Search

The management of constipation can often be a challenge in children who may be fearful of opening their bowels and who may be reluctant to sit on the toilet. This article focuses on guidance produced by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence on constipation in children and young people. The guidance discusses successful treatment of constipation, including ensuring effective initial emptying of the bowel and appropriate laxative therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information on rotavirus. Based on studies, rotavirus belongs to the Reoviridae family. It is also reported that rotavirus is a seasonal virus that causes acute gastroenteritis in children 5 years of age or younger. The virus can also lead to severe cases of dehydration in children 3 to 35 months of age.

Throughout her career as a speech-language pathologist, the author had treated many children with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Many of these children had primary diagnoses associated with GERD (premature birth, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis). It was not a pleasant experience when she discovered her own seemingly healthy newborn who never slept comfortably and constantly spit up had GERD. Using her professional knowledge, she tried everything to decrease her pain and encourage her to eat but it didn't work. Joining the Pediatric/Adolescent Gastroesophageal Reflux Association (PAGER) gave her not only useful information for dealing with her daughter's illness, but also the emotional support of knowing she was not the only one with these feelings.

The article focuses on a report presented at the 108th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology which cited that enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157 infections may be worsened in children who were given certain antibiotics. The report cited studies which show that zinc may be beneficial in treating gastroenteritis. It was found that zinc can have direct inhibitory effect on the pathogen as well, showing that zinc can act in absence of zinc deficiency.