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American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines for children with Down syndrome (DS) include assessment for celiac disease (CD), although data to support this recommendation have been inconsistent. We determined the incidence of CD among children with DS in a population-based birth cohort of children born from 1976 to 2000 in Olmsted County, Minnesota. Individuals with karyotype-confirmed DS and CD (using diagnosis codes, positive serology, and duodenal biopsies) were identified. The incidence of CD in DS was compared with the published incidence of CD for Olmsted County residents (17.4 [95% confidence interval = 15.2-19.6] per 100 000 person-years). Among 45 individuals with DS from the birth cohort, 3 (6.7%) were identified with positive celiac serology and confirmatory biopsies at ages 9, 12, and 23 years, for an incidence of 325 per 100 000 person-years. Thus, individuals with DS have more than 18 times the incidence rate of CD compared with the general population, supporting the AAP guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate an educational module for Latino parents about the health effects of sweet beverages. Latino parents were randomized to receive the beverage module or a control module. Child beverage consumption was assessed at baseline, 2 weeks, 2 months, and 3 months via a beverage recall survey. At 2-week follow-up, children of intervention participants had a mean reduction in 7-day total sugar-sweetened beverage and 100% fruit juice consumption of 16 ounces while controls had a mean increase of 4 ounces (P = .01). At 2-month and 3-month follow-up, there was a reduction in mean total sugar-sweetened beverage and 100% fruit juice consumption among both intervention and control children. An educational module on beverages for Latino parents reduced child consumption of sweet beverages at 2-week follow-up. However, study participation appears to have also reduced controls' beverage consumption suggesting that frequent intensive surveys of beverage intake may be an intervention unto itself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary care providers are well positioned to address the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs of adolescents; however, gaps often exist in the delivery of quality SRH services in primary care. Our objective was to identify specific opportunities to improve the delivery of adolescent SRH services in primary care. We conducted in-depth interviews with 25 primary care providers from various disciplines across rural and urban areas of Minnesota and conducted thematic analysis of transcribed data. Participants identified salient opportunities in three areas: (1) training and resources for providers (e.g., related to minor consent laws or addressing sensitive subjects), (2) practices and procedures (e.g., time-alone procedures and policies for confidential screening and sharing test results), and (3) education for adolescents (e.g., knowing their rights and accessing confidential SRH services). Study findings provide actionable opportunities to improve delivery of adolescent SRH services in primary care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. This study examined the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of pediatric patients with overweight/obesity compared with that of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Methods. Differences between disease groups in their PedsQL 4.0 HRQOL survey scores were analyzed using unpaired t tests and analyses of variance. Results. Scores of patients with overweight/obesity were as low as scores of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Parent/guardian-proxy social functioning scores of the overweight/obese group were statistically significantly lower than scores of the inflammatory bowel disease group, and the parents/guardians reported significantly lower HRQOL scores than the patients. Conclusions. Overweight/obese children have HRQOL scores as impaired as those of children with inflammatory bowel disease. According to proxy-reported scores, overweight/obesity is associated with lower social functioning. Thus, it is important for health care providers to recognize obesity’s relationship to patients’ psychosocial health and provide holistic care that addresses the severity of this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article presents a study on a behavior change-based pediatric lifestyle changes program designed for overweight/obese youths and determines predictors of attrition from pediatric weight management programs. Topics include the Healthy ME: Pediatric Lifestyle Changes program, the results which show that non-Hispanic ethnicity, lower resting blood pressure, and no-showed appointments are predictors of attrition for the Healthy ME program, and the importance of communication and follow-up.

Children’s musculoskeletal (MSK) injury pain remains poorly managed. This survey of pediatric emergency physicians and orthopedic surgeons assessed analgesia administration practices and discharge advice for children with acute MSK pain; 683 responses were received. Ibuprofen was the most commonly reported analgesic used in the emergency department (52%) and at discharge (68%). Most (85%) reported using oral opioids in the previous 6 months. Codeine use was the most commonly reported opioid used in the emergency department (38%) and at home (51%). For equal levels of pain, younger children received less opioids than older children. Younger physicians and recent graduates chose acetaminophen and codeine more than older and more experienced colleagues, who preferred ibuprofen and non-codeine containing opioid compounds (P < .001 and .006, respectively). Orthopedic surgeons reported less ibuprofen use than pediatric emergency physicians (P < .001). Choice of analgesic agents is heterogeneous among physicians and is influenced by pain severity, child’s age, and physician characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article provides insights for U.S. pediatricians on dealing with the hesitations of parents toward a COVID-19 vaccine. A study discovered that a fifth of adults are unwilling to be vaccinated due to misinformation-led fears. Pediatricians are advised to consider the decisional rights of the parent when deciding about the ethical justification of dismissing them. It emphasizes the need for pediatricians to attend to the concern of patients about COVID-19 vaccines.

The article presents an answer to the question can a physician treat a minor patient without parent's consent.

The article offers information on perceived patient preference and clinical testing for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea in Females. Topics discussed include national survey reports mentioning about least number of sexually experienced adolescent females reported sexually transmitted infections testing within the past 12 months; adolescent females prefer less invasive methods for clinical testing; and importance of patient preference to improve adolescent willingness for testing.