non-Hispanic girls; 14.9 percent of Hispanic girls; and 10.4 percent of white girls reached stage two. At age eight, the percentages increased across the board. Overall, girls who were obese reached stage two earlier.

While the researchers believe the results are not a direct representation of the general public, there is the possibility of the data showing a trend. This concerns doctors because research has found a connection between the development of breast cancer and starting to menstruate at an earlier age. Another concern is early development may lead to promiscuous behavior before girls are mentally ready to handle the risk involved with it.

Due to the connection between obesity and early development, parents may want to strive to incorporate a healthy and balance diet. If girls maintain a proper weight, it may prevent early development. The research team plans to do additional investigation to determine whether this is a national trend, and it will also continue to look for possible causes.

Filed Under: Child Care, Health, Medical Research Tagged With: Breast cancer, Health, Obesity, Research